Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Review: Premium Sound for Galaxy Users

Samsung has been chasing Sony and Apple in the premium earbuds space for a few years now, and with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, they've got closer than ever. I've had these for about two and a half weeks, and as someone who's already reviewed the Sony WF-1000XM6 and spent serious time with Apple's AirPods Pro 3, I can tell you this: the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro doesn't just compete — in some specific areas, it wins outright. In others, it falls short. And whether that matters depends heavily on what phone is in your pocket.

Let me walk through everything I found, spec by spec, feature by feature, commute by commute.

Specifications at a Glance

Before I get into the subjective stuff, here are the numbers:

• Drivers: Dual-driver system — 10mm woofer + 6.5mm planar tweeter
• Codecs: Samsung Scalable, SSC HiFi, AAC, SBC
• ANC: Intelligent ANC with real-time environment adaptation
• IP Rating: IP57 (dust and water resistant)
• Battery: 7.5 hours ANC on / 10 hours ANC off; case adds 22 hours
• Weight: 4.7g per earbud; 43.5g case
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, LE Audio, Auracast, multipoint
• Microphones: 3 per earbud (6 total) with bone conduction sensor
• Price: Rs 20,999 MRP

The Dual-Driver System: Samsung's Big Audio Bet

The headline feature of the Buds 4 Pro is the dual-driver architecture. Most TWS earbuds — including the Sony XM6 — use a single dynamic driver. Samsung has paired a 10mm dynamic woofer with a 6.5mm planar magnetic tweeter, essentially splitting frequency duties the way a two-way speaker does. The woofer handles bass and lower midrange, while the planar tweeter takes care of upper midrange and treble.

In theory, this should give better frequency separation and more detailed highs. In practice? It mostly delivers on that promise.

The treble is where you hear the planar driver most clearly. High-frequency detail is exceptional — hi-hats, cymbals, the shimmer of a tanpura, the breathy quality of a flute — all have a crispness and airiness that single-driver earbuds struggle to match. I played Hariprasad Chaurasia's bansuri recordings, and the overtones had a natural, open quality that genuinely impressed me. The decay on cymbal crashes in rock tracks is long and natural rather than truncated.

The bass from the 10mm woofer is powerful and fast. "Malhari" from Bajirao Mastani — my go-to bass torture test — hits with authority. The dhol has physical impact, and the sub-bass rumble during the heavy sections is deep and controlled. It doesn't bleed into the mids, which is the common failure mode of bass-heavy earbuds.

The midrange, where the two drivers' frequency ranges overlap and cross over, is mostly excellent. Arijit Singh's vocal in "Channa Mereya" has warmth and presence. But — and this is a nuanced criticism — there's a very slight thinness in the upper-midrange around 2-3kHz that I noticed on certain female vocal tracks. Shreya Ghoshal's higher notes in "Deewani Mastani" don't have quite the same body that the Sony XM6 gives them. It's subtle. Most people won't notice. But in back-to-back A/B testing, the Sony's single driver has a more cohesive midrange character.

Soundstage and Imaging

Where the dual-driver system really shines is in spatial presentation. The soundstage on the Buds 4 Pro is wide and tall — wider than the XM6, I think, though that's a close call. AR Rahman's "Jai Ho" with its massive orchestral arrangement sounds genuinely expansive. The choir sits behind and above the lead vocal, the strings spread left to right, and percussion anchors the center. Imaging — the ability to precisely locate instruments in the mix — is among the best I've heard from TWS earbuds.

Samsung's 360 Audio with head tracking is more than a gimmick on the Buds 4 Pro. With compatible content (Dolby Atmos tracks on Apple Music or Tidal, and Samsung's own 360 Audio content), the spatial effect is convincing. I watched a Dolby Atmos concert video on my Galaxy S24 Ultra and the sense of being surrounded by instruments was startling. Head tracking has minimal latency — maybe 50-70ms — which is good enough that the sound stays locked to the video when I turn my head.

ANC Performance: Tested on Mumbai's Worst

Samsung's Intelligent ANC in the Buds 4 Pro uses real-time analysis of external sound to continuously adjust cancellation. Instead of preset ANC levels (low/medium/high like many competitors), it dynamically adapts to your environment. The three external microphones per earbud feed audio data to the processor, which generates anti-noise in real-time.

Here's how it performed in my standard noise gauntlet:

Mumbai Local Train (Western Line, Peak Hours): ANC reduces the low-frequency rumble and clatter substantially — I'd estimate 70-80% reduction, which is close to the Sony XM6's performance. The adaptive system is noticeably smart about it too. When the train is between stations and the wind noise through open doors increases, the ANC shifts its focus to address that frequency range. When the train stops and the dominant noise becomes crowd chatter, it adapts again. This happens smoothly without perceptible mode-switching artifacts.

Autorickshaw Ride (Andheri to Bandra): Engine drone gets handled well. The variable-frequency noise of an autorickshaw engine — which is trickier for ANC than the constant drone of a train — is reduced by about 60-65%. Conversation from the driver breaking through to ask for directions was clear when I engaged Ambient mode. Road noise (horns, other vehicles) is moderately reduced.

Open Office Floor Plan: Very effective. The constant hum of AC, keyboard typing, and distant conversation drops to near-silence. I could focus on work with light classical music (Pandit Ravi Shankar sitar) playing at just 30% volume. With the XM6, I needed about 35% volume for the same effective isolation.

Crawford Market (extreme test): The Buds 4 Pro handles this high-noise environment well but doesn't match the XM6 in peak noise scenarios. In the most chaotic sections where vendors are yelling from every direction and autorickshaws are honking, the Sony maintains better composure. The Samsung's adaptive ANC occasionally seems to "hunt" for the right setting, creating momentary fluctuations in the noise floor. It's not dramatic but it's perceptible if you're paying attention.

Overall ANC verdict: Very close to the Sony XM6, trailing by a small margin in extreme noise environments but matching or exceeding it in moderate-noise settings thanks to the adaptive intelligence.

Call Quality: The Bone Conduction Advantage

Samsung has included bone conduction sensors in the Buds 4 Pro, similar to Sony's implementation in the XM6. Combined with three microphones per earbud and Samsung's AI-powered voice isolation algorithm, call quality is excellent.

My Crawford Market call test: friend rated my voice clarity at 8/10. That's higher than the Sony XM6's 7.5/10 in the same location. Samsung's voice processing seems to be slightly more aggressive at suppressing background noise while keeping vocal clarity high. The trade-off is that my voice reportedly sounded a touch "processed" — like a very light noise reduction filter was applied — but my caller said it was perfectly natural enough for a phone call.

Wind noise on a two-wheeler ride was handled better than the Sony. The Buds 4 Pro maintained usable call quality up to about 45-50 kmph, compared to the XM6's 30-40 kmph limit. Samsung's wind shield technology seems to use the bone conduction data more aggressively when wind noise is detected, essentially relying more on vibration-based voice pickup and less on the external microphones.

This is significant for Indian users who frequently make calls on scooters and bikes (hopefully while parked or as passengers, but let's be realistic about how people actually use their earbuds).

The Samsung Ecosystem Advantage (and Limitation)

Here's the thing about the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro that shapes my entire recommendation: they're a dramatically different product depending on whether you use a Samsung Galaxy phone or not.

With a Galaxy Phone (S24 series or newer)

The experience is genuinely premium. Features you get:

• SSC HiFi Codec: Samsung's proprietary high-res codec, delivering 24-bit/96kHz audio quality. This is Samsung's answer to Sony's LDAC, and in my listening tests, the quality difference between SSC HiFi and regular AAC is clearly audible. More detail, better dynamics, wider soundstage.
• 360 Audio with Head Tracking: Works with Dolby Atmos content across streaming apps. The spatial effect is convincing and the head tracking is responsive.
• Auracast: Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast feature that lets you share audio with multiple Buds 4 Pro users. Useful if your travel companion also has Samsung earbuds — share a movie's audio on a flight, for example.
• Seamless Galaxy Ecosystem Switching: Auto-switches between your Galaxy phone, Galaxy tablet, Galaxy laptop, and Galaxy Watch. The switching is fast (under 2 seconds) and reliable.
• Galaxy AI Features: Real-time translation during calls, interpreter mode for in-person conversations. I tested the Hindi-to-English translation at a vegetable vendor in Dadar — it was rough but functional, getting about 70% of the conversational content right.
• Galaxy Wearable App: Full feature access including 5-band EQ, ANC control, touch customization, hearing test, and more.

Without a Galaxy Phone

You lose SSC HiFi (limited to AAC), 360 Audio head tracking doesn't work, ecosystem switching is absent, Galaxy AI features are unavailable, and the Galaxy Wearable app has reduced functionality. You're essentially paying Rs 20,999 for earbuds that perform like Rs 14,000-15,000 earbuds on a non-Samsung phone. The hardware is still excellent — ANC, sound quality, build — but you're leaving a significant portion of the value on the table.

This is the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro's biggest strength and biggest limitation wrapped into one. For Galaxy users, it's arguably the best TWS earbud you can buy in India, period. For everyone else, the Sony XM6 with its universal LDAC support is the smarter purchase.

Comfort and Fit

At 4.7 grams per earbud, the Buds 4 Pro is the lightest premium TWS I've tested. The ergonomic design has been refined from the Buds 3 Pro — the shape follows the natural contour of the ear canal more closely, and Samsung includes three sizes of ear tips.

I tested comfort over extended periods:

• 2 hours: No discomfort at all. Barely aware they're in.
• 4 hours: Very slight awareness, no pain or pressure.
• 6 hours (full commute + office morning): Minor warmth buildup, slight desire to remove and air out the ears. Still comfortable.
• 8 hours: Mild fatigue. I'd recommend removing them for 5-10 minutes every 3-4 hours.

Fit stability during exercise is excellent. The blade-shaped design catches on the concha of the ear, providing rotational stability that purely cylindrical earbuds lack. During treadmill runs, jumping exercises, and even some vigorous head-banging to test the limits (Nucleya at full volume, don't judge me), they stayed firmly in place.

The IP57 rating is the best in the premium TWS segment. IP5X means dust protection, and IPX7 means submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. I haven't tested the submersion claim (these cost Rs 20,999, I'm not dunking them deliberately), but I've used them through multiple gym sessions with heavy sweating and one unexpected monsoon-quality downpour without any issues.

Battery Life: Real-World Numbers

Samsung claims 7.5 hours with ANC on and 10 hours with ANC off. The case provides a total of 30 hours with ANC on. Here's my actual testing:

• ANC on, SSC HiFi, 60% volume: 6 hours 20 minutes. The high-res codec draws noticeable extra power.
• ANC on, AAC, 60% volume: 7 hours 15 minutes. Close to Samsung's claim.
• ANC off, AAC, 50% volume: 9 hours 30 minutes. Very close to claimed.
• Case total: About 2.5 full recharges from the case, totaling roughly 25-26 hours with ANC on via AAC.

Quick charge: 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour of playback. Tested and confirmed — I got 58 minutes. Wireless Qi charging is supported, and the case also supports PowerShare (reverse wireless charging from a Galaxy phone). In a pinch, placing the case on the back of your Galaxy S24 Ultra for 10 minutes gives a meaningful top-up.

The Galaxy Wearable App: Deep Customization

Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app (available on Android only — no iOS support for the full experience, which is a consideration) offers extensive customization:

• 5-band EQ with custom presets: Adjustable at 64Hz, 250Hz, 1kHz, 4kHz, and 16kHz. I created a custom preset that slightly boosts 64Hz and 1kHz while cutting 4kHz by 1dB — this smoothed out that slight upper-midrange thinness I mentioned earlier and made Bollywood vocals sound fuller.
• ANC levels: Choose between Adaptive, High, Medium, Low, or Off. You can also customize Ambient mode transparency level on a slider from 1 to 4.
• Touch controls: Fully customizable — assign tap, double-tap, triple-tap, and long-press to different functions for each earbud independently.
• Hearing test: A built-in audiogram test that measures your hearing and creates a custom sound profile. I ran this in a quiet room and the resulting profile actually improved vocal clarity for me — it identified a slight dip in my hearing around 6kHz and compensated for it.
• Noise Controls: Speak-to-Chat (auto-pauses when you talk), Voice Detect (adjusts ANC and volume when it detects your voice), and Ambient Sound settings.

Sound Comparison: Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM6

Since I have both earbuds, here's a direct A/B comparison across genres. Both connected to a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — the Buds 4 Pro via SSC HiFi, the Sony via LDAC at 990kbps.

"Kesariya" by Arijit Singh (Bollywood): Sony has slightly warmer, fuller vocals. Samsung has more sparkle on the acoustic guitar and wider spatial presentation. Both are excellent. Edge: Sony by a hair for vocal intimacy.

"Pasoori" by Ali Sethi & Shae Gill (South Asian Pop): Samsung's bass is tighter and hits harder. The electronic elements have more clarity on the Buds 4 Pro. The dual-driver separation of bass from treble is audible here. Edge: Samsung.

Zakir Hussain Tabla Solo (Indian Classical): The Sony reproduces the tabla with more natural warmth and body. The Samsung has better detail on the higher-pitched strokes but the lower tones are slightly less resonant. Edge: Sony for tonal accuracy.

"Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd (Western Pop/Synth): Samsung wins here convincingly. The synth textures are more detailed, the bass is punchier, and the overall presentation is more exciting. The planar tweeter gives the synth elements an almost ethereal clarity.

Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight" (Classical): Sony has a more natural piano tone. Samsung has slightly better spatial impression of the recital hall. Very close. Edge: Tie, with preference depending on whether you value tone or space more.

Nucleya "Bass Rani" (Indian EDM): Samsung's bass is tighter and more controlled in the sub-bass. Sony has slightly more mid-bass warmth. For EDM, the Samsung's precision is preferable. Edge: Samsung.

Overall sound verdict: The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is slightly better for electronic, pop, and modern produced music. The Sony XM6 is slightly better for acoustic, vocal, and classical genres. Both are exceptional, and the differences are marginal.

Pricing and Availability in India

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is priced at Rs 20,999 MRP. Current street prices:

• Amazon India: Rs 18,999 (as of early March 2026)
• Flipkart: Rs 19,499
• Samsung.com: Rs 20,999 but with exchange offers up to Rs 3,000 on old earbuds
• Croma / Reliance Digital: MRP, but check for store-specific EMI offers

Samsung frequently includes the Buds 4 Pro as a pre-order bundle with new Galaxy S-series phones. If you're buying a Galaxy S25 Ultra or S26 Ultra, check for bundle deals — the effective price of the earbuds often drops to Rs 10,000-12,000 in these promotions.

Who Should Buy the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Absolutely buy if:

• You use a Samsung Galaxy phone (S24 series or newer). The SSC HiFi codec, 360 Audio, ecosystem switching, and Galaxy AI features make this the most integrated and feature-complete TWS experience available.
• You prioritize call quality. The bone conduction sensor + 6-mic system is the best call quality I've tested in TWS earbuds, especially in wind.
• You want the highest IP rating. IP57 gives genuine peace of mind for gym use, outdoor commutes, and monsoon season.
• You listen primarily to modern produced music (pop, EDM, electronic Bollywood). The dual-driver sound signature excels here.

Consider alternatives if:

• You use an iPhone. Get the AirPods Pro 3 instead — you'll get better ecosystem integration and won't miss the Samsung-exclusive features.
• You use a non-Samsung Android phone. The Sony XM6 with LDAC gives you high-res audio that the Buds 4 Pro can't match without SSC HiFi support.
• You primarily listen to acoustic, classical, or vocal music. The Sony XM6's midrange warmth and tonal accuracy has a slight edge for these genres.
• ANC in extreme noise is your top priority. The Sony XM6 has a small but consistent edge in peak noise cancellation.

Final Assessment

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is an outstanding TWS earbud that offers arguably the best overall package for Samsung Galaxy phone owners. The dual-driver sound system delivers exceptional clarity and detail, the ANC is competitive with the best in class, call quality leads the segment, and the IP57 rating is the highest in premium TWS. The Galaxy ecosystem integration adds genuine daily convenience that no competitor can match for Samsung users.

For non-Samsung users, the value proposition weakens. You're paying premium prices for an experience that's significantly trimmed outside the Samsung ecosystem. That's not a criticism of the hardware — it's excellent regardless of your phone — but it's a reality of Samsung's strategy that you should factor into your buying decision.

Two and a half weeks of daily Mumbai testing — trains, rickshaws, markets, gyms, offices, and late-night listening sessions — have convinced me that Samsung has finally made a TWS earbud that belongs in the same conversation as Sony and Apple's best. Whether it's the right choice for you comes down to a simple question: what phone do you carry?

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Rating: 9.0/10 (with Galaxy phone) | 8.2/10 (without)

Price: Rs 20,999 (MRP); Rs 18,999-19,499 (street price)
Available at: Amazon India, Flipkart, Samsung.com, Croma, Reliance Digital
Key Specs: 10mm woofer + 6.5mm planar tweeter | SSC HiFi, AAC, SBC | Intelligent ANC with bone conduction | IP57 | 7.5hr + 22hr (case) battery | USB-C + Qi + PowerShare | Bluetooth 5.4 LE Audio | 4.7g per bud