The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 series is officially on the way with improved sound and a new flagship feature
What you need to know
- The Galaxy Buds 4 bring improved sound, a refined design, and improved ANC starting at $179.
- Samsung improved the stem design and added pinch controls for easier playback and volume control.
- Large speakers and 24-bit audio support promise clean bass and more immersive sound.
- New AI features include head gestures and smart conversation detection with nickname support.
Alongside the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has officially released the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The new earbuds bring improved sound quality, slightly improved design, improved ANC, and more, starting at $179.
Samsung has switched to a new design language with the Galaxy Buds 3 series, abandoning the flawless look and moving to an Apple AirPods-style stem design. With the Galaxy Buds 4, the company continues that direction with more refinement.
The previous Galaxy Buds 3 Pro featured an angular blade-like stem, while the new Galaxy Buds 4 move to a flat and narrow stem for improved comfort and touch control.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro continue to use silicone ear tips, and Samsung says they analyzed hundreds of millions of global ear data points to refine the in-ear fit. Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy Buds 4 retain the open-ear design but now have smaller and better-fitting ear tips for a more secure and comfortable feel.
There are also a few additional design changes. The Galaxy Buds 4 buds now support pinch controls, allowing you to pinch to activate noise cancellation, or double and triple pinch to control playback.
The design of the charging case has also been updated. In terms of colors, the Galaxy Buds 4 will be available in White, Black, and an online exclusive Pink Gold finish.
On the audio front, Samsung promises a big improvement. The earbuds now have larger speakers with a wider woofer that increases the effective speaker area by about 20%. Combined with an improved tweeter, Samsung says the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro delivers a more natural and immersive sound with clean bass, as well as support for up to 24-bit/96kHz audio.
Samsung also wants improved ANC performance. Combined with an advanced EQ system, the earbuds dynamically adjust frequency levels in real time to improve noise cancellation.
The touch feel has also been improved. Samsung says its Super Clear Call feature uses ultra-wide call technology, reducing background noise at both ends and doubling the bandwidth compared to standard Bluetooth calls.
In terms of new software features, the Galaxy Buds 4 now support head gestures for the first time, similar to the Pixel Buds. You can nod your head to answer or reject calls and dismiss notifications. The earbuds also support AI assistants like Google Gemini, and the new Bixby powered by Perplexity, all without the need to hold your phone.
One of the most unique features that Samsung is introducing with the Galaxy Buds 4 is the improved chat detection system. Previously, the Galaxy Buds 3 relied on jaw movements to detect when you’re talking and automatically switch from ANC to transparent mode.
With the Galaxy Buds 4, Samsung introduced a new feature that allows you to add up to three nicknames. When the earbuds receive your name, even if ANC is on, they automatically switch to display mode so you can easily join the conversation.
The Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are available for pre-order starting today and will launch alongside the Galaxy S26 series on March 11. Prices remain unchanged, with the Galaxy Buds 4 starting at $179.99 and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro at $249.99.
