Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $241 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2026 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | hybrid | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 6.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 6.1 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, SSC, SSC-UHQ, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 7 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.2 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 44.3 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | HSNR Digital | - |
What reviewers said
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are top-tier wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and a robust feature set, including LDAC support and multipoint connectivity. They offer a comfortable, IP57-rated design with a long battery life, making them a strong contender for premium listeners.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive ANC
- Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC codec
- Pro:Durable IP57 water resistance
- Con:Pricey at around $250
- Con:No foldable design for storage
- Con:Touch controls may be sensitive for some
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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