Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Soundcore Anker Liberty Buds 2

Sound is one of the strongest parts of the Buds 4, with frequent praise for clarity, detail, vocals, and overall richness. The catch is fit: when the buds loosen, bass and balance can deteriorate sharply.

Sound is widely praised as clear, engaging and remarkably competitive for the price. EQ often improves it further, although preferences differ on stock bass weight and treble brightness.

ANC is the biggest technical compromise of the open design. Many testers and buyers found it weak or unstable without a seal, though several users reported strong noise reduction when the buds stayed seated well.

Most testers find unusually strong cancellation for the price, including effective traffic and workplace noise reduction. Results vary substantially: one calls it average, and strong settings can create pressure for some ears.

Width is inconsistent: UHQ playback can sound impressively expansive, but broader testing finds the unsealed design limits convincing spatial width when fit is less than ideal.

The soundstage is more spacious than the tiny housings suggest, with a pleasing sense of room around voices and instruments.

Day-to-day use on a Galaxy phone showed no noticeable latency problems, making video playback and ordinary media use feel properly synchronized.

Watching videos generally produces excellent synchronization, and mobile gaming can work well too. Precise audio editing is a clear limitation because the remaining wireless delay is too large.

Bass can be punchy, deep, and even surprisingly powerful when the fit is right, but it is highly seal-dependent. Several reviewers heard the low end thin out, turn muddy, or fade as the buds shifted.

Bass is commonly praised for depth, punch and good control, especially after tuning. Preferences vary: some find it powerful, while others want more low-end weight or tighter mid-bass.

Spatial audio divides opinion. One user calls it genuinely cool, while another avoids it because upmixing can warp music, making its value highly preference-dependent.

Dolby can add a theater-like or concert-hall effect, but opinions are mixed. Echo, metallic highs and more distant vocals lead several testers to prefer the standard sound profile.

Background-noise rejection is usually a strong point, with several tests showing voices staying clear through traffic, crowds, white noise, or loud music. A smaller number of users reported poor noise handling during calls.

Background-noise suppression is repeatedly praised for keeping construction, traffic, voices and wind out of calls. Extreme noise can still add a brief metallic or processed edge.

When seated correctly, the Buds 4 reproduce timbre reasonably well and present a balanced consumer-friendly tuning. Fit instability is the main factor that can disturb that consistency.

The tuning is often described as balanced despite a mild V shape, keeping vocals and instruments from being buried. Some listeners hear recessed mids or sharp treble before adjusting EQ.

The lack of built-in silicone tips or meaningful size adjustment is a major weakness. Buyers with a poor fit have little way to improve grip, seal, or stability without aftermarket add-ons.

A generous choice of tips and wings helps different ear sizes find a comfortable, stable seal. Both very small and larger options prove useful in practice.

Fit is highly polarizing but skews strongly negative. A minority find the open shape comfortable and secure, while many others cannot keep the buds properly seated even during ordinary movement.

Many testers get an excellent seal and comfortable fit, sometimes after switching tip or wing sizes. The right combination also improves stability and sound balance.

Comfort depends heavily on ear shape. The light, tipless design is excellent for some people and works well for long sessions, while others report pressure, irritation, or pain within minutes.

Comfort is one of the most consistent strengths, with many testers forgetting the buds are in during long sessions. A secure seal and low-pressure ANC setting can matter for sensitive ears.

The buds often feel solid, premium, and capable of surviving drops, but long-term reliability is uneven. Multiple customers reported buzzing, weak output, microphone degradation, or complete failure within a few months.

The charging case finish holds up well to sharing a pocket with keys. A slightly wobbly lid is the notable construction caveat.

The revised Buds 4 design gets strong marks for looking cleaner, sleeker, and more premium than the previous generation. The brushed-metal styling and simplified stems are recurring visual highlights.

The small stemless shape and flush profile are widely liked, while the mother-of-pearl finish draws particular enthusiasm. One reviewer dislikes the more prominent Anker branding.

The earbuds are exceptionally light, and that low weight helps them sit without much strain during longer listening sessions.

The very low weight repeatedly helps the buds disappear during wear, with little tugging or pressure over longer sessions.

The box feels sparse for the price. Multiple reviewers objected to the missing charging cable, and one also wanted basic printed guidance or a direct setup link.

Keeping a charging cable in the box is appreciated, even by a user who already owns several.

The transparent case lid looks good but attracts fingerprints and scratches very quickly, so keeping it clean and pristine takes extra care.

The frosted white finish is praised for hiding fingerprints well.

Stability is the dominant complaint. Dozens of buyers report slipping, loosening, or outright falls during walking, chewing, exercise, or even sitting still, although a minority say the buds stay secure in their ears.

Low weight, a flush shape and interchangeable wings deliver a secure fit during movement. Testers report good retention while running, lifting weights, talking and changing shirts.

Very high volume can hurt tonal balance. Reviewers heard bass recede and upper frequencies become noticeably thinner or tinnier near the top of the volume range.

High-volume listening retains clear vocals and separation in the assessments that examine it. Sound is praised for remaining consistent rather than breaking up as level rises.

Headwear can aggravate the already loose open fit: hoodies may knock the buds out, and a thick winter hat can interfere with microphone placement.

Glasses generally sit comfortably alongside the low-profile buds, without competing for space. Helmet wear also receives favorable comments.

The move from IP57 on the prior generation to IP54 is consistently viewed as a downgrade. It still covers sweat and splashes, but offers less protection for rain, workouts, and water exposure.

Rain and sweaty workouts are generally considered well within the buds’ protection. They are unsuitable for full submersion, and the case does not share the same protection in one assessment.

The buds can handle basic use across different devices, but the experience is much richer on Samsung hardware. Several advanced audio, assistant, and switching features are unavailable or less capable elsewhere.

Video playback and phone use are favorably assessed across iOS and Android, without a major everyday experience gap between the platforms.

Wear detection can become unreliable when the earbuds shift, occasionally making the system think a bud is no longer seated and dropping ANC in that ear.

Wearing detection is generally welcomed and can pause playback almost instantly when a bud comes out. One tester notes that a pocket can trigger the optical sensor by mistake.

Overall reactions are split: strong sound, easy Galaxy pairing, premium styling, and useful smart features earn real praise, but the open fit creates enough stability, ANC, and consistency problems to ruin the experience for many buyers.

The overall response is strongly positive, especially for comfort, calls and the performance offered at the price. Controls, wind behavior and differing ANC experiences are the main qualifications.

Loudness varies sharply by user and fit. Some testers find plenty of output, while many customers report the Buds 4 as unusually quiet or developing very low output in one ear.

There is ample output for listeners who like louder playback. One user reports soreness after listening at maximum, so the high ceiling can also become uncomfortable.

The compact case can disappear easily into a pocket for some users, but one buyer found the newer case noticeably larger and no longer comfortably pocketable.

The compact, lightweight case and small buds make the set convenient to carry. Slimness is a particular advantage in direct comparisons.

Translation performance is inconsistent: one tester found Korean back-and-forth surprisingly smooth, while another said normal-speed speech was not reliable enough. It looks useful, but not dependable for every conversation.

Live translation is described as working well within the companion app.

The Smooth preset is specifically recommended for listeners who find the upper treble too sharp, giving the built-in presets practical value beyond simple novelty.

The Soundcore Signature profile satisfies several testers without custom EQ, and the available presets are considered well worked out. Other listeners still prefer a personalized curve.

Vocals and midrange detail are generally clear and well presented when the buds sit properly. In noisier real-world use, the open fit can let outside sound mask the mids.

Vocals are commonly clear, lively and intelligible, with guitars and piano also receiving praise. Tuning can bring voices forward when the stock presentation feels slightly recessed.

Controls can be responsive, tactile, and easy to customize, but usability varies. Some users find the pinch-and-swipe system awkward, easy to trigger accidentally, or likely to disturb the already fragile fit.

Touch recognition is usually quick and accurate, including multiple-tap commands. Sensitivity adjustment can help users who trigger unintended inputs.

Treble is often crisp, lively, and detailed, but the brighter upper range can become shrill for sensitive listeners and may sound thinner at very high volume.

Treble is usually praised for clean detail and a lively but comfortable presentation. One tester finds the stock highs harsh and warns that extra boost can quickly become excessive.

The flatter clamshell case is widely praised for easier insertion, visibility, and a premium feel. A few users found it bulky, hard to pry open, or unusually tight, but the redesign is mostly well received.

The case is usually praised as compact, light and convenient to carry. A wobbly lid and a thicker-than-preferred profile draw isolated complaints.

The built-in microphone system can perform extremely well, with clear voice pickup and strong overall microphone performance in demanding use.

The integrated microphones are a central strength, keeping speech clear in noisy places and capturing quiet voices. Some processing remains audible under the harshest conditions.

Ambient Sound is generally welcomed as a practical addition for awareness outdoors and quick conversations. One user found the transparency effect noticeably amplified rather than fully natural.

Regular transparency often sounds clear and natural enough for conversation and awareness. Some listeners still hear an electronically relayed character, and wind can reduce clarity substantially.

Android use is a clear strength, especially on Galaxy phones where pairing and settings feel deeply integrated. Non-Samsung Android phones generally work well too, but some premium features remain Galaxy-only.

Android users benefit from convenient pairing, dependable video playback and access to LDAC. The higher-resolution listening option draws particular praise.

Complex mixes remain clean and layered when the buds are seated well, with vocals and instruments staying distinct instead of collapsing into each other.

Vocals, instruments and bass usually remain distinct rather than crowding each other. Personalized tuning can improve separation further.

Galaxy-exclusive UHQ playback is a genuine audio advantage: testers heard a more expansive presentation and a clear benefit from 24-bit/96kHz playback on compatible Samsung devices.

Higher-resolution playback on compatible Android devices is valued for cleaner sound and a higher-bitrate connection. These impressions concern wireless playback rather than a separately assessed DAC.

Samsung Find offers useful location tools and proximity guidance, but the case lacks its own speaker, which makes audible finding less convenient than it could be.

The locator beep can help find nearby earbuds in a quiet room. Its limited loudness makes it much less useful in a crowded or noisy place.

Value is contentious. Galaxy-focused features and strong sound justify the price for some, but many buyers say the poor fit, modest battery, or weak ANC makes cheaper or Pro alternatives a smarter purchase.

The price is repeatedly judged excellent for the combination of comfort, sound, calls and noise control. Several testers find the experience close to substantially more expensive options.

Galaxy-to-Galaxy Auto Switch can be excellent and nearly instant, but true cross-platform Bluetooth multipoint is missing. Users moving between Samsung and non-Samsung devices may need manual switching.

Phone-to-laptop or tablet switching is generally quick and dependable. A few caveats remain around moving out of range and, in one account, combining multipoint with LDAC.

Samsung's SSC/UHQ codec support is one of the stronger ecosystem perks, delivering high-quality 24-bit/96kHz playback that reviewers say can make an audible difference.

Standard codec playback can still sound dynamic and satisfying. One tester describes having to choose between the higher-quality mode and multipoint use.

Battery life is one of the more common complaints. Around five to six hours is often described as merely adequate or disappointing, and some buyers reported much shorter runtimes, although a smaller group found endurance very good.

Battery life is generally considered strong for such compact earbuds, with enough endurance for long listening sessions. ANC, LDAC and frequent calls shorten runtime considerably, so the longest advertised figure does not represent every use.

Charging is generally convenient and reliable, with wireless charging and reasonably quick top-ups earning praise. Minor complaints include the lack of an audible charging confirmation.

The quick-charge feature is appreciated when heading out or needing a fast top-up, with four hours of playback claimed from ten minutes in the case.

Call quality is mixed. Many reviewers heard crisp, clear speech and strong pickup, but others found voices muffled, too quiet, inconsistent, or badly degraded after a few months.

Call quality is a leading reason to buy, with strong speech pickup in loud environments and at very low speaking levels. Several testers find it competitive with or better than more expensive earbuds.

The retained physical case button is welcome, but button placement is not universally easy. Reviewers with dexterity limitations and some other users found the small or side-mounted controls difficult to activate.

Customizable taps cover the essentials and are often easy to use. Some testers prefer stem, swipe or voice controls, and one finds repeated long presses for volume adjustment frustrating.

Hands-free voice controls and assistant access are useful for playback, messages, and phone tasks. Recognition can struggle in very loud environments, but the feature is broadly convenient.

A configured phone-assistant shortcut works in testing. The app’s separate AI assistant receives criticism for slow responses and a tendency to seek personal information.

Bluetooth 6.1 brings good range and stability in several expert tests, and Galaxy pairing is usually smooth. Customer experiences are less consistent, with reports of slow reconnection, short range, dropouts, and repeated disconnects.

Testers generally report stable Bluetooth, useful range and fast reconnection. Several describe daily use without unexpected disconnects.

The software offers extensive control over ANC, EQ, gestures, and other features. Most impressions are positive, although one reviewer disliked the Wearable app's heavy permission requests and another noticed a wrong Buds icon.

The companion app earns repeated praise for useful features, straightforward operation and extensive sound and control settings. Its personalized tuning is a frequent highlight.

Setup is one of the most consistent strengths. Galaxy pairing is usually immediate and seamless, while even Pixel and other Android users report quick, straightforward connection.

Pairing and app setup are generally quick and straightforward, with Fast Pair especially appreciated. Routine configuration is considered easy to follow.

The 9-band custom EQ and multiple presets provide unusually broad tuning flexibility for the standard model. Reviewers consistently appreciate having meaningful sound adjustment without stepping up to the Pro.

HearID and the manual EQ often make a meaningful improvement to bass weight, vocal clarity and overall balance. The main complaint is limited control of the deepest bass frequencies.

Automatic protection against sudden loud sounds is welcomed, but adaptive transparency divides opinion. One comparison finds it noticeably less clear than the regular transparency mode.

Noise modes and sound options offer useful flexibility, with convenient switching during work. One tester still wants finer control over cancellation and transparency.

Footfalls and heavier breathing do not transmit strongly through the tips, which helps running feel less intrusive.

Samsung Seamless Codec can provide near-lossless wireless playback on compatible Galaxy devices, giving Samsung users a higher-quality audio path than standard Bluetooth modes.

Passive isolation is inherently weak because the buds do not seal the ear canal. External sound leaks in easily, which also makes ANC and bass performance more dependent on positioning.

Gaming mode provides a useful sense of where footsteps and gunfire occur in mobile play, though the assessment stops short of calling positioning exceptional.

Spatial depth is limited by the unsealed design, and reviewers caution against expecting a strongly three-dimensional or immersive presentation.

A dedicated wind setting can make outdoor listening much more comfortable, with strong praise from several testers. Others find noticeable pickup and slow recovery, especially in transparency mode.

Auracast is viewed as a useful forward-looking feature that can tap into compatible public or shared Bluetooth LE audio broadcasts as adoption grows.

Support experiences after early failures were extremely poor in the two customer reports: both describe getting little useful help, including a disputed warranty and an unresolved serial-number issue.

Separate battery readouts for each earbud and the case make charge levels easy to check in the app.

Wireless charging is a frequently welcomed convenience, especially when compatible pads are already available at home or work. It is seen as a useful inclusion at the price.

Audible touch feedback helps confirm recognized commands, and it can be disabled. One tester prefers it off once familiar with the controls.

Voices remain clear and complete in difficult conditions, but heavy processing can still be audible at extreme noise levels. Brief metallic edges and tiny hiccups are the more specific complaints.

Playback and connection behavior receive favorable assessments on both iPhone and Android, helping the buds work across common phone choices.

Sound is reported to stay clean and consistent as volume increases, without the stretching or bleeding heard from some other earbuds.

The IP55 dust protection is welcomed for outdoor movement and sweaty exercise. The protection applies to the buds rather than establishing an equally protected case.

The compact housings leave room for earrings and avoid catching on nearby clothing, making them easier to wear with jewelry.

Head gestures are generally considered a useful hands-free addition for answering or declining calls and handling prompts. Reviewers who tested them found the feature effective and convenient.

Optional volume monitoring, hearing tests and related adjustments are welcomed for added control of listening levels and balance.

Independent use of either bud works successfully and gives flexibility while the other charges. Single-ear listening is also valued for getting through a work shift.

LDAC is valued for cleaner high-resolution sound on compatible devices. Its battery penalty is substantial, and one tester also describes a tradeoff with multipoint.

The unboxing is described as simple and pleasant, with familiar Anker presentation.

The unopened package arrived neatly presented, giving one buyer a positive first impression before using the product.

The case is generally regarded as compact and notably slim in comparisons. One tester would still prefer less thickness.

The buds are easy to insert, twist into place and remove, helping the compact design feel straightforward in daily handling.

A slightly wobbly case lid is the specific concern about the hinge and lid assembly.