Galaxy Buds 4 dummies show metallic stems, downplay AirPods likeness

Lead

Images of non-functional dummy units for Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro have appeared online ahead of the company’s Unpacked event next week, offering a first in-person look at styling and case design. The photos, shared to social media and distributed to stores, emphasize a new metallic plate on the outward-facing portion of the stem that appears aimed at addressing comparisons to Apple’s AirPods. While the units are not working prototypes, they match prior renders and hint at how Samsung plans to present the earbuds at launch. Retail dummies suggest both a square charging case return and small exterior changes that Samsung hopes will shift perception.

Key Takeaways

• Five photos of display dummy units for Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro were posted publicly by TechTalkTV on Twitter and reportedly sent to stores ahead of launch.
• Both models show a brushed metallic plate on the stem’s outward face—an apparent design response to AirPods comparisons from the Buds 3 era.
• The Buds 4 Pro image appears in a silver-on-black finish; the regular Buds 4 are shown in a simpler black tone that some reviewers describe as budget-looking.
• Images indicate Samsung is returning to a square charging case design rather than a flip-top shell similar to recent AirPods clones.
• A rear case image on the standard Buds 4 reveals a charging port and a sync button, which may support a remote ring/phone-location function.
• These are non-functional display units; final materials, internal specs, and pricing remain unconfirmed.
• Timing and distribution suggest a formal announcement at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event alongside Galaxy S26 devices.

Background

Samsung shifted the design language of its higher-end earbuds with the Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, moving toward a stem-centric silhouette that many reviewers likened to Apple’s AirPods. That round of products introduced visible changes, including a silver colorway and a distinctive light strip, but did not fully escape comparisons. Public and press responses frequently noted the visual echo of Apple’s product family, a critique that dominated coverage despite otherwise positive notes about sound and fit.

In product cycles for consumer audio, manufacturers often iterate quickly on external styling to address perception and retail appeal even when internal hardware is unchanged. Sending non-functional dummy units to retailers is a standard practice: they allow stores to prepare displays, train staff, and show customers how products will look in hand. Those dummies are not a technical preview, but they do signal the visual identity Samsung intends to present at launch.

Main Event

Late on the day the images surfaced, TechTalkTV posted five photographs showing both the Galaxy Buds 4 and the Buds 4 Pro dummies. The pictures show a visible brushed silver plate applied to the outward-facing portion of each stem; on the Pro variant this contrasts with a black stem and case, creating a silver-on-black motif. The regular Buds 4 images show a plainer aesthetic where the metallic plate did not elevate the overall impression for some observers.

Compared with the Buds 3 series, the superficial changes are concentrated on finishes and the case form factor. The dummies depict a more squared charging case rather than the flip-top design critics equated with Apple. A rear photo of the standard Buds 4 case shows a charging port and what appears to be a sync button; retailers typically use such buttons to trigger pairing or to ring a connected device for locating it.

Though the photographs match previously leaked renders, the units are explicitly non-functional and intended for store display. That caveat limits what can be concluded about performance, battery life, or feature set. Nonetheless, the visual treatment aligns with an effort to make the earbuds look distinct from Apple’s AirPods while remaining within a stem-style form factor that Samsung has adopted for recent pro models.

Analysis & Implications

Design changes that emphasize finishes over structural overhaul suggest Samsung is prioritizing perception management at retail. A brushed metallic plate is a low-risk, low-cost move compared with reengineering the stem or the case; it can alter how consumers register similarity to competing designs without significant R&D expense. If retailers and reviewers react positively, the cosmetic tweak could blunt some criticism that hampered the narrative around the Buds 3 launch.

For Samsung’s brand strategy, the square case is notable. Returning to a more distinctive case shape helps create shelf differentiation and may reduce instant visual association with AirPods when viewed in stores or online thumbnails. Packaging, finish options, and case ergonomics all influence buyer perception, and these dummies appear to target those visual cues specifically.

From a competitive standpoint, the changes are unlikely to shift the market mechanically—sound quality, battery life, active noise cancellation, and ecosystem features remain decisive. If the Buds 4 lineup pairs meaningful feature upgrades with the new styling, Samsung could regain attention for substance as well as form. Conversely, if hardware improvements are minor, the cosmetic adjustments may only marginally affect sales or reviews.

Comparison & Data

The table highlights only visible, external differences that appear in the leaked dummies and earlier renders. It does not speak to internal hardware, software features, or audio performance—none of which can be determined from non-functional units. Still, these visual cues often shape first impressions and purchasing decisions in retail settings.

Reactions & Quotes

“Five photos of dummy units for both models were shared, showing what Samsung will send to stores before launch.”

TechTalkTV / Twitter (social)

“They really do look like budget earbuds from several years ago.”

Andrew Romero / 9to5Google (journalist commentary)

“These images practically confirm the last couple of months’ worth of leaks about the Buds 4 lineup.”

9to5Google (tech media)

Unconfirmed

• Whether the brushed metallic plate will be made from metal, plated plastic, or another material is not confirmed by the dummy photos.
• The images do not confirm internal changes such as driver size, ANC improvements, battery capacity, or codec support.
• Final retail pricing, exact launch timing beyond the upcoming Unpacked window, and market availability are not yet announced.
• Any feature tied to the visible sync button (for example, remote ring/phone locate) is inferred from placement but has not been officially documented.

Bottom Line

The leaked store dummies for Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro chiefly communicate a cosmetic pivot: Samsung appears to be using a brushed metallic stem plate and a squared case to reduce visual affinity with Apple’s AirPods. These are deliberate, low-risk styling adjustments intended to shape perceptions at retail and in early reviews. Because the units are non-functional, they do not provide insight into audio performance, battery life, or software features—areas that will determine critical reception and consumer choice.

Expect the formal reveal at Samsung’s Unpacked event to confirm materials, finishes, and the full spec sheet. If Samsung pairs these visual changes with substantive hardware or software upgrades, the Buds 4 line could reframe the conversation away from visual comparisons and back toward ecosystem and performance. Until then, these dummies mainly serve as a preview of how Samsung wants the earbuds to be seen under store lights.

Sources

• 9to5Google — technology news report summarizing the leaked images and context (media).
• TechTalkTV — Twitter account that posted the original photos of the dummy units (social media).