Samsung's next wireless earbuds will debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series at this week's Unpacked event, marking a significant design departure that brings them closer to Apple's AirPods aesthetic while maintaining competitive pricing.
The Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro launch February 25 at Samsung's first major product event of the year in San Francisco.
Both will accompany new foldable smartphones and smartwatches in what shapes up as one of Samsung's most hardware refreshes.
Samsung accidentally confirmed its own earbud launch through a FAQ section on its Canadian website that references "two key events for Samsung's new Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Buds."
The company's official teaser page previously focused only on AI phone capabilities, making this website slip-up an unintentional confirmation of broader hardware plans.
Design leaks reveal a complete overhaul from previous wingtip-style designs to a stem-based form factor that more closely resembles Apple's approach.
The new earbuds ditch distinctive features like the Toblerone-esque stems and vertical charging cases of earlier generations in favor of horizontal cases with transparent lids and metallic accents on the stems.
Real-life photos circulating online show white Galaxy Buds 4 alongside black Galaxy Buds 4 Pro units, with both featuring flat portions on the outer edges of their stems in contrasting colors.
The Pro variant includes silicon ear tips absent from the standard version, maintaining differentiation between tiers.
Pricing will hold steady at $179 for Galaxy Buds 4 and $249 for Galaxy Buds 4 Pro according to leaks from industry insider Rolland Quandt.
These figures match last year's pricing despite rumors of potential increases for other devices in Samsung's lineup launching alongside new phones.
The company has already begun software preparation with a Galaxy Wearable app update that brings One UI 8.5 interface improvements and adds support for both upcoming earbud models.
This update enhances security features related to Smart Switch functionality while preparing users for new hardware integration.
Early Amazon listings appeared one week ahead of schedule, showing official renders of both versions with detailed specifications.
The premature postings confirm horizontal case orientation where users insert earbuds sideways rather than vertically, a departure from most true wireless designs currently available.
Samsung faces competition in premium audio as Apple prepares its own AirPods refresh later this year and Google continues improving Pixel Buds integration with Android features.
The company holds second place behind Apple in premium earbud sales but aims to convert more of its massive smartphone user base through clearer product naming and improved AI integration.
