Samsung’s High-Resolution Audio Push: A Galaxy Exclusive

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 have introduced support for Ultra High Quality (UHQ) audio up to 24-bit / 96 kHz, a feature that positions them to potentially surpass Apple’s AirPods in wireless audio fidelity. This specification traditionally has been reserved for wired headphones and dedicated high-fidelity audio equipment.

The Promise of UHQ Audio

Most wireless earbuds compress audio due to limitations in Bluetooth bandwidth. Apple’s AirPods, for example, continue to rely on the AAC codec, prioritizing stability and efficiency over lossless playback. Samsung’s UHQ feature aims to deliver higher-resolution audio with increased detail, a wider dynamic range, and improved clarity PCMag.

A Catch: Ecosystem Lock-In

Still, UHQ audio functionality is currently limited. Samsung documentation confirms that UHQ audio only functions with select Galaxy devices running One UI 6.1.1 or newer. Initial support is restricted to newer flagship phones and tablets, including the Galaxy S24, S23 series, recent Galaxy Z Fold and Flip devices, and select Galaxy Tab models PCMag. The feature is also disabled by default and requires manual activation within the device settings.

Following Apple’s Lead

Similar to Apple’s strategy of reserving certain AirPods features for iPhones, Samsung is initially limiting UHQ audio to its latest Galaxy hardware. Pairing the Galaxy Buds 4 with a non-Samsung phone or an older Galaxy device will result in standard Bluetooth audio quality, without the UHQ experience. This exclusivity is technically logical, as delivering 24-bit / 96 kHz audio over Bluetooth necessitates tight hardware and software integration, including support for Samsung’s proprietary codec and newer Bluetooth implementations.

Benefits for Galaxy Users

For Galaxy users with compatible devices, the potential benefits are significant. Wireless audio quality has been steadily approaching that of wired connections, and UHQ support represents another step in that direction. Within its ecosystem, Samsung has demonstrably raised the bar for wireless audio quality Tom’s Guide.

The Future of Wireless Audio

If this trend towards higher-resolution wireless audio continues, competition in the earbud market will likely intensify. Samsung’s move signals a commitment to pushing the boundaries of wireless audio fidelity, potentially prompting other manufacturers to follow suit Tom’s Guide.