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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds4 on February 25, 2026, and US sales began March 11. The standard Buds4 pairs a redesigned metal-look blade stem and a transparent clamshell-style case with an open fit and no silicone ear tips—the design choice that matters most in daily use. Samsung’s US list price is $179.99; the sealed, tip-equipped Galaxy Buds4 Pro costs $249.99.
What Samsung unveiled
The Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro were announced at Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco on February 25, 2026. They are now commercially available in the US, rather than products still awaiting launch. Samsung said US availability began March 11 through Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Amazon, Best Buy and carriers. Samsung’s US launch announcement has the launch details.
The regular Buds4 is the open-type model. The Pro is a distinct, canal-fit design with silicone tips; it is not simply the same earbud with a different finish or feature tier. That distinction shapes comfort, isolation and which model is likely to suit you.
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The Buds4 keeps the stem format but gives it a more defined, blade-like section with a metallic-looking finish. An engraved area marks where to pinch for controls, and the earbud head is smaller than the previous generation’s, according to Samsung. The new blade is the most obvious visual change from the Galaxy Buds3, but it is not merely decoration: it provides a marked surface for gestures.
#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.
The US versions are matte Black and White. Samsung describes using hundreds of millions of global ear-data points and more than 10,000 simulations in developing the shape. Those figures explain the design process and its aim of accommodating more ear shapes; they do not guarantee that every person will find the fit comfortable or secure. See Samsung’s design story and specifications and design details.
The open fit is the biggest practical change
Unlike the Buds4 Pro, the standard Buds4 has no silicone ear tips and does not seal the ear canal. That can suit listeners who dislike the pressure or plugged-up sensation of sealed earbuds, and it leaves more awareness of nearby sounds such as conversations and announcements. It may be a sensible choice for casual listening at home, in an office or on a walk when hearing your surroundings matters.
The trade-off is less passive isolation. In a noisy train, airplane or street, outside sound can remain more audible than with a sealed fit. A looser acoustic seal can also make bass seem weaker for some listeners and can let more sound escape in quiet places. Active noise cancellation does not change the fact that the standard Buds4 lacks the physical seal of the Pro. Individual fit varies, so Samsung’s ergonomic work should not be read as a promise of universal comfort. Samsung’s product page identifies the Buds4 as open-type and confirms it has no silicone tips.
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.
Galaxy Buds4 vs. Buds4 Pro
| Feature | Galaxy Buds4 | Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Open-type; no silicone tips | Canal-fit; silicone tips |
| Speaker | 11 mm dynamic | Two-way system: 11 mm woofer and 5.5 mm planar tweeter |
| Earbud weight | 4.6 g | 5.1 g |
| US list price | $179.99 | $249.99 |
| US colors | Black, White | Black, White; Pink Gold online exclusive |
| Design priority | Open wear and greater awareness of surroundings | Sealed fit and more isolation |
The $70 price difference is most relevant if you need the Pro’s sealed fit and two-way speaker architecture. Choose based on the fit and listening environment you want, not just the shared blade styling. Samsung’s comparison and specifications are in its US announcement.
Case and controls
The charging case has a transparent, clamshell-style lid and magnetic retention to help the earbuds settle into their charging positions. Wireless charging is supported. The Buds4 and Buds4 Pro use differently shaped cases, so do not assume a protective case made for one fits the other—or that an older Buds case will fit. Check the exact model when buying accessories.
On the earbuds, pinching the marked blade area handles actions such as playback and calls; swiping adjusts volume and related controls. Samsung also describes head gestures for certain hands-free actions when connected to compatible Galaxy devices. Available gestures and settings depend on the paired device and software, so Bluetooth audio working on a phone or computer does not mean every Samsung feature is available there. Consult Samsung’s device feature-compatibility guide for the distinctions.
Rank #3
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Blocks out unwanted background noise so you can focus on music, calls, or podcasts
- True Wireless Convenience: Enjoy tangle-free Bluetooth connectivity for seamless listening on the go.
- Intuitive Touch Controls: Easily manage calls, adjust volume, and control playback without reaching for your phone.
- Call Features: With enhanced Super Wideband (SWB) microphones and AI-based noise reduction, the Buds 4 Pro improve call clarity by filtering out surrounding noise and reconstructing lost voice bits, ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication even in noisy environments.Water & Sweat Resistance: These earbuds are IPX7-rated for water resistance, making them more suitable for workouts and outdoor use in varying weather conditions.
- International Model without Domestic Warranty: The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro SM-R640 are an International Version and do not include a local warranty. Optimized for Android, particularly Samsung Galaxy devices, they offer advanced features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), 360 Audio, Hi-Fi sound, and real-time AI-based audio enhancements. While fully compatible with iOS devices via Bluetooth, certain features like ANC customization and 360 Audio are exclusive to Galaxy Android devices.
Specifications and what the numbers mean
Samsung lists the standard Buds4 at 18.3 × 19.3 × 30.5 mm and 4.6 g per earbud. Its case measures 51 × 51 × 28.3 mm and weighs 45.1 g. The listed connection is Bluetooth 6.1, and supported codecs include SSC-UHQ, SSC, AAC, SBC and LC3. These are manufacturer specifications, not a guarantee that every device or app will use every codec.
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Samsung also advertises UHQ audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz. That maximum is conditional: it requires supported Samsung Galaxy hardware and software, and is not a universal Bluetooth mode for every phone or computer. Samsung lists support for selected Galaxy devices and software versions, including Galaxy S26-series devices and certain earlier Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 6.1.1 or later; its eligible-device list can change. A codec specification alone does not ensure that a streaming app, source recording and connected device all deliver that maximum. Check the current Samsung product page before buying on the strength of UHQ audio.
Rank #4
- 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 Series -they work together to deliver crisp and clear conversations
- ANC 2.0: Wherever you go, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0 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
- AI ASSISTANT IN YOUR EAR: Galaxy Buds4 Pro work seamlessly with Galaxy S26 Series to give you AI help, completely hands-free. Get quick answers and real-time translations delivered straight to your ears -all you have to do is ask
Galaxy features and device compatibility
The Buds4 can connect over Bluetooth to non-Samsung devices, but Samsung’s deeper controls and features are oriented around its Galaxy ecosystem. Galaxy AI features such as Interpreter and Live Translate require compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. Other Android devices may need the Galaxy Wearable app for supported settings, while iPhones, PCs and game consoles can use Bluetooth audio with a more limited feature set. If you use an iPhone, do not assume that Galaxy AI, advanced controls or every customization will work as they do on a supported Galaxy phone.
US price, colors and who should consider each model
Samsung’s US list price for the Galaxy Buds4 is $179.99, in Black or White. The Buds4 Pro lists at $249.99; Pink Gold is an online-exclusive Pro color in the US. Prices and promotions can change, so treat list price as a reference rather than the lowest price you may find. Samsung’s product page has current product and availability information.
- Consider the Buds4 if you want open-fit earbuds, prefer not to insert silicone tips, value awareness of nearby sounds, and expect to listen mainly in quieter or moderately busy settings.
- Consider the Buds4 Pro if a canal seal and stronger passive isolation matter for travel or noisy commutes, and the $70 higher list price fits your budget.
- Look beyond this pair if you need dependable deep integration with an iPhone, a sealed design without paying for the Pro, or a form factor other than a stem. No single fit is right for every ear or routine.
Before reusing an accessory, check its model compatibility: Samsung says the Buds4 and Buds4 Pro cases are not interchangeable. Color and retail availability can also vary by seller and market.
Quick Recap
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.
