Das kam unerwartet: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Review (Deutsch) | SwagTab

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro — SwagTab review (Concise summary)

Product overview / key features

• True wireless earbuds; successor to the Buds 3 Pro.
• New, more angular brushed-aluminum styling for the buds; compact, pocket-friendly matte plastic charging case with a transparent lid.
• Improved case hinge (fully opens), magnetic earbud seating, USB-C wired charging and wireless charging support.
• IP57 water/dust resistance.
• Controls use press and swipe gestures; a small indentation improves handling and gestures are partially customizable.
• Bluetooth 6.1 for fast, stable connectivity.
• Active noise cancellation (ANC), improved transparency mode, and 360 Audio with head tracking.
• Equalizer presets plus custom EQ in settings. An “ultra-high” sound mode is stated to support “up to 96” in the captions (likely intended to be 96 kHz) but this mode is limited to recent Samsung flagship devices (Galaxy S23/Fold series and newer).
• No classic multipoint Bluetooth support; seamless device switching works within the Samsung ecosystem via Samsung account. The Galaxy Wearable app is available for non‑Samsung Android phones; there is no dedicated iOS app.

Numeric / technical points

• Battery: Samsung claims up to 6 hours per charge with ANC on and 7 hours without ANC. Reviewer consistently measured about 7+ hours with ANC enabled. The case provides roughly 3 full recharges of the buds.
• RRP: €249 at launch (reviewer observed launch/short promotions around €150 and expects significant discounts after launch).
• Bluetooth 6.1; IP57.
• Captioned sampling-rate claim: “up to 96 Hz” (caption error — likely meant 96 kHz).

User experience / real-world impressions

• Comfort & fit: noticeably improved over previous Buds and reportedly more comfortable than the Sony WF-1000XM6 for this reviewer; suitable for long wear and sports. Fit feels very secure.
• Controls: gestures work reliably after a brief adjustment period; customization is limited compared with some competitors.
• Connection: very stable even in crowded environments.
• Setup: seamless integration and extra UI/animations on Samsung phones; full settings accessible in quick access/Bluetooth on Samsung phones (no separate app required). Non‑Samsung Android users should use the Galaxy Wearable app; iPhone users have no app and lose some features.
• Out-of-box sound: initially bass-heavy with odd upper mids for this reviewer; sound improved markedly after selecting the right ear tips, running the listening test, and adjusting the EQ.
• Sound quality: very detailed with balanced bass. Reviewer found them better than AirPods Pro 3, close to the Sony WF-1000XM6, and “phenomenal” when using Samsung’s ultra-high-quality mode on compatible devices.
• ANC: noticeably improved; strong performance on steady background noise (airplanes/trains). For sudden/transient noises (keyboard clicks, shouting), reviewer still gives a slight edge to AirPods Pro.
• Transparency mode: much improved; voices sound more natural.
• Calls/voice recording: adequate but behind Apple and Sony — an area needing improvement.
• Accessories: only three silicone ear tip sizes included; reviewer missed foam tips.

Pros

• Excellent overall sound, especially when paired with compatible Samsung flagships (ultra-high mode).
• Strong ANC (close to AirPods Pro 3 for steady background noise) and improved transparency.
• Very comfortable, secure fit — good for sports.
• Compact case with wireless charging and an improved hinge; matte finish reduces fingerprints.
• Stable Bluetooth 6.1 connection.
• Solid battery life in practice (often slightly better than Samsung’s ANC claim in reviewer testing).

Cons

• Voice call quality not class-leading; behind Apple and Sony.
• No classic multipoint Bluetooth (seamless switching mainly within Samsung ecosystem).
• Ultra-high-resolution audio limited to recent Samsung flagship devices.
• Limited ear tip options (no foam tips included).
• High launch RRP (€249); worth waiting for discounts.
• Gesture personalization is limited versus some rivals.
• Not the ideal choice for iPhone users (no iOS app and loss of Samsung-specific features).

Comparisons (brief)

• Apple AirPods Pro (3): Reviewer prefers Buds 4 Pro sound overall and finds transparency nearly as good; AirPods still slightly better at handling sudden noises and in voice-call quality.
• Sony WF-1000XM6: Buds 4 Pro are more comfortable (per reviewer) and demonstrated better ANC in the reviewer’s tests; sound approaches Sony’s level, especially with Samsung ultra-high mode.
• Positioning: Placed among the top contenders from Samsung, Apple, Sony, and Google — sometimes outperforming competitors in specific areas.

Price & value

• Launch RRP €249 (considered high). Reviewer recommends waiting for deals; launch-period promotions and examples around €150 were reported.
• Verdict on value: strong long-term contender — excellent package, especially at discounted prices or if you own compatible Samsung flagship hardware.

Distinct/unique observations (highlights)

1. Compact, minimalist packaging; includes three sizes of silicone ear tips.
2. Case fully opens and has a transparent lid.
3. Matte plastic inside/outside to reduce fingerprints.
4. Case supports wired (USB-C) and wireless charging and is pocket-friendly.
5. New angular/brushed-aluminum earbud styling — less Apple-like than before.
6. Improved wearing comfort and secure fit; IP57-rated for sports use.
7. Small indentation improves gesture control; gestures become reliable after learning.
8. Partial gesture personalization (less flexible than some competitors).
9. Samsung phones can control buds directly via quick access without a separate app; non‑Samsung Android uses Galaxy Wearable; iOS has no app.
10. ANC strength improved and performs very well for travel/noisy environments.
11. Transparency mode renders voices more naturally.
12. Internal design changes (larger diaphragm, fewer gaps) likely contribute to sound improvements.
13. Out-of-box sound can be bass-heavy but improves with tip changes, listening test, and EQ.
14. Ultra-high sound mode labeled “up to 96” in captions (likely meant 96 kHz) only works on recent Samsung flagships.
15. No classic multipoint, but seamless switching inside Samsung ecosystem works well.
16. Bluetooth 6.1 delivers very strong connection stability.
17. Voice-calling/recording quality is adequate but not best-in-class.
18. Battery life in reviewer testing often exceeded Samsung’s stated ANC figure (~7 hours).
19. Case can recharge earbuds about three times from empty.
20. Criticisms: limited ear-tip types, no foam tips, no multipoint, high RRP.
21. Reviewer expects retail prices around €150 in a few months; recommends waiting for deals.
22. Reviewer’s final placement: near the top of their upcoming “best” list; strong recommendation for Samsung device owners.

Other viewpoints mentioned

• Some other tests claimed better ANC than AirPods Pro; the reviewer disagrees and places AirPods Pro slightly ahead for transient noises.
• Viewer comments and deal reports referenced Amazon France promotions (~€150) during launch.

Final verdict: The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a major iterative improvement — stylish build, excellent comfort, very strong sound (especially with a compatible Samsung flagship), much-improved ANC and transparency mode, stable connectivity, and solid battery life. Weaknesses are voice call quality, limited multipoint, limited tip options, and a high launch price. Strongly recommended, especially for recent Samsung flagship owners or when bought on discount.