Samsung’s “Fan Edition” lineup has always been about delivering flagship-inspired features without the premium price tag, and the new Galaxy Buds3 FE follow that exact philosophy. Launched as the more accessible sibling to the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro, these earbuds promise a blend of quality audio, active noise cancellation, and smart features — all packed into a friendlier price point.
We spent the past week using the Buds3 FE as our daily companion, putting them through commutes, workouts, video calls, and plenty of late-night playlists. What we discovered is that Samsung has struck a careful balance here. While they don’t quite match the very best in the market, they come surprisingly close, making them one of the most compelling mid-range wireless earbuds available right now.
Design & Comfort
Samsung has given the Galaxy Buds3 FE a fresh identity by adopting the new “blade” stem design. They look closer to the flagship Buds3 Pro, with a matte dual-tone finish that feels premium in the hand. The earbuds are light enough for all-day wear, and during our week of use, we had no discomfort even after long listening sessions. That said, the included ear tips are limited in size options. We had to spend some time adjusting for the best seal, and some users may wish for more tip sizes. The IP54 rating adds peace of mind, as the buds handled drizzle and sweaty workouts with no trouble.
Sound Quality
This is where the Buds3 FE shine brighter than their predecessors. The audio profile is balanced, with mids and vocals taking center stage. Highs are crisp without sounding harsh, while the bass is controlled rather than overwhelming. On acoustic tracks, vocals came through clean and natural, while pop songs had enough punch to keep us engaged. Bass heads might find the low end less aggressive compared to some rivals, but we appreciated the clarity and detail.
Noise Cancellation & Ambient Mode
Samsung’s Fan Edition earbuds have finally stepped up in noise cancellation. In the office and at cafés, the Buds3 FE reduced chatter and background hum effectively. On an LRT ride, they held their own but couldn’t completely drown out the rumble of the train. The ANC feels tuned for everyday environments rather than extreme noise. Transparency mode was equally practical, allowing us to hold conversations with colleagues without removing the earbuds, and voices sounded natural rather than artificial.
Features & Smart Integration
Samsung has packed a surprising amount of intelligence into the Buds3 FE. Galaxy AI integration allows for features like real-time translation, which worked reasonably well in our tests, even if it’s more niche than essential. Auto Switch between Samsung devices was seamless, and gestures such as swipes for volume and pinches for play or pause became second nature after a few days. Call quality was solid in quiet or moderately noisy settings, with AI-powered noise filtering keeping our voice clear during work calls.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery performance matched Samsung’s promises. With ANC enabled, we squeezed out just under six hours of continuous listening. Turning ANC off extended that closer to eight hours, with the case providing a full day’s worth of listening before needing a recharge. Charging via USB-C was fast and reliable, though we did miss the convenience of wireless charging, which is absent here. For most users, however, the included battery life will be more than enough.
Our Verdict
After a week of daily use, we feel the Galaxy Buds3 FE hit the sweet spot for an affordable yet premium-feeling pair of earbuds. They don’t deliver top-tier ANC or booming bass, but they offer clear sound, dependable features, comfortable design, and excellent integration for Samsung device users. For the asking price, they represent strong value.
If you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, the Buds3 FE feel like a natural extension of your phone or tablet. But if your priorities are class-leading noise cancellation, wireless charging convenience, or more customizable fit options, you may want to look at higher-end models or alternatives from competitors.
