- Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro renders appear
- They show design changes; expect more on February 25
- No word on whether Samsung’s controversial earbud locking mechanism is back
It’s looking increasingly likely that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro will launch alongside the Galaxy S26 phones at Galaxy Unpacked 2026, most likely on February 25, and we’ve just seen early renders of these new AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 rivals.
Android Headlines has shared renders of the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro. An exact source for these renders or the information they’re based on isn’t clear, but they’re consistent with what we’ve already seen.
Picture 1 of 6
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 images show something similar to the Galaxy Buds 3, minus the ear tips. Changes from the previous model are flat stems and a clamshell charging case. These changes are also present in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but they enjoy the ear tips. The models are black and white respectively, but apparently they represent only two of many color options.
These renders match an earlier glimpse we saw of the buds, which originated from the Samsung Tips app, particularly in the charging case department. It looks like a reworked charging case and flat-backed stems are the two main design changes the new buds will enjoy.
No word on the tip
I tested the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro early and then experienced the issues that saw them delayed. Samsung used a proprietary earbud locking system which apparently made it much easier to remove and replace the studs…
…but in practice it made it much more difficult. As you can see in the picture above, I managed to hollow out part of the earplug with my fingernail when I tried to remove it, weakening it for the future. I have hope that Samsung has reworked this system for the Buds 4 Pro.
However, since I wrote that review it has come to my attention that this system presents another problem and there is no indication that my other problem will be resolved. You see, the buds and tip used a screw-like hook system to attach, which held them in place so much that it led to the previous issue – but it’s also incompatible with other earbuds beyond Samsung’s own.
Do you have a large collection of ear tips from previous earphones you’ve owned, or do you just want to pick up new ones in a different material or design to suit your taste? Excuse methey don’t fit. I’ve seen reports on Reddit of people jerry-rigging third-party buds to work on Samsungs, but they’re obviously more of a DIY hand than I am.
I see it as being quite anti-consumer; any ear tips you own are now basically e-waste. While you can buy replacements from other companies online, this means any earbuds you already own won’t be compatible and will have to rely on cheap Amazon alternatives if you lose your current choices. Samsung’s website doesn’t even have replacements – the Galaxy Buds accessories page instead offers you Minions-themed covers and carabiners.
Samsung isn’t the only company to use a system like this, with Apple also using a similar custom design for its AirPods Pro. But if your only other counterpart is the inventor of the Lightning port and OS-locked earphones, that’s not a good sign for being open and consumer-friendly. I hope the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use standard earbuds like pretty much every other company out there.
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