Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro wireless earbuds, featuring a redesigned appearance and new functionalities, will launch with the Galaxy S26 smartphone series. According to Android Authority, leaked One UI 8.5 animations from Samsung’s software reveal these details, confirming changes first hinted at in October renders.
References to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have appeared in various leaks over several months. Developers and analysts have traced elements of the earbuds within firmware builds for One UI 8.5, Samsung’s upcoming user interface update based on Android. These traces include code segments and visual placeholders that outline integration with Samsung devices. The animations, obtained exclusively by Android Authority, provide the clearest preview to date, displaying the earbuds in action during pairing, control interactions, and feature demonstrations. This material stems from a leaked build of One UI 8.5, which Samsung has not officially released but is preparing for devices like the Galaxy S26 lineup.
The design evolution of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro builds on earlier indications from a vector-based render published in October. That render suggested a shift away from prior models’ styling toward a more streamlined form. Subsequently, Samsung’s internal codenames for the products emerged: the base Galaxy Buds 4 carries the designation “Handel,” while the premium Galaxy Buds 4 Pro uses “Bach.” These names, drawn from classical composers, align with Samsung’s pattern of thematic labeling for audio products, similar to previous iterations.
The animations depict the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro retaining a stem-style configuration, a staple in Samsung’s in-ear earbuds since the Galaxy Buds Pro series. However, the stem now adopts a flatter profile, departing from the sharp, triangular shape seen on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. This alteration smooths the overall silhouette, potentially improving comfort during extended wear. The prominent light bar, which illuminated the stem on the Buds 3 Pro to indicate status like charging or pairing, has been removed entirely. Pinch controls for volume adjustment, playback, and call management remain operational, as shown in the animation sequences where users interact via gestures on the stem.
Details of the in-ear silicone tips appear more defined in the leaked visuals compared to earlier leaks. These tips ensure a secure fit and passive noise isolation, essential for active noise cancellation performance. The accompanying charging case undergoes a significant redesign: rather than the earbuds inserting vertically as in the Buds 3 Pro case, they now rest horizontally in a flat orientation. This layout mirrors designs in competitors’ premium earbuds, such as Apple’s AirPods Pro, and may facilitate easier access and a more compact case footprint. The case retains wireless charging compatibility, though specific dimensions or material changes are not detailed in the animations.
Samsung has not confirmed whether the standard Galaxy Buds 4 will mirror this design overhaul. Historical patterns offer insight: the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro shared core aesthetic elements, with the base model adapting premium features at a lower price point. If this approach continues, the Buds 4 could incorporate the flatter stem, updated case, and similar controls, distinguishing it from the Pro variant through audio drivers or battery life differences.
A standout addition in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is the Head Gestures feature, integrated via One UI 8.5 software strings. This functionality detects head movements using the earbuds’ accelerometers and gyroscopes, enabling gesture-based interactions without physical touch. Comparable capabilities exist on Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds and Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2, primarily for call handling. Samsung expands this scope beyond basic telephony.
The Head Gestures system supports a range of operations through simple nods or head shakes. Users can accept or reject incoming calls by nodding or shaking their head, respectively, streamlining hands-free communication during activities like driving or cooking. For notifications, a nod prompts the device to read messages aloud, while a shake halts the audio playback midway. This extends to dismissing auditory alerts from alarms, timers, calendar events, and reminders, allowing quick silencing without reaching for a phone.
Integration with Samsung’s AI assistant, Bixby or Galaxy AI, permits head gestures to respond affirmatively or negatively to yes/no questions, such as confirming a navigation direction or ending a voice query. In scenarios where verbal or manual input proves impractical—such as during conversations or when hands are occupied—the feature provides intuitive control over earbud functions like volume or playback pause. Code strings in the One UI 8.5 build enumerate these capabilities explicitly, ensuring compatibility with Samsung’s ecosystem of phones and tablets.
Additional features showcased in the animations include several carried over from the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, refined for the new model. These encompass:
- 360° recording: Captures spatial audio for immersive playback, useful in video production or music listening, by leveraging multiple microphones to simulate surround sound environments.
- Adaptive Noise Control: Dynamically adjusts active noise cancellation based on ambient sounds and user activity, balancing transparency modes with isolation for optimal hearing protection and awareness.
- Find your phone: Emits audible tones from the paired device when activated via the earbuds, aiding location during loss, with integration to Samsung’s SmartThings Find network for broader tracking.
- Pairing with a phone or tablet: Supports seamless Bluetooth multipoint connections to two devices simultaneously, allowing switches between a smartphone for calls and a tablet for media without manual reconnection.
These elements, combined with the hardware updates, position the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as an incremental advancement in Samsung’s audio lineup.
