Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Enhance Features, Yet Remain Tied to Galaxy Ecosystem

Samsung has rolled out its latest flagship Galaxy Buds, promising more than just a design update. The new model features enhanced woofers for richer, dual-amped hi-fi sound, a sleek blade design, improved call clarity, and superior noise cancellation. While the $249.99 Galaxy Buds 4 may not represent a massive upgrade from the previous version, they retain the strengths of the Buds 3 while addressing many of their shortcomings—especially for users of Samsung Galaxy devices.

Similar to how AirPods Pro 3 shine with Apple products, the Buds 4 Pro deliver their best performance when connected to a Galaxy device. This pairing unlocks a suite of features, including high-resolution audio support, voice wakeup with Gemini and Bixby, head gestures for call and Bixby control, interpreter translation, Auracast, auto-switching, and HD voice calling. Some features are accessible with Android devices using the Galaxy Wear app, but for iPhone, Windows, and gaming consoles, the buds are limited to standard audio, calls, and toggling active noise cancellation (ANC). While this may be a strategic choice, it does restrict the full experience of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

One notable enhancement in the Buds 4 Pro is the sound profile, which is more balanced compared to the Buds 3 Pro. The previous model had a tendency to emphasize certain vocal frequencies, making long listening sessions less enjoyable. The Buds 4 Pro have smoothed out the midrange, allowing for a more immersive experience, whether you’re enjoying Chris Cornell’s powerful vocals in “Black Hole Sun” or the intricate drumming of Matt Cameron.

The bass response on the Buds 4 Pro is a bit of a mixed bag, depending on the genre. For instance, the kick drum in Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” is more pronounced, adding depth before the full band kicks in, while the driving bass in Muse’s “Uprising” might feel overwhelming for some. It’s not excessive, but it can overshadow the midrange. Fortunately, users can fine-tune the sound with a 9-band EQ in the app.

For Galaxy device owners, the Buds 4 Pro support 24-bit / 96kHz high-resolution audio from compatible streaming services. While the differences can be subtle, tracks like Pink Floyd’s “Brain Damage” benefit from a more spacious soundstage, especially as the organ and backing vocals enter.

The active noise cancellation has also seen improvements, effectively dampening low-end sounds like airplane engines and managing midrange frequencies that often trouble earbuds. While it may not quite match the performance of competitors, it’s a significant step up from the Buds Pro 3. Users can adjust the intensity of both ANC and transparency mode through the app for a more tailored experience.

Equipped with six microphones and a voice pickup unit, the Buds excel at isolating your voice during calls, effectively blocking out background noise like wind and traffic. My friend couldn’t hear a car alarm during our call, even while I was walking down a busy street. There is some compression added to the voice, but clarity remains intact.

For Galaxy users, there’s an option for super wideband voice, enhancing call quality to 16kHz. I tested this feature while walking in a bustling area, and while it offers a slight improvement, it’s not a game-changer. It’s a nice addition, but not essential for effective communication.

The design retains the stem style introduced with the Buds 3, but with some improvements. The distracting LEDs have been replaced with a sleek metal strip, dubbed the “blade design,” and a new pink gold color option joins the existing white and black. The capacitive controls are now located on the sides of the stem, allowing for swipe and pinch gestures for volume, ANC toggling, playback, and assistant activation. Users can customize which earbud controls what through the Buds 4 Pro settings.

While the Buds come with only three ear tip sizes, I found the medium tips provided a secure fit, even during runs. With an IP57 rating, they’re also a solid choice for workouts.

The transparent top charging case, a carryover from the Buds 3, allows you to showcase your earbuds while they charge. It’s compact, fitting easily into pockets and smaller than cases for many competitors.

Ultimately, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are designed primarily for the Galaxy ecosystem, but they now offer performance that rivals other top-tier earbuds. They deliver impressive sound quality, worthy ANC, and exclusive features for Galaxy users.

However, this exclusivity means they may not be the best choice for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend them for iPhone users, just as I wouldn’t suggest AirPods for anyone outside the Apple ecosystem. Non-Galaxy Android users might want to explore alternatives like the Technics AZ100, Sony WF-1000XM5, or Bose Ultra Earbuds. But for those with a Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro stand out as the top option.