Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Review: Better Than AirPods for Android Users?
Samsung may have quietly launched the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but these earbuds do not feel like a minor release.
After spending a few days with them, the reviewer behind the source video came away with a strong conclusion. In his view, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are not just good. They may actually be better than AirPods Pro for Android users.
That is a big claim.
Still, the review lays out a solid case for it. From the redesigned case and improved fit to the stronger ANC and highly customizable sound, Samsung seems to have finally delivered a premium earbud experience that feels complete.
The new design looks more refined
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro come with a redesigned charging case that looks different from previous Samsung earbuds.
It has a compact cube-like shape, a colored transparent lid, wireless charging support, a USB-C port, and a pairing button on the back. The case is still small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket, and the magnetic lid reportedly has a satisfying close.
The earbuds themselves have also been redesigned.
At first glance, the white version may remind some people of AirPods. But the shape is not exactly the same. Samsung uses more squared-off stems with a brushed metal finish, and that design appears to make the touch and pinch controls easier to use.
According to the review, the shape works well in daily use. Swiping for volume, pinching for playback, and switching between ANC and ambient mode all feel more natural here than on many competing earbuds.
Fit may be one of the biggest improvements
One of the strongest points in the review is how well the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro fit.
The reviewer says the earbuds finally sit properly in the ear, even with the standard ear tips. Samsung includes more tip sizes in the box, but he did not feel the need to switch away from the default option.
That matters more than it may seem.
A better fit improves comfort, stability, and passive isolation. It also makes the earbuds easier to trust during workouts, commuting, or long listening sessions.
The Buds 4 Pro are rated IP57 for dust and water resistance, although the case itself does not carry the same protection. Even so, the overall design is presented as a major step forward.
Samsung appears to have nailed the sound quality
Sound quality is where the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro seem to separate themselves.
Based on the review, Samsung uses updated dual drivers in each earbud, pairing a larger woofer with a tweeter. Each driver also gets its own amplifier, which helps explain why the earbuds deliver a fuller and more detailed sound.
The reviewer was clearly impressed.
He describes the sound as excellent across different listening environments and says Samsung’s tuning gives these earbuds a more exciting and complete presentation than earlier Galaxy Buds models.
The equalizer options also seem to help. Samsung includes more detailed audio controls than Apple does with AirPods, and the reviewer especially liked the Dynamic preset because it adds stronger bass and treble for a more energetic sound.
That flexibility matters.
For listeners who want something fun out of the box but still want room to customize the sound later, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro appear to offer both.
ANC and ambient mode look much stronger this year
Samsung also seems to have made a big jump in noise cancellation.
The review says ANC performance is powerful enough to match or even beat AirPods Pro in some situations. Samsung offers five ANC levels, though the reviewer questions whether that many levels are really necessary and mostly keeps it set to maximum.
That said, the result is what matters.
And the result, according to the review, is excellent. The earbuds reportedly block a huge amount of outside noise and should have no problem handling loud environments such as flights or public spaces.
Ambient mode also gets a lot of praise.
At higher settings, it apparently comes very close to the natural transparency effect that has helped make AirPods Pro so popular. Voices remain easy to hear, outside sounds come through clearly, and Samsung includes smart options like automatically switching modes when sirens or emergency sounds are detected.
There is also a conversation feature that moves the earbuds into a more aware listening mode when the user starts talking. After a short delay, the earbuds return to noise cancellation automatically.
Battery life and mic quality are solid, not revolutionary
Battery life is rated at up to six hours with ANC turned on and seven hours with it off.
That is not a breakthrough result, but it is perfectly normal for this class of premium earbuds. It should be more than enough for everyday use.
Microphone quality seems decent as well.
The reviewer tested the built-in mics and said they sounded fine, though not dramatically better than other current earbuds. Samsung keeps the same six-microphone setup as the previous generation, so this looks more like a dependable carryover than a major upgrade.
Samsung’s ecosystem features add real value
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro also benefit from Samsung’s broader ecosystem.
Just as AirPods work best with Apple devices, these earbuds appear to make the most sense for Samsung users. The review highlights quick switching between Samsung devices, spatial audio with head tracking, automatic play and pause, call gesture controls, a Find feature, and live translation tools.
There are also a few extras that may matter to Android users.
Samsung includes a low-latency game mode and more advanced EQ controls than what AirPods offer. The company also gives buyers more color choices, which is not a major technical feature but still adds appeal.
They work with iPhone, but not at full strength
The review also tested the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro with an iPhone.
The good news is that they still work as regular Bluetooth earbuds. Core controls like playback, volume adjustment, and switching between ANC and ambient sound remain available.
The downside is the missing software layer.
Without Samsung’s app and ecosystem features, users lose the deeper customization that helps make these earbuds stand out. That means iPhone owners can still use them, but they will not get the full experience.
From TDG’s perspective, that makes the real target audience pretty clear. These are premium earbuds built first and foremost for Android users, especially those already inside Samsung’s ecosystem.
Final take
Based on this review, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro look like Samsung’s most complete wireless earbuds yet.
They combine a more practical design, a stronger fit, excellent sound quality, better active noise cancellation, and a richer feature set than many rivals. More importantly, they seem to do all of that without sacrificing everyday comfort and convenience.
That is what makes them so interesting.
Some earbuds chase the absolute best sound and become bulky or less practical in the process. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro seem to strike a much smarter balance.
If this review is any indication, Samsung may finally have a true AirPods Pro-level answer for Android users.
And for many people, that may be more than enough to make them one of the best earbuds of the year.