Samsung SM-R540NZKAXAC
The open-ear design with 24-bit Hi-Res Audio delivers detailed sound without isolating you from your environment. A reimagined uniform fit and metallic blade finish provide all-day comfort and a sophisticated look that stands out from typical stemmed earbuds. These are best for office workers and commuters who want adaptive ANC to reduce distractions while maintaining awareness of their surroundings.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Best-in-class ANC in an open-ear design, but the battery life is a joke. Buy these for the unique fit, not for all-day listening.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible ANC for an open-ear design 96th
- Clear, detailed Hi-Res sound 91st
- Instant pairing with Samsung phones 74th
- Social proof is through the roof, people love these
Cons
- Battery life is genuinely bad
- Fit is polarizing and insecure for movement
- Build quality feels a step behind the price
- Mic quality is just mediocre
What owners think
The Word on the Street
The proof
Performance
The ANC here is the real head-turner. It sits in the 91st percentile in our database, which is wild for an open-ear bud. It won't beat a good pair of sealed earbuds on a plane, but it crushes the constant hum of an office or a coffee shop. Sound quality is above average, landing in the 74th percentile. It's clear and detailed, especially with Hi-Res Audio, but it lacks the deep bass punch you get from a proper in-ear seal. The biggest shock is the battery, which is one of the worst we've seen, scraping the bottom of the barrel at the 9th percentile.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | open-ear |
| Wearing Style | open ear fit |
Audio
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | adaptive |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
Earbud Battery
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | AI Assistant |
| Bone Conduction | No |
vs Competition
If you want the best noise cancelling, period, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra are still the benchmark, but they use a traditional sealed fit. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a more well-rounded and premium-feeling rival that also sounds better. And if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem, you might be tempted by the Buds4, but the Sony WF-1000XM6 offers a more complete package with far better battery life and a more secure fit for most people.
| Spec | Samsung SM-R540NZKAXAC | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | open-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | - | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung SM-R540NZKAXAC | 90.6 | 44 | 35 | 74.3 | 9.2 | 29.8 | 49.3 | 96.2 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K Compare | 97.4 | 97.4 | 81.4 | 99.1 | 82 | 73.7 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 Compare | 97.4 | 99.8 | 81.4 | 89.2 | 79.2 | 73.7 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 Compare | 97.4 | 91.9 | 81.4 | 97 | 48.8 | 94.7 | 98.1 | 90.3 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 Compare | 97.4 | 83.9 | 98.9 | 91.5 | 79.2 | 94.7 | 99.7 | 99.4 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 90.6 | 97.4 | 91.9 | 97.4 | 94.2 | 73.7 | 87.5 | 90.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Without a firm price in front of us, it's hard to nail down the value. But these typically land in the $200-$250 range, which puts them in a fistfight with some heavy hitters. For that money, the terrible battery life and just-okay build quality make them a tough sell unless you are absolutely in love with the open-ear fit and live in Samsung's world.
Read more
Overview
The Galaxy Buds4 are a weird pair of earbuds. Samsung went with an open-ear design that skips the silicone tips entirely, which means they're either going to be your favorite thing ever or a total miss depending on what you value. The noise cancelling is shockingly good for something that doesn't seal your ear canal, and the sound quality is solid. But the battery life is a real letdown, and the fit is a love-it-or-hate-it gamble.
Common Questions
Q: Do these stay in your ears during a workout?
Honestly, no. The open-ear fit is not designed for it, and our fitness score for these is a dismal 19.7. A brisk walk is fine, but for a run or the gym, get something with a wingtip or a sealed fit.
Q: How is the battery life really?
It's rough. It's one of the worst in our entire database for this category. If you're a heavy user, expect to be reaching for the charging case often. Don't plan on a long-haul flight without a battery pack.
Q: Will the ANC work well on a loud bus or train?
It will take the edge off the engine rumble surprisingly well, but it won't silence the world. Because there's no physical seal, sharp, high-pitched noises like screeching brakes or a crying baby will still cut right through.
Who Should Skip This
If you need earbuds for the gym, long battery life, or a secure fit for commuting, these aren't it. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM6 instead. They'll stay put, last way longer, and sound fuller.
Verdict
The Galaxy Buds4 are a niche pick. They're for the person who hates the plugged-up feeling of normal earbuds but still wants solid ANC and good sound. If that's you, you'll probably love them. For everyone else, the compromises in battery and fit are too big to ignore when the competition is this strong.
