Aura Kasih
Samsung has officially unveiled its latest iteration of wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, signaling a continued strategic push to rival Apple’s highly successful AirPods line through design convergence, integrated ecosystem functionality, and competitive pricing. These new earbuds adopt a familiar aesthetic, building upon the AirPods-inspired silhouette of their predecessors while introducing a refined exterior characterized by a sleek, flat metallic accent along the stem. This strategic design evolution aims to blend sophisticated aesthetics with enhanced user interaction, positioning Samsung as a formidable competitor in the premium earbud market.
The foundational Galaxy Buds 4 model features a single, robust 11mm dynamic speaker, eschewing silicone ear tips for a more universal fit. In contrast, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro elevates the audio experience with a sophisticated two-way acoustic system. This premium configuration incorporates a dedicated woofer for rich, resonant bass frequencies and a tweeter for crisp, detailed highs. Specifically, the Pro variant boasts a 5.5mm planar tweeter and an all-new 11mm "super wide woofer." This advanced woofer design, according to Samsung’s technical specifications, offers an effective surface area approximately 20% larger than the previous generation, resulting in a remarkable reduction in distortion by up to 50%. This focus on acoustic engineering underscores Samsung’s commitment to delivering superior sound fidelity, a critical factor for discerning audio enthusiasts.
Maintaining a consistent pricing strategy, the Galaxy Buds 4 are positioned at $179, while the more advanced Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are set at $249. This pricing structure directly mirrors that of Apple’s AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and the AirPods Pro 3, indicating a deliberate market strategy to offer comparable features and performance at parity with the industry leader. Pre-orders for both the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro commenced on February 25th, with an official retail release scheduled for March 11th. Color options include classic black and white for both models, with an exclusive pink gold variant available for the Buds 4 Pro, specifically for online purchases, adding a touch of premium exclusivity to this particular configuration.
Both earbuds are equipped with a comprehensive suite of audio technologies designed to enhance listening immersion and situational awareness. This includes advanced active noise cancellation (ANC) capabilities, an ambient sound mode for awareness of external environments, adaptive EQ for personalized sound profiles, and intelligent adaptive ANC. The Pro model, however, distinguishes itself with superior adaptive ANC performance. Samsung reports a 3dB improvement in ANC effectiveness for the Buds 4 Pro, though the specific frequency ranges targeted by this enhancement have not been detailed. Building upon the advanced features of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the new Pro earbuds also incorporate "Voice Detect," a sophisticated function that intelligently amplifies conversations when the user’s voice is detected, seamlessly transitioning from immersive listening to clear communication. Furthermore, "Siren Detect" enhances user safety by intelligently raising ambient volume when sirens or alarms are perceived nearby, ensuring critical auditory alerts are not missed. This layered approach to intelligent audio management demonstrates Samsung’s focus on both user convenience and safety.
Beyond core audio performance, the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro are engineered to provide a deeply integrated experience for users within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. Features such as instant pairing, hands-free access to voice assistants like Bixby and Google Assistant, head gesture controls for call management and virtual assistant interaction, and an advanced interpreter function offering real-time translation in 22 languages are exclusive to Galaxy device owners. These ecosystem-specific functionalities echo the seamless integration found within Apple’s product family, reinforcing Samsung’s strategy of building a cohesive and interconnected user experience. While these features are designed to be highly intuitive, it is important to note that they are optimized for and often exclusive to Samsung’s own devices, a common practice among major technology manufacturers to leverage their integrated hardware and software platforms.
Connectivity is robust, with both earbud models supporting Bluetooth 6.1 and the advanced Auracast standard. For audiophiles, the inclusion of Samsung’s proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) is a significant advancement, enabling 24-bit/96kHz ultra-high-quality (UHQ) audio. This is complemented by support for standard codecs such as AAC, SBC, and LC3, ensuring broad compatibility. The UHQ audio feature is specifically designed to leverage the capabilities of Samsung’s flagship devices released from 2023 onwards, including the Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and the Tab S9 series, as well as all newer models. Furthermore, both earbud iterations support Samsung’s spatial audio technology on devices running One UI 4.1.1 or later, effectively encompassing Galaxy S21 series phones and beyond. This commitment to high-resolution audio and immersive soundscapes positions the Galaxy Buds 4 series as a compelling choice for users prioritizing audio fidelity.
Samsung projects a marginal improvement in battery life compared to the previous generation of Galaxy Buds. The Buds 4 Pro are rated to deliver up to seven hours of continuous playback, or six hours with ANC activated. The accompanying charging case extends this total to an impressive 30 hours of additional playtime, or 26 hours with ANC enabled. The standard Galaxy Buds 4 offer up to six hours of listening time, decreasing to five hours with ANC engaged, with the case providing an additional 30 hours (26 hours with ANC). A notable design evolution for the charging cases is the shift to a clamshell form factor, replacing the flip-top design of previous models. This new design retains the transparent lid, allowing users to visually monitor their earbuds, a subtle but appreciated aesthetic choice. Both cases support convenient wireless charging.
Durability is a key consideration, with the Galaxy Buds 4 achieving an IP54 rating, indicating protection against dust and splashes. The Buds 4 Pro offer enhanced resilience with an IP57 rating, signifying superior dust protection and immersion in water up to one meter for 30 minutes. The charging cases themselves do not carry an official IP rating.
While the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro are functional with non-Galaxy devices via standard Bluetooth, certain advanced features are tethered to the Samsung ecosystem. For instance, noise control, adaptive EQ, pinch control customization, and firmware updates necessitate the Galaxy Wearable app, which requires Android 10.0 or higher. This dependency suggests that while cross-platform compatibility is present, the full spectrum of functionality and user experience is best realized on a Samsung Galaxy device. This strategic approach to feature integration reinforces the value proposition of the Samsung ecosystem for its users.
For users operating within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, the setup and daily interaction with the Buds 4 are streamlined and intuitive. The earbuds automatically connect when the charging case is opened, and a dynamic quick panel on the device screen provides immediate access to essential controls, including volume adjustment, EQ settings, and ANC management, without the need to install additional applications. This seamless integration underscores Samsung’s design philosophy of creating an effortless user experience for its flagship product owners.
Historically, while the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offered commendable audio quality and call performance, their active noise cancellation capabilities were a point of critique. The introduction of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, with its enhanced ANC specifications and refined acoustic design, aims to address these previous limitations. The overall package of the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro represents a significant step forward for Samsung’s audio accessories, particularly for users invested in the Galaxy ecosystem, solidifying their position as a leading contender in the highly competitive wireless earbud market. The careful balance of premium features, ecosystem integration, and competitive pricing positions these new earbuds as a compelling alternative for consumers seeking high-quality audio solutions.
Lisa Mariana
Ayu Aulia