The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: A True Competitor to AirPods Pro?
I've been a long-time observer of the wireless earbud market, and one thing that's always intrigued me is why other companies haven't managed to rival AirPods Pro. Despite premium wireless earbuds being on the market for years, Apple's dominance has been hard to shake. But now, with the new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, Samsung has stepped up its game and delivered a true competitor to the AirPods Pro, especially for Android users.
The Buds 4 Pro hit the right notes, nailing the basics from their minimalist design and comfortable fit to their effective active noise cancellation and impressive sound quality. I was initially skeptical, but they surprised me.
Design: A Classy, Minimalist Look
The Buds 4 Pro stand out visually, with a premium brushed-metal strip along the stems on the black model I tested. They don't look cheap and have a very classy, minimalist appearance. At 5.1 grams each, they're fairly light and don't strain your ear canals, even at full volume. The IP57 rating means they're dust-resistant and can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes, though they're not fully waterproof.
The case is square-shaped with a translucent lid that opens flat, including a dedicated button to trigger a "Find My Phone" chime. It's small and easily fits in your pocket. The case supports wireless charging and PowerShare, allowing you to charge it on the back of your Galaxy smartphone.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation: Impressive Audio
The Buds 4 Pro deliver exceptional sound quality, surpassing my expectations. The two-way speaker system, featuring a "super wide" woofer and a 5mm planar tweeter, provides more clarity, deeper bass, and a wider soundstage. Listening to Elvis Presley's "Burning Love" and Tate McRae's "Just Keep Watching" showcased the earbuds' ability to create a cinematic audio experience.
The active noise cancellation impressed me, especially in a bustling city like Delhi. The earbuds effectively cancelled out the sound of horns and other background noise, and the transparency mode worked seamlessly, similar to Apple's implementation.
Head Gestures and In-Ear Detection: Unique Features
The Buds 4 Pro introduce 'Head Gestures', allowing you to nod or shake your head to accept or decline calls. While basic, this feature works surprisingly well. In-ear detection, which pauses audio when you remove an earbud, is also a useful addition.
Ecosystem Lock-In: A Samsung Galaxy Exclusive?
Many new features on the Buds 4 Pro are locked behind the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. While they support in-ear detection and Head Gestures, other advanced features like ultra-wideband calling and Samsung's Seamless Codec are exclusive to Samsung phones.
Health Features: A Missing Piece
One thing that's worth noting is the lack of health features, such as the heart rate tracker and hearing aid mode found in the latest AirPods Pro 3. These features are missing from the Buds 4 Pro, which might be a deal-breaker for some users.
Conclusion: A Nearly Flawless Competitor
In every sense, the Buds 4 Pro feel like flagship true wireless earbuds. For sound quality and noise cancellation, they're among the best I've tested, almost on par with the AirPods Pro. However, the lack of health features is a minor disappointment. Nonetheless, the Buds 4 Pro are nearly flawless and a top choice for premium wireless earbuds, especially for Samsung Galaxy users and Android smartphone owners.
Personally, I think the Buds 4 Pro are a significant step forward for Samsung, offering a compelling alternative to AirPods Pro. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential impact on the wireless earbud market, as Samsung's efforts could shake up the competition and drive innovation.
