Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Review: Almost Perfect?

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Fixed the Fit, But Can It Fix the Mic?
Samsung's Galaxy Buds line has always had a devoted following among Android users, but the Buds 3 Pro left many people frustrated — earbuds that sounded great but refused to stay put, and an ANC system that would screech at the worst moments. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is Samsung's answer to those complaints. The verdict from real users is mostly encouraging, but with a couple of genuinely frustrating caveats you need to know before buying.

Fit and Comfort: Finally Solved
If you suffered through the Buds 3 Pro's notoriously poor fit, this is the headline improvement. One user who switched from the 3 Pro described wearing the Buds 4 Pro for six consecutive hours — including boxing training and a bike ride — without a single slip or moment of discomfort. That's a remarkable turnaround. The new ear tip mechanism has been redesigned from the ground up, and Samsung appears to have taken direct inspiration from the AirPod Pro's fit geometry. Whether you consider that a knock-off or smart engineering is beside the point: it works.
The trade-off is that the new tips are noticeably harder to swap out manually, so be careful when changing ear tip sizes. But for day-to-day comfort, the Buds 4 Pro is a genuine step forward — no ear fatigue reported even after extended sessions, which was a common complaint with the previous generation.
Sound Quality: Still a Strength
Samsung has always tuned its flagship buds toward a bass-heavy, energetic signature, and the Buds 4 Pro continues that tradition. Users who upgraded from the Buds 3 Pro describe the sound as essentially the same — and they mean that as a compliment, since the 3 Pro was widely praised for its audio performance. The EQ controls in the Galaxy Wearable app are effective and noticeably change how music feels, with bass boost and dynamic modes particularly recommended for pop, rap, and metal.
How does it stack up against Sony? One longtime Sony WF-1000XM5 user described the Samsung as "more exciting" — louder, more detailed, and more bass-forward. That said, the XM5 (and presumably the XM6) remains the go-to for audiophiles who prioritize neutrality and LDAC support. Speaking of which — the Buds 4 Pro does not support LDAC, which is a real limitation for non-Samsung Android users who want high-resolution wireless audio. If you're deep in the Samsung ecosystem, this won't matter. If you're not, it's worth factoring in.

ANC: Better, But Watch This Space
The Buds 3 Pro had a notorious ANC screeching issue, particularly in windy conditions. Early Buds 4 Pro users report this problem has been addressed — no screeching during outdoor use, and the ANC effectiveness is described as a "subtle but marked improvement" over its predecessor. However, at least one reviewer wisely noted that the Buds 3 Pro also didn't screech at first, and the problem developed over time. It's too early to call this fully resolved.
Compared to AirPods Pro, the ANC is still considered a step behind — a consistent pattern in Samsung's flagship buds across generations. If ANC performance is your single most important criterion, the AirPods Pro or Sony XM6 are safer bets.
The Mic Problem: The Real Concern
This is where things get uncomfortable. Multiple community members flagged microphone quality as a significant regression from the Buds 3 Pro. Comments like "they need to fix the mics on these fast" and "the Buds 3 Pro is leaps and bounds better" appeared in multiple discussions. For a flagship product at this price point, that's a serious issue if call quality matters to you.

This isn't a minor complaint from one picky user — it's a pattern. If you take a lot of calls or use voice assistants regularly, this is a genuine deal-breaker to investigate before committing to a purchase. Samsung would need a firmware update to address this convincingly.
Features and Ecosystem
The Buds 4 Pro integrates tightly with Samsung's ecosystem — auto-pause when removed, battery widget visibility, Find My support — all the conveniences that make these buds genuinely pleasant to live with day-to-day on a Galaxy device. One former iPhone user noted these were exactly the features they missed when using AirPods Pros with an Android phone.
However, multipoint connection is notably absent, which drew sharp criticism from users who rely on seamlessly switching between a laptop and phone for calls. For professionals who live between multiple devices, this omission stings.
The case redesign is well-received — a satisfying open-and-close mechanism and a cleaner look than the previous generation.
Quick Breakdown
| Fit and comfort | Major improvement over Buds 3 Pro |
| Sound quality | Bass-forward, energetic, excellent EQ |
| ANC | Improved, but still behind AirPods Pro |
| Microphone | Reported regression from Buds 3 Pro — real concern |
| LDAC support | No — Samsung ecosystem users only benefit fully |
| Multipoint | Absent — frustrating for multi-device users |
Who Should Buy the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?
These earbuds make the most sense for Samsung Galaxy users who hated the fit of the Buds 3 Pro and want to stay in the ecosystem. If that's you, the Buds 4 Pro fixes the most annoying daily-use problem and sounds just as good as before — that's a meaningful upgrade worth paying for, especially if Samsung is offering a trial period in your region (100 days in the UK at launch).
If you're an Android user coming from AirPods Pro and wondering whether these are a worthy replacement — they're close on audio, the fit is now competitive, but the ANC gap remains and the mic concerns need resolution before that's a confident yes.
If you take a lot of calls, need multipoint, want LDAC, or prioritize ANC above everything else — look at the Sony XM6 or wait for more firmware updates to address the mic regression.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro support LDAC?
A: No, the Buds 4 Pro does not support LDAC. This limits high-resolution wireless audio for users outside the Samsung ecosystem, and is a notable omission compared to Sony's competing earbuds.
Q: How does the ANC compare to AirPods Pro?
A: The Buds 4 Pro's ANC is improved over the Buds 3 Pro and no longer has the screeching issue reported by earlier users, but most reviewers consider it a step behind AirPods Pro in outright noise isolation effectiveness.
Q: Do the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro support multipoint connection?
A: No, multipoint is absent on the Buds 4 Pro, which is a significant frustration for users who need to switch seamlessly between a laptop and phone without re-pairing.
Q: Is the microphone quality good on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?
A: This is one of the biggest concerns raised by early adopters. Multiple users report that mic quality is noticeably worse than the Buds 3 Pro — a significant regression for a flagship product. A firmware fix has been hoped for but not confirmed.
Q: Is the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro worth upgrading from the Buds 3 Pro?
A: If fit was your main frustration with the 3 Pro — yes, the upgrade is worth it. If you prioritize microphone quality for calls, it may be better to wait for firmware updates or read more long-term reviews before committing.
Posted on March 9, 2026