Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are already a hit if you go by the sales in South Korea, so we got our hands on the latest AirPods Pro-rival for Android users to see if they’re worth the hype.
The Buds3 Pro were already great, and what Samsung has done with the Buds4 Pro is turning out to be very promising. The product demo we attended last month offered a glimpse at the earbuds, but we couldn’t get the full extent of use at that time. But Samsung has now sent us the review unit of the Galaxy Buds4 Pro to test it out, and this is already exciting.
Familiar start, refined finish
Samsung hasn’t tried to reinvent the unboxing experience here. The packaging feels familiar, clean, and straight to the point. Open the box, and you’re greeted by the Galaxy Buds4 Pro sitting snugly inside their charging case.
The case itself looks instantly recognizable, especially with the transparent lid design carried forward. But there’s a noticeable refinement this time. It feels slimmer, more pocketable, and easier to carry around without adding bulk. It continues to support both wireless charging and wired charging via USB-C, which is expected at this price point.
Pick it up, and the premium feel is immediate. That said, the base of the case seems a bit prone to scratches, something that could show up over time with regular use.
Design: Subtle evolution, sharper personality
The moment you take the earbuds out of the case, the design evolution becomes clear. Samsung has leaned into sharper lines and a more defined aesthetic this time. The buds look cleaner, more modern, and arguably more refined than before.
The stems are shorter now, which improves both the look and the in-ear balance. The biggest visual change, however, is the replacement of last year’s light bars with metallic strips. The light bars had their own charm, but this new finish adds a more mature, almost industrial edge to the design.
In the black colour variant, the contrast between the dark body and the metallic strip works particularly well. It feels understated yet premium, something that doesn’t scream for attention but still stands out when you notice it.
Fit and comfort
One of the more impressive things right off the bat is the fit. The earbuds sit snugly in the ear without needing to cycle through multiple ear tip sizes. That’s not something you can say for every pair of earbuds.
Even during movement, they stay secure. There’s no constant need to readjust them, and they don’t feel like they’re about to slip out. For workouts or long listening sessions, this level of stability makes a real difference.
Samsung has also improved durability this time with an IP57 rating. It’s a small but important upgrade, especially for users who plan to use these during workouts or in varying conditions.
Controls
The stems support pressure-sensitive controls, and they work exactly as you’d expect. A simple squeeze handles playback controls, while a squeeze-and-hold gesture manages additional functions like switching noise modes. The response is consistent and doesn’t require exaggerated effort, which is important in daily use. You’re not fumbling with controls or accidentally triggering actions.
And as with most Samsung accessories, the companion app gives you the flexibility to customise these controls.
ANC
The moment you put the Buds4 Pro on, the active noise cancellation kicks in and it’s immediately noticeable. In fact, it’s very much on point.
In one instance, I popped them on mid-conversation, and everything just dropped off. The outside world faded instantly, which gives you a clear idea of how strong the ANC is. It doesn’t ease you into silence, it just delivers it.
There are six microphones onboard, and that seems to play a big role in how effectively the earbuds handle both noise cancellation and ambient sound. When switching to ambient mode, the outside world doesn’t feel artificial or overly processed. Instead, it feels natural enough to stay aware without removing the earbuds.
First impressions: Strong start
At Rs 22,999, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro sit firmly in the premium segment, going head-to-head with the best in the business. They’re available in black, white, and pink gold, giving users a bit of choice depending on their style. The black variant, though, feels like the most complete expression of the design.
From what we’ve seen so far, Samsung hasn’t taken a radical leap, but it didn’t need to. Instead, it has refined an already strong product. Better design, stronger ANC, improved durability, and thoughtful feature continuity make the Buds4 Pro feel like a natural upgrade.
There’s more to test, especially on audio performance, battery and long-term usage, but first impressions are clear: this could very well be one of the strongest AirPods Pro alternatives for Android users right now.
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