The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro come with new features like improved audio and updated noise cancellation. There are plenty of obvious changes, like the sleek new look, brushed metal stems, and redesigned charging case. However, Samsung has left a few surprises for users to discover on their own.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have several hidden features that might go unnoticed by the average user. Some of these functions provide additional utility. For example, the earbuds work great with a power sharing feature on many Android phones that lets you charge them by wirelessly siphoning off some of your phone’s battery, which could come in handy since the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro don’t have the best battery life on the market. However, most of the hidden features can improve the sound of headphones, or at least how you perceive it.
These features might be hidden beneath layers of menus and tabs (some of which can be accessed through unintuitive means), while others might go undiscovered since Samsung hasn’t included them in its marketing materials. Below, we’ll discuss five such features that will help you get the most out of your Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Gestures galore
Gestures are a common aspect of modern headphones. Who wants to take out their phone to pause music when all they have to do is tap or squeeze the earbuds? Many headphones come with hidden gestures that aren’t obvious at first. Apple AirPods have many hidden gestures, just like the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Many Galaxy Buds gestures involve pinching and sliding a strip on the side (not the metal bit, although that is tempting). Pinch once to play music and answer calls; pinch twice to skip to the next song, etc. The earbuds also include a pinch-and-hold gesture that switches between active noise cancellation and ambient noise modes, but you can customize it to activate apps or features. Simply open the Settings menu on your Galaxy phone (or the Galaxy Wearable app on non-Samsung Android devices), then select your headphones at the top of the menu. From there, scroll to Headphone controls, select LEFT or RIGHT, then tap the desired app or function. Yes, you can make each bud perform a different action. You can also customize the audio modes it controls using the same instructions as above, but this time by selecting Change noise controls of the LEFT or RIGHT tabs.
If you’re using a Galaxy phone with your Buds 4 Pro, you can also try the motion-controlled gesture features, but they’re turned off by default. To enable them, open the Settings app on your Galaxy phone, tap your earbuds upward, then enable the Head gestures to fall over option. You can now nod to accept phone calls and shake your head to reject them… or tap the option to customize these gestures.
Headphone fit test
Some headphone manufacturers subscribe to a “one size fits all” mentality. However, no two ears are the same shape, so no two earbuds can fit everyone comfortably. That’s why many modern headphones include multiple in-ear tips, but how do you know which one is best for you?
The most effective way to find the right earbud tip for your Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is to use the Earbud Fit Test feature, which tells you if the tips you are using don’t fit your ears. If you’ve ever used the fit test feature on Apple AirPods, you probably know how it works. Start by opening the Settings menu on your Galaxy phone (or the Galaxy Wearable app on a non-Samsung Android device), then select your headphones at the top of the list. Scroll to Sound quality and effects, then select Headphone fit test near the bottom of the menu. Follow the on-screen instructions and let the feature play various sounds through the headphones. If any of the icons are red and show “Poor Fit”, replace the tips with a different size. Don’t be afraid to mix and match tips if necessary: the human body is rarely symmetrical.
If you need to change the earbud tips, Samsung has provided easy-to-follow instructions. Start by rolling the cap upside down, then grip its base where it fits over the earbud. Pull gently to remove the tip. If you’re not careful, you could tear it. After choosing a new earbud tip, align the notch inside with the grooves on the earbud, then push the tip and earbud together until you hear a slight click. Now repeat the earphone fit test and see if any of the icons turn red.
Protect your ears and safety
Playing music or listening to your favorite podcast is a great way to keep your adrenaline flowing while exercising, but it can also be dangerous. You can’t exactly hear approaching cars when you listen to “Eye of the Tiger,” but earbuds like the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have built-in workarounds – albeit hidden.
If you like to wear headphones in public, you should enable Automatic switching to ambient sound. This feature will let you listen to whatever you want under normal circumstances, but if the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro detects certain loud noises, including sirens, car horns, or people talking to you, it will activate Ambient mode so you can hear them better. To find this feature, open the Settings menu on a Galaxy device or the Galaxy Wearable app on a non-Samsung Android phone, then select your earbuds from the list. Next, choose Auto Switch to Ambient Sound, then enable either Voice detection or Siren detection, depending on your preferences. You can also enable Use ambient sound during calls if you don’t mind those outside noises interrupting you when you’re on the phone.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro also have a setting that helps prevent unwanted volume spikes: think loud, annoying ads while you watch a YouTube video. While this helps keep things from suddenly getting too loud, it also does the opposite and makes unusually quiet parts of the media a little easier to hear. To enable this feature on a Samsung phone, open the Settings app and tap your earbuds upwards – or on a non-Samsung phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app and select the earbuds. From there, select Sound quality and effects, then activate Volume normalization. Now you no longer have to worry about these sounds damaging your hearing or surprising you.
Adapt the sounds to your age and needs
No two people have the same hearing quality. If we did, we would no longer need hearing aids. Additionally, our hearing deteriorates with age, again at varying levels. But many headphone manufacturers have considered this and added settings that help users hear the world around them more easily.
THE Adapt the sound The feature on a pair of Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is designed to give users different listening profiles based on their age – not to be confused with the Apple AirPods’ Adaptive Sound feature, which has more in common with Samsung’s “auto-switching” capabilities. Your Galaxy Buds can adjust settings based on your selection. For example, if you are under 30, the headphones boost high-frequency sounds, while the option for users over 60 boosts all frequencies. You can also create and customize your own settings according to your needs. Perfect if you suffer from hearing loss or another hearing problem.
To activate Adapt, open the Settings menu on your Galaxy phone or the Galaxy Wearable app on your non-Samsung Android device, then select your headphones. From there, tap Sound quality and effects, then turn on the toggle next to Adapt the sound. Finally, press Adapt the sound to send a text that opens a submenu where you can choose a sound profile based on your age. If you would like a custom profile, select Add a custom sound profile and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you press the To start ”, your phone and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will perform a personalized hearing test to create a unique sound profile. While this feature may help, if you think you may have hearing loss, Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is not a substitute for a proper visit to an audiologist.
Superior audio quality
With the headset-specific settings out of the way, there are more features to explore on the phone side of the connection. We’ll highlight two audio-focused features here: one is exclusive to Samsung Galaxy phones, while the other works when your Buds 4 Pro is paired with most Android devices.
If you own a Samsung phone like the Galaxy S26, there are several options in your phone’s settings that can improve your audio experience. For example, if you want lossless audio, open your phone’s Settings app, then tap the name you gave your headphones. Then tap Sound quality and effects, followed by Advanced quality options, then activate Very high quality audio (UHQ). However, while this setting provides the best sound the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro can offer, note that it may cause audio lag.
Another phone feature worth enabling to improve sound on your Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is Dolby Atmos – yes, Dolby Atmos is available on Bluetooth headphones and speakers. To enable it on a Galaxy phone, go to Settings > Sounds & Vibration > Sound quality & effects and activate the Dolby Atmos option. The process is similar for other Android phones, but if you can’t find the option, look in your Settings menu for the word “Atmos.”
You can also add a Quick Settings tile on Galaxy phones to quickly turn Dolby Atmos on or off, and tap and hold the tile to view different sound profile settings. Additionally, if you hold down the Quick Settings volume control tile on a Galaxy phone, you can adjust settings such as ambient sound volume and audio mode. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will remember your selections for each app so you don’t have to constantly adjust settings.
