Samsung just released its most advanced earphones yet in the Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
It has built-in gesture recognition to let you accept calls with a nod of the head (or decline them with a shake), adaptive EQ that analyses your unique ear shape to optimize sound in real time, and advanced noise cancellation intelligently filtering out distractions.
They make music sound spectacular, but how do they fare with video games?
Packing a 20% wider woofer than last year's model to produce better bass, dual speakers delivering sound across the full-spectrum for less distortion, and a canal-fit design with silicone ear tips to stay comfortable for longer, they should be a significant upgrade.
To test it, we put the Buds4 Pro through its paces across PC, console, and mobile titles to see if that quality translates.
The first game tested with the Buds4 Pro is Bungie's new extraction shooter, "Marathon," which enters a new level of immersion. Gunfire sounds deep and rumbling, while explosions are suitably crunchy. But it's the subtle effects that really impress.
Playing with the Buds4 Pro, you can hear otherwise imperceptible hums and whirrs as you pass by futuristic machines, subtle textual changes of footsteps across different surfaces, and the faint clatter of faraway gunfire generating distinct sound profiles depending on the environment. They do an unbelievable job of rooting you in the world.
At the other end of the spectrum is ConcernedApe's cozy farming RPG "Stardew Valley." Here, music is the key difference-maker. Listening to its familiar score in a richer format is a delight, each track joyously crystal-clear. It's like discovering the soundtrack all over again.
While "Stardew Valley" isn't necessarily a game demanding players lock-in like "Marathon," there's also something to be said for its satisfyingly precise sound effects, from the thudding clank of a pickaxe to the squish of a freshly sliced slime, rendered in depth and detail.
Open-world games like Rockstar's "Red Dead Redemption 2" truly come alive with the Buds4 Pro. If you're used to playing through TV or monitor speakers, it's euphoric - like taking cotton wool out of your ears and hearing for the first time. Cinematic ambience like distant birdsong, lapping water, and the rustle of wind through the grass sound exquisite.
Competitive games like "Valorant" and "League of Legends" are where the Buds4 Pro doesn't quite stack up to dedicated gaming headphones from the likes of Razer and SteelSeries. These tend to boast game-specific EQ profiles enhancing critical sounds such as footsteps, and ultra-low latency courtesy of a 2.4GHz USB dongle (the Buds4 Pro connect via Bluetooth).
But then again, Samsung isn't targeting pro gamers with its latest earphones. This is primarily a device to make music sound better and calls sound clearer - any additional gaming benefits are a bonus. And regardless of what games you play, the Buds4 Pro elevate the experience.
Everything about the Buds4 Pro is just better. Better battery life, better build quality, better comfort, better noise cancellation, and of course, better sound. Get them for music - keep them for games.
Score: 10/10
The Samsung Buds4 Pro are $249.99 compared with the vanilla Galaxy Buds 4's $179.99.