Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Review: Comfort and Clarity in an Unsealed Fit

The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 are wireless earbuds designed for listeners who prefer an open, lightweight fit over the isolation of traditional in-ear models. With active noise cancellation, high-resolution audio support, and extensive integration with Samsung devices, they offer an appealing feature set. However, their semi-open construction creates compromises that software cannot fully overcome. These earbuds make the most sense for Galaxy smartphone owners who prioritize comfort and convenience over powerful bass and effective noise isolation.

Design and Comfort

Samsung has refined the angular design introduced with the previous generation, giving the Buds4 flatter stems with a brushed-metal finish. Each earbud weighs just 4.6 grams, while the compact 45.1-gram charging case features a transparent lid and a horizontal arrangement that makes removing the earbuds easier.

The earbuds carry an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against sweat and splashes. The charging case has no equivalent certification.

Comfort is potentially one of their strongest advantages, but also their biggest uncertainty. Without silicone tips, the Buds4 rest against the ear rather than creating a tight seal. This can make extended listening comfortable, particularly for people who dislike conventional in-ear headphones.

Unfortunately, stability varies considerably between users. Independent evaluations describe everything from comfortable extended wear to earbuds that gradually loosen and require frequent repositioning. Because there are no interchangeable tips, correcting an unsuitable fit is difficult.

The stems support pinch gestures for playback and swipe controls for volume. Although generally functional, these interactions can shift the earbuds, making volume adjustments frustrating when the fit is already unstable.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation

The Galaxy Buds4 use a single dynamic driver, delivering a sound signature that emphasizes clarity over low-frequency impact.

Vocals and spoken content generally sound natural and intelligible, while the prominent treble helps preserve detail. However, bass reproduction is noticeably restrained. Without a reliable acoustic seal, low frequencies lose much of their weight, leaving music sounding thin, particularly in noisy surroundings.

This limitation becomes more pronounced when the earbuds shift position. Their sound quality depends heavily on how securely they sit in each listener's ears, making consistent performance difficult to guarantee.

Active noise cancellation faces similar challenges. The Buds4 can reduce some continuous low-frequency background noise, but their open construction allows considerable external sound to reach the ears. Voices, conversations, and louder environmental distractions remain readily audible, making the overall cancellation modest compared with what sealed earbuds achieve.

Microphone performance is more encouraging. Speech remains clear in ordinary calling environments, although particularly loud surroundings can still compromise communication.

Connectivity, Features, and Battery Life

Bluetooth 6.1 provides connectivity, with support for SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codec.

Compatible Galaxy devices unlock additional capabilities, including 24-bit/96kHz audio, 360 Audio, customizable equalization, and integrated voice assistant features, though availability depends on compatible hardware and software.

The Buds4 also lack universal Bluetooth multipoint connectivity. Seamless switching works within Samsung's supported ecosystem rather than freely across unrelated devices.

Battery endurance is adequate rather than exceptional. Samsung rates the earbuds for five hours with ANC enabled or six hours without it, extending to 24 and 30 hours respectively with the charging case.

One standardized battery test recorded four hours and 56 minutes, closely matching the advertised ANC-enabled endurance. The case supports both USB-C and wireless charging.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 offer attractive hardware, useful software features, and convincing microphone performance. For Galaxy owners who strongly prefer an unsealed design, they provide a capable everyday listening option.

However, their unpredictable fit undermines two essential functions: sound reproduction and noise cancellation. Limited bass and ineffective isolation make them less suitable for commuting through noisy environments or enjoying bass-heavy music.

Buy them if silicone-tipped earbuds are uncomfortable and you value Samsung integration. Otherwise, sealed alternatives, including the Galaxy Buds4 Pro, offer a more convincing balance of audio performance, stability, and noise cancellation.