Wireless earbuds have improved a lot over the past few years, but one feature that really changed the audio experience for me is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The first time I tried good ANC earbuds on a busy commute, it almost felt like someone pressed a mute button on the outside world.
When I started testing Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Buds 4, that was one of the first things I paid attention to. Both earbuds promise ANC, smart features, reliable battery life and seamless connectivity. But after using them daily for music, calls, commuting, workout and watching content, I noticed that they are designed for two slightly different types of users.
One pair focuses on premium sound and stronger noise cancellation, while the other is designed for comfort and everyday use.
In this detailed Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Buds 4 comparison, I will share my experience while using both the smart audio earbuds. I will break down their design, sound quality, ANC performance, battery life, ecosystem features and overall value so you can decide which one is the better choice for your needs.
Specifications
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of MIC | 6 | 6 |
| Speaker | 2-way Super Wide Woofer + Tweeter | 1-way |
| Earbuds Weight | 5.1 g | 4.6 g |
| Earbuds Case Weight | 44.3 g | 45.1 g |
| ANC | Ultra-Adaptive ANC | Standard Active Noise Cancellation |
| Durability | IP57 | IP54 |
| Earbuds Battery | 61 mAh | 45 mAh |
| Case Battery | 530 mAh | 515 mAh |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth v6.1 | Bluetooth v6.1 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro Sensor, Hall Sensor, Pressure Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Touch Sensor, VPU (Voice Pickup Unit) | Accelerometer, Gyro Sensor, Hall Sensor, Pressure Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Touch Sensor, VPU (Voice Pickup Unit) |
| Colors | White, Black and Pink (Pink is available online exclusively) | White and Black |
| Price | $249.99 USD | $179.99 |
Design and Comfort
When I first unboxed both, the first thing I noticed was the major shift in design language. Samsung has fully leaned into the blade (stem) design for the Buds 4 series. Now, as someone who loved the old bean-shaped buds, I was honestly skeptical at first. But after wearing them for a few weeks, I totally get it, the stems make them so much easier to handle and adjust without accidentally pausing my music.
Both buds look modern, but they carry a very different vibe. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have this stunning, brushed metal finish on the blades that catches the light. It feels expensive. Even the charging case has a translucent lid, which I think is a genius touch, you can actually see if your buds are inside before you run out the door.
The Galaxy Buds 4 are a bit more understated. They still have that blade look, but with a more uniform, matte finish. They look clean and sporty, though they don’t scream luxury quite as loud as the Pros do.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro come with a canal-fit design with silicone tips. I’ve used these for my morning 5km runs and the fit is incredibly secure. Because of that silicone seal, they don’t budge. I never got that annoying sliding-out sensation, even when I was sprinting. If you like that feeling of being locked in with your music, these are the ones.
The Galaxy Buds 4, however, are the kings of comfort for long-duration listening because of their open-fit design. They don’t have silicone tips, they just sit in your outer ear. I found I could wear them for a four-hour gaming session or a long afternoon of office work without any clogged-ear feeling or fatigue.
If you have smaller ears or just hate the feeling of something being shoved deep into your ear canal, the standard Buds 4 feel much more natural and breathable.
Features of Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Buds 4
| Features | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Galaxy Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Dual AMP | ✓ | ✕ |
| Spatial audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Noise Control | ✓ | ✕ |
| Auracast support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adapt Sound | ✓ | ✕ |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP54 (Dust & Water Splashes) | IP57 (Dust & Water Immersion, 3ft 30min) |
| Custom EQ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 360 Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| 360 Audio Recording | ✓ | ✓ |
Sound Quality
While the Galaxy Buds 4 are equipped with a high-quality 11mm 1-Way Dynamic Driver, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro take it to the next level with an Advanced 2-Way Speaker system.
Galaxy Buds 4 come with a single driver setup, which means they use a high-quality 11mm 1-Way Dynamic Driver. But the Buds 4 Pro have a dual driver setup, which means the Pro features a dedicated 11mm Super Wide Woofer specifically for those deep, vibrating lows, paired with a 5.5mm Planar Tweeter for crystal-clear highs.
This separation means that when I’m listening to a track with a heavy bassline, the Pro model doesn’t let that bass bleed into the vocals, keeping everything crisp.
Surprisingly, Samsung keep the high-res audio in both the Galaxy Buds 4 and the Buds 4 Pro as they support 24-bit / 96 kHz Ultra High Quality (UHQ) audio via the Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC).
Active Noise Cancellation
This was the most interesting part of my testing. The Galaxy Buds 4 use Adaptive ANC 1.0, whereas the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro step up to the new Ultra-Adaptive ANC 2.0.
In the real world, the standard Buds 4 do a great job of cutting out low-frequency noises, like the hum of an air conditioner. However, because they have an open-fit design, which means there are no silicone tips, they can’t physically help in creating that ANC effect.
The Pro model, on the other hand, with its canal-fit design and silicone tips, creates a physical barrier that adds to the ANC. When I wore the Pros, they created what I can only describe as a vacuum of silence.
Samsung has also upgraded the mics in its earbuds, as the Galaxy Buds 4 features a 3-microphone system (all digital). They work hard to monitor your environment, but they have their limits with sudden, sharp noises.
While Galaxy Buds 4 Pro features 3 microphones, two of them are High Signal-to-Noise Ratio (HSNR) mics. These are way more sensitive at picking up and neutralising background frequencies before they even reach your ear. Plus, the Pro buds include a Voice Pickup Unit (VPU) and bone conduction sensors that help the ANC distinguish between your voice and the loud guy talking on his phone next to you.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use AI to specifically listen for high-pitched alert sounds over 85dB, like an ambulance, fire truck or police siren and Samsung named this feature Siren detection. The moment it detects such a sound, it immediately overrides your ANC and switches to Ambient Sound mode, regardless of how loud your music is playing. This is a remarkable feature that ensures you receive critical safety alerts while simultaneously blocking out the noise.
The Galaxy Buds 4, while great at noise cancellation, lack this specific AI-trigger. With the standard model, you get a consistent level of cancellation, but you have to be a bit more manual about staying aware of your surroundings in a busy city. It also has standard Ambient Sound mode, which is great for hearing your surroundings.
Battery Life and Charging
| Battery | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Earbuds Battery Capacity | 61 mAh | 45 mAh |
| Earbuds Case Battery Capacity | 530 mAh | 515 mAh |
| Talk Time with ANC On | Up to 4.5 hours | Up to 3.5 hours |
| Talk Time with ANC Off | Up to 5 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| Music Play Time with ANC On | Up to 6 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Music Play Time with ANC Off | Up to 7 hours | Up to 6 hours |
Both models support Wireless PowerShare, so I just flipped my Galaxy phone over and charged it on the back of the device. They both offer a quick-charging feature, in which 5 minutes of charging gave me about an hour of listening time.
Connectivity and Ecosystem
Being in a Samsung ecosystem means my devices actually talk to each other. I’ve been testing these with my Galaxy phone and tablet and the integration is seamless.
Both buds are powered by the brand-new Bluetooth 6.1. In my testing, this made a massive difference as I experienced zero audio lag during movies and a rock-solid connection even in crowded train stations. This version also supports LE Audio, which is more efficient, so your battery doesn’t drain just by staying connected.
The Auto Switch feature is a total lifesaver for me. I can be watching a movie on my tablet and the second my phone rings, the buds swap over instantly without touching a thing. Plus, both models support Auracast, allowing me to broadcast my audio to a friend’s buds nearby. It’s a great personal touch for sharing music without the need to share the earbuds.
When it comes to 360 Audio, the Pro really pulls ahead. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro features Enhanced 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel support. When I was watching Dune by Denis Villeneuve, the head tracking was so precise that it felt like the sound was fixed to my screen, it didn’t move when I turned my head.
The Galaxy Buds 4 still give you that sense of space with standard 360 audio, but they lack that theatre-grade pinpoint accuracy.
App Features and Customisation
I spent a lot of time in the Samsung Wearable App tweaking these. Here is what matters most for your daily setup.
The 9-band EQ Control is where the magic happens. My pro tip for any guy getting these is to use the dynamic setting. On the Buds 4 Pro, the dual drivers respond beautifully to this, making the highs sparkle and the bass hit harder. On the standard Buds 4, it adds a nice punch, but the single driver isn’t quite as surgical with the adjustments.
One of the coolest new specs is Head Gestures, which requires One UI 8.5 or later. You can actually nod your head to answer a call or shake it to decline. I used this while carrying heavy groceries and it worked flawlessly on both models. It’s also super handy for answering yes or no questions from Bixby without saying a word.
Lastly, if you’re into mobile gaming, both buds have a Gaming Mode hidden in the Labs section. This spec is a must-toggle because it drops latency to the absolute minimum, ensuring your audio matches the action on your screen perfectly.
Call Quality
I took several calls while walking through a windy park to see how these actually hold up. Samsung has introduced Super Clear Call technology across both models, but there’s a technical pro edge you should know about.
Both buds feature Super Wideband (SWB) call technology. This essentially doubles the bandwidth of your voice from the standard 8kHz up to 16kHz.
Whereas the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have a slight advantage in the hardware department. They use 3 High-SNR Microphones and a Voice Pickup Unit (VPU) that uses bone conduction to sense when your jaw is moving.
The Galaxy Buds 4 also use a VPU and 3 mics, but they rely more on AI software to clean up the audio. They’re still great for office calls, but in a heavy wind, the Pro’s physical mesh design helps keep your voice a bit clearer.
Who Should Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
You should consider the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro if you:
- want the best sound quality,
- travel or commute frequently,
- need strong noise cancellation,
- listen to high-quality music,
- already use a Samsung phone.
These earbuds are clearly designed for people who want a premium listening experience.
Who Should Buy Galaxy Buds 4
The Galaxy Buds 4 are a great choice if you:
- want comfortable earbuds for daily use,
- prefer open-fit designs,
- want to spend less money,
- mostly listen to podcasts or casual music.
They still offer a good set of features and work well with Samsung phones. For many users, they are the best balance between price and performance.
Who Should Avoid Both
There are some users who may not find either model ideal. You might want to look elsewhere if you:
- prefer wired headphones,
- need studio-grade audio for professional work,
- want extremely long battery life (10+ hours per charge),
- Use iOS and want full ecosystem integration.
In those cases, other earbuds may suit your needs better. You can check out the Apple AirPods for iOS users or options like the Xiaomi Buds 6 for Android users.
Final Verdict
After testing both, if I had to pick only one to keep in my pocket every day, I would go with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Even though they are more expensive, the dual-driver sound system is just too good to give up.
As someone who loves music, I want to hear those deep layers and crisp highs that the standard Buds 4 just can’t quite reach. Plus, the peace and quiet I get from the ANC 2.0 while working in a coffee shop is worth the price of admission alone.
However, I have to give a huge shoutout to the standard Buds 4. They are the first open earbuds I’ve used that didn’t feel like a massive compromise. If I were just a casual listener who prioritised comfort over everything else, I’d save the cash and go with the standard model. But for me? I’ll stick with the Pros for the richer sound, deeper bass and the peaceful silence their ANC creates.
