Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds4 alongside the Galaxy S26 series at Galaxy Unpacked earlier this year, continuing its shift toward a more mainstream, stem-style earbud design. Much like their predecessor, the Buds3, these earbuds embrace an open-fit approach that immediately invites comparisons to Apple’s AirPods.
With the Galaxy Buds4, Samsung refines the formula—introducing a redesigned “Blade” stem, a refreshed flat clamshell case, and a suite of new Galaxy AI-powered features. On paper, it sounds like a solid evolution. In practice, though, things aren’t quite as straightforward.
Design
The Galaxy Buds4 charging case is easily one of its highlights. It’s a lightweight, compact square with a semi-transparent finish that feels modern and pocket-friendly. At just 45.1g and measuring 51 x 51 x 28.3mm, it practically disappears in your pocket.
The earbuds themselves also look the part. Samsung’s refined “Blade” design strips away the flashy lighting elements of the Buds3, resulting in a cleaner, more mature aesthetic. The polished silver accent on the white unit looks especially premium, though a black variant is also available.
Unfortunately, the design falls apart—literally—when it comes to fit.
The open-fit, tipless design means nothing is anchoring the buds securely in your ears. Combine that with a smooth, low-friction finish, and you get earbuds that constantly shift or fall out entirely. Even slight movements can misalign the drivers, affecting audio quality.
Touch controls on the stem include swipe gestures for volume and pinch controls for playback. While the pinch gestures work reliably with satisfying feedback, swiping often resulted in accidentally dislodging the earbuds—something you definitely don’t want mid-song.
User Experience
Samsung has significantly streamlined the setup experience. If you’re using a Galaxy device, there’s no longer a need for the Galaxy Wearable app—earbud controls are now integrated directly into the system settings, much like AirPods on iPhones.
One of the standout additions is head gesture controls. You can nod to answer calls or shake your head to decline them, and the gestures extend to dismissing notifications or interacting with AI prompts. It’s a genuinely useful hands-free feature, especially when your phone isn’t within reach.
Voice assistant support also gets a boost. Beyond Bixby, the Galaxy Buds4 now support Google Gemini and Bixby powered by Perplexity, both of which can be triggered via hotword. It’s a small but meaningful step toward a more AI-driven ecosystem.
Audio Quality
The Galaxy Buds4 come with a single driver per ear, a notable downgrade from the Pro model, which includes a dedicated woofer. As expected, this has a direct impact on sound performance.
When positioned correctly, the Buds4 deliver a bright and detailed sound signature. Vocals are clear, instruments are well-separated, and there’s a sense of clarity that works well for most genres.
However, the lack of a dedicated woofer means bass performance is underwhelming. Instead of being punchy and defined, low frequencies come across as muddy and lacking depth.
Noise cancellation is present, but largely ineffective due to the open-fit design. Since the earbuds don’t seal your ear canal, external noise easily leaks in, limiting ANC to only minor reductions.
There’s also an odd quirk at higher volumes: as you approach max volume, bass noticeably drops off while other elements continue to increase. This results in a thinner, more tinny sound signature at louder levels, which feels inconsistent.
On the plus side, Samsung users benefit from the SSC-UHQ codec, enabling 24-bit/96kHz audio streaming. This does make a noticeable difference—if you’re within the Galaxy ecosystem.
Battery Life
With ANC off, you’re looking at around 6 hours of listening time. Turn on features like SSC, and real-world usage can dip closer to 3 hours. Even Samsung’s official 5-hour ANC figure feels optimistic.
The charging case provides about five additional charges, which is decent but not class-leading. It’s usable, but you’ll need to keep an eye on battery levels and charge regularly. Thankfully, the case supports wireless charging, which is more convenient for charging.
Final Words
At RM699, the Galaxy Buds4 sit in a competitive price bracket—and unfortunately, they don’t do enough to stand out.
There’s a lot to like here: a sleek design, seamless Galaxy integration, and solid audio detail. But all of that is overshadowed by a fundamental issue—the fit. Earbuds that don’t stay in your ears simply don’t work, no matter how good they sound on paper.
Add in the weak ANC, inconsistent audio at high volumes, and average battery life, and it becomes difficult to justify the price.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 are stylish and feature-rich, but ultimately impractical for everyday use. For most users, there are better alternatives that offer a more secure fit and a more balanced overall experience.
Yay
- Nice redesigned case
- Feels premium
- Comes with Galaxy AI
Nay
- Earbuds don’t fit well in the ears
- Price is also premium
Buy Here
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