Samsung’s Galaxy Buds lineup has long been a favorite in the premium wireless earbuds arena.
Now that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are here, you might be wondering: how do they compare to last year’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
On paper, the improvements seem small better battery life, updated Bluetooth, and refined audio, but in practice, the distinctions are more subtle.
After spending some time with both models, I’ve put together a detailed comparison to help you decide if the newer version is worth the additional investment.
Also see: Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Which One Wins?
Pricing
The newer Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro come in at a typical flagship price of around $249.99, and since they’re still pretty new on the market, they tend to stick close to that launch price with very few significant discounts so far.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have entered a completely different pricing realm. While they originally launched at that same ~$249 price, you can now find them for about $170 to $199, depending on the deals and retailers available.
A noticeable shift in design philosophy
The most immediate change comes down to design.
The Buds 3 Pro leaned into a slightly more aggressive look, with sharper edges and a more distinctive, almost experimental finish.
The Buds 4 Pro, on the other hand, feel like Samsung stepping back and aiming for something more universally appealing.
The new charging case is more compact and squared off, with a transparent lid that returns from the previous generation still a small but genuinely useful touch.
You can glance at it and instantly know whether the earbuds are inside, which sounds trivial until you’ve lived with it.
The earbuds themselves look cleaner and more refined. There’s a subtle metallic finish on the stems that adds a premium edge, without trying too hard. It’s the kind of design that feels more mature, less flashy.
In everyday use, though, both generations are equally dependable. Fit and comfort remain excellent across the board.
The Buds 4 Pro may feel slightly more ergonomic over longer sessions, but the difference is marginal enough that most people won’t notice unless they’re actively comparing.
Familiar features, unchanged experience
Functionally, Samsung hasn’t shaken things up. Both pairs deliver the same core experience, touch controls that are responsive and intuitive, swipe gestures for volume, solid in-ear detection, and IP57 resistance that holds up during workouts or light rain.
Charging is also identical, with both USB-C and wireless options included. In this price range, that’s expected, and Samsung doesn’t cut corners here.
More importantly, both models rely on the same Galaxy Wearable app, which remains one of the better companion apps in the space.
It gives you fine control over noise cancellation levels, EQ settings, and fit tests, while also unlocking Samsung-specific features if you’re using a Galaxy phone.
Things like real-time translation, Bixby integration, and even head gesture controls are present on both generations, so there’s no meaningful advantage to the newer model in this area.
Connectivity inches forward
One of the more technical upgrades is the jump to Bluetooth 6.1 on the Buds 4 Pro, compared to Bluetooth 5.4 on the previous generation.
In real-world use, both are already fast and stable, with low latency that works well for streaming and even casual gaming.
The newer standard doesn’t radically change the experience, but it does contribute to slightly better efficiency and responsiveness.
It’s the kind of upgrade that matters more over time, especially as newer devices begin to take advantage of it.
Codec support remains the same story. If you’re using a Samsung phone, you get access to Samsung’s Seamless Codec, which pushes audio quality closer to high-end wireless standards.
On other devices, you’re limited to AAC, which is still perfectly serviceable but not quite as impressive.
Incremental gains in calls and noise cancellation
If you care about call quality, the Buds 4 Pro do edge ahead. Voice pickup sounds a bit cleaner, with less distortion and slightly better handling of background noise.
It’s not a dramatic improvement, but it’s noticeable enough if you spend a lot of time on calls.
The same goes for active noise cancellation. Both models are already strong performers, capable of significantly reducing ambient noise in busy environments.
The newer pair just pushes things a little further, offering a slightly more isolated listening experience.
You won’t suddenly feel like you’ve stepped into a different category of ANC, but the refinement is there. It’s subtle, consistent, and in line with the rest of the upgrades.
Sound quality is where it really counts
The biggest difference between these two comes down to sound.
The Buds 3 Pro were already good, but they leaned a bit heavier on bass, which could sometimes overshadow the finer details. With the Buds 4 Pro, Samsung has clearly spent time refining the tuning.
The result is a sound profile that feels more balanced and more confident right out of the box.
Vocals, in particular, stand out—they’re clearer, more forward, and easier to focus on, especially in tracks where the voice carries the emotion of the song.
At the same time, the low end feels more controlled. There’s still plenty of depth, but it no longer dominates the mix.
That balance makes the overall listening experience less fatiguing and more versatile across different genres.
It’s not just a technical improvement—it’s a more enjoyable one. You don’t feel the need to dive into the EQ settings to “fix” anything. It simply sounds right from the start.
Battery life gets a quiet boost
On paper, the Buds 4 Pro do improve battery capacity slightly, and that translates into roughly half an hour of extra use with active noise cancellation enabled.
In practice, that means around six hours of listening compared to roughly five and a half on the Buds 3 Pro.
It’s the kind of upgrade you appreciate over time rather than immediately.
Neither model struggles to get through a day of typical use, especially with the charging case factored in, but the newer pair simply lasts a bit longer under the same conditions.
Interestingly, this improvement comes alongside stronger noise cancellation, which makes the efficiency gains feel more meaningful than the numbers suggest.
Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Refined stem design, metallic finish, transparent case lid | Blade-style stem, LED accents, transparent case lid |
| Driver Setup | Dual driver (11mm woofer + 5.5mm planar tweeter) | Dual driver (10.5mm dynamic + 6.1mm planar) |
| Audio Features | SSC, SSC UHQ (Hi-Res), AAC, LC3 | SSC, SSC UHQ, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes (improved ANC) | Yes |
| Ambient Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 3 mics + VPU (improved clarity) | 3 mics + VPU |
| Battery (Earbuds) | 61mAh per bud | 53mAh per bud |
| Battery (Case) | 530mAh | 515mAh |
| Battery Life (ANC ON) | 6 hours (buds) / 26 hours (total) | 6 hours (buds) / 26 hours (total) |
| Battery Life (ANC OFF) | 7 hours (buds) / 30 hours (total) | 7 hours (buds) / 30 hours (total) |
| Charging | USB-C + Wireless Charging | USB-C + Wireless Charging |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IP57 |
| Smart Features | Head gestures, AI features, real-time translate | AI features, Bixby, real-time translate |
| App Support | Galaxy Wearable app | Galaxy Wearable app |
| Launch Price | ~$249 | ~$249 (now discounted) |
So, should you upgrade?
The answer really depends on your perspective.
If you already have the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, there’s no rush to upgrade. Sure, the newer model has some nice improvements, but they’re not groundbreaking enough to make you ditch a perfectly good pair of earbuds.
However, if you’re in the market for a new set and want the best that Samsung has to offer, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are definitely the way to go. The upgrades in design, sound quality, battery life, and noise cancellation come together to create a more refined experience.
That said, for many folks, the Buds 3 Pro might still be the smarter choice. They’ve held up nicely over time, and with their current price point, they might just give you the best bang for your buck.
Ultimately, it’s not so much about a huge leap forward; it’s more about Samsung fine-tuning an already great product and doing it really well.
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
