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After a year of hiatus, Samsung has brought back the fan-favourite FE series, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series, and for the first time ever, the Galaxy Buds FE. The FE series typically encapsulates the most essential features of their flagship counterparts and repackages them into a more affordable version.
And now, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is here, designed to provide a premium listening experience without breaking the bank. Here’s what we think of them.
Design & Fit
The Galaxy Buds FE looks pretty similar to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, with its rounded square charging case. The biggest difference is on the inside, though. Unlike Samsung’s other earbuds, the Galaxy Buds FE has a flat touch surface instead of a rounded design, which is objectively better as you actually know where to touch to control the earbuds.
Instead of a matte finish, the Galaxy Buds FE’s charging case is smooth and glossy, which definitely looks less premium, especially in the white colourway. However, we also got the special Minions cover with it, so it certainly adds a nice flair to the earbuds.
Other than that, the earbuds are lightweight, with each earbud weighing 5.6g and the case weighing 40g. Truth be told, the lightness of the earbuds is both a boon and a drawback: on one hand, they’re light and comfortable enough to forget that you’re wearing them in the first place; on the other, they don’t exactly provide the most secure fit for intense physical exercise.
Performance & Audio Features
Surprisingly, for a single-driver setup, the Buds FE deliver a pretty robust sound profile, much on par with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro. The audio is on the heavier side, with a pronounced bass and rich mids, while the higher notes may sound a little tinny. I’d say they’re pretty good for a wide variety of music and entertainment.
For a pair of earbuds at its price, the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is also a pleasant surprise. The Galaxy Buds FE can block up to 98% of external noise, providing an immersive listening experience. It has ANC and Ambient Mode as well, so you can switch between blocking out the world and hyperawareness anytime you like.
Just like all of Samsung’s other wearables, the Galaxy Buds FE can be set up through the Galaxy Wearable app. Through the app, users can adjust equalizer settings, toggle ANC, manage ambient sound levels, and even find their earbuds if they misplace them.
It’s also a given that the Galaxy Buds FE integrates perfectly with the rest of the Galaxy ecosystem, meaning that if you have a Galaxy phone or tablet, the Galaxy Buds FE can connect and switch seamlessly between two devices.
Battery Life
The battery performance is commendable. With ANC turned on, the Buds FE can last up to 6 hours on a single charge and up to 21 hours with the charging case. Without ANC, the battery life extends to approximately 30 hours with the case. This longevity outperforms even some of the more expensive models in the market.
Sadly, though, Samsung has done away with wireless charging on the Galaxy Buds FE, most likely a necessary sacrifice to meet its price point. Wired charging is your only choice here, via the USB-C port on the back of the earbuds case.
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