According to GSM Arena, new images leaked by Android Authority reveal the design of the standard Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 in black and white colorways. The earbuds feature a similar look to the upcoming Galaxy Buds 4 Pro but will not include silicone eartips. They showcase a new stem design with a grille at the top, which is expected to support touch gestures like squeeze and swipe. Both the Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro will come in a redesigned case where the earbuds lie flat, and the ‘Blade Lights’ from the Buds 3 Pro are not returning. The entire Galaxy Buds 4 lineup is scheduled to launch in late January of next year alongside the Galaxy S26 series of smartphones.
Samsung’s one-size-fits-most problem
So, Samsung is apparently ditching the silicone eartips on the standard Buds 4. That’s a bold, and frankly, risky move. Here’s the thing: those tips aren’t just for sound isolation. They’re crucial for fit. By going with a one-size-fits-all design, Samsung is basically betting that their new stem and shape will be comfortable for most ears. But comfort is super subjective. This feels like a cost-saving and simplification play, positioning the standard model as the easy, grab-and-go option while reserving the customizable, secure fit—and presumably better audio—for the Buds 4 Pro. Will it work? Maybe for some. But for anyone who’s ever had an earbud fall out during a run, it seems like a potential step back.
The launch timing playbook
The late January launch with the Galaxy S26 is pure, classic Samsung. It’s all about ecosystem synergy. You announce your flagship phone, and right there next to it is the perfect audio companion. It creates a complete package narrative for reviewers and buyers. This timing also strategically places them early in the year, ahead of many competitors, to capture mindshare and early-adopter dollars. The business model is clear: use the halo effect of the S-series to pull the earbuds along, and use the earbuds as an attractive add-on or pre-order bonus for the phone. Everyone buying a new S26 will be looking at these Buds 4. It’s a captive audience, and Samsung knows it.
Where does this leave the Pro model?
This leak actually makes the value proposition for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro much clearer. If the standard model has no silicone tips, the Pro version almost certainly will. That immediately justifies the higher price tag with better noise isolation and likely superior sound quality. The differentiation won’t just be about battery life or a chip; it’ll be a fundamental difference in how you experience them. Samsung is creating a clearer tier: Buds 4 for casual, all-day comfort and convenience, Buds 4 Pro for serious listening and fit. It’s a smarter segmentation than last generation, where the differences seemed more incremental. For the audio enthusiast or frequent traveler, the Pro model just became a much easier upsell.
