Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs FreeBuds Pro 5: Comfort & Sound Test

At the start of 2026, the headphone market true wireless high-end seems to have adopted a new religion: that of absolute comfort. While Apple ended up giving in to the sirens of pure in-ear with the AirPods Pro 3, Huawei and Samsung persist in the semi-in-ear route. A strategic choice, which favors moderate intrusion into the ear canal rather than maximum passive insulation.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 launched this week within a day of each other, priced at €249 and €200 respectively. Both rated 5 stars by The Digitalsthese flagships with generally excellent performance seem set to last. But which of these two pairs with similar philosophies really deserves to be in your ears?

The new kings of comfort in the premium segment

Huawei and Samsung have refined their copy compared to previous generations. The FreeBuds Pro 5 weigh 5.5 g, followed by the Galaxy Buds4 Pro with 5.1 g, an almost record weight for stem headphones with silicone tips. Both models stand out for their lightness, but the Samsungs are still a little more discreet to the ear.

As mentioned previously, their ultra short cannulas and flexible tips represent the best compromise between comfort and insulation. The two pairs remain at the entrance to the ear canal, with a very measured sensation of intrusion. The support remains convincing, even if the FreeBuds Pro 5 are slightly more sensitive to sudden movements in a sporting context. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro insert a little deeper, without generating discomfort, which gives them a slight advantage in stability.

Two visions of discretion

Both versions have gained in sobriety. Huawei abandons flashy gold for a more elegant metallic gray, while Samsung makes a 180-degree turn. Gone are the prismatic stems and somewhat gimmicky LEDs of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, make way for shorter rectangular stems and a pearly coating that stands out from the bright white of the AirPods. With a thin metal blade as its only feature, the design of the Buds4 Pro will undoubtedly appear less divisive.

The construction is serious on both sides, but the FreeBuds Pro 5 impress with their perceived density. However, in terms of resistance to the elements, it’s a perfect draw. Both models opt for IP57 certification, guaranteeing protection against dust and temporary immersion.

The Huawei case maintains a compact and vertical format, while the Samsung case adopts a more imposing horizontal format in the pocket. The latter makes it easier to grip the headphones, but is overall less practical and appears slightly more fragile. Perfect equality on the scale however (43 g each), and on compatibility with wireless charging. Huawei, however, stands out by the integration of a mini speaker within the case and by an IP54 certification absent from Samsung.

Spectacular versus tonal balance

This is where the philosophies diverge radically. The FreeBuds Pro 5 focus on an assertive “wow” effect, with a V-shaped sound signature that highlights deep and demonstrative bass, as well as the upper-mid/treble region. The rendering is immersive and detailed, but can generate some fatigue in the long run. The sibilance is accentuated, the cymbals and hi-hats are sometimes aggressive, while the whole exhibits an artificial clarity. An orientation which even marks a slight decline compared to the FreeBuds Pro 4, more controlled at the top of the spectrum.

Conversely, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro demonstrate a sharper tonal adjustment than that of their elder Buds3 Pro. Their restitution appears more balanced and better controlled. The bass gains in precision, the mids in transparency, and if a touch of brilliance remains in the treble to flatter the detail, the whole remains significantly more versatile and faithful than with Huawei. For discerning listeners, Samsung wins this round.

Similar ANCs, efficient, but below the best

Huawei announces the “best ANC in the world“, while Samsung promises a reduction”twice as high” to the previous generation. In fact, neither of the two comes close to the absolute market benchmarks, partly because of the moderately insulating semi-intra format.

The two models still allow the medium to filter too much, voices, urban ambiances and mechanical noises remain perceptible. Low frequency performance is surprisingly close and sufficient to create a semi-bubble of silence. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro, however, take a slight advantage at the high end of the spectrum thanks to slightly superior passive isolation, better attenuating certain acute components.

Transparency mode also feels more natural at Samsung. It restores more treble and therefore makes it easier to forget about headphones. The two models offer comparable refinements (adaptive ANC, activation of Transparency mode with voice), but the overall advantage goes to Samsung on the insulation part.

Autonomy and microphones: each has its advantages

Huawei takes the lead on call quality. The FreeBuds Pro 5 remarkably isolate voice in noisy environments while maintaining a clear and intelligible signal. Samsung also delivers a solid performance in urban environments, but the voice seems slightly more veiled and less defined. In terms of autonomy, Samsung eclipses Huawei with 6 h 50 min measured with ANC, compared to 5 h 50 min in the same conditions.

Complete functions, but locked

To take advantage of their advanced functions, the choice will largely depend on the smartphone used, as the ecosystems remain closed. Huawei requires the download of its application via APK or a third-party gallery on Android (outside the in-house ecosystem), an unappealing procedure for the general public. Samsung, for its part, does not offer any application on iOS: the Galaxy Buds4 Pro are therefore fully usable only under Android and especially within the Samsung ecosystem, which notably unlocks multipoint, spatial audio and quick pairing.

The FreeBuds Pro 5 support the LDAC codec, while Samsung focuses on the LE Audio standard (LC3 codec, audio sharing via Auracast). In short, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro only stand out from Huawei by their more complete user experience with a Samsung smartphone. Elsewhere, constraints and advantages are balanced.

On the controls side, both manufacturers offer complete and responsive interfaces based on rod pinches, probably the most intuitive control mode to date. The FreeBuds Pro 5 add the ability to be fully controlled by taps on the outer part of the stems, giving them a slight advantage in expandability.

Verdict: the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro prevail on the essentials

Although generally excellent, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 only really take the advantage in peripheral aspects such as slightly more efficient microphones, a more compact and IP54 certified case, or even more flexible iOS compatibility. Undeniable qualities, but which do not touch the heart of the experience.

On the fundamentals, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro make the difference with a more balanced sound reproduction, less demonstrative but natural, slightly more effective noise reduction in the high range, greater autonomy and even a feeling of forgetting even more marked once in place, despite the exemplary comfort of the Huawei. The Buds4 Pro are therefore essential for those looking for the best overall experience, provided of course that they are running Android.

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