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Samsung Galaxy Buds 4: Two-minute review

When I sat down and first started listening to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, sitting at my desk at home, I was mildly pleased with their audio performance. But when I started using them out and about in the world, not in my cosy chair, these quickly became some of my least favorite headphones to test in recent months. Some of the best earbuds around for the cash-savvy buyer? Sadly, no.

That’s a surprise; I gave the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro an almost-perfect review score, and expected these affordable alternatives to fare just as well. But I have been loathe to use them during the testing period, for one simple reason.

These earbuds just wouldn’t stay in my ears. When I was sitting still at home, they’d more or less work fine – although they’d often slip from their default position so the drivers were further from my ears than they should be. If this was the entirety of my testing, I’d give them a perfectly fine review, but life’s not just about sitting still.

When I went on walks with the buds, they’d slip constantly, and I’d have to readjust them several times each minute to push them back in. I like to walk, and went on multiple hour-long rambles during the testing time. Imagine how long I had my hands in my ears, fidgeting and fixing slippage.

They also fared incredibly poorly on public transport (too shaky), when I was in bed (too angled) and even sometimes when I’d rotated my swivelling office chair. I didn't dare take them to the gym or on a run.

Even if the things weren’t flung from my ears multiple times per song, they have a truly awful battery life; with ANC and other features turned on, I’d get about three hours per charge. And that's before I even mention the meagre ANC performance – because of the poor fit, the active noise cancellation algorithm here has absolutely zero chance of stopping you hearing the sounds around you.

There are some elements of the Galaxy Buds 4 that you might like: they offer really high-quality music, and do look classy. And if you’re lucky enough to have ears like vices, you might not have the same fit issues I did – but I’ve never had issues quite like this in other similar buds, and know Samsung’s earbuds have a reputation for poor fit, so I really don’t think it’s a me problem.

A quick Google search shows that users had the same issue with the Buds 3. It's easy to find reports of them slipping out of the ears, so it's clear that this is a recurring issue which the company hasn't fixed. I try to avoid reading coverage of products I'm testing, but I've already seen reports of Buds 4 users having the same issue.

If you’ve got the money and a Samsung phone, the easier fix is to splash out a little more on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, with their ear-tips offering a more secure fit (though not a perfect one). But honestly, there are countless great wireless earbuds for this much or less, that won’t jump from your ear at every opportunity.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Announced in February 2026, released March
• Sells for $179 / £159 / AU$299
• No price change from past models

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 were announced at Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, and have been available to buy from March 11, just like the Pro model and the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.

The retail price of the buds is $179 / £159 / AU$299, which is a mid-range price for earbuds like these, though they seem affordable when compared to the $249 / £219 / AU$399 Buds 4 Pro. There’s been no price hike over the Galaxy Buds 3, which is always good to see.

I know what you’re wondering: ‘how does that compare to Apple?’. The AirPods 4 with ANC cost $179 / £179 / AU$299, a very similar price point: the same in the US and Australia, but pricier in the UK. But if you don’t need ANC, the standard AirPods 4 cost $129 / £129 / AU$219, so they’re cheaper.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Specs

Drivers

11mm woofer

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC off)

6 hours buds, 30 hours case

Weight

4.6g buds, 45.1g case

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1

Frequency response

Not specified

Waterproofing

IP54

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Buds last about 3 hours per charge
• ANC has limited effectiveness
• Range of handy features

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 technically do have noise cancellation, but due to their open-fit design (think Apple EarPods), they don’t plug up your ear to stop outside noise leaking in. So practically, they reduce very little noise. I could notice some noise cancellation when turning the feature off and on, but only a marginal amount.

Sometimes when I had the buds in but wasn't listening to music, I could hear them try to compensate for loud noises by pumping out what sounded like white noise. Not only did it fail to stop the background noise, it added a little extra layer of annoyance. Don’t buy these if you need good ANC.

Don’t buy them if you need a long-lasting battery either; their play time is abysmal. With ANC turned off you’re only looking at 6 hours of listening; Samsung’s official figure puts ANC-on listening at five hours but in my own testing, with features like SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) turned on, I was barely scraping three.

You can get about five recharges from the case, which isn’t amazing, but didn’t affect me too much during my testing weeks. Just remember to plug them in regularly.

(Image credit: Future)

But now we can move onto the other features, and there’s a lot more to like there. The buds support Bluetooth 6.1, with support for codecs like SSC, AAC, SBC and LC3 (no LDAC). I had a few Bluetooth dropouts during my time with the buds, but not so many that it couldn’t have been environmental.

The buds offer a range of tools like call sharpening profiles, spatial audio with head tracking, a nine-band equalizer with presets, volume normalization, adaptive sound to cater for how you wear your earbuds (i.e., at what stage of falling out they’re at) and so on. You can even use the buds to tap into nearby audio broadcasts.

The only major omission is multipoint connection, but that’s not even a feature I’d consider mandatory in earbuds. There’s also no listening test, like in the Pro, but I didn’t find it wholly useful in those buds so again, no (further) marks docked.

• Features score: 3.5/5

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Swanky 'Blade' look
• Charging case is small and light
• Buds aren't designed for sticking in ear

I’ve got to say, I really like the Samsung Galaxy Bud 4’s charging case. It’s a lightweight, see-through square box, that the buds easily slot into. It weighs just 45.1g and measures 51 x 51 x 28.3mm, and really disappeared into my pocket.

The buds themselves look pretty good too, with their refined ‘Blade’ designed from the Buds 3 stripping out the lights and much of the fuss. The polished silver metal band on the white buds I tested looks great, but there’s also a black model you can pick up.

Unfortunately, that’s basically all I can praise about the Buds 4’s design, because for the three weeks I tested the buds, their build was the bane of my existence.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve already spent much of the introduction to this article moaning about the Galaxy Buds 4’s fit, but in case you skipped that: these things just don’t stay still in your ears. If they’re not outright falling out, they’re moving around so that the drivers are pointing any which way, making music sound worse.

This'll no doubt be worst for people with big ears, but a few design decisions ensure that they won't be a good fit for anyone. The lack of a tip means you can’t just wedge the Buds 4 in your ears and hope for the best, and the material of the body is so smooth and friction-free that it fails to keep them anchored in ears.

It feels like the weighting of the buds is wrong too, so their own heft causes them to list and then fall from the ears. They’re not heavy, at just 4.6g, but the amount of ear-pirouettes they managed suggests the center of gravity is off in some way.

On the Buds 4’s stem, there’s a touch control: swipe up or down for volume, or pinch to play and pause your music. I quickly discovered that swiping was just another way for me to fling the buds out of my ears, but pinching is great: a light click lets you know that your demand was registered.

• Design score: 2.5/5

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Single driver per bud
• High-quality streamed music
• Detailed sound

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 have a single driver per ear; it’s one of the big downgrades from the Pro, with the bass-focused woofer absent. It’s a shame, because extra bass oomph is needed: it might go some way in mitigating how quickly you lose it when the earbuds start to slip…

Generally speaking, and when you’re sitting still with the Buds 4 angled perfectly, they sound about as good as you’d expect for the price. They’re bright and detailed; the acoustic guitars in Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel sparkle and the keys in the piano introduction to Tiny Dancer by Elton John had just as much personality as the rocket man’s own voice did.

The lack of a dedicated woofer hurts, when comparing these to the Buds 4 Pro. Bass isn’t as scooping and defined as I’d like, instead sounding muddy indistinct. If you listen to Phosphorscent’s C’est La Vie No.2 by Phosphorescent or The Rocketeer by Foxy Shazam, the bass just melts into the band and loses its edge.

(Image credit: Future)

Detail and quality really is the name of the game here, as for all their strengths and weaknesses, you’re hearing it all… at least, if you’re using a Samsung phone, which allows for the SSC-UHQ codec. This allows for 24-bit/96kHz transmission, and makes an audible difference over listening on other devices.

So the Galaxy Buds 4 aren’t the best earbuds I’ve tested, even at the price, but they’re decent. But remember everything I said about the fit? Yeah – between the slow slipping and leaking background sound, I very rarely got the best from the buds. When I used them while walking, or on public transport, the bass vanished pretty quickly and often the mids were drowned out by noise, leaving only some hi-hats and vocals to enjoy.

The buds have a fairly high max volume, but I noticed something odd: the bass would audibly drop from the mix as I got near the top. Every time I pressed ‘volume up’ from five steps off max, every instrument would get louder, except for the bass which would step back. It meant two or three presses of my volume keys would result in a drastically different sound mix, and it was much tinnier-sounding at the top than I’d expect.

• Sound quality: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Mid-range price for buds
• Other options get you more for your money

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 aren’t cheap, and honestly, you’re within your rights to expect a little more from your earbuds.

A single driver? A sub-movie-length battery life? A design that doesn’t seem well thought out? If these were budget buds I’d understand, but $179 / £159 / AU$299 is far from cheap in the varied world of wireless earbuds.

There are other similar-priced options out there which offer you a lot more for your money, or give a similar package to the Buds 4 but at a fraction of the cost.

• Value: 3/5

Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4?

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The ANC struggles and the battery life is woeful, but a few other features claw back points.

3.5/5

Design

They're not designed to stick in your ear, even if they look good.

2.5/5

Sound quality

The Buds 4 offer high-quality music with a bright, detailed sound.

4/5

Value

They're not expensive per se, but you can get a lot more for your money.

3/5

Buy them if…

You need office work buds
If you're going to be listening to these while sitting still at a desk, some of their biggest issues won't affect you.

You own a Samsung phone
The SSC-UHQ codec is really something else, but it's only available for owners of modern Samsung smartphones.View Deal

You need a wireless charging case
Wireless charging still isn't commonplace in earbud cases, but the Buds 4 offer this convenient feature.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You need long-lasting buds
Few earbuds I've tested have a worse battery life than the Buds 4. Not for travellers, or those who like a long listening stint.

You need exercise buds
I won't beat this dead horse any longer, but these buds just don't survive if your head is moving: bobbing as you walk or reclining at the gym.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 review: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

Status Audio Pro X

Drivers

11mm

'Custom high-excursion' Apple driver

12mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

No

Battery life (ANC on)

6 hours (buds) 30 hours (case)

5 hours (buds) 20 hours (case)

7 hours (buds) 25 hours (case)

Weight

4.6g (buds) 45.1g (case)

4.3g (buds) 32.3g (case)

4.5g (buds) 50g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Waterproofing

IP54

IP57

IP54

AirPods 4 with ANC
The natural competitor, these earbuds come at a similar price and with a comparable feature set, though you need an iPhone to be able to use them.
Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC review

Denon AH-C500W
Want tip-less earbuds for a lot less, and from a Samsung sub-brand? These Denon models fit me much better, though they don't quite sound as good and offer a thinner list of features.
Read our full Denon Ah-C500W

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4

• Tested for a month
• Tested at home, on walks and on public transport

I tested the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 immediately after the Pro model, so they were a natural comparison. I used them paired to a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra phone for the duration of the testing process, and listened to audio on Spotify, internal storage, various streaming services and games.

The test process for the buds was around three weeks, though I used them occasionally for a week prior when I received them at the same time as the Pro.

I've been reviewing gadgets at TechRadar for about 8 years now, including plenty of earbuds and Samsung gadgets (including the Buds 3 Pro too).

• First reviewed in March 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

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HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14: Two-minute review

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a 2-in-1 laptop designed with creators in mind, owing to its capable spec and bundled stylus.

It looks smart and sleek, especially in its dark blue guise, which adds more interest than the grey alternative. The angled back corners also distinguish it from the crowd, as well as serving a practical purpose that I’ll come to later.

The standout aspect of its form, though, is its thinness. It certainly cuts a slender figure, but more remarkable is the fact that this doesn’t come at the expense of sturdiness: the aluminum frame has no flex at all, and easily ranks among the best 2-in-1 laptops in terms of build quality.

The downside of this construction, though, is its weight. The Ultra Flip is heavier than you might expect, which makes it a little more onerous to carry around than its rivals. It’s still within acceptable bounds, however.

Oddly, it’s the included stylus, the HP MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen, that presents more of a portability issue. It’s stored on the side of the base, and since it’s quite large, it can easily snag when putting away or taking out the laptop from a bag. What’s more, the magnetic attraction isn’t strong enough to prevent it from detaching completely in such instances.

(Image credit: Future)

You don’t get many ports on the Ultra Flip, which is understandable given that thin base, not to mention the space needed for storing the Tilt Pen. However, the Ultra Flip makes clever use of its limited real estate, as those aforementioned rear corners house two of the laptop’s three USB-C ports. This is a practical location, although it’s a minor shame that only one of them supports the Thunderbolt 4 standard (the other Thunderbolt 4 port is on the right side of the base).

The all-round performance of the Ultra Flip is respectable. It dispatches most workaday tasks without issue, from general browsing and productivity to 4K streaming and light gaming.

Despite being marketed for creators, though, it’s a little disappointing that the Ultra Flip only features integrated graphics. It’s also a concern that it failed to complete Puget Bench’s video editing benchmark — something one its nearest rivals, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, also failed, by the by.

Having said this, I found its graphical performance reasonably impressive for a machine without a dedicated GPU. It ran Cyberpunk 2077 in a playable state, offering just enough visual fidelity and performance for a casual session.

What’s more, the Ultra Flip stays cool and composed during such workloads. Any heat that is emitted is confined to the very rear of the base, where you won’t feel it. Fan noise can make itself known, but it’s impressively hushed compared to others.

Perhaps the best part of the Ultra Flip, though, is its display. It’s as deep and as rich as you’d expect from an OLED, while the 3K resolution offers a crystal clear image. It’s also very bright, which helps to nullify any pesky reflections. The touchscreen and Tilt Pen are responsive and easy to use as well.

(Image credit: Future)

The keyboard allows for quick typing, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys, in addition to their light and shallow actuation. They can feel a little harsh when you hammer down hard, but otherwise they’re perfectly comfortable.

I found the touchpad occasionally encroached while typing, but this wasn’t egregious enough to disrupt productivity. In fact, its large size is actually a boon for such tasks, since it makes navigation that much easier. The pad also supports numerous gestures and functions, including the ability to adjust system brightness and volume by sliding up and down on either side. These ‘sliders’ feature haptic feedback that I didn’t find particularly engaging, but at least doesn’t make the controls unusable.

The battery life of the Ultra Flip is very impressive, lasting 18 hours when playing back a movie on a continuous loop. There aren’t many laptops that can beat this, although the Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is one of them; this lasted over 30 hours in the same test, which is quite astonishing.

In many ways, MSI’s 2-in-1 is a close rival to the Ultra Flip, but I believe the latter has the edge in key categories. Its display is superior and it lacks the same touchpad frustrations.

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Starts from $1,459.99 / £1,299 / AU$3,399
• Available now in two colorways
• Reasonable price for the spec

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip starts from $1,459.99 / £1,299 / AU$3,399 and is available now in two colors: blue and grey. Various configurations are possible, with Intel Core Ultra 5, 7, and 9 CPUs available, while RAM ranges from 16GB to 32GB and storage options from 512GB to 2TB.

Considering the spec and design, the Ultra Flip is reasonably priced for a 2-in-1 laptop. The nearest equivalent model, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, costs a similar amount, and likewise features an Intel Core Ultra 7 and a 1TB SSD. There are differences, though: the Prestige has a much lower display resolution, but double the RAM (32GB) and unparalleled battery life, outlasting the Ultra Flip and many of the best touchscreen laptops by a wide margin.

If you’re after a considerably less expensive 2-in-1 and don’t mind forgoing Windows, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is worth considering. This is among the best Chromebooks around for those on a tight budget, thanks to its build quality, compact form, and impressive display. You’ll have to provide your own stylus, though.

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review: Specs

Base

Review

Max

Price

$1,459.99 / £1,299 / AU$3,399

$1,629.99 / £1,499 / AU$3,699

$2,099.99 / £2,099.99 / AU$3,999

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (up to 4.5 GHz, 8 cores)

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (2.2GHz, 8 cores)

Intel Core Ultra 9 288V (up to 5.1GHz, 8 cores)

GPU

Intel Arc Graphics (integrated)

Intel Arc Graphics (integrated)

Intel Arc Graphics (integrated)

RAM

16GB LPDDR5x

16GB LPDDR5x
Aus: 32GB LPDDR5x

32GB LPDDR5x

Storage

512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

Display

14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800),16:10, OLED, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Touchscreen

14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800),16:10, OLED, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Touchscreen

14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800),16:10, OLED, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Touchscreen

Ports and Connectivity

3x USB-C (2x Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1; 1x 10Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4a), 1x combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

3x USB-C (2x Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1; 1x 10Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4a), 1x combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

3x USB-C (2x Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1; 1x 10Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4a), 1x combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

64Wh

64Wh

64Wh

Dimensions

12.4 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches (314 x 216 x 15mm)

12.4 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches (314 x 216 x 15mm)

12.4 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches (314 x 216 x 15mm)

Weight

3lbs / 1.34kg

3lbs / 1.34kg

3lbs / 1.34kg

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Super thin
• Premium build quality
• Incongruous stylus storage

The Ultra Flip exhibits an understated but fetching design. I especially liked the dark blue colorway of my review unit, departing from the monochromatic crowd (although a grey finish is also available). I also liked the angular back corners, which add interest and serve a practical purpose that I’ll explain later.

It feels more premium than many others in the space, too. The aluminum body is as sturdy as you’d expect, a feat that’s all the more remarkable given just how thin the whole unit is. Meanwhile, the lid is both easy to adjust and perfectly stable once in place.

The downside of this construction, though, is the weight. The Ultra Flip is noticeably heavier than some of its plastic rivals, and while it’s still perfectly fit for backpacks or suitcases, those who are fastidious about traveling light might feel let down — literally.

Other portability issues arise courtesy of the included stylus, HP’s MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen. It’s quite large and thick, which makes it cumbersome when stored on the side of the laptop, as it has a tendency to catch and fall off when you're depositing and retrieving the laptop from a bag. It can often fall off completely in such cases, since the magnets aren’t strong enough to keep the pen in place.

(Image credit: Future)

I also experienced times when the pen would rotate towards the underside of the base whenever I lifted the Ultra Flip up, resulting in it being crushed when I set it down again.

Having said all this, there’s plenty to like about the Tilt Pen’s design. That sizable form makes it easy to hold, while its two buttons are generously proportioned and well placed, which makes them easy to operate with your writing hand. And while the pen doesn’t support wireless charging, the USB-C port is at least discreetly locked away behind an elegant sliding mechanism.

For such a thin laptop, you mightn’t be surprised to learn that the Ultra Flip’s port selection is limited. There are no USB-A ports, which might cause peripheral-heavy users some headaches, since even the best mice and keyboards today still employ the standard in their dongles.

There are three USB-C ports, though, and the Ultra Flip deploys a clever space-saving trick with two of them, as they’re integrated within those aforementioned rear corners. What’s more, this placement helps to keep any connected cables out of the way, as well as making it easy to locate each port without having to crane your neck to see exactly where they are.

It’s a shame, though, that these two corner ports differ in their specification. The one in the right corner is Thunderbolt 4 — which supports 40Gbps transfer speeds, Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1 — while the one on the left isn’t, only supporting 10Gbps transfer speeds, DisplayPort 1.4a, and lacks fast charging.

It would be more convenient if both corner ports were Thunderbolt 4 to accommodate a wider variety of locations of monitors and power sources that require it. Instead, the other Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port is located on the right side of the base, which is less practical.

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Sharp and rich OLED display
• Unintrusive yet noticeable fan noise
• Responsive touchscreen and stylus

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 34,738; Fire Strike: 8,935; Steel Nomad: 602; Solar Bay: 16,161; Solar Bay Unlimited: 12,751; Solar Bay Extreme: 2,101; Solar Bay Extreme Unlimited: 2,193
Geekbench 6.5: Multicore: 10,906; Single-core: 2,743
Cinebench R23: Multi Core: 8,806; Cinebench R24: Single Core: 118; Multi Core: 530
Crossmark: Overall: 1,705; Productivity: 1,642; Creativity: 1,935; Responsiveness: 1,305
Passmark Overall: 6,194; CPU: 21,831.3; 2D Graphics: 638.9; 3D Graphics: 5,038.6; Memory: 2,844.4; Disk: 47,357.1
BlackMagicDisk: Read: 3,543MB/s; Write: 3,707MB/s
HandBrake 4K to 1080p: 51.82fps
Total War: Warhammer III: 1080p, Medium: 47fps
Total War: Warhammer III: 1800p, Ultra: 12fps
PCMark Battery Test (Modern Office): 15 hours and 33 minutes
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 18 hours and 2 minutes

For everyday use, the Ultra Flip is highly capable. It can handle light productivity and entertainment with ease, including multi-tab browsing and 4K video streaming.

I was also surprised by how well it gamed, despite lacking a dedicated GPU. It ran Cyberpunk 2077 at the Ray Tracing: Low preset in a state that was playable, if very rough-and-ready. It’s certainly not going to trouble the best gaming laptops, but for some quick fun, it suffices.

However, it failed to complete Puget Bench’s benchmark for Adobe Premiere, due to a certain GPU effect being unable to render. I had this same problem when I tested the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, which also has no dedicated GPU, so I suspect this shared aspect is the culprit in both cases. Video editors, therefore, might want to look elsewhere.

At times, the fans can emit a noticeable amount of noise, even when moderate workloads are being conducted. However, the sound is low-pitched and more hushed than that of other laptop fans, which makes it less grating. Extreme temperatures are kept at bay, too, with any heat generated confined to the very rear of the base.

(Image credit: Future)

The widescreen OLED display is one of the Ultra Flip’s highlights. The 3K resolution is gloriously sharp, while colors are deep and rich, with that typical OLED contrast living up to its acclaim. Some reflections are revealed under suboptimal lighting conditions, but I found the high brightness levels available were often enough to combat them effectively. What’s more, the touchscreen is responsive and accurate, making it great to use with fingers or the Tilt Pen.

The keyboard of the Ultra Flip is very light and snappy, which makes for quick and easy typing. The ultra low profile of the keys also helps in this regard, although those who hammer away might find them a little harsh, due to their lack of dampening. There are plenty of useful shortcuts on the F row, but the lack of a number pad or even a navigation cluster hampers productivity.

There are no such issues with the touchpad, though. Its silky-smooth surface combined with its large surface area makes it easy to navigate with. What’s more, it supports plenty of gestures, although they’re somewhat hidden away, requiring the use of the preinstalled HP app to enable them.

There are even two ‘sliders’ either side of the touchpad, used to control volume and brightness respectively. They feature prominent haptic feedback that emulates notches as you make your adjustments, similar in feel to those of a scroll wheel. These can feel a little at odds with your actual finger movement, lacking the level of responsiveness I would’ve liked. The clicking sound produced is also quite loud and not particularly pleasant. However, these are minor quibbles, and the controls work well overall.

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the Ultra Flip is very impressive. HP claims it can last just over 16 hours unplugged, but this figure is something of an underestimate. When I played back a movie on a continuous loop, it actually managed to sustain itself for 18 hours.

This puts it in league with the most enduring laptops around. Very few can outlast it, but one that can is MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, another 2-in-1 machine. This managed over 30 hours, which is pretty much unbeatable in the laptop sphere.

Fully charging the Ultra Flip from empty took a little over two hours, which is also admirable.

Should I buy the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14?

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

Considering all the quality and specs on offer, the Ultra Flip is good value for money.

4 / 5

Design

The supreme build quality is certainly welcome, although the unexpected heaviness and stylus storage issues are not.

4 / 5

Performance

The Ultra Flip performs well in many areas, even light gaming, although video editors might be disappointed. The excellent OLED display is exceptional, though.

4 / 5

Battery Life

Among the best in class. Only a few can outlast it.

4.5 / 5

Final Score

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is very well made and performs well in most areas, with the OLED display being the true highlight. Only a few minor flaws blemish this otherwise competent, convertible laptop.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a great display
The 3K OLED display is every bit as sumptuous as you would hope. The touchscreen functions very well, too.

You want a premium build
The uber-thin design oozes class, while the formidable aluminum body is reminiscent of the best MacBooks, which is high praise indeed.

Don't buy it if…

You prize lightness
Despite the thin body, the Ultra Flip is actually quite hefty, so those who want to pack as light as possible might be a shade disappointed.

You want plenty of ports
With only three USB ports (all of which are Type-C) and a headset jack, you’ll need a hub if you’ve got plenty of connections to make.

HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review: also consider

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+
The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is comparable in many ways to the Ultra Flip, including on price. There are some key differences, though. It has a much smaller stylus, and a much tidier storage solution for it — which also features wireless charging. However, I had a real issue with its touchpad ‘sliders’ misfiring, something I didn’t experience with those on the Ultra Flip. Read our full MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312
A considerably cheaper 2-in-1, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is ideal for those on a budget. Granted, you won’t be getting the power and versatility of a Windows machine, but this compact Chromebook is great for basic tasking. Its display is crisp and its touchscreen perfectly usable, although you’ll have to provide your own stylus if you don’t want to use your fingers. Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review.

How I tested the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for several days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Laptop reviewing experience

I tested the Ultra Flip for several days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks, from browsing and productivity to content streaming and gaming. I also ran our series of benchmarks, designed to reveal the true capabilities of a device. I tested the battery life by running a movie on a continuous loop until it completely depleted.

I have plenty of experience reviewing laptops of all kinds, from small budget offerings to large and premium gaming machines.

• First reviewed: March 2026
• Read more about how we test