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The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 are worth considering if you prefer open-fit earbuds and use a Galaxy phone, but their fit is the main gamble. In TechRadar’s full review, the earbuds slipped during walks and their noise cancellation was limited in practice. An earlier hands-on account found the fit more encouraging. That difference makes trying them with a reliable return option more useful than assuming their shape will suit your ears.
What are the Galaxy Buds4, and who are they for?
Samsung announced the Galaxy Buds4 series in February 2026. The standard Buds4 use an open-fit design: they sit at the ear rather than sealing the ear canal with tips. The Buds4 Pro are the canal-fit alternative, with ear tips. That distinction affects comfort, stability, passive isolation and how much outside sound reaches you; it is more consequential than the shared family name.
Samsung describes the Buds4 as having a blade-style design, pinch controls, adaptive sound features and an 11 mm wide-range speaker in its regional product materials. These are manufacturer descriptions, not independent proof of fit or sound quality. Samsung also says its design process analyzed data from hundreds of millions of global ear data points and ran more than 10,000 simulations. Those process claims do not establish that the Buds4 will fit every ear.
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#1 Best Overall
- EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO: Catch details like never before. Designed with a High-Res Audio¹ 24-bit hi-fi codec, the latest Galaxy earbuds maintain the integrity of your favorite audio over Bluetooth.
- TWO-WAY SPEAKER: Enjoy every audio experience to the fullest with two speakers in both Buds, including a tweeter for rich highs and a woofer for deep, full lows.
- HD VOICE: Enjoy clear phone calls with Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy S26 Series² —they work together to deliver crisp and clear conversations.
- ANC 2.0: Wherever you go, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0³ intelligently adapts in real time to provide stronger, smoother noise cancellation wherever you go.
- OPTIMIZED COMFORT: Enjoy that just-right fit, with an improved, ear-hugging design and changeable ear tips.
Do Galaxy Buds4 stay in your ears?
There is no single answer in the available reviews. In TechRadar’s full review, the writer reported that the Buds4 repeatedly slipped during walks and shifted out of their intended position. The reviewer said the movement affected listening, including bass. That is one person’s experience, not a controlled fit test or a guarantee that the same will happen to every buyer.
In an earlier hands-on account, TechRadar writer Hamish Hector described the standard Buds4 fit more positively during initial testing, while finding the Pro seemed more secure. The accounts reflect different writers and testing stages, and illustrate why an open-fit earbud can feel secure to one person but not another.
If you are unsure, check the retailer’s return terms before buying. When trying them, assess fit not only while seated but also while walking and turning your head; a comfortable first impression does not by itself establish that they will remain in position during your normal use.
How good is Galaxy Buds4 noise cancellation?
TechRadar’s reviewer judged the active noise cancellation (ANC) marginal in practical use, partly in the context of the open-fit design. Because the Buds4 do not seal the ear canal with tips, outside sound can still reach you; ANC should not be treated as a substitute for the passive isolation a sealed fit can provide. If reducing surrounding noise is a central reason for buying earbuds, the review evidence gives reason to be cautious.
Rank #2
- EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO: Catch details like never before. Designed with a High-Res Audio¹ 24-bit hi-fi codec, the latest Galaxy earbuds maintain the integrity of your favorite audio over Bluetooth.
- TWO-WAY SPEAKER: Enjoy every audio experience to the fullest with two speakers in both Buds, including a tweeter for rich highs and a woofer for deep, full lows.
- HD VOICE: Enjoy clear phone calls with Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy S26 Series² —they work together to deliver crisp and clear conversations.
- ANC 2.0: Wherever you go, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0³ intelligently adapts in real time to provide stronger, smoother noise cancellation wherever you go.
- OPTIMIZED COMFORT: Enjoy that just-right fit, with an improved, ear-hugging design and changeable ear tips.
The same review found the sound detailed and bright when the earbuds stayed in the right position. The reviewer’s account also links movement-related slippage with degraded listening and bass, so that favorable sound impression depends on the fit remaining settled.
How long does the Galaxy Buds4 battery last?
TechRadar’s specification table lists six hours with ANC off and 30 hours with the charging case. In its battery discussion, the review reports Samsung’s stated figure of five hours with ANC on. These figures have different conditions: the six-hour listing should not be read as an ANC-on estimate.
In the reviewer’s own ANC-on listening with SSC and other features enabled, runtime barely reached three hours. That is a reviewer-specific result under those conditions, not a standardized test or a prediction for every owner. If you rely on ANC and connected features for long stretches, actual runtime may matter more than the headline figures.
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Galaxy Buds4 vs. Buds4 Pro: what is different?
The Pro is not an automatic upgrade for everyone. Its canal-fit architecture may appeal to listeners who prefer ear tips and a more sealed style, while the Buds4’s open fit may be preferable to someone who does not want tips in the ear canal. The hands-on fit impressions suggest the Pro felt more secure to one writer, but do not establish a universal fit result for either model.
Rank #3
- EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO: From small reverbs to subtle textures, catch details like never before with Hi-Res Audio¹ on the latest Galaxy earbuds.
| Decision point | Galaxy Buds4 | Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Fit design | Open-fit | Canal-fit with ear tips |
| Stability evidence | TechRadar’s full reviewer reported slippage during walks; an earlier hands-on writer reported a more positive initial fit | The earlier hands-on writer found the Pro seemed more secure; this is not a multi-user fit test |
| Launch price reported by TechRadar in 2026 | $179 / £159 / AU$299 | $249 / £219 / AU$399 |
| Phone-dependent features | Samsung’s chart lists 24-bit/96-kHz Hi-Fi audio and 360 Audio for Galaxy devices; availability varies by device category | Samsung’s chart also shows feature availability varies by device category |
TechRadar reported March 11, 2026 as the Buds4 availability date and reported the launch prices above. They are launch figures, not a statement of current pricing or stock; check current availability and price in your region before purchasing. The evidence here does not establish that the Pro will suit your ears better, so use fit preference and a retailer’s return policy to decide whether its different design is worth considering.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do Galaxy Buds4 features work with non-Samsung phones?
Some core functions are available beyond Galaxy devices, but Samsung’s compatibility chart does not show every feature as universal. In its chart dated February 19, 2026, Samsung separates Galaxy devices, other Android devices used with the Wear app, and other Bluetooth devices such as iOS devices, PCs and game consoles. It lists standard audio, calls and ANC across those categories.
The chart lists 24-bit/96-kHz Hi-Fi audio and 360 Audio for Galaxy devices, not the other listed Bluetooth-device categories. Head gestures are also limited to Galaxy devices running One UI 8.5 or later. Samsung notes that compatibility for some functions varies even among Galaxy models, so check the exact device and operating-system requirements in its Galaxy Buds4 Series Available Features by Device chart before buying on the assumption that a particular feature will work.
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Consider the Buds4 if you specifically want an open-fit design, are comfortable with the possibility that it may shift during movement, and will benefit from the Galaxy features available on your phone. Their sound can be detailed when they remain positioned, according to TechRadar’s reviewer, but the same review raises practical concerns about slippage, ANC and ANC-on battery life.
Look at the Buds4 Pro only if its canal-fit design better matches what you want; a more sealed fit is a different approach, not a guarantee of personal comfort. For either model, confirm the current regional price, check device compatibility and make sure you understand the return policy before committing.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Samsung Global Newsroom: Galaxy Buds4 series announcement, February 26, 2026
- TechRadar: full Galaxy Buds4 review, March 23, 2026
- Hamish Hector, TechRadar: early hands-on account, February 25, 2026
- Samsung India: Galaxy Buds4 product information
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
