OnePlus Buds 4 VS Samsung Galaxy Buds Core

Both the OnePlus Buds 4 and Samsung Galaxy Buds Core share a standard in-ear, fully wireless form factor with no neckband, RGB lighting, or display — keeping the design focused and straightforward. The most meaningful differentiator in this category is protection rating: the OnePlus Buds 4 carry an IP55 certification versus the Galaxy Buds Core's IP54. While the water-resistance level is identical (the second digit), the first digit tells a different story — a dust-protection rating of 5 on the OnePlus versus 4 on the Samsung means the Buds 4 offer marginally better resistance to dust ingress. More practically, OnePlus describes theirs as fully water resistant, whereas Samsung limits the claim to sweat resistant, suggesting the Buds 4 are better suited for rain or splashes beyond gym use.

Weight is another tangible difference: the OnePlus Buds 4 come in at 9.46 g per earbud compared to 10.6 g for the Galaxy Buds Core. That ~1.1 g gap may seem minor on paper, but over extended listening sessions it can translate to noticeably less ear fatigue. On the other hand, the Galaxy Buds Core include wingtips in the box — a fit-stabilization accessory the Buds 4 omit — which could give the heavier Samsung earbud a more secure feel during workouts, partially offsetting its weight disadvantage.

Overall, the OnePlus Buds 4 hold a clear design edge in terms of protection and weight. They offer a higher IP dust rating, a broader water-resistance claim, and a lighter build. The Galaxy Buds Core counters with bundled wingtips for users who prioritize a locked-in fit during physical activity, but for general versatility and durability, the Buds 4 come out ahead in this category.

The driver size gap here is substantial: the OnePlus Buds 4 use an 11 mm dynamic driver compared to just 6 mm in the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core. A larger driver moves more air, which typically translates to fuller bass response and greater overall soundstage depth. While driver size alone does not guarantee superior tuning, an 11 mm unit gives OnePlus considerably more headroom to deliver low-end punch and dynamics that a 6 mm driver physically struggles to match.

The frequency range specs reinforce this divide. The Buds 4 span 15 Hz to 40,000 Hz, extending meaningfully below the threshold of human hearing on the low end and well into high-resolution audio territory on the high end. The Galaxy Buds Core covers a more conventional 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz — essentially the textbook limits of human hearing and nothing beyond. In practice, the extended low-frequency reach of the Buds 4 can add perceptible sub-bass weight, and the high-frequency extension becomes relevant if you listen to hi-res audio formats. The Buds 4 also support spatial audio, adding a three-dimensional soundstage simulation that the Galaxy Buds Core entirely lacks — a notable omission for movie and immersive content listeners.

Where the two earbuds are evenly matched is in noise management fundamentals: both offer active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction. However, across every other sound quality dimension — driver size, frequency range, and spatial audio support — the OnePlus Buds 4 hold a decisive advantage. The Galaxy Buds Core covers the basics competently, but for listeners who prioritize audio performance, the Buds 4 is the clear choice based on these specs.

Stamina is where the OnePlus Buds 4 pull ahead most concretely. With 11 hours of earbud battery life versus 8 hours on the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core, the Buds 4 last roughly 38% longer on a single charge — a difference that is genuinely felt during long-haul flights, full workdays, or extended gym sessions where reaching for the case is not always convenient. Combined with a case that extends total playback to 34 hours compared to the Galaxy Buds Core's 27 hours, the Buds 4 offer a meaningfully larger power reserve before any charging outlet is needed.

What makes this gap more interesting is that the earbud battery capacities are nearly identical — 62 mAh for the Buds 4 versus 65 mAh for the Galaxy Buds Core. The Samsung unit actually holds slightly more raw charge per earbud, yet delivers fewer hours of playback. This implies the Buds 4 are more power-efficient in their internal hardware and audio processing, squeezing more listening time out of a comparable cell. The case capacities follow a similar pattern: 530 mAh versus 500 mAh — a modest edge for OnePlus that partially explains the lead in total combined hours.

Neither model offers wireless charging, so both require a wired top-up — a parity point worth noting for users who value a cable-free lifestyle. Overall, the OnePlus Buds 4 hold a clear power advantage: better efficiency, longer per-session endurance, and greater total range from the case make them the stronger choice for anyone who prioritizes going longer between charges.

Connectivity is largely a draw between these two earbuds. Both share Bluetooth 5.4, fast pairing, USB-C charging, a 10 m wireless range, and AAC codec support — covering the standard expectations for modern wireless earbuds at this price tier. Neither supports aptX variants, LDAC, Bluetooth LE Audio, or Auracast, so users coming from a high-resolution audio ecosystem will find both options equally limited on that front.

The one differentiator worth flagging is codec support beyond AAC: the OnePlus Buds 4 include LDHC, a high-resolution wireless audio codec capable of transmitting up to 900 kbps — substantially higher bitrates than AAC typically allows. In practice, LDHC can deliver audibly cleaner, more detailed audio on compatible source devices, though its ecosystem is narrower than LDAC or aptX. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core offers no equivalent high-bitrate codec, leaving AAC as its ceiling for wireless audio quality.

For most users pairing with mainstream Android or iOS devices, the shared foundation means day-to-day connectivity will feel identical. However, for those with LDHC-compatible sources — primarily certain Android phones — the OnePlus Buds 4 hold a narrow but real edge in wireless audio fidelity. On pure connectivity breadth and range, the two are evenly matched.

Across this feature set, the two earbuds are remarkably well-matched. Ambient sound mode, in-ear detection, fast charging, find-device functionality, a built-in translator, mute, voice prompts, and an included travel bag — all present on both. For everyday usability, this shared foundation means neither product feels meaningfully stripped down relative to the other.

The only functional differentiator in this group is notification readout: the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core can audibly read incoming notifications aloud, while the OnePlus Buds 4 cannot. For users who frequently receive messages while on the move — commuters, runners, or anyone who prefers to keep their phone pocketed — this is a genuinely useful hands-free convenience. It reduces the need to glance at a screen and keeps you in the flow of whatever you are doing.

It is a slim margin to call, but based strictly on these specs, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core holds a slight edge in this category solely due to notification readout. For users who would actively use that feature, it is a practical differentiator; for those who would not, this group is effectively a tie.

On paper, the microphone specs are identical: both the OnePlus Buds 4 and Samsung Galaxy Buds Core feature 6 microphones and noise-canceling microphone technology. A 6-mic array is a generous configuration at this tier, typically enabling beamforming — where multiple mics work together to isolate the speaker's voice and suppress surrounding noise from different directions — which benefits call clarity in busy environments like streets or offices.

This is a complete tie based on the available data. With no distinguishing specs between the two, neither product holds a measurable advantage in this category. Users prioritizing call quality or voice pick-up can consider both earbuds equally capable on these specifications alone.