A deep dive into Samsung’s latest premium true wireless earbuds, focusing on sound quality, smart features, and ecosystem integration.
The true wireless earbuds market has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. What was once considered a niche category, often associated with compromises like limited sound quality, short battery life, and unreliable connectivity, has evolved into one of the most competitive and technologically advanced segments in consumer audio. Brands like Sony, Bose, and Apple have led the premium segment, particularly in areas like active noise cancellation and deep app integration.
At the same time, companies like Samsung have recognized that the future isn’t just about sound quality. but about intelligent integration across devices, personalization, and seamless user experiences. The result is a market where differentiation goes beyond specs, extending into how effortlessly earbuds fit into daily life, how comfortable they are over long periods, and how smart they feel.
Samsung and Audio: A Broader Perspective
Not everyone realizes that audio is far from new territory for Samsung. This became especially evident after its 2017 acquisition of Harman International, significantly expanding its footprint in the premium audio space. Under Harman operates a wide portfolio of respected brands, including AKG, JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, and Lexicon, all bringing deep expertise from both consumer and professional markets.
More recently, Harman expanded further with the 2025 acquisition of Sound United, adding brands like Denon, Marantz, and Bowers & Wilkins. This structure highlights that while Samsung is often associated with smartphones and TVs, it is also deeply invested in audio engineering.
Samsung entered the wireless earbuds space several years ago, but the Pro lineup marked a turning point. The original Buds Pro aimed to compete directly with market leaders, introducing advanced ANC and a compact design. Since then, each generation has refined the formula with meaningful improvements in sound quality, comfort, and ecosystem integration.
The Buds4 Pro were launched alongside the Galaxy S26 series, as part of Samsung’s broader vision for a connected, intelligent ecosystem.
En la caja
The package includes the earbuds, a charging case, and four pairs of ear tips, with one pair pre-installed.
Diseño
At first glance, it’s clear this generation has undergone a thoughtful redesign. The charging case now features a more squared and slightly flatter profile, making it stable on surfaces without the wobble seen in previous models. The lid opens smoothly, and the hinge feels solid and durable. It’s a design that feels comfortable on a desk, equally at home in an office setting.
The earbuds themselves feature softer, more rounded lines, in contrast to the sharper aesthetic of earlier models. The stem design remains, but it has been refined for better grip and more intuitive control.
In-ear comfort is excellent. They settle naturally, almost as if custom-fitted, with no noticeable pressure or fatigue even after extended use. Material quality feels premium, combining matte finishes with subtle glossy accents.
Tecnología
Inside, the Buds4 Pro pack an impressive technical setup, including a dual-driver system with a woofer and tweeter. The woofer is 20% larger than before, enabling better control over low frequencies.
They support high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz via Samsung’s proprietary codec, offering a clear advantage for Galaxy users.
Additional features include a nine-band equalizer, Adaptive Sound tuning based on user hearing profiles, and 360-degree spatial audio that competes directly with Sony’s Reality Audio 360. The upgraded microphone system, with a 16 kHz bandwidth, delivers clearer voice calls.
In noise cancellation, Samsung raises the bar with adaptive ANC that analyzes the environment in real time, rather than relying solely on preset profiles, something still uncommon among competitors.
Not All Bluetooth Is Created Equal
One of the less discussed but critical aspects is Bluetooth compatibility. While Bluetooth follows general standards, real-world performance varies significantly across manufacturers, especially in codecs, latency, connection stability, and high-resolution audio transmission.
The best performance is achieved when both the audio source and earbuds belong to the same ecosystem. This allows for optimization across codec handling, frequency management, and buffering.
This is why proprietary codecs like Samsung Seamless Codec have a clear advantage when paired with Samsung devices. In this context, ecosystem consistency is not just about convenience, but directly impacts sound quality and overall user experience.
Experiencia de usuario
Specs are one thing; real-world experience is another. From the first moment I put them on, it was clear this is a mature product. Pairing with the Galaxy S26 Ultra was instant, and controls felt exceptionally intuitive.
Touch gestures respond precisely, without the need to guess placement. Volume control via vertical swipes on the stems is a particularly refreshing touch.
Customization is extensive. The app allows control over nearly every aspect, from EQ settings to ANC behavior. Overall, these don’t feel like standalone earbuds that can connect to any phone, but feel deeply integrated into Samsung’s ecosystem, designed to understand the user rather than the other way around.
Batería y carga
Battery performance is competitive. With ANC enabled, I got around 6–7 hours depending on volume, and up to 25–30 hours with the case. Without ANC, results improve further.
Wireless charging is supported, including reverse charging from compatible smartphones. Fast charging is also available, delivering hours of playback in a short time. It may not lead the market in charging speed, but it meets expectations for everyday use.
Sound Test
To evaluate sound quality, I tested two very different tracks. The first, Blinding Lights by The Weekend, represents modern pop with a rich, layered production. The earbuds deliver a wide soundstage with strong instrument separation. Bass is deep but controlled, and synthesizers are present without becoming harsh.
The second, Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, highlights resolution and precision in higher frequencies. The piano sounds clean and detailed, with subtle dynamics preserved. However, there is a slight lack of refinement at the very high end, which is something that most users won’t notice, but more experienced listeners might.
Conclusión
Throughout my experience, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro strike a strong balance across nearly all key aspects of true wireless earbuds: sound quality, comfort, and smart features, especially for Samsung users.
They’re not perfect. The lack of universal multipoint connectivity and slightly less refined highs are worth noting. Instead, they feature Samsung’s Auto Switch, which offers seamless automatic switching between signed-in Samsung devices. But overall, they set a very high standard.
For users upgrading from a previous generation, the improvements are noticeable. For newcomers, they represent a significant leap and one of the top options in the market today.
And finally, the ecosystem cannot be ignored.
The combination of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and these earbuds creates a seamless experience that competitors like Sony, B&O, or JBL simply cannot replicate.
Fast pairing, smooth device switching, advanced codec support, and features like real-time translation and spatial audio take on new meaning when everything works in harmony.
In my experience, the success here isn’t just about the product itself, but about the broader ecosystem Samsung has been building, where each component strengthens the others.
Price: ~$199 (estimated U.S. market)