Independent TV and headphone buying advice

Methodology
Which TV Should I Buy?

Review · Earbuds ANC

Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro

If you have a Galaxy phone, the Buds4 Pro are the earbuds to get: reviewers and SoundGuys rank them the top choice for Samsung owners, and the Samsung Seamless Codec only works with Galaxy devices. The ANC is excellent on low rumble but weaker than Sony and Bose on voices, and battery is average. On an iPhone or a non-Samsung Android phone, buy something else.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released Mar 2026

Our take

The short version

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro (Mar 2026) are built for Galaxy phones, and The Verge, WIRED, Trusted Reviews, Android Authority, and GSMArena agree they're the top choice for Galaxy owners. SoundGuys also names them its best earbuds for Samsung. The reason is integration: Samsung's 24-bit/96 kHz Seamless Codec works only on Galaxy devices, and the full app feature set needs a Galaxy phone.

The hardware is solid: a 2-way driver, Bluetooth 6.1, Auracast, IP57, and 5.1 g per bud. Reviewers say the noise cancelling is excellent on low rumble, like engines and trains, but weaker than Sony and Bose on voices, so a chatty office will get through more than it would with the Sony WF-1000XM6. Battery is rated at 6 hours with ANC and 26 with the case, which reviewers call average.

List is $249.99, and they were around $244.50 on Amazon in early October 2026, essentially list. For a Galaxy owner that's fair. For anyone else it's poor value: support on iPhone is limited, and on a non-Samsung Android phone you lose the Seamless Codec, so the Sony WF-1000XM6 or AirPods Pro 3 make more sense.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • Top choice for Galaxy owners, per reviewers and SoundGuys
  • 24-bit/96 kHz Samsung Seamless Codec on Galaxy devices
  • IP57 and a light 5.1 g per bud
  • ANC is excellent on low rumble
  • Bluetooth 6.1 and Auracast

Trade-offs

  • ANC is weaker than Sony and Bose on voices
  • Average battery: 6 h with ANC
  • Limited support on iPhone; the best features need a Galaxy phone
  • Barely discounted from list

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • Galaxy phone owners, full stop
  • Commuters fighting engine and train rumble
  • Gym-goers who want IP57 in a light earbud

Skip it if…

  • iPhone owners: AirPods Pro 3 are SoundGuys' pick for iPhone
  • Non-Samsung Android owners: the Sony WF-1000XM6 suits Android, per MacRumors
  • Open-office workers: the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) cancel voices better

Spec sheet

Galaxy Buds4 Pro specs

Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro specifications
Battery6 h with ANC; 26 h with the case
Noise cancellingYes
Weight5.1 g per bud
Drivers2-way
CodecsSamsung Seamless Codec (24-bit/96 kHz, Galaxy devices only), AAC, SBC, LC3
Bluetooth6.1
MultipointNot specified
Water resistanceIP57
Wired / USB-C audioNo (true wireless)
MicrophonesNot specified
App / EQFull app features need a Galaxy phone; limited on iPhone
Also notableAuracast

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it.

Watch

Galaxy Buds4 Pro on video

Marques Brownlee on the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro

Video by Marques Brownlee on YouTube. Their views are their own.

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Sony WF-1000XM6

    Type
    Earbuds ANC
    Approx. price
    ~$258
    Released
    Feb 2026
    Best with
    Android

    SoundGuys' best earbuds overall, and the pick for Android owners who want LDAC and EQ.

    Pros

    • Pro: SoundGuys' best earbuds overall
    • Pro: SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 support
    • Pro: Multipoint plus 4 mics per bud for calls

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Highest list price of the earbuds we cover
    • Trade-off: No aptX

    Top fit scores

    Travel
    5 out of 5
    Calls
    5 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the review: Sony WF-1000XM6
  • Apple AirPods Pro 3

    Type
    Earbuds ANC
    Approx. price
    ~$179
    Released
    Sep 2025
    Best with
    iPhone

    The default earbuds for iPhone owners, with ANC SoundGuys ranks among the best of any earbud.

    Pros

    • Pro: SoundGuys' best earbuds for iPhone
    • Pro: ANC that SoundGuys measured among the best of any earbud
    • Pro: Heart-rate sensing plus Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No user EQ
    • Trade-off: Built around the iPhone; MacRumors steers Android owners to the Sony

    Top fit scores

    Travel
    5 out of 5
    Value
    5 out of 5
    Calls
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the review: Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

    Type
    Earbuds ANC
    Approx. price
    ~$299
    Released
    2025
    Best with
    Any phone

    The noise-cancelling earbuds to buy when silence matters more than price or battery life.

    Pros

    • Pro: Top-of-class earbud ANC, per PCMag and SoundGuys
    • Pro: Comfortable fit, with stability bands
    • Pro: Multipoint and aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Pricey, and holding at list
    • Trade-off: IPX4 only

    Top fit scores

    Travel
    5 out of 5
    Calls
    4 out of 5
    Workouts
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Sources

Manufacturer specs

Review consensus

  • SoundGuys — Best earbuds: best for Samsung
  • The Verge — Buds4 Pro review consensus: top choice for Galaxy owners; ANC and battery trade-offs
  • WIRED — Buds4 Pro review consensus: top choice for Galaxy owners; ANC and battery trade-offs
  • Trusted Reviews — Buds4 Pro review consensus: top choice for Galaxy owners; ANC and battery trade-offs
  • Android Authority — Buds4 Pro review consensus: top choice for Galaxy owners; ANC and battery trade-offs
  • GSMArena — Buds4 Pro review consensus: top choice for Galaxy owners; ANC and battery trade-offs

Published reviews and manufacturer specs, researched October 5, 2026. We didn't test these headphones ourselves; judgments credited to an outlet are that outlet's.

Disclosure: Our picks are independent and editorial — a synthesis of published reviews and manufacturer specs, not our own lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026, not live quotes. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.