Wireless Earbuds / Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Two-way drivers and IP57 — the Galaxy flagship, locked to Galaxy phones.
Wins overall by 0.7 points
Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.7 points. Two-way drivers and IP57 — the Galaxy flagship, locked to Galaxy phones.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are both closely matched wireless Earbuds models, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is $130 cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro ($119.99 vs $249.99). On Noise Cancelling, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed. On Durability, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness. On Sound Quality, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads (8.5 vs 7.5/10) — tuning, detail and codec support. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.0/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.3/10 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 | $119.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 6 | 6 |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 21 | 24✓ |
| Active Noise Cancelling | ANC 2.0 — adaptive, with real-time EQ analysis and repositioned wind-resistant microphones | Active Noise Cancelling with an additional microphone for background-noise reduction |
| Driver Size (mm) | Samsung states a two-way design with a woofer roughly 20% larger than the Buds3 Pro, but publishes no millimetre figure | 11 |
| Bluetooth | Samsung's US specification says 5.4 while retail listings claim 6.1 — unresolved | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes, but across Samsung devices only | Not listed on Samsung's US specification |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IP54 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | No |
| Weight per Bud (g) | Not published by the manufacturer | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, SSC and LC3 — no LDAC or aptX | Not listed on Samsung's US specification |
| Spatial Audio | Yes, with head tracking, but Samsung devices only | 360 Audio, but without head tracking on this model |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on tuning, detail and codec support. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on how much ambient noise is actually removed. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are level here, at 6.5/10 each. playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Comfort & Fit
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on microphone performance and background noise rejection. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on IP rating, build materials and case robustness. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (how much ambient noise is actually removed).
- • Durability matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (IP rating, build materials and case robustness).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (tuning, detail and codec support).
- • Call Quality matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (microphone performance and background noise rejection).
- • Features matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores 8.5/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $130 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is budget.
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Pros
- +Two-way drivers with dual amplifiers is a genuinely more capable design than single-driver rivals
- +IP57 matches AirPods Pro 3 for ruggedness
- +Auracast support and 24-bit hi-res on Galaxy phones
- +Excellent call quality with wind-resistant mics
Cons
- −6 hours with ANC on and 21 total is poor for a $249 product
- −Multipoint, head tracking, hi-res and translation all require Samsung hardware
- −No iOS app at all, so iPhone users get basic playback only
- −Samsung's own site and retail listings disagree on the Bluetooth version
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
Pros
- +Stem design and Galaxy AI features at well under Pro pricing
- +Real-time translation and Gemini on Galaxy phones
- +IP54 dust and water resistance
- +11mm driver
Cons
- −No head tracking, unlike the Pro models
- −6 hours with ANC on is mid-pack at best
- −No wireless charging
- −The Galaxy Wearable app is Android-only, so there is no iOS support at all
- −Most of the interesting features need a Galaxy phone
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores higher on Noise Cancelling (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed.
Which is better for Durability, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores higher on Durability (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores higher on Sound Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — tuning, detail and codec support.
Which is better for Call Quality, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro scores higher on Call Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — microphone performance and background noise rejection.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro worth the price difference over the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is the cheaper option at $119.99 versus $249.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro is the better fit if you mainly care about travel or workout. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is the better fit for budget.
What's the warranty on the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro ships with a 12-month warranty; the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — $99.99
Premium Option
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $299.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.