Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: audio architecture, battery life, pricing and more | Tech Radar
Overview
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: audio architecture, battery life, pricing and more
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Samsung unveiled both its entry-level and flagship earbuds, namely the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, at its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026. So what’s new — I mean, aside from the price difference of
As luck would have it, we got an early hands-on with the Buds 4 Pro, and straight away, the new clamshell case is a winner over the older model (although one of the team found it a little slippery to grasp), as is the updated ‘blade’ stem on the buds. Blade light? No more. Color-coded buds so you can tell at a glance which side of the case to put ‘em back in? Also gone. Proprietary eartip-locking system that prevents you from using third-party tips and makes them extremely hard to remove? Sadly, not gone…
I've gone hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for 5 days
Samsung Buds 4 Pro design leaks yet again, but I'm concerned about one part
Samsung's Buds 4 Pro and Buds 4 may launch with very tempting prices
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Galaxy Buds 4 Pro versus Galaxy Buds 4: what you need to know
It's important to say right from the get-go that this is a specs, stats, prices, and features versus, not an in-depth appraisal of the sound-per-pound value. That is because at the time of writing, we're only one day post-launch and we've yet to publish full reviews of the Galaxy Buds 4 or the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro — although those are coming.
But without further ado, these are the stats you need…
Black, White, Pink, Gold (some available only via Samsung)
Black, White, Pink, Gold (some available only via Samsung)
Earbud: 18.3 x 19.3 x 30.5 mm Charging Case: 51 x 51 x 28.3 mm
Earbud: 18.1 x 19.6 x 30.9 mm Charging Case: 51 x 51 x 28.3 mm
UHQ24-bit Hi-Fi**360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel*** Ultra high quality audio up to 24bit/96k Hz is available on Galaxy S26 series, S25 series, S24 series, S23 series, Z Tri Fold, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 and Tab S9 series with One UI 6.1.1 or above. Additional devices may be supported in the future.** 24-bit Hi-Fi sound requires Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 4.0 or higher and Galaxy Buds 4. 24-bit Hi-Fi sound support may vary depending on the application.*** Direct Multi-channel is supported with Android One UI version 4.1.1 or later, 360 Audio Supports One UI 3.1 or later.
- Ultra high quality audio up to 24bit/96k Hz is available on Galaxy S26 series, S25 series, S24 series, S23 series, Z Tri Fold, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 and Tab S9 series with One UI 6.1.1 or above. Additional devices may be supported in the future.
** 24-bit Hi-Fi sound requires Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 4.0 or higher and Galaxy Buds 4. 24-bit Hi-Fi sound support may vary depending on the application.
*** Direct Multi-channel is supported with Android One UI version 4.1.1 or later, 360 Audio Supports One UI 3.1 or later.
UHQ24-bit Hi-Fi**360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel*** Ultra high quality audio up to 24bit/96k Hz is available on Galaxy S26 series, S25 series, S24 series, S23 series, Z Tri Fold, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 and Tab S9 series with One UI 6.1.1 or above. Additional devices may be supported in the future.** 24-bit Hi-Fi sound requires Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 4.0 or higher and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. 24-bit Hi-Fi sound support may vary depending on the application.*** Direct Multi-channel is supported with Android One UI version 4.1.1 or later, 360 Audio Supports One UI 3.1 or later.
- Ultra high quality audio up to 24bit/96k Hz is available on Galaxy S26 series, S25 series, S24 series, S23 series, Z Tri Fold, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 and Tab S9 series with One UI 6.1.1 or above. Additional devices may be supported in the future.
** 24-bit Hi-Fi sound requires Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 4.0 or higher and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. 24-bit Hi-Fi sound support may vary depending on the application.
*** Direct Multi-channel is supported with Android One UI version 4.1.1 or later, 360 Audio Supports One UI 3.1 or later.
ANCAmbient sound Voice*/Siren** Detect Adaptive EQAdaptive ANC* The earbuds automatically recognize the user’s voice, boosting the ambient sound to enhance conversation clarity when it begins and increasing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to block out background noise when the conversation ends.** This feature raises the ambient sound volume to ensure users can hear crucial alerts such as alarms, emergency vehicles, or police sirens
- The earbuds automatically recognize the user’s voice, boosting the ambient sound to enhance conversation clarity when it begins and increasing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to block out background noise when the conversation ends.
** This feature raises the ambient sound volume to ensure users can hear crucial alerts such as alarms, emergency vehicles, or police sirens
Up to 5 hours / Total up to 24 hours (ANC on)Up to 6 hours / Total up to 30 hours (ANC off)
Up to 6 hours / Total up to 26 hours (ANC on)Up to 7 hours / Total up to 30 hours (ANC off)
Up to 3.5 hours / Total up to 18h (ANC on)Up to 4 hours / Total up to 20h (ANC off)
Up to 4.5 hours / Total up to 20h (ANC on)Up to 5 hours / Total up to 22h (ANC off)
Bluetooth 6.1, Auto Switch Codec: SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) Hi Fi, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary), AAC, SBC, LC3 Auracast
Codec: SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) Hi Fi, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary), AAC, SBC, LC3
Bluetooth 6.1, Auto Switch Codec: SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) Hi Fi, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary), AAC, SBC, LC3 Auracast
Codec: SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) Hi Fi, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary), AAC, SBC, LC3
Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), Force & Touch (Swipe), IR, Accelerometer, Gyro, Hall sensor
Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), Force & Touch (Swipe), IR, Accelerometer, Gyro, Hall sensor
Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), Force & Touch (Swipe), SWIR, Accelerometer, Gyro, Hall sensor
Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), Force & Touch (Swipe), SWIR, Accelerometer, Gyro, Hall sensor
Android 12 or higher with more than 1.5GB of Memory
Android 12 or higher with more than 1.5GB of Memory
Android 12 or higher with more than 1.5GB of Memory
Android 12 or higher with more than 1.5GB of Memory
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Buds 4 Pro, key early takeaways
From the table above, a few key pieces of information stand out to me. While the Buds 4 Pro earpiece is slightly heavier than the Buds 4, that's likely down to the ear-tip you'll need to use (Samsung tells us the weight was taken using medium-sized ear-tips). The Buds 4 are an open-fit style bud, which doesn't require a tip.
And while my colleague Tom Bedford liked the design of the Buds 4 Pro, he was dismayed to see that the issue he experienced with the tips of the Buds 3 Pro — namely that they're very hard to change, and easy to break when you try — hasn't been fixed.
The Buds 4 Pro's case is slightly lighter, but your quoted battery (life in terms of what you can expect from the buds and juice in the case) improves by one hour if you opt for the Pro set. Personally, that's a key stat for me – 5 hours with ANC on isn't long at all in 2026, so I'll pay the surcharge for an extra hour in the Buds 4 Pro. Still, when Apple's Air Pods Pro 3 can offer up to 8 hours of listening time (with ANC enabled) on a single charge, a 2-hour improvement over the Pro 2, it's still not a great figure to see on the Buds 4 Pro's spec sheet.
Interestingly, your connectivity, codec support, and sensor are the same across both models, but the dual-driver array in the Buds 4 Pro is a solid step up from the solo driver in the Buds 4.
Samsung Buds 4 Pro design leaks yet again, but I'm concerned about one part
Samsung's Buds 4 Pro and Buds 4 may launch with very tempting prices
Dummy models of the Galaxy Buds 4 have leaked, and there's a big similarity to Air Pods
Also, you get special "Voice" and "Siren" tech in the flagship Buds Pro 4 set. The former means the earbuds can automatically recognize your voice and boost the ambient sound to enhance clarity when your conversation begins, then increase ANC to block out background noise when your quick chat ends. The latter? This perk boosts ambient sound to ensure users can hear crucial alerts such as alarms, emergency vehicles' sirens, and the like.
Again, check back for our full reviews soon, but as we said in our early appraisal, my colleague Hamish Hector thinks you really only need to be considering the Buds 4 Pro.
➡️ Read our full guide to the best earbuds
- Best overall: Technics EAH-AZ100
- Best mid-range: Cambridge Audio A100
- Best budget: Nothing Ear (a)
- Best for noise-cancelling: Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds Ultra 2nd Gen
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Becky became Audio Editor at Tech Radar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, Four Four Two and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.
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Key Takeaways
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Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: audio architecture, battery life, pricing and more
-
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission
-
Samsung unveiled both its entry-level and flagship earbuds, namely the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, at its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026
-
As luck would have it, we got an early hands-on with the Buds 4 Pro, and straight away, the new clamshell case is a winner over the older model (although one of the team found it a little slippery to grasp), as is the updated ‘blade’ stem on the buds
-
I've gone hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for 5 days
