I found true AirPods Pro rivals in these Samsung earbuds – and they’re better in several ways

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I commented a few weeks ago that Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are boring. And, they are, but that’s not an inherently bad thing. Compared to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from 2024, the Buds 4 Pro’s most noticeable enhancements are their refined design and the introduction of head gestures, while incremental improvements to noise cancellation, durability, and audio tuning don’t go unnoticed. 

Some features make a comeback, including 360 audio, live translation, and Galaxy AI integration.

Also: If Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 bore you, I hope you’re ready for camera-equipped earbuds

After a week of using the buds, my verdict is that there’s no doubt these are the best Samsung buds so far, and they only get better when used within the Galaxy ecosystem. Are they worth upgrading if you have the Buds 3 Pro? Maybe not, but you’ll be pleased if you do.

Sophisticated sound for earbuds

Starting with sound, Samsung upgraded the Buds 4 Pro’s acoustic makeup, featuring a two-way design with a 10.5mm dynamic driver and a 6.1mm planar magnetic tweeter. Compared to their predecessors, the Buds 4 Pro reproduce a wider, more airy soundstage that’s incredibly enjoyable. 

I found the Buds 4 Pro’s bass response to be tight with limited distortion at high volume, but it’s not as present as the Buds 3 Pro or their contemporaries from Bose, Apple, or Sony. 

So, if you prefer a more pronounced bass response, you’ll want to adjust the EQ settings. Mids and highs are more present in the Buds 4 Pro; I’d crown the Buds 4 Pro as sonically equal to Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Sony’s WH-1000XM6.

Audio features

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro support hi-fi listening at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution, adaptive noise cancellation, super-wideband calling, LE Audio, and ambient mode. Samsung promises improved noise cancellation, with the Buds 4 Pro canceling an additional 3 dB more than their predecessors. 

Also: JBL’s latest headphones offer an Auracast loophole Apple won’t be happy about

Samsung’s noise cancellation excels at dampening lower frequencies, such as the rumble of engines and air conditioners. However, the sound of voices, especially when they’re close, is harder for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to handle. 

Samsung’s noise-cancellation capabilities are most similar to those of Sony’s WH-1000XM6, while Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds II are better equipped at filtering human voices.

The Buds 4 Pro’s ambient (transparency) mode is stellar, offering a quieter noise floor than Sony’s and delivering a more natural interpretation of the world around you, similar to Apple’s.

LE Audio is on deck, allowing you to tap into public Auracast broadcasts, start your own broadcast to share audio with friends, and access the LC3 codec. Samsung offers its proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) when the Buds 4 Pro are connected to a compatible Samsung device; I recommend listening via SSC or AAC. 

Accessing LE Audio and LC3 with the Buds 4 Pro gave me all kinds of connectivity issues, likely because the technology is still in development and Samsung prioritizes more stable codecs.

I connected the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to my iPhone 17 and my Google Pixel 9 Pro, and the call quality didn’t get me any angry complaints from my friends and family, but harsher outdoor conditions required me to project my voice. Samsung provides enhanced noise processing for calls within the Galaxy ecosystem, so I can’t say much about it.

Design

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro adopt the previous generation’s bud-and-stem design, but this time swap angular, LED-lit accents for muted, rounded edges with metallic accents. The Buds 4 Pro buds fit my ears much more comfortably than the 3 Pro, and have a more mature design that appears less plasticky, even if it isn’t.

Overall, the Buds 4 Pro’s design is the most notable upgrade over their predecessor, and if you skipped the Buds 3 Pro for their interesting design, the Buds 4 Pro might be more appealing.

Also: Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Apple AirPods Pro 3: I tested both earbuds, and this pair wins

Additionally, a minor durability upgrade means the Buds 4 Pro can withstand being submerged in water up to three feet deep for up to 30 minutes. Though I don’t recommend confirming this feature, it provides peace of mind for your tiny earbuds that can easily fall out of your hands and ears. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver palpable upgrades in design, comfort, audio quality, and noise cancellation over the Buds 3 Pro. However, the Buds 4 Pro are an incremental upgrade, so they won’t be particularly mind-blowing for anyone who bought the third generation in 2024. If your Buds 3 Pro are in good condition, you can get a $75 trade-in credit from Best Buy.

If you’re a Pixel user who isn’t thrilled with Google’s Pixel Buds, I recommend avoiding Samsung’s earbuds and opting for Sony or Bose. Samsung’s Buds 4 Pro keep too many valuable features within the Galaxy ecosystem, and you’ll be overpaying for features you can’t access.