Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-11
Summary
The Galaxy Buds4 Pro (SM-R640N) is Samsung’s 2026 flagship earbud, released March 11, 2026, with a two-way driver design, Adaptive ANC 2.0, Bluetooth 6.1 and an IP57 rating. The recurring owner issues are an ambient-mode bug that mutes the caller, the lack of multipoint Bluetooth, a 6-hour battery that trails competitors and features that only work on Samsung Galaxy phones. There are no required subscriptions; the only replacement item is silicone ear tips, and Samsung does not publish a price for them. It is easiest to recommend at the $189 street price PCMag noted in March 2026 for Galaxy owners, and hardest to justify at the $249.99 MSRP for everyone else.
Common problems and fixes
- Ambient mode mutes the caller — in ambient mode the other party cannot hear you; reported across Samsung Community threads, one user confirmed it on two separate pairs, and five people reported the problem. Workaround: pinch and hold to switch to noise cancellation during calls; it is unclear whether firmware has fixed it. [1]
- No multipoint Bluetooth — the buds cannot stay connected to two non-Galaxy devices at once, an omission owners note even $50 earbuds offer. [2][3][8]
- Short battery life — 6 hours with ANC on trails the AirPods Pro 3’s 8 hours; TechGearLab measured 7 hours 45 minutes with ANC off. No fix; it is a hardware limit. [5][4]
- Static hum with ANC on — a slight hum of static when ANC is on and no music is playing. [6]
- Proprietary ear tips — third-party tips need adapters made for these buds, which limits customization and replacement options. [2]
- Case scratches and fingerprints — the transparent lid attracts fingerprints and the case scratches easily. [6][7]
- Staying connected in the closed case — some owners report the buds staying connected to the phone while sitting in the closed case. [7]
Parts and consumables
- No user-serviceable parts and no repairability information is published. [9]
Yearly running cost
Not enough data for a yearly total. There are no subscriptions and no consumables beyond ear tips; replacement tips are available as Samsung accessories but Samsung does not publish a price, and owners do not report a replacement interval. Samsung Care+ is available for additional coverage if you want accident protection. [9]
When it is a good buy
- $249.99 at Samsung.com (2026) — the launch MSRP; defensible for Galaxy phone owners who can use every feature, weak for iOS users, who get no app and the least functionality. [9][10]
- $189 street price (PCMag, March 2026) — the value improves substantially, especially for Android buyers who prize sound and ANC over ecosystem features. [10]
- Better choices — AirPods Pro 3 ($249) for iOS users or anyone who wants multipoint; Sony WF-1000XM6 ($329) for stronger ANC; the non-Pro Galaxy Buds4 ($179-180) when you want to spend less. [10][2][6]