Samsung has spent years refining its Galaxy Buds range, moving from simple wireless earbuds to feature-packed audio companions.
The Galaxy Buds4 offering now delivers better sound, noise cancellation and smart features exclusive to Samsung devices, rather than any Android. It’s the equivalent of the AirPods to the iPhone.
There is an open ear fit and blade-style design. The stems double up as touch and pinch controls, while the new brushed metal finish on the stems is a way to differentiate the model.
Useful features include 360° audio, gestures to answer or decline calls, Galaxy AI integration such as real-time live translation, and ultra-high-quality audio that uses the proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec.
The Buds4 case is a bit chunkier than the AirPods case, due to the larger battery, so it takes up more room in a bag or pocket.
The devices paired seamlessly with the Galaxy Fold8 I’ve been using, with the settings built into your Samsung device instead of using a separate app.
You simply pop the lid open and your device connects. You can see battery life on the earbuds and case separately. There are quick toggles for active noise cancellation (ANC), ambient sound or adaptive.
I change these based on where I am: ambient sound for when I’m working at a coffee shop and ANC on the plane or in noisy environments. I’m not big on adaptive as it relies on AI to switch between the two, based on your surroundings.
One can also customise the stalk’s media controls, which support pinching and swiping up or down. Answering, ending and declining calls is straightforward once you’ve configured your preferences.
The head gesture support isn’t enabled by default, but you nod to answer calls or shake your head to dismiss them, including alarms, timers, alerts, or ending a chat with AI.
This is nifty, but I’ve left it switched off. I’d rather use a control I know I’ve activated than wonder if the earbuds correctly interpreted a movement.
The Samsung interface offers personalisation for equaliser adjustments, toggling 360° sound and an earbud fit test.
After travelling a bit with the Buds4, I can report fantastic interaction with the Z Fold8; I love the customisation and use ANC extensively. I use the stalk controls for pausing or changing tracks, but the volume controls are a bit tricky to get right; you slide your finger at an angle on the stalk, so execution can be hit or miss.
I also use the Buds4 as a direct Bluetooth connection with my iPhone. While the sound quality is good, I only have access to basic stalk controls and nothing else.
The sound quality on the Buds4 suits everyday use and the case offers handy backups while travelling. If you’re in a foreign country you may find the live translate features invaluable.
The case may be bulky and controls may be fiddly, but if you want solid ANC with more isolation or a precise in-ear fit, consider the Buds4 Pro.
The Galaxy Buds4 costs R3,499 and makes sense only if you own a Samsung. Otherwise you’re paying for features you can’t use.
Cool factor: 3.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
