Samsung’s next Unpacked is set to kick off this Wednesday, and in addition to a very familiar Galaxy S26 lineup, we’re expecting two new earbud pairs perfect for pairing with your new phone. The Galaxy Buds 4 series might shy away from its predecessors’ AirPods comparisons, but that doesn’t mean Samsung isn’t following Apple’s lead on at least one upcoming feature.
The folks at SammyGuru got an early look at an upgraded version of the Galaxy Buds app through an APK teardown via @antonioig002 on Twitter, revealing some of the features coming to Samsung’s new earbuds. The big feature appears to be head-tracking support for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, allowing for nodding and shaking gestures to answer yes-or-no questions given via (the newly-reborn) Bixby, answer or dismiss calls, interrupt notifications as they’re read, and more. It’s an extremely helpful tool that allows for quieter, quicker answers, and it’s also straight out of Apple’s AirPods playbook.
Now, to be fair to Samsung, Apple isn’t the only company integrating head gestures into their earbuds like this. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 also support nodding and shaking gestures for calls and dismissing notifications, though it’s a little more limited than both Apple and (seemingly) Samsung’s features, with the latter’s commands including full control over alarms, timers, and reminders. Also, frankly, the shape and style of Samsung’s most recent earbuds — particularly the Galaxy Buds 3 lineup — just makes the Apple comparison a little more direct than Google’s, even as the brand does move in a somewhat-new direction.
Head-shaking gestures aren’t the only feature revealed by this APK teardown, though. The Buds 4 Pro, as rumored, will support a Find My Phone feature by double-tapping the case button while your earbuds are charging, allowing you to ring your phone should it have slipped in between your couch cushions. The Buds 4 Pro stems will also allow you to automatically take a photo or video through a pinch-and-hold gesture, though it’s unclear if this immediately snaps a shot or if it begins a timer to allow for the user’s arm to return to a more natural position.
One thing we’re not getting, however, is that once-rumored built-in case speaker. Early animations from an APK teardown last year hinted at the Buds 4 Pro gaining a speaker for easier tracking capabilities, allowing for a louder chime to play should you misplace your earbuds. Updated visuals in this current APK build totally lack a space for the speaker, suggesting it’s one upgrade that could have to wait for Samsung’s eventual Buds 5 Pro. It wouldn’t be the first time the company axed a feature for something both safer and cheaper.
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