Samsung announces Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro in Unpacked 2026

Upcoming Galaxy Buds It has been announcedSamsung is once again emulating Apple in design, ecosystem functionality, and pricing. The Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro retain AirPods-esque design of the Buds 3but now has a flat metal surface along the outside of the leg.

The regular buds use a single 11mm dynamic driver and no silicone eartips, while the Buds 4 Pro have a selection of silicone eartips and a two-way design (i.e. a tweeter for the low frequencies and a tweeter for the high frequencies), just like the Buds 3 Pro. There’s a flat 5.5mm woofer and a new 11mm woofer with about 20 percent more effective area than the last generation, resulting in 50 percent less distortion, according to Samsung.

Pricing will remain the same as the Buds 3, with the Buds 4 available for $179 and the Pro version for $249. It goes perfectly with AirPods 4 headphones with ANC and AirPods Pro 3. Pre-order for Both Galaxy Buds 4 launch todayFebruary 25, and the on-sale date is March 11. Both are available in black and white, with a rose gold version for the Pro available online only.

Both headphones include active noise cancellation, ambient sound mode, adaptive EQ, and adaptive ANC — though the Pro version has better adaptive ANC. Samsung says the Buds 4 Pro have a 3dB increase in ANC performance (but we’re not sure about the frequencies). As is the case with Galaxy Buds 3 ProThe new Pro Buds also include Voice Detection, which enhances conversation when the user’s voice is heard, and Siren Detection to keep you informed of sirens and alarms by raising the ambient sound level when they are nearby.

There are a host of features for Galaxy device users only, including quick pairing, hands-free access to Bixby or Google voice assistants, head gestures for calls or interacting with Bixby, and an Instant Translator (live translation) feature with support for 22 languages. All of this is reminiscent of the AirPods’ features, but without the heart rate monitoring and hearing aid that Apple added to the Pro line.

The speakers use Bluetooth 6.1 and support Auracast, as well as Samsung’s own Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) with 24-bit/96kHz (UHQ) high-quality audio, and the AAC, SBC, and LC3 codecs. UHQ requires models released within 2023 – e.g S23 series, Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5and Tab S9 series – Or the latest. Both headphones also support Samsung’s Spatial Audio on phones running One UI 4.1.1 or later – basically everything from the S21 on up.

Samsung says both models should have slightly better battery life than the Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro. This year’s Pro model offers up to seven hours of playtime or six hours with ANC (the case offers an additional 30 hours or 26 with ANC), while the regular Buds 4 will get up to six hours or five with ANC (also 30 hours more with the case or 26 with ANC). The cases of both models support wireless charging. This time, the case features a clamshell design instead of a foldable case, although it also has a transparent cover like the Buds 3.

The Buds 4 are rated at IP54 and the Buds 4 Pro are rated at IP57. The case does not have an IP rating.

The Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro will work over Bluetooth on non-Galaxy phones, but with some features — including noise control, adaptive EQ, pressure control, and firmware updates — requiring the Galaxy Wearable app on devices running Android 10.0 or higher, they won’t be the best choice for many non-Galaxy users.

However, using the Galaxy Buds with a Galaxy phone will provide a faster and simpler setup without having to install the wearable app. The Buds will connect when you open the box, and the quick panel on your screen allows easy access to volume, equalizer, and ANC settings.

While the Buds 3 Pro offered great sound and call performance in a derivative design, their ANC performance wasn’t very good. Hopefully the Buds Pro 4 can fix that. Regardless, the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are sure to be a popular choice for Galaxy device users.

Photography by Alison Johnson/The Verge