Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro Review: AirPods Pro for Android | WIRED

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Rating:8/10

Open rating explainerInformation

WIRED

Bold and detailed sound across frequencies. Excellent call quality. Polished design. Light and comfy fit. Effective noise canceling and natural ambient sound mode. Loads of extra features, especially for Galaxy phones. Auto-switching between Samsung devices.

TIRED

Apple-derivative design. Battery life is just OK. The responsiveness of physical controls could be better. No multipoint Bluetooth for other multi-device use.

The Galaxy Buds were always envisioned as Samsung’s answer to the AirPods: a stylish audio solution custom-made for people who like Samsung phones. Early on in their evolution, the buds brandished their own unique designs, including the delightfully egg-shaped Galaxy Buds2 and 2 Pro. More recent models have stripped all pretense of individuality, essentially conceding to the world (like so many brands) that Apple’s stem-like design is superior.

Like the latest Galaxy phones, Samsung’s flagship buds lean into Apple’s best traits, from slick and minimalist design to excellent noise canceling and a barrage of brand-first features. As you’d expect, they keep a few standout design cues, like a flashy compact charging case and Samsung’s dynamic dual-speaker audio system.

What was most striking in my two-week test as my daily headphones is how well the buds conjure up some of that Apple magic: They’re fun, comfy, and insanely convenient to use, especially when paired with a Samsung phone. A few drawbacks, like six hours of battery life, and controls that aren’t as responsive (or malleable) as I’d like, keep them from fully embodying the best earbuds for Apple phones. But even as an iPhone faithful, after testing these buds with a new Galaxy S26, it was hard not to consider an ecosystem switch.

S Pods Pro

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

It’s uncanny how similar the Buds4 Pro feel to the AirPods Pro 3, especially in the pearlescent white colorway I tested. (Unlike Apple’s monolithic Pods, these also come in black or pink gold). The oval-shaped ear tips, the black sensor dots and vents along the housings—it’s all very déjà vu. The metallic plastic strip along the stems almost feels like a last-minute addition to prove these are not, in fact, Apple buds.

The cube-shaped charging case is where you get some real differentiation, stepping back from the Apple-esque rectangular design of 2024’s Buds3 Pro to forge its own path. The transparent lid could easily come off as cheap, but feels hearty instead, as does the matte base that offers both wireless and USB-C charging.

Popping the top auto-pairs the buds to your Samsung phone (you’ll need to locate them in the Bluetooth settings for other devices), and placing them in your ears prompts a cool, futuristic tone. The fit is fantastically light at just 5.1 grams per bud, letting me wear them for hours of listening over multiple days with no discomfort. IP57 dust and water resistance make them sport and weather friendly (excluding the case). Beneath the housings are two separate drivers per side, including a newly crafted “woofer” for deeper bass and a specialized tweeter for sharp-cut details in the high end (where strings and cymbals shine).

The Buds4 Pro’s battery rating of six hours of playback with active noise canceling (seven hours without) is a minor bummer considering contemporaries like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM6 offer eight hours. In testing, I actually pulled a little more than six hours with noise canceling on, and around seven hours in Ambient Sound mode (the mode that's designed to keep you aware of your environment). The tiny case claims to hold just over three recharges, which was right in line with my tests. One issue: Battery life for the case only pops up in the settings when you first connect, which made it more of a hassle to gauge than the constant feedback I got for the buds themselves.

The biggest disappointment I have is the lack of accessories. You’ll get no charging cable in the box, and three ear tip sizes which are tough to remove, requiring you to unfold them outward and pull rather hard. Luckily, the default medium size was nearly perfect for me.

Another minor gripe: the controls are super simple, but less responsive than I’d like. There are pinch controls for play/pause and song skip, and a hold to cycle between sound modes, but I misfired relatively often over several days. The volume setting, adjusted by sliding your finger up or down, was more consistent, but I found switching levels was often just too loud or too soft. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it's frustrating for sensitive listeners. Sadly, it’s one of the few features that can’t be customized. Folks like me will stick to the volume controls on our phones.

Versatile Noise Control

Photograph: Ryan Waniat