Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro: Release Date, Specs & Price Rumors
Samsung’s next flagship earbuds are starting to take shape through leaks and firmware discoveries. While the company hasn’t officially announced the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, enough credible information has surfaced to give us a reasonable picture of what’s coming. If you’re thinking about upgrading your earbuds or waiting for the next big release, here’s what we actually know so far.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro brought some controversial changes, including sharper edges and blade lights that divided users. Recent leaks from Samsung’s One UI 8.5 firmware suggest the company is taking a different approach this time. This article separates confirmed leaks from pure speculation, helping you decide whether the Buds4 Pro are worth waiting for.
When Will the Galaxy Buds4 Pro Launch?
February 25, 2026 keeps appearing in leaks, aligned with Samsung’s pattern of launching earbuds alongside flagship phones.
Multiple sources point to a February 2026 launch window. Samsung typically reveals new Pro earbuds at the same events as their Galaxy S series phones. The Galaxy S26 is widely expected at an Unpacked event on February 25, 2026, and the Buds4 Pro would likely share that stage.
This pattern held true for previous releases. The Buds2 Pro launched with the Z Fold 4, and the Buds3 Pro arrived with the Z Fold 6. References to the Buds4 Pro have appeared in Samsung’s One UI 8.5 firmware, suggesting development is well underway.
Pre-orders typically open within 48 hours of announcement, with shipping beginning two to three weeks later. If the February date is accurate, you could potentially get the Buds4 Pro by mid-March 2026. However, Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything officially, so treat this timeline as educated speculation.
Design Changes Based on Leaks
Firmware animations show a flatter stem design and a redesigned charging case, addressing common complaints about the Buds3 Pro.
Leaked animations from One UI 8.5 reveal several design changes. The most noticeable is a flatter stem profile compared to the triangular design of the Buds3 Pro. The stems appear more rounded and less angular.
The distinctive blade lights from the Buds3 Pro seem to be gone. Leaked images show traditional LED indicators instead. While this might disappoint some users, the blade lights were polarizing and raised durability concerns.
The charging case appears smaller and redesigned. Instead of earbuds dropping vertically into the case, they’ll apparently lie flat. Leaks also suggest the case will include a built-in speaker to help locate it when misplaced, similar to features on competing products.
Color options reportedly include Black, Silver, and Apricot. These are the variants mentioned most consistently across multiple leak sources, though Samsung could add or remove options before launch.
Battery Specs From Firmware Leaks
Leaked specifications show 61mAh batteries per earbud, a notable increase from the Buds3 Pro’s 53mAh capacity.
According to firmware discoveries, each Buds4 Pro earbud will contain a 61mAh battery. That’s about 15 percent more capacity than the Buds3 Pro’s 53mAh batteries. The charging case capacity hasn’t leaked yet.
What does this mean for actual battery life? We don’t know. Battery capacity is just one factor. Efficiency improvements, ANC implementation, and codec choices all affect real-world performance. The Buds3 Pro lasted around 5 to 6 hours with ANC enabled, so a 15 percent capacity increase might add another hour, but that’s speculation.
One source mentioned 57mAh batteries instead of 61mAh, showing that even leaked specs aren’t always consistent. We won’t know the actual capacity until Samsung makes an official announcement.
Head Gestures Feature Confirmed
Leaked animations show head gesture controls for calls and notifications, expanding beyond traditional touch controls.
The most interesting leaked feature is Head Gestures. According to One UI 8.5 animations, you’ll be able to nod to accept calls, shake your head to decline, and use head movements to interact with notifications and AI assistants.
This isn’t entirely new. Sony has offered similar functionality for years, and Apple is adding it to their next AirPods Pro. Samsung’s implementation reportedly goes beyond just call management, allowing you to dismiss alarms, timers, and interact with Bixby hands-free.
The big question is reliability. Head gesture controls need to distinguish between intentional movements and natural head motion. If the sensitivity is wrong, the feature becomes frustrating rather than helpful. We won’t know how well Samsung’s implementation works until people test actual units.
Sound Quality and ANC: What We Don’t Know
Almost no information has leaked about audio drivers, codecs, or noise cancellation performance.
Here’s where the leaks go quiet. We have essentially zero confirmed information about audio quality, driver specifications, or codec support. Samsung hasn’t leaked anything about improvements to their Scalable Codec or potential support for lossless audio formats.
Active noise cancellation is equally mysterious. The Buds2 Pro actually had better ANC than the Buds3 Pro in certain frequency ranges, which disappointed many buyers. Leaked firmware mentions Adaptive Noise Cancellation, but that’s already a standard feature. We don’t know if Samsung is addressing the ANC weaknesses from the Buds3 Pro.
Transparency mode improvements haven’t been mentioned in any leaks. This is an area where Samsung trails competitors like Apple and Sony, so upgrades would be welcome, but we have no evidence they’re coming.
Price Predictions Based on Trends
Samsung has increased prices with each generation, suggesting the Buds4 Pro could cost $249 to $269.
Samsung’s pricing has followed a clear upward trend. The original Buds Pro cost $199, the Buds2 Pro jumped to $229, and the Buds3 Pro retail for $249. Following this pattern, the Buds4 Pro could land anywhere from $249 to $269. At $249, Samsung would maintain price parity with the Buds3 Pro while offering improvements. At $269, they’d be pricing themselves above competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5, which frequently sell for $199 on sale.
Regional pricing will vary, and launch promotions might soften the initial cost. Samsung often bundles earbuds with phone pre-orders or offers trade-in credits. Actual street prices during the first few months might differ significantly from the official MSRP. Keep in mind this is pure speculation based on historical patterns. Samsung could surprise everyone by holding the line at $249 or even reducing the price to stay competitive.
Who Should Consider Waiting?
Users with older Galaxy Buds models have more reason to wait than recent Buds3 Pro buyers.
If you’re using the original Buds Pro, Buds2 Pro, or older models, the Buds4 Pro represent multiple generations of improvements. Waiting until March 2026 might make sense, especially since current models aren’t going anywhere. Buds3 Pro owners are in a different situation. The leaked improvements look incremental rather than revolutionary. Unless you have specific issues with your Buds3 Pro, upgrading after less than a year might not be worthwhile.
First-time buyers should watch for price drops on the Buds3 Pro once the Buds4 Pro are announced. If you can get Buds3 Pro for $180 to $200, that might represent better value than paying full price for the new model. For users outside the Samsung ecosystem, competitors might offer better value. The Galaxy Buds lineup works best with Samsung phones. If you use an iPhone or you’re platform-agnostic, the Sony WF-1000XM5 or AirPods Pro 2 might be smarter choices.
What Samsung Needs to Deliver
Battery life, consistent ANC, and reliable new features will determine whether the Buds4 Pro succeed.
The battery capacity increase only matters if it translates to meaningful real-world improvements. Samsung needs to deliver genuinely longer listening times, not just marginally better numbers on a spec sheet. Active noise cancellation needs to match or exceed the Buds2 Pro across all frequency ranges. Taking a step backward again would be unacceptable for a product marketed as the flagship model.
Head Gestures need to work reliably from day one. If the feature is buggy or triggers accidentally, users will just turn it off. Samsung can’t afford to launch with half-baked implementations of headline features. The price needs to reflect actual value. At $269, the Buds4 Pro would need clear advantages over competitors. At $249, they’d be more competitive but still face tough comparisons with frequently-discounted alternatives.
What We Actually Know vs. What’s Speculation
It’s important to separate confirmed leaks from educated guesses. Here’s what falls into each category:
Confirmed from leaks: February 2026 timeframe, flatter stem design, 61mAh battery capacity (possibly 57mAh according to some sources), Head Gestures feature, redesigned charging case, three color options.
Educated speculation: Exact release date of February 25, pricing between $249-$269, improved battery life translating to 6-7 hours, better ANC performance, actual reliability of Head Gestures.
Complete unknowns: Audio driver specifications, codec support, spatial audio improvements, water resistance rating, exact charging case battery capacity, official colors beyond the three leaked options
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro appear headed for a February 2026 launch with meaningful design and battery improvements. While leaks show promise with the flatter stem design, longer battery life, and Head Gestures feature, crucial details about sound quality and noise cancellation remain unknown.
For older Galaxy Buds users, waiting makes sense. Buds3 Pro owners can probably skip this generation. The smartest move is waiting for official announcements and real reviews before deciding. Leaks give us a preview, but they don’t tell the complete story.
