It’s increasingly likely that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will launch alongside the Galaxy S26 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2026, which is expected to take place on February 25. Ahead of that event, early renders of Samsung’s next-generation wireless earbuds — clear rivals to Apple’s AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 — have now surfaced online.
Android Headlines has shared what appear to be official-looking renders of both the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro. While the outlet hasn’t specified the exact source of the images or the information behind them, the designs align closely with previous leaks we’ve already seen.
The Galaxy Buds 4 appear to follow the design language of the Galaxy Buds 3, but without silicone eartips. Notable changes include flat-backed stems and a redesigned clamshell charging case. These same design tweaks also apply to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, although the Pro model retains silicone eartips. The renders show the earbuds in black and white, though these are said to represent just two of several color options Samsung plans to offer.
These images closely match an earlier preview that surfaced via Samsung’s Tips app, particularly when it comes to the new charging case design. At this point, it seems clear that the biggest visual updates for Samsung’s next earbuds will be the flatter stems and the revamped case.
Unanswered questions about eartips
I had the opportunity to test the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ahead of their release, which meant I experienced firsthand the issues that ultimately delayed the product. Samsung introduced a proprietary eartip locking mechanism designed to make removing and replacing tips easier. In reality, it often did the opposite.
As shown in my testing, I managed to damage one of the eartips with my fingernail while trying to remove it, leaving it weakened and less durable. While I’m hopeful Samsung has refined this system for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, there’s another concern that may still remain unresolved.
The Buds 3 Pro used a screw-like attachment system that secured the eartips extremely tightly. While this helped prevent them from coming loose, it also meant the earbuds were incompatible with virtually all third-party eartips. If you already own a collection of eartips from previous earbuds — or simply prefer a different material or fit — you’re out of luck.
Some users on Reddit have reported makeshift solutions to get third-party tips working, but those approaches require DIY modifications that most people won’t want to attempt. From a consumer perspective, this feels unnecessarily restrictive. Any existing eartips you own effectively become useless, and if you lose or damage the originals, you’re forced to rely on generic replacements from online marketplaces.
Adding to the frustration, Samsung doesn’t currently offer official replacement eartips on its website. Instead, its Galaxy Buds accessories page is dominated by novelty items like Minions-themed case covers and carabiner clips.
Samsung isn’t alone in using proprietary eartip designs — Apple does something similar with the AirPods Pro — but being compared to the company that gave us the Lightning port and tightly locked-down ecosystems isn’t exactly a compliment. If Samsung wants to position itself as a more open and consumer-friendly alternative, adopting standard eartips would be a good place to start.
Here’s hoping the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro move in that direction, like most other wireless earbud makers already have.
