Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event revealed the latest additions to its well-liked Galaxy S series of smartphones, featuring the all-new Galaxy S26 Ultra, which boasts numerous exciting new functionalities. Alongside the Galaxy S26 lineup, the company also presented the new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Galaxy Buds 4 wireless earbuds. While the Galaxy Buds 4 come at a lower price point, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will be the company’s leading wireless earbuds this year, competing with the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
The Buds 4 Pro maintain a design reminiscent of their predecessor, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, incorporating a stem; however, there are several significant modifications concerning design, audio quality, and active noise cancellation. In contrast to the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+, which have become pricier than earlier models, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro retain the same price as the Buds 3 Pro, requiring a payment of $250. You can choose from three color variants: black, white, and pink gold, with the latter being available exclusively online. Preorders for Buds 4 Pro commenced on February 25 alongside the announcement, and general availability will begin on March 11. Thus, if you are contemplating an upgrade from the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro or an older model, or simply seeking a new set of earbuds for your Samsung smartphone, here’s what’s fresh in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Refreshed design, enhanced audio, and superior noise cancellation
One of the most striking updates in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is the refreshed design. Although, as previously stated, Samsung has retained the stem design, it has flattened the stem on one side and applied a brushed metal finish for a more eye-catching appearance. The overall shape has also been slightly adjusted. The stem continues to serve as a control for audio; however, grooves have been added to the sides to assist in locating the precise area to pinch. The case has received an overhaul, moving away from resembling an AirPods case.
In addition to the design alterations, the most significant advancement lies in the built-in speakers. The Buds 4 Pro incorporate an 11mm “wider” woofer and a 5mm planar tweeter, which early reviews suggest are capable of delivering clear and precise sound. That said, you might need to adjust the equalizing settings to maximize their potential. Active noise cancellation has also been improved. Moreover, the Bluetooth version has been upgraded to 6.1 from Bluetooth 5.4 found in the prior model for enhanced performance. A new feature debuting with the Buds 4 Pro is head gesture support, which can be used with calls or Samsung’s Bixby assistant, which has undergone several enhancements.
Consistent battery life, IP rating, and additional features
In addition to the plethora of new features in the Buds 4 Pro, Samsung has preserved many of the highlights from the Buds 3 Pro. For instance, the new earbuds maintain an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating they can withstand immersion in up to one meter of fresh water for a maximum of 30 minutes without sustaining damage. Nonetheless, the case still lacks water resistance. Although Samsung has increased the battery capacity of the Buds 4 Pro from 53 mAh to 61 mAh, the overall battery life rating remains six hours with ANC and seven hours without it. The charging case extends the total battery life to 26 hours with ANC and 30 hours without it.
Support for Samsung’s proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) with 24-bit/96kHz audio, spatial audio, Super Clear Call feature for improved voice calls, and Adaptive EQ for dynamic frequency adjustments is also incorporated. Additionally, voice detect and siren detect features are included as part of ANC from the previous generation, enhancing ambient sound to facilitate conversations or hear important alerts around you.
