Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Technics EAH-AZ100: Android earbuds comparison

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro comes as the latest flagship from one of the biggest names in tech, priced at $249 and aimed at the top of the Android market. The Technics EAH-AZ100, meanwhile, has been quietly winning over audiophiles since early 2025 for $299.99, a retro-looking set of earbuds with a modern feature set. Both are strong competitors, but they are designed for different types of consumers. Here’s how they stack up.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is one of the options available in the package. The compact, clear-lid case fits easily anywhere, and each earbud weighs only 5.1g. They use a lollipop stem design with silicone tips and no fins, relying entirely on the ear to stay in place. That works well for most people, and the three included sizes help dial in the perfect fit. The controls are handled with a pinch on the trunk, which I find a bit fiddly in operation.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 is noticeably larger, with a wider circular housing and a rectangular microphone that fits into the ear canals better than it looks. The case is big but still fits in the pocket. When I found the right tip size from the four included options, I found them comfortable for several hours in one position. Both cases support USB-C and Qi wireless charging, so that’s a wash.

Where it differs is in durability: the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro carries an IP57 rating – meaning it can survive a dunk – while the Technics is rated IPX4, covering splashes but not immersion. If you’re sweaty or outdoors a lot, that’s important to remember.

The answer depends almost entirely on what phone you’re using. Samsung loads the Buds 4 Pro with some really compelling extras — Adapt Audio, spatial audio, Auracast, head gestures — but most of that requires a recent Galaxy device running One UI 6.1.1 or newer. With one exception, you’re left with a remarkably thin feature set.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 doesn’t play those ecosystem games. Find My, an outstanding AI voice focus mode that can isolate or suppress conversations around you. Everything works regardless of which phone you pair it with. One thing Technics lacks that Samsung has is Auracast, which is rare at this price point and may come with a firmware update.

How to connect Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Technics EAH-AZ100?

Buds 4 Pro uses Bluetooth 6.1 with SBC and AAC as an international standard. Samsung phone users on One UI 4.0+ get access to the Samsung Seamless Codec, which improves quality and reduces latency significantly. There’s no native Multipoint — switching between devices requires the Samsung Wear app to be installed on each, which is a bit of a hassle.

Technics uses Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3. True Multipoint is natively supported, so switching between your laptop and phone is seamless, and you can actually connect to three devices at once. LDAC can introduce a small latency bump, but it’s rarely noticeable unless you’re watching video.

Is the battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or the Technics EAH-AZ100?

It’s not close. The Technics EAH-AZ100 lasted 10 hours and 40 minutes in our standard battery test with SBC and ANC on, enough to last a transatlantic flight. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro hit 6 hours in the same test, matching Samsung’s ratings. Both cases offer more charge cycles, but if endurance is important to you, the Technics wins easily.

The two are neck and neck in the ANC. Buds 4 Pro reduce an average of 84% of noise across the audible spectrum; the Technics EAH-AZ100 sits just behind at 83%. By doing so, it will not leave you wanting. Both have a similar soft spot in the 500Hz–1.1kHz range, where vocals and ambient chatter can bleed through, a common limitation across the range. Both are also sensitive to fit – if they are not properly covered, the numbers drop quickly.

Where the Technique pulls ahead is passing. Its “Attention” mode detects nearby voices, raises them above ambient noise, and automatically mutes your sound, which is a very useful feature when you’re out and about.

Both earbuds lean black out of the box, and both benefit from some EQ tweaks.

The heavy bass emphasis of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro works well for acoustics and older recordings – throw in something from the Bowie era and it sounds really good. Push it with a modern, mixed track and the bass can start to dominate, leaving things sounding confused. The Clear EQ preset does a lot to correct this and is worth switching to immediately.

Technics EAH-AZ100 has the same problem but a different flavor – the bass comes too early, and the upper mids, where voices and details of instruments come to life, are not successful enough. Interestingly, much of the ’80s new wave and pop inspired design feels at home here; modern, highly repressed music that suffers. The Treble+ preset is a very effective solution and makes a noticeable difference.

Objective Measurements

The chart below shows the measured frequency response of both the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the Technics EAH-AZ100, and how they compare to SoundGuys’ popular curve.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro measures as a safe tuning for consumers – a heavy bass slope, even in the middle, and a restrained high end. It’s not far from what you’d expect from a modern flagship aimed at a wider appeal, although it sits significantly closer to the Harman in-ear target than you’d expect given that Samsung owns the HARMAN brand.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 measures exceptionally well, with bass that rises high in the frequency range and an under-accented ear gain area. Interestingly, disabling ANC changes the sound a lot – the lower mids recede and the overall curve looks closer to what we want to see. It’s worth a try if you spend time in quiet places.

How would most people rate sound from 1 to 5?

The charts below show the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS) obtained by the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the Technics EAH-AZ100.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s Timbre score of 4.9 is remarkable. Timbre is the most weighted dimension and reflects how faithfully the earbuds reproduce the frequency spectrum. Technics figures with better distortion and a higher immersion score. Overall scores for both sit firmly in the “good to good” range for the average, untrained listener.

Does the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or the Technics EAH-AZ100 have a better microphone?

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use a combination of microphone and bone pickup to isolate your voice, and it shows – 69% of readers rated the microphone demo a 4 or 5 out of 5. Performance holds up well in most cases, although air and loose fitting can disable the bone conduction system and release more noise. Ultra-wideband calling is available but requires both the devices and the network to support it.

Technics uses a mono MEMS microphone, which works but can’t perform well in noisy environments – 53% of readers rated it a 4 or 5. AI voice focus helps in certain situations, but the underlying hardware is a limiting factor. For calls, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a strong choice.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Microphone Demo (Appropriate Conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Technics EAH-AZ100: Price and Availability

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro launched on February 25, 2026, for $249. The Technics EAH-AZ100 launched on January 7, 2025, for $299.99, and may be available at a discount.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro price history

If you own a Samsung phone, this is easy: the Buds 4 Pro can be bought better, and for $50 less. For everyone, Technics EAH-AZ100 is a perfect product: better battery, high quality codecs, native Multipoint, and no feature walls based on your device.

It doesn’t sound too good out of the box, and both are worth a few minutes in the EQ settings to find your preferred tuning.