Galaxy Buds4 Pro
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro receive strong consensus praise for audio quality, noise cancellation, design refinement, and comprehensive software features, making them the leading Android earbuds option.
All three reviewers agree on improved clarity, powerful ANC, comfortable fit, and rich customization via EQ and voice controls.
However, notable criticisms include the lack of multi-point Bluetooth connectivity, battery life falling short of AirPods Pro 3, and some tonal harshness in the treble—with Mike O'Brien positioning them slightly below Sony, Bose, and Apple's offerings in overall ANC performance.
[+] Strengths
- +Excellent audio quality with strong customization options and improved clarity over previous generations.
- +Powerful active noise cancellation that rivals or exceeds AirPods Pro, with intelligent ambient mode features.
- +Premium design with improved comfort, secure fit, and intuitive metallic aesthetic that feels more durable.
- +Comprehensive software features including nine-band EQ, gaming mode, voice commands, and intelligent ANC switching.
- +Best-in-class Android earbuds that offer competitive value against premium competitors.
[~] Debates
- ~ audio+Sound quality is excellent with great clarity and improved audio characteristics.-Treble can be slightly harsh and high-end detail is not as present as desired.
- ~ design+Case design is excellent with satisfying magnetic closure and portability.-Case opening is slightly difficult and unintuitive.
- ~ performance+Call quality and noise reduction during calls is excellent, even in harsh weather conditions.-Voice quality can be slightly compromised if the speaker doesn't speak up.
[+]The Consensus
ID_GRP: POSITIVE_FEEDBACK// Excellent audio quality with strong customization options and improved clarity over previous generations.
"They sound incredible."
"they are without a doubt the best Galaxy Buds I have ever tried."
"With the Buds 4 Pro, you get a bit more clarity and bass extension and slightly bigger, more open sound overall with good separation between instruments."
// Powerful active noise cancellation that rivals or exceeds AirPods Pro, with intelligent ambient mode features.
"the adjustable strength active noise cancellation at maximum strength is really strong."
"These were getting 59 dB. So very very high."
"transparency mode or ambient mode as Samsung calls it, seemed very natural to my ears with no audible hiss."
// Comprehensive software features including nine-band EQ, gaming mode, voice commands, and intelligent ANC switching.
"they have this full nine-band equalizer with presets and massive customization over dialing in your sound."
"the EQ is surprisingly good with a nine-band custom EQ or six presets that all generally sound quite good."
"one of the more underrated features... built in voice controls, and the Buds 4 Pro have them as well... they work with whatever device you're using them with, including iPhones."
[-]The Drawbacks
ID_GRP: NEGATIVE_FEEDBACK// Lack of multi-point Bluetooth connectivity limits seamless switching between multiple devices.
"they do not have a true multi-point connectivity. Meaning, if you connect to like a Dell laptop, it's not going to seamlessly switch between your phone and your laptop."
"While there's no multipoint Bluetooth"
// Battery life falls short of competitors, offering eight hours per charge which is shorter than AirPods Pro 3.
"falls short of the AirPods Pro 3... eight hours of battery life on a single charge, which is a bit disappointing"
One reviewer noted: Limited location finding capabilities without ultra-wideband precision tracking like competitor Galaxy Tag products.
"there's still no precision finding using ultra wideband like a like a Galaxy Tag"
[~]The Great Debates
ID_GRP: CONTESTED_POINTSaudio
Reviewers largely praise the audio quality, but there is some disagreement about specific tonal characteristics. MKBHD and CNET emphasize impressive sound quality and clarity, while Mike O'Brien notes they can be slightly harsh in the high end and fall just behind Sony, Bose, and AirPods Pro 3 in overall noise cancellation performance.
[+] For
"I've found quality to be great."
"the Buds 4 Pro sound clean and dynamic with little to no distortion"
[-] Against
"For my own personal taste, they can be a little bit harsh."
"Sony, Bose, and AirPods Pro 3 are leading the pack, these are not far behind. Although definitely observably just one notch below their level."
design
All reviewers appreciate the overall design improvements, but disagree on specific usability aspects. MKBHD and Mike O'Brien praise the case design and comfort, while CNET notes difficulty with the case opening mechanism and Mike O'Brien mentions they may not suit side sleepers.
[+] For
"it's this cube case with a tinted clear lid and a nice satisfying magnetic slap. I love that"
"I'm actually kind of happy Samsung returned to this style. It sits open on your desk much more easily."
[-] Against
"I found it slightly harder to open than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's case, mainly because I sometimes blindly tried to open it from the wrong side."
"they're not going to be great for side sleepers."
performance
Reviewers disagree on voice calling and noise cancellation capabilities. CNET praises impressive call quality and noise reduction in harsh conditions, while Mike O'Brien notes occasional voice warbling and CNET itself notes a slight step behind competitors in ANC.
[+] For
"I made some calls in harsh conditions in New York, with wind swirling and rain falling and callers so they couldn't really hear any background sound."
[-] Against
"My voice warbled a little, especially if I didn't speak up a bit."
"they seemed a small step behind Apple's, Bose's, and Sony's noise canceling."