The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026 brought us not only the new Galaxy S26 flagship phones but also a complete refresh of Samsung’s audio lineup. The new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have arrived, and they ditch the previous generation’s experimental look for a more refined, practical, and premium feel. After spending some time with them, here is our full review of Samsung’s latest premium earbuds .
Design and Launch Date
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, launched on February 25, 2026, represent a significant leap forward in design and practicality . Samsung has clearly listened to user feedback, addressing the quirks of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
A Case with a Clear View
The most immediate change is the charging case. Gone is the tall, vertical case of the Buds 3 Pro. In its place is a new, compact “cupcake-box” design with a transparent lid . This isn’t just a visual gimmick; it’s highly practical. The transparent lid lets you see your earbuds at a glance, and the buds now lay flat horizontally, making them significantly easier to grab and put back in compared to the previous upright design .
Refined Ergonomics
- Flatter Metal Stems: The Buds 4 Pro feature flatter stems with a premium brushed metal finish. This new shape provides a more secure grip and includes an engraved area for swipe controls, making it easier to adjust volume without fumbling .
- Improved Fit: Utilizing data from hundreds of millions of ear scans and over 10,000 simulations, Samsung has refined the earbud shape. The result is a more secure and comfortable fit for all-day wear, with the Pro model maintaining its silicone tips for excellent passive noise isolation .
- Durability: They retain a robust IP57 dust and water resistance rating, making them perfect for workouts and the elements .
New and Improved Features: Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs 3 Pro
While the design catches your eye, the internal upgrades are what truly define the Buds 4 Pro experience .
| Feature | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Driver | 10mm Woofer + 6.1mm Tweeter | 11mm Woofer + 5.4mm Tweeter (20% larger vibration area) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 6.1 |
| ANC | Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC 2.0 |
| Control | Touch & Voice | Touch, Voice & Head Gestures |
| AI Assistants | Bixby | Bixby, Gemini, Perplexity |
Smarter Calling and AI Integration
Call quality gets a massive boost with Super Clear Call and Super Wideband technology, which doubles the bandwidth of conventional Bluetooth calls for a more natural, in-person sound . Furthermore, the integration with the Galaxy ecosystem is deeper than ever.
For users of the new Galaxy S26 Ultra and other Galaxy devices, pairing is effortless; simply open the case near your phone, and a prompt appears for an instant connection .
The new Head Gestures are a standout feature, allowing you to accept or reject calls just by nodding or shaking your head—perfect for when your hands are full .
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3
In the battle of the premium earbuds, the Buds 4 Pro go toe-to-toe with Apple’s AirPods Pro 3. Your choice will largely depend on your smartphone ecosystem, but here’s how they compare on specs and features .
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Case | Flat metal stems, transparent lid case | Rounder stems, solid-colored MagSafe case |
| Durability | IP57 (earbuds only) | IP57 (earbuds and case) |
| Audio | 24-bit/96kHz UHQ Audio, 360 Audio with head tracking | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
| Key Features | Head Gestures, Super Clear Calls, Voice/Siren Detect | Heart Rate Sensors, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation |
| Battery (ANC On) | Up to 6 hrs (buds) / 26 hrs total | Up to 8 hrs (buds) / 24 hrs total |
| Ecosystem | Seamless with Galaxy AI, Bixby/Gemini | Deep iOS integration, Siri, Live Translation |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are more than just an iterative update. With their practical new case, refined shape, and thoughtful features like head gestures, they address almost every shortcoming of their predecessor.
While the core battery life remains similar, the upgraded sound, smarter ANC, and seamless integration with the Galaxy S26 make them the new king of the hill for Android users and a truly worthy competitor to Apple’s AirPods Pro.
