Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro in Digit Test Labs: 24 hours later

Samsung is one of the key pioneers in shaping the Android ecosystem. Every year, its Galaxy earbuds tend to draw as much attention as its flagship phones. Last month, the company introduced the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro alongside the Galaxy S26 series. I received the Pro model yesterday evening and have spent a few hours with it. And even in this short time, I can see changes in the right direction. Samsung does claim refinements in audio and wearability. Well, I’ll need more time to assess aspects like audio and battery life. But, from my initial impressions, let me share what I think about the design, setup process, and overall experience so far across a Samsung and a Pixel phone.

How does it look and feel?

The first thing that stands out with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is its case. It has a transparent top letting you see the buds inside. We have seen other brands with a similar treatment, but in Samsung’s case (pun intended), the Galaxy Ring’s case comes to mind. Yes, they are not identical. The buds’ case is noticeably bigger, even for a TWS case. The thickness will be noticeable through a jeans or pants pocket.

The transparency aside, the way the lid opens and the cavity for nesting the buds also gives a jewellery-box aesthetic. The clasp mechanism gives a secure and reassuring feel. The lid could get scratched easily. So, be careful when you toss it into your bag or pocket. It looks swell but is slightly delicate, too.

As for the earbuds, the stem is flatter with a brushed metal finish. Looks different from the triangular stem the Buds 3 Pro has. The metallic finish sets it apart from other earbuds out there and is less likely to show wear and tear, I feel.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are light and fit securely in my ears. I wore it while commuting on the metro this morning on my way to the office. It’s evening now, and after wearing it for hours, I don’t feel any fatigue.

The new pinch-and-swipe controls along the stem worked reliably with subtle tactile feedback. 

How are the controls and app experience?

Thanks to Google Fast Pair, I could easily connect to both my Galaxy S23 and Pixel 10. The pairing with the MacBook Air was also simple. You just need to keep the earbuds in the case and with the lid open, press the button on the back of the case. The LED in front of the case will light up in multiple colours and then scan for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro in the Bluetooth discovery menu of the device.

Post the pairing, accessing the earbuds controls differs slightly between the two phones.

On the Galaxy S23 (and other Samsung phones), one can access the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro settings via the Bluetooth system menu itself. But, for non-Samsung phones like the Pixel 10, one has to download the Galaxy Buds app from the Play Store. You don’t have to manually look for this app. Rather, when you try to connect the Galaxy Buds through the Galaxy Wearable app, you’ll be taken to the store and prompted to download it.

Also Read: Google Pixel Buds 2a review: Made for Pixel users, pleasant for everyone else

You can tweak the earbud controls, ANC levels, and some sound settings in this app. In the case of the controls, I wished there were more options in the Pinch and Hold controls.

Overall, the controls feel more intuitive, at least in the first few hours.

Also, when it comes to sound effects, there are more options like 360 audio, loudness normalisation, app sound settings, Ultra High Quality (24-bit/96kHz audio via Samsung’s codec), and Adapt Sound on the Galaxy phone. These settings are absent on the Pixel 10.

I haven’t had time to test the sound in depth. I listened to a few random tracks while working and commuting, and it was a pleasant experience. Nothing stood out. Maybe that’s a good thing. I will be able to tell in detail after using them for a longer period.

Speaking of endurance, on paper, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are claimed to offer up to around 6 hours of playback from the earbuds and about 26 hours in total with ANC. Again, something to be tested.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Closing thoughts

So far, my impressions are positive. The design of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro stands out, and the new earbuds’ stems feel more refined. The controls worked consistently. In the full review, we will test how well they perform in daily use, including in things like ANC, Ambient Sound, calls, etc. Let’s see how they stack up in Samsung’s ecosystem and against the competition.

Soon! Meanwhile, keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.

Also Read: Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review: When Great Becomes Greater