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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds4 on February 25, 2026, and began US sales on March 11. The standard Buds4 pairs a metal-look blade stem and transparent charging case with an open-type fit and no silicone ear tips. It costs $179.99 at US list price. That open fit—not just the fresh styling—is the key design change: it can help you stay aware of your surroundings, but it will not seal out noise like the $249.99 Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
What Samsung unveiled
The Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro are two distinct designs, not simply a basic and premium version of the same earbud. Samsung announced both at Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco on February 25, 2026. US availability began March 11, through Samsung and major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, as well as carriers. The Buds4 is now a launched product, rather than an upcoming design reveal. Samsung’s US launch announcement has the launch details.
The blade is more than a styling change
The Buds4 keeps the stem-style silhouette associated with the previous generation, but reshapes the stem into a more pronounced blade. Samsung gives it a metal-look finish and an engraved area to help users locate the pinch-control zone. The earbud heads are smaller, and the charging case has been redesigned as a transparent clamshell-style container with magnetic retention to help the buds dock in place.
Samsung says its design work used hundreds of millions of global ear-data points and more than 10,000 simulations to refine the shape. That describes the development process, not a guarantee of universal comfort: ear shape varies, and fit remains personal. The company’s Galaxy Buds4 design story explains the blade as a central part of the product’s identity.
#1 Best Overall
- EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO: Catch details like never before. Designed with a High-Res Audio¹ 24-bit hi-fi codec, the latest Galaxy earbuds maintain the integrity of your favorite audio over Bluetooth.
- TWO-WAY SPEAKER: Enjoy every audio experience to the fullest with two speakers in both Buds, including a tweeter for rich highs and a woofer for deep, full lows.
- HD VOICE: Enjoy clear phone calls with Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy S26 Series² —they work together to deliver crisp and clear conversations.
- ANC 2.0: Wherever you go, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0³ intelligently adapts in real time to provide stronger, smoother noise cancellation wherever you go.
- OPTIMIZED COMFORT: Enjoy that just-right fit, with an improved, ear-hugging design and changeable ear tips.
In the US, the standard Buds4 comes in matte Black and White. Samsung lists each earbud at 18.3 × 19.3 × 30.5 mm and 4.6 g. The case measures 51 × 51 × 28.3 mm and weighs 45.1 g.
The biggest practical change is the open fit
The standard Buds4 sits in the ear without silicone tips sealing the ear canal. That can suit listeners who dislike the plugged-up feeling of sealed earbuds and can make nearby sounds—such as announcements, conversation, or traffic—easier to notice. It may work well for casual listening at home, in an office, or on a walk when awareness matters.
The trade-off is less passive isolation. An open fit can let more outside sound in and music out, and the sound may have less perceived bass if the shape of your ear leaves a larger gap. Active noise cancellation does not change the basic fact that the standard Buds4 does not make the same physical seal as a tip-equipped earbud. In a noisy commute, on a plane, or wherever isolation is a priority, the Buds4 Pro’s canal fit is the more relevant design.
Rank #2
- EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO: Catch details like never before. Designed with a High-Res Audio¹ 24-bit hi-fi codec, the latest Galaxy earbuds maintain the integrity of your favorite audio over Bluetooth.
- TWO-WAY SPEAKER: Enjoy every audio experience to the fullest with two speakers in both Buds, including a tweeter for rich highs and a woofer for deep, full lows.
- HD VOICE: Enjoy clear phone calls with Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy S26 Series² —they work together to deliver crisp and clear conversations.
- ANC 2.0: Wherever you go, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0³ intelligently adapts in real time to provide stronger, smoother noise cancellation wherever you go.
- OPTIMIZED COMFORT: Enjoy that just-right fit, with an improved, ear-hugging design and changeable ear tips.
Samsung’s ergonomic modeling may improve the odds of a comfortable fit, but it cannot establish that the buds will stay secure or feel comfortable in every ear. If you know you need a sealed fit, or if open earbuds have not worked for you before, do not choose the standard Buds4 on appearance alone.
Galaxy Buds4 vs. Buds4 Pro
| Design detail | Galaxy Buds4 | Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Open type | Canal fit |
| Ear tips | No silicone tips | Silicone ear tips |
| Speaker system | 11 mm dynamic speaker | Two-way system: 11 mm woofer and 5.5 mm planar tweeter |
| Earbud weight | 4.6 g | 5.1 g |
| US list price | $179.99 | $249.99 |
| US colors | Black, White | Black, White; Pink Gold online exclusive |
The extra $70 for the Pro is most meaningful if you want a sealed fit and greater isolation, not merely a different finish. The models also have differently shaped charging cases, so do not assume Buds4 and Buds4 Pro case accessories are interchangeable. Samsung’s US product page covers the models and specifications.
Controls and Samsung-device features
The engraved blade area marks where to pinch for actions such as playback control or answering a call; swipes handle volume and related adjustments. Samsung also describes head gestures for certain hands-free actions when connected to a compatible Galaxy device. Available gestures and settings depend on the paired device and software, so do not assume every feature works the same way on an iPhone, PC, or generic Bluetooth device.
Rank #3
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Blocks out unwanted background noise so you can focus on music, calls, or podcasts
- True Wireless Convenience: Enjoy tangle-free Bluetooth connectivity for seamless listening on the go.
- Intuitive Touch Controls: Easily manage calls, adjust volume, and control playback without reaching for your phone.
- Call Features: With enhanced Super Wideband (SWB) microphones and AI-based noise reduction, the Buds 4 Pro improve call clarity by filtering out surrounding noise and reconstructing lost voice bits, ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication even in noisy environments.Water & Sweat Resistance: These earbuds are IPX7-rated for water resistance, making them more suitable for workouts and outdoor use in varying weather conditions.
- International Model without Domestic Warranty: The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro SM-R640 are an International Version and do not include a local warranty. Optimized for Android, particularly Samsung Galaxy devices, they offer advanced features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), 360 Audio, Hi-Fi sound, and real-time AI-based audio enhancements. While fully compatible with iOS devices via Bluetooth, certain features like ANC customization and 360 Audio are exclusive to Galaxy Android devices.
Galaxy AI features such as Interpreter and Live Translate require compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. Other Android phones can use supported functions through the Galaxy Wearable app, while iOS, computers, and game consoles can connect for Bluetooth audio but have more limited access to Galaxy-specific features. Samsung’s device-compatibility guide details feature availability.
Specifications and what the audio claims mean
Samsung lists Bluetooth 6.1, wireless charging, and support for SSC-UHQ, SSC, AAC, SBC, and LC3 codecs. It rates playback at up to six hours per charge and 30 hours with the case with ANC off, or up to five hours per charge and 24 hours with the case with ANC on. These are manufacturer ratings; actual playback time can vary with settings, volume, and use. Samsung says a charger and USB-C cable are not included in the US box.
Samsung also lists UHQ audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz, but that is not a promise that every phone or computer will send audio at that rate. The highest UHQ capability depends on a compatible Galaxy device and software version; the supported-device list includes Galaxy S26-series models and selected earlier Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 6.1.1 or later, and may change. Device support, codec use, and the source recording all matter. A codec specification alone does not establish what quality you will hear in every app or on every device.
Rank #4
- TWO-WAY SPEAKER: Enjoy every audio experience to the fullest with two speakers in both Buds, including a tweeter for rich highs and a woofer for deep, full lows
- HD VOICE: Enjoy clear phone calls with Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy S26 Series -they work together to deliver crisp and clear conversations
- ANC 2.0: Wherever you go, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0 intelligently adapts in real time to provide stronger, smoother noise cancellation wherever you go
- OPTIMIZED COMFORT: Enjoy that just-right fit, with an improved, ear-hugging design and changeable ear tips
- AI ASSISTANT IN YOUR EAR: Galaxy Buds4 Pro work seamlessly with Galaxy S26 Series to give you AI help, completely hands-free. Get quick answers and real-time translations delivered straight to your ears -all you have to do is ask
Price and who should consider the Buds4
The standard Galaxy Buds4’s US list price is $179.99; Samsung’s product page lists Black and White. Street prices and promotions can change. The Buds4 Pro lists for $249.99, with Pink Gold offered online as an additional US color.
- Consider the Buds4 if you want an open fit, prefer not to use silicone tips, value awareness of your surroundings, and are comfortable with its more limited isolation. Its Galaxy-specific features are most relevant if you own a compatible Samsung phone.
- Consider the Buds4 Pro if you want silicone tips, a canal seal, and the more isolating design for travel or noisy places, and are willing to pay the higher list price.
- Think carefully before buying for an iPhone if your main reason is access to Samsung-specific controls or AI features. Bluetooth audio is available, but feature access is not identical across devices.
The redesign is consequential because it changes how the standard Buds4 fits and interacts with the world around you. The blade makes the earbuds look new; the open fit is what determines whether they suit your daily listening.
Quick Recap
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