Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: Premium sound, powerful ANC, but comes at a cost

Pros:

Cons:

Price: Rs 22,999

Rating: 4/5

In an increasingly noisy world, a dependable pair of earphones is no longer just an accessory, it has become essential. For someone like me, earbuds are a daily companion, especially when I need to focus. At times, I play music, and at other times, I simply rely on active noise cancellation to shut out distractions.

Over the past few months, I have tried multiple true wireless earbuds, and most recently, I spent considerable time with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to see how they perform in real-world conditions.

Samsung has introduced a redesigned woofer in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, claiming an increase of nearly 20 percent in vibration area. The idea is to enhance bass output without making the earbuds bulkier. On paper, the earbuds support a frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 40kHz, along with 24-bit/96kHz audio. While these specifications sound impressive, numbers only tell part of the story. The real question is how these earbuds perform in everyday usage.

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Let’s dive in.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: What I liked

Design: Starting with the design, Samsung has done a commendable job in refining the overall look and feel of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The earbuds come housed in a compact, squoval-shaped case that feels sturdy and well-built. One of the standout elements is the transparent top lid, which gives you a subtle view of the earbuds resting inside. It adds a unique touch without going overboard.

The case is practical as well. It features an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) indicator for charging status, a USB (Universal Serial Base) Type-C port at the back, and a pairing or reset button. Everything is placed neatly, making it easy to use without confusion.

Opening the case, the earbuds sit securely in their slots. Samsung has added noticeable design tweaks this time. The stems, which had made a return in the previous generation, are now slightly more angular. However, instead of looking flashy, they appear more refined and mature. The combination of oval-shaped ear tips, soft silicone coating, and metallic accents gives the earbuds a premium appeal.

Comfort is another area where the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro performs really well. The earbuds fit snugly and remain secure even during extended usage. Whether you are working at your desk or moving around, they stay in place without causing discomfort. I also tried using them during light workouts, and they did not slip out. The IP57 rating adds further reassurance, as it means the earbuds can handle sweat and minor splashes without any issues.

Samsung has also focused on improving the control system. The stems come with pressure-sensitive touch controls that allow you to perform various actions. A single pinch lets you play or pause music, a double pinch skips to the next track, and a triple pinch goes back to the previous one. You can also swipe up or down to adjust the volume. Additionally, the pinch-and-hold gesture can be customised to trigger functions like ANC, voice assistants such as Bixby or Google Assistant, or even the Interpreter mode.

Sound and performance: When it comes to audio performance, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro delivers an engaging listening experience. I spent a good amount of time listening to tracks from Dhurandhar: The Revenge, and the earbuds handled the beats with clarity and punch. The bass feels present without overpowering the rest of the audio.

Switching to softer tracks like Sahiba, the earbuds continue to impress. The vocals come through clearly, and the overall sound remains well-balanced. This is where the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro stands out. Instead of pushing bass aggressively, it maintains a good balance across frequencies, ensuring that highs, mids, and lows are all represented properly.

For users who prefer tweaking their sound profile, Samsung offers equaliser settings that allow you to adjust the output to your liking. This flexibility makes the earbuds suitable for different listening preferences.

The experience becomes even better if you are using a Samsung smartphone. During my testing period, I paired the earbuds with the Samsung Galaxy A57, and the integration felt seamless. You do not need a separate app to access controls, as everything is built directly into the system settings.

The interface is intuitive. Once you open the Galaxy Buds settings, you can see the battery levels of both the earbuds and the case, toggle ANC modes, and customise controls. There are also additional options like voice controls, head gestures, and sound effects. For those who like fine-tuning their audio experience, features such as 360 audio, equaliser adjustments, and earbud fit tests are easily accessible.

Call quality is also impressive. The earbuds come equipped with six microphones, which help in maintaining clear voice transmission even in noisy environments. During my testing, I did not feel the need to remove the earbuds while taking calls, as the voice clarity remained consistent. The addition of head gesture controls, which allow you to answer or reject calls with simple movements, adds a layer of convenience to the overall experience.

ANC: Noise cancellation is one of the strongest aspects of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The earbuds come with multiple modes, including Off, Ambient Sound, Adaptive, and Active Noise Cancelling. You can also control the intensity of ambient sound and enable automatic switching when you start speaking or receive a call.

In everyday usage, the ANC performs reliably. As soon as you put on the earbuds, you can notice a clear reduction in surrounding noise. Whether I was working in a busy office environment or walking along a crowded street, the earbuds managed to suppress a significant amount of background sound. While it is not perfect and struggles slightly with higher-frequency noises, the overall performance is impressive.

Even without ANC, the passive noise isolation is quite effective, thanks to the snug fit provided by the silicone ear tips. The seal is good enough to reduce ambient noise to a certain extent, which further enhances the listening experience.

Battery: Battery life is another area where the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro holds up well. Samsung claims up to 7 hours of playback with ANC turned off and up to 30 hours when used with the charging case. In my usage, the earbuds comfortably lasted several days on a single charge. After fully charging the case, I found that it lasted around five days before needing to be plugged in again. For regular use, this level of battery performance is reliable and convenient.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: What I did not like

While the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro gets a lot right, there are a few areas where it could have been better.

Starting with the case, although it looks stylish, the transparent lid tends to attract fingerprints quite easily. This means you will often find yourself wiping it clean to maintain its appearance.

The touch controls, despite being feature-rich, can sometimes feel inconsistent. There were instances where the earbuds did not register gestures accurately. Part of this issue also comes from the placement of the controls, which is slightly different from what most users might be used to. As a result, there is a bit of a learning curve involved in figuring out the exact spot for reliable input.

Lastly, the price is something that may make potential buyers think twice. At Rs 22,999, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro sits firmly in the premium segment. While it offers a strong combination of sound quality, ANC, and features, a slightly lower price could have made it a more compelling choice for a wider audience.

Verdict: Should you buy the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro manages to deliver a polished and premium experience in most areas that matter. From its comfortable fit and refined design to its impressive sound quality and reliable ANC, the earbuds tick many of the right boxes.

That said, it is not without its shortcomings. The occasional inconsistency in touch controls and the relatively high price tag may not appeal to everyone.

If you are already part of the Samsung ecosystem and are looking for a pair of feature-rich earbuds that integrate seamlessly with your device, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is a solid investment. However, if you are primarily focused on value for money, it may be worth exploring other alternatives before making a final decision.