For $149.99 with a free Galaxy SmartTag2, the Galaxy Buds3 FE are a great deal for anyone outside the Apple ecosystem. At $100 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 3, these earbuds combine smart design, great sound and clever features that make them a great choice for Android users, especially those already using Samsung devices.
Samsung went with sealed ear tips, a departure from the open design of the regular Buds3, to anchor the experience in terms of comfort and fit. This ensures a solid fit that stays put during workouts or long drives, unlike the Buds3 which some users found to slip out. Three sizes of ear tips are included so you can customize the fit for your ears. At 5g per bud, they’re light enough to wear for hours without fatigue and the matte black finish – not the glossy shine of the Buds3 Pro – feels sleek and doesn’t show fingerprints. IP54 rated, they can withstand sweat and rain so they’re good for everyday use from gym sessions to rainy walks.
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The 11mm dynamic drivers deliver a balanced sound with a small bass boost – about 5dB above neutral – that adds warmth to hip-hop or electronic music without muddying vocals or instruments. Highs are clear without the roughness of some competitors. Unlike the AirPods Pro 3 which relies heavily on Apple’s spatial audio, the Buds3 FE has a more straightforward sound that’s genre agnostic. The Galaxy Wearable app has six equalizer presets and a custom 9-band option so you can tune the sound to your liking. For Samsung phone owners with the latest tech, the Samsung Seamless Codec unlocks near-lossless audio, but regular AAC or SBC codecs still sound good on other devices.
Noise cancellation is the star of the show as testing shows the Buds3 FE block around 66% of ambient noise with just the sealed tips, 86% with active noise cancellation (ANC) engaged. That’s more than the more expensive Buds3 Pro in many situations, especially with wind noise which many earbuds struggle with. Whether you’re on a noisy metro or in a crowded café, the ANC creates a quiet space for your music or calls. An ambient mode lets you hear outside sounds when you need to be aware, like chatting with a barista without removing the buds. The stems’ pinch and swipe controls – play, pause, skip tracks or adjust volume – are intuitive but the pinch action requires some force and may move the buds slightly.
With ANC on the earbuds will give you around 4.5 hours of listening time, 6 hours without ANC. The case will give you 24 or 30 hours depending on the setting. For Samsung users, Auto Switch will switch the buds between your phone, tablet or compatible TV so switching from a Netflix binge to a phone call is a breeze. Galaxy AI integration which is free until the end of 2025 adds voice-activated Gemini for hands-free operations like checking your calendar or sending texts. When used with a compatible Galaxy phone the real-time Interpreter feature will interpret communications in real time perfect for travelers or multilingual chats.
The SmartTag2 which is included in the limited time package is an added bonus. Clip it to your keys or backpack and Samsung’s SmartThings app will track its location so you don’t have to stress about losing your stuff. It’s a useful add on that works with the buds’ “Find My Earbuds” feature which will show you the last known location of the buds.
