Marshall Motif II with ANC
Score: 77/100
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 with ANC
Score: 80/100Rankings
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 are true-wireless earbuds with Adaptive ANC 2.0, Hi-Res 24-bit/96 kHz audio and IP54 water resistance. Their advanced features are largely locked to Samsung devices and battery life suffers with ANC enabled. Ideal for Galaxy users who want premium sound and integration, but less appealing to non-Samsung owners.
Marshall Motif II true-wireless earbuds combine IPX5 sweat resistance, customizable touch controls, and up to 43 hours total battery life with ANC. Their ANC and codec support are modest, and they lack voice-assistant integration. Perfect for commuters and workout enthusiasts who want durable earbuds with decent ANC.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
6 hoursbest | 5 hours | |
9 hoursbest | 5.5 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 50 gbest | 58 g |
| ↓ lower better | 15 minutesbest | — |
6 mm | 11 mmbest | |
16 Ωbest | — | |
10 mbest | — | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 6 hours | 5 hours |
Battery Life (ANC Off) (hours) | 9 hours | 5.5 hours |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.1 |
Audio(2) | ||
Driver Size (mm) | 6 mm | 11 mm |
Supported Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC | SSC UHQ,SSC HiFi,AAC,SBC,LC3,Auracast |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 50 g | 58 g |
IP Rating | IPX5 | IP54 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Motif II for its enjoyable, balanced sound, substantial battery upgrades and the addition of Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint. They appreciate the rugged Marshall aesthetic and the improved ANC, though they acknowledge that the noise cancellation is not elite and the lack of high-resolution codecs limits audiophile appeal.
Everyday users love the marathon battery life, comfortable fit and the punchy Marshall-style sound, especially for commuting and workouts. Common praise centers on the sturdy build, IPX5 resistance and the convenience of quick charging. Recurring complaints involve ANC falling short in very loud environments, touch controls being overly sensitive, and occasional hiccups with multipoint device switching.
Professional reviewers commend the Galaxy Buds4 for their refreshed design, Bluetooth 6.1 stability, Adaptive ANC/EQ, and the exclusive SSC UHQ mode that delivers studio-grade sound on compatible Galaxy phones. Samsung's own previews stress the immersive 24-bit/96 kHz audio and ear-shape-optimized ANC, while YouTube reviewers highlight the usefulness of real-time Adaptive EQ and head-tracking 360 Audio. Criticism centers on the restriction of UHQ to select devices, the requirement of the Galaxy Wearable app for full functionality on other phones, and battery life figures that omit the impact of active ANC.
Because the Buds4 have only just launched, user feedback is limited, but early pre-order chatter suggests strong enthusiasm for the sound quality, ANC performance, and tight Galaxy ecosystem integration. Anticipated complaints focus on reduced feature support for non-Samsung phones and concerns that real-world ANC usage will shorten battery life.
