Samsung’s wearable design department seems to have decided that subtlety is overrated and that it will focus on functionality for the next version of its flagship earbuds. But the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro may look awfully similar to their biggest competitors: Apple’s AirPods.
New renders of Samsung’s upcoming TWS earbuds (via Android Headlines) are giving AirPods users a brief moment of déjà vu. Both the Galaxy Buds 4 (black) and the Buds 4 Pro (white) have a very familiar design.
A new yet familiar design language
I’m talking about a long stem that hangs outside the ear and houses the charging ports on the inside and the microphones on the bottom, a bulbous driver and chip housing, and the open earbud design on the Buds 4 or the silicone eartips on the Buds 4 Pro (for better noise isolation); All of these are very familiar design features.
There are also a few Samsung-specific features. For example, both Buds 4 earbuds lie horizontally in their charging case, which makes the case appear wider and flatter. Additionally, the cases feature what appears to be a frosted, see-through lid, which Apple doesn’t want to try.
Positioning compared to Apple’s Pro range
Compared to the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the Buds 4 series is a dramatic visual pivot.
Obviously, the regular Galaxy Buds 4 are designed (and should be positioned) to compete with the AirPods 4, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro should take on the AirPods Pro 3, which offer best-in-class noise cancellation.
Anyway, Samsung’s next-gen flagship earbuds should make their debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series at the rumored Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026.
