Hi-res for most phones
EarFun Air Pro 4
- aptX Adaptive and LDAC
- 7.5 hours per charge
Cheaper alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Three cheaper pairs whose best features work on any Android phone.
Updated November 5, 2026
Lightest pick
Nothing Ear (a)
- Only 4.8 g per bud
- Strong quiet for the money
Smallest spend
CMF Buds Pro 2
- LDAC at a tiny price
- Dial on the case
The original
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Worth it if: You own a recent Galaxy phone
- Clear, agile sound
- Comfortable, secure fit
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Not worth it if: You use an iPhone: there's no app
Fairly priced
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Galaxy Buds4 Pro?
What the extra money buys
- Clear, agile sound
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Dunk-proof (IP57)
- Hi-res audio on Galaxy phones
Worth it if
- You own a recent Galaxy phone
- You want buds that survive a soaking
- Comfort matters more than battery
Not worth it if
- You use an iPhone: there's no app
- You need 8 hours per charge
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
EarFun Air Pro 4
Samsung's hi-res codec works only with Galaxy phones, while the Air Pro 4 streams LDAC and aptX Adaptive from most Android phones. Android Central liked its lively sound and long-wear comfort. PC Gamer found it good on wind and drone but weaker on sharp noises, with a tinny mic.
Nothing Ear (a)
The Ear (a) has a stem shape like the Buds4 Pro and weighs even less. TechRadar counted its noise canceling with the strongest you can get for the money and enjoyed its wide, energetic sound. Expert Reviews found the pinch controls fiddly, and there's no wireless charging in the case.
CMF Buds Pro 2
The CMF Buds Pro 2 cost about a fifth of the Buds4 Pro and still offer LDAC and pairing with two devices. Stuff liked the punchy bass and found calls held up beside a busy road. Expert Reviews rated the quiet as middling and the touch controls patchy, so you end up using the dial.
Final recommendation: If you don't own a Galaxy phone, the EarFun Air Pro 4 is the smart swap: hi-res codecs that work with your phone and longer battery. The Nothing Ear (a) suits anyone who wants the lightest stem buds. The CMF Buds Pro 2 are for the smallest budget. Galaxy owners who want strong quiet and dunk-proof buds should stay with the Buds4 Pro.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Budget | Budget | Budget |
| Battery per charge, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 6 hours | Up to 7.5 hours | Up to 5.5 hours | Up to 6.5 hours |
| With the case, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 26 hours | Up to 35 hours | Up to 24.5 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| Weight per bud | 5.1 g (0.18 oz) | – | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) | 4.9 g (0.17 oz) |
| Fit | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX5 | IP54 (buds), IPX2 (case) | IP55 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, Samsung SSC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Do the Galaxy Buds4 Pro work with an iPhone?
They pair and play, but there's no Samsung app for iPhone, so you can't change settings or EQ. Reviewers found the hi-res codec and several features need a recent Galaxy phone.
How long does the Buds4 Pro battery last?
About 6 hours with noise canceling on and 26 with the case, by Samsung's figures. Reviewers call that middling: Sony and Apple buds last two hours longer per charge.
Can I swim with the Galaxy Buds4 Pro?
No. IP57 means they survive a dunk of up to a meter for about 30 minutes, so rain, sweat and a drop in the sink are fine. They're not built for swimming.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Samsung: Galaxy Buds4 Pro, What Hi-Fi?: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review, Expert Reviews: Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro review, EarFun: Air Pro 4, Android Central: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, PC Gamer: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, Nothing: Ear (a), TechRadar: Nothing Ear (a) review, Expert Reviews: Nothing Ear (a) review, CMF by Nothing: Buds Pro 2, Expert Reviews: CMF Buds Pro 2 review, Stuff: CMF Buds Pro 2 review.