The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro represent Samsung's flagship true wireless earbuds for 2026. Packing upgraded dual drivers, third-generation ANC, and deep Galaxy AI integration, they promise a premium listening experience. We tested them extensively for two weeks — here's whether they justify the €279 price tag.
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🎧 Design & Build Quality
Samsung refined the stem design introduced with the Buds 3 Pro, making it slimmer and more ergonomic. Each earbud now weighs just 4.9g (down from 5.4g), making a noticeable difference during extended listening sessions. The ear tips have been completely redesigned — Samsung listened to complaints about the fragile tips on the Buds 3 Pro and created a new twist-lock system that's easy to remove without damage.
The case is 12% more compact, features an LED indicator and a semi-transparent viewing port. The IP58 rating improves upon the Buds 3 Pro's IP57, making them ideal for gym workouts and rainy commutes.
🔊 Sound Quality
This is where the Buds 4 Pro truly shine. Samsung employs a new dual-driver system with an 11mm dynamic woofer and a planar magnetic tweeter, upgraded from the 10mm drivers in the Buds 3 Pro. The result is impressive: bass is deep yet controlled, mids are more present than ever, and treble is crystalline without harsh peaks.
Samsung's SSC UHQ codec for 24-bit/96kHz streaming remains exclusive to Samsung devices, but LC3plus support has been added for improved quality with any Bluetooth 5.4+ device. The difference is audible, particularly with hi-res tracks from Tidal or Apple Music Lossless.
Pro tip: Enable the “UHQ Upscaler” in settings for a noticeable improvement even with Spotify streams — it converts audio to pseudo-hi-res using AI upsampling.
🔇 Active Noise Cancellation
Samsung's third-generation ANC now competes with the very best. It uses 3 microphones per earbud (feedforward + feedback + voice detect) and a new algorithm that effectively neutralizes low frequencies (airplane engines, trains) as well as mid-range sounds (office chatter).
Compared to the Buds 3 Pro, ANC improvement reaches 25% according to Samsung. In our tests on planes and subway commutes, the difference was clear — especially in “Ultra” mode, which activates exclusively with Galaxy AI devices and dynamically adjusts ANC intensity based on your environment.
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🤖 Galaxy AI Features
The key differentiator for 2026 is Galaxy AI integration. Major AI features include:
- Live Translate 2.0: Real-time translation in 20+ languages with more natural-sounding voice and lower latency
- AI Sound Personalization: Automatic EQ adjustment based on an audiogram test performed within the Samsung Wearable app
- Voice Focus 2.0: AI-powered call noise removal — your caller hears only your voice, even on a busy street
- Smart Adaptive ANC: Automatic ANC adjustment based on activity detection (walking, running, sitting)
It's worth noting that AI features require a Samsung Galaxy S24 or newer. Without a Samsung device, the earbuds work perfectly but you miss these capabilities — something Samsung should reconsider in the future.
🔋 Battery & Charging
Battery life sees a significant upgrade: 8 hours with ANC on (up from 6 on the Buds 3 Pro) and 10 hours with ANC off. With the case, you get a total of 32 hours. Quick charging provides 60 minutes of listening from just 5 minutes in the case, and Qi2 wireless charging is supported.
"The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro easily last a full day of use without battery anxiety. The battery improvement is the most significant upgrade over the Buds 3 Pro."
— Our impression after 2 weeks of testing⚖️ Are They Worth €279?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are unquestionably the best earbuds Samsung has ever made. Sound quality is top-tier, ANC is excellent, battery life is finally satisfying, and AI features are genuinely useful if you own a Samsung device.
However, the €279 price places them in direct competition with AirPods Pro 3 (~€279) and Sony WF-1000XM6 (~€259). Sony offers slightly better sound by audiophile standards, while AirPods remain the best choice for iPhone users. If you're in the Samsung ecosystem, the Buds 4 Pro are the definitive choice. If not, consider the alternatives as well.
Sources: TechRadar, Samsung Official
