86

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds

In-ear TWS · ANC · 7.5h/30h · BT 5.4

$230

MSRP

90

WH-1000XM5 Headphones

Over-ear · ANC · 30h · LDAC · BT 5.2

$300

MSRP

Our verdict

The WH-1000XM5 Headphones takes the performance lead with a 5% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the WH-1000XM5 Headphones tells a compelling value story. At $300 versus the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds's $230 price tag, it costs $70 less while delivering performance that's only 5% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the WH-1000XM5 Headphones is the smarter purchase. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

WH-1000XM5 Headphones

5% faster overall

Best value for money

WH-1000XM5 Headphones

5% better value per dollar

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds best for

Value for money

5% better value per dollar

Audio

Driver Size
10.5mm
30mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
4Hz - 40kHz
Form Factor
In-ear TWS
Over-ear

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
7.5h
30h
Total with Case
30h
N/A
Fast Charge
5min → 1h
3min → 3h

Comfort

Weight
5.2g
250g
IP Rating
IP57
None
Wireless Charging
Yes (Qi)
No

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.4
5.2
Codecs
Samsung Scalable, AAC, SBC
LDAC, AAC, SBC
Multipoint
Yes (2 devices)
Yes (2 devices)

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
Yes (Galaxy AI)
Yes (V1+QN1)
Transparency Mode
Yes (Adaptive)
Yes (Adaptive)

Frequently asked questions

Is the WH-1000XM5 Headphones worth $70 more than the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds?

It depends on your needs. The WH-1000XM5 Headphones scores 90 overall vs 86 for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds or WH-1000XM5 Headphones?

The WH-1000XM5 Headphones delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The WH-1000XM5 Headphones provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds handle 4K gaming?

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the WH-1000XM5 Headphones is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds or WH-1000XM5 Headphones?

Choose the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the WH-1000XM5 Headphones if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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