New Samsung Galaxy Buds4 images reveal significant design changes

Android Headlines has released new renders of the Samsung Galaxy Buds4, widely expected to be announced at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event. This follows images unearthed by our sister site, Android Authority, that show the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 have a refreshed design. Earlier leaks support these new renders and were discovered in a One UI 8.5 firmware update. The earbuds are expected to launch alongside the Buds4 Pro and Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026. However, renders uncovered by Mohammed Khatri indicate that the earbuds may lack a vital feature.

Details of the Samsung Galaxy Buds4’s design

Mohammed Khatri’s new images show that the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 will sport metal strips on their stems to differentiate them from Apple’s AirPods. We can see what appears to be a circular grille at the top of the stem’s rearside, while connectors are shown on the inside portion of the stem. Indents on the lower half of the stems could indicate support for pinch controls.

Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds rest horizontally in a square-shaped case. The lid is transparent, and the company’s logo is embossed on the front. However, unlike the earlier renders discovered by Android Authority, these newest images reveal that the Buds3 case may not feature a built-in speaker. This is a vital omission, as those prone to losing their belongings will not be able to locate the buds with an equivalent Find My feature. As with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3, the Buds4 will not use ear tips. They also appear to have a more angled bulb with a new wire grille design element on top.

The company was found to have assigned internal codenames—Bach and Handel—to the Buds4 Pro and Buds4 in October’s One UI 8.5 firmware update. This revelation coincided with a vector-based render of the Buds4 Pro showing a more rounded earbud stem. Last month’s updated imagery confirms that the Buds4 will adorn the same rounded design.

Reputable leaker Billbil-kun of Dealabs Magazine has obtained key information regarding the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Buds4’s color variants. These will reportedly launch in France in Black and White, with a potential Apricot colorway available for the Buds4 Pro. However, the latter may be reserved exclusively for the Samsung store or specific markets.

Hand gestures

Refreshed aesthetics are great, but we’re far more interested in updated features. Android Authority has spotted that the Galaxy Buds4 may support Interpreter mode with pinch-and-hold gestures. In particular, Samsung appears to be giving the Buds4 more autonomous control over Interpreter. This means you’ll no longer need to pull out your phone to use the Interpreter app.

Price and availability

Leaker Billbil-kun reveals the final European prices for Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds. In particular, the Buds4 Pro will retail for €249, while the Buds4 will launch for €179. This spells good news for consumers, indicating that the earbuds will cost the same as their predecessors when they launch in the US.

French shoppers may also receive an additional promotional offer. This would allow buyers to grab the Black variants with a 25W wireless charging pad at no extra cost. Billbil-kun suggests that this offer could be extended to other European countries.

Samsung Galaxy Buds4: What we’d like to see

Samsung remains a key player in the wireless earbuds arena, especially for Samsung smartphone owners. While the Buds3 Pro sit comfortably as a future-proof offering, the more pedestrian Galaxy Buds3 fall stupendously short of the mark. Instead of building on the successes of the Galaxy Buds2, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 tried something new that didn’t pay off. In doing so, the hope for a vastly improved and up-to-date Samsung Galaxy Buds4 has quickly gained momentum.

An improved fit

Samsung appears to have taken a page from Apple’s playbook and designed unsealed earbuds similar to the AirPods (4th generation). While stemmed designs are popular, they aren’t enough to secure earbuds in place on their own. The Galaxy Buds3 leave an awkward space between the concha and the earbud, making it virtually impossible to achieve a reliable fit. The accumulation of sweat and skin oils makes the buds more likely to dislodge themselves spontaneously. I’d like to see Samsung either reinstate silicone ear tips or improve the Bud4’s bulb shape when they come to fruition.

More consistent active noise canceling

Open-ear buds are designed to leave your ear canals unsealed, allowing environmental noise into your mix. Unfortunately, doing so profoundly affects how well the buds quell distracting ambient noises. Similar to the AirPods 4 with ANC, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 come equipped with ANC technology. However, they do less well than their Apple rival when attenuating mid and high-end frequencies. The Galaxy Buds3’s unreliable fit also means noise cancellation varies wildly each time you wear the buds. Samsung should implement more consistent noise cancellation capabilities in the Samsung Galaxy Buds4.

A smarter charging case

Like earbuds, charging cases have gotten smarter over the years. For example, the JBL Tour Pro 3’s case can connect to third-party devices via USB-to-3.5mm and transmit audio wirelessly to the earbuds. This breathes new life into older hardware that would otherwise be tearfully resigned to the nearest charity shop shelf. The case also supports Auracast broadcasting to any compatible device. By comparison, the Buds3 case does not support audio transmitting or Auracast broadcasting capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 must adopt high-end functionalities to compete with high-tech rivals.

Better in-call noise reduction

Earbud manufacturers implement in-call noise-reduction algorithms to reduce the prevalence of unwanted environmental sounds. However, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 feature improved in-call microphone quality, they do a mediocre job of quelling distracting office chatter, wind, and street noise. While Samsung’s Mic feature can improve call quality, it only works with Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 should employ better in-call noise reduction capabilities.

Longer battery life

Headphone battery capacities vary wildly from one device to the next. For example, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer nearly 10 hours of continuous music playback time. Likewise, the EarFun Air Pro 4 last roughly nine hours and cost significantly less than the Samsung Galaxy Buds3. Even the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC last over six hours and feature Optimized Charging to mitigate premature battery degradation. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 should provide longer battery life for long-haul intercontinental flights and frequent travelers.

Samsung Galaxy Buds4 FAQs