Galaxy Buds3 FE: Samsung’s $149 AI-Powered Earbuds Boast 30-Hour Battery and AirPods-Like Design

by Marcin Frąckiewicz
in Uncategorized
on 19 August 2025

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Buds3 FE, the latest Fan Edition wireless earbuds in its Galaxy lineup. Announced on August 18, 2025, these new buds pack premium features – including active noise cancellation, AI voice smarts, and long battery life – into a more affordable package aimed at broadening Samsung’s audio ecosystem news.samsung.com theverge.com. The Buds3 FE (short for “Fan Edition”) inherit design cues from Samsung’s higher-end models and even draw comparisons to Apple’s AirPods, all while launching at a wallet-friendly $149.99 price point. Below, we break down everything you need to know about the Galaxy Buds3 FE – from full specs and unique features to how they stack up against AirPods and Sony’s earbuds, plus early expert reactions since the announcement.

Key Features at a Glance

Iconic “Blade” Design & Controls: New stem-like blade design (inspired by Apple’s AirPods) replaces the previous “blob” shape, making the buds easier to handle. Touch-sensitive controls let you pinch the stem to play/pause or swipe for volume theverge.com. The buds have a matte dual-tone finish with semi-transparent accents for a modern look news.samsung.com and carry an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance theverge.com.
Upgraded Audio & ANC: Each earbud houses a larger 11 mm one-way dynamic driver (bigger than the previous Buds FE) for richer bass and clear treble news.samsung.com sammobile.com. Enhanced Active Noise Cancellation can reduce ambient noise by up to 32 dB, an improvement over the last FE model sammobile.com. An ambient sound (transparency) mode lets you hear your surroundings when needed. For calls, a three-microphone array (six mics total across both earbuds) and Samsung’s Crystal Clear Call tech use AI noise reduction to isolate your voice in noisy environments news.samsung.com sammobile.com.
Galaxy AI Integration: Designed to work seamlessly with Samsung phones, the Buds3 FE feature built-in AI voice assistant capabilities. Simply saying “Hey Google” or long-pressing invokes Google’s Gemini AI or Samsung’s Galaxy AI Interpreter app for real-time assistance news.samsung.com theverge.com. You can get hands-free translation of conversations in another language through the earbuds, dictate messages, check your schedule, and more – without touching your phone. The buds also support Bixby voice commands, but Samsung is clearly emphasizing the new AI smarts (powered by Google Gemini) for a more natural, conversational experience news.samsung.com techradar.com.
Longest Battery in Galaxy Buds: The Buds3 FE boast Samsung’s best battery life yet for earbuds. They deliver up to 6 hours of playback with ANC on, or 8.5 hours with ANC off, on a single charge theverge.com. With the charging case (515 mAh capacity), total listening time extends to 24 hours (ANC on) or 30 hours (ANC off) theverge.com – the longest quoted battery life of any Galaxy Buds to date techradar.com. Even for voice calls, you get around 4 hours talk time (18 hours with case) per charge theverge.com. This endurance puts the Buds3 FE on par with or above many competitors. The case charges via USB-C (no wireless charging was noted, likely to keep costs down).
Seamless Connectivity & Smart Features: The earbuds run Bluetooth 5.4 and support Samsung’s Seamless Codec (SSC) for 24-bit hi-fi audio, plus AAC and SBC codecs for broad compatibility sammobile.com soundguys.com. They pair quickly – the charging case has a pairing button for easy setup sammobile.com – and once connected, they integrate tightly with the Galaxy ecosystem. Auto Switch allows the Buds3 FE to intelligently hop between your Samsung phone, tablet, watch, or TV based on usage, just like AirPods do in Apple’s world news.samsung.com theverge.com. You can also locate a missing earbud with Find My Earbuds, and on Samsung devices with One UI 8 or above, you have direct on-screen controls for the buds without needing to open the Wearable app news.samsung.com news.samsung.com.

Design: A New “Blade” Look with Intuitive Controls

One of the first things you’ll notice is the redesigned form factor. Samsung has swapped the bulbous, bean-like shape of its earlier buds for a sleeker stemmed design – what it calls an “iconic blade design”. This brings the Galaxy Buds3 FE in line with Samsung’s latest Buds 3 series and notably “ditched the blob for a stemmed design popularized by Apple” theverge.com. The short, flat “blade” not only gives the buds a more AirPods-esque appearance, but also serves a functional purpose: it provides a larger touch surface for controls and even houses a microphone closer to your mouth for better voice pickup techradar.com techradar.com.

Each stem (or “blade”) accepts pinch gestures – for example, pinching can play/pause music or answer calls – and swipe gestures to adjust volume, replicating the pinch-and-swipe controls from Samsung’s premium Buds 3 Pro soundguys.com. Reviewers note that this design change makes the earbuds easier to handle: it’s simpler to grip the stem when inserting or removing the buds from your ears or the case sammobile.com. The Buds3 FE also come with soft silicone eartips (sizes included) to seal in sound; interestingly, Samsung’s standard Galaxy Buds 3 (non-Pro) released last year had an open-fit design without eartips, so the FE’s use of tips gives it an edge in noise isolation soundguys.com.

Aesthetically, the Buds3 FE have a modern, playful vibe. Samsung describes a matte dual-tone finish with semi-transparent accents on the buds and case news.samsung.com. Unlike the glossy metallic look of the Buds 3 Pro, the Fan Edition’s matte texture is subtle and resistant to fingerprints soundguys.com. Samsung omitted the tiny LED notification lights on the earbuds themselves (the Pro had little LEDs on the stems), keeping the design clean soundguys.com. The charging case features a semi-transparent lid, an LED status light on the front, and a USB-C port for charging sammobile.com. Notably, wireless charging isn’t mentioned, suggesting the case likely does not support Qi wireless charging – one of a few cost-saving measures.

In terms of durability, the Galaxy Buds3 FE are rated IP54 for dust and water resistance theverge.com. This means they are protected from limited dust ingress and can handle splashes or light rain – handy for workouts or commutes. While IP54 doesn’t cover full submersion (and is a step below some rivals’ water resistance), one tech editor noted it’s still “a high rating for buds” and appreciated seeing dust protection added to Samsung’s earbuds techradar.com. In short, the Buds3 FE’s design balances style and practicality, delivering a comfortable in-ear fit with easy controls and enough ruggedness for everyday use.

Audio Quality and Noise Cancellation

Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Buds3 FE with some solid audio hardware and software upgrades, aiming to provide a premium listening experience at this mid-range price. Inside each bud is a single 11 mm dynamic driver – slightly larger than the driver in the original Buds FE – which Samsung says delivers “rich, powerful sound with deep bass and clear treble.” news.samsung.com. The move to a larger driver should help the Buds3 FE produce fuller sound, though it’s worth noting that the pricier Galaxy Buds 3 Pro utilize a dual-driver design (separating woofer and tweeter) for potentially greater sound fidelity gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. As Gizmodo pointed out, the Buds3 FE’s single-driver setup may not match the Pro on absolute audio detail or dynamic range, but on paper it still “looks like a pretty good deal” given the price gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. The Buds3 FE also support 24-bit Hi-Fi audio via Samsung’s Seamless Codec when paired with a compatible Galaxy device, enabling higher-quality music streaming for audiophiles soundguys.com soundguys.com.

On the noise cancellation front, the Buds3 FE include Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) – a feature that was expected, but Samsung has refined it further for this release. The company calls it “Enhanced ANC,” claiming it can suppress outside noise by up to 32 dB sammobile.com sammobile.com. This is an improvement over last year’s Buds FE, and should be competitive with many higher-priced models. Real-world ANC performance will require testing, but on paper the FE’s noise reduction is substantial enough to hush a busy commute or noisy café. And when you need to hear your surroundings, there’s an Ambient Sound mode (transparency mode) that uses the mics to pipe in outside sound with a tap, so you can have quick conversations or stay alert to announcements sammobile.com.

Speaking of microphones, call quality is another area Samsung targeted. Each earbud has a three-microphone array: likely two outer mics and one inner mic per bud. Samsung relocated one of the external mics to the tip of the stem (“blade”), positioning it closer to your mouth for clearer voice pickup techradar.com. Additionally, Samsung’s new “Crystal Clear Call” technology employs a machine learning model to filter out background noise and isolate your voice during calls news.samsung.com. This AI-trained noise reduction should make conversations easier to hear on the other end, even if you’re on a windy street or in a noisy setting. TechRadar notes that one mic in each bud being moved into the blade is specifically to improve voice clarity in noisy environments techradar.com techradar.com. Early reports suggest the Buds3 FE also include voice isolation features for calls (similar to a voice focus mode) to further enhance call audio theverge.com.

Rounding out the audio features, the Buds3 FE support 360 Audio (Samsung’s spatial audio solution) when used with compatible Galaxy devices sammobile.com. This likely means you can enjoy a surround sound effect for movies or supported content, potentially with head-tracking (as seen in the Buds Pro series). They also offer ambient sound tuning and EQ customization via the Galaxy Wearable app. Overall, the Buds3 FE aim to deliver most of the sound and ANC capabilities of Samsung’s top-of-the-line earbuds, with only a few compromises (like the single driver) that many casual listeners might not mind.

Galaxy AI and Smart Features: Voice Assistant to Translator

A standout aspect of the Galaxy Buds3 FE is their integration of smart features and AI, which Samsung is leveraging as a key differentiator. These earbuds are designed to be an extension of your Galaxy smartphone’s intelligence, putting voice assistants and real-time translation directly in your ears.

Notably, the Buds3 FE support Google’s new “Gemini” AI platform. By saying “Hey Google” or using a configurable long-press on the earbud, you can invoke a conversation mode with Gemini – essentially accessing Google’s latest AI assistant features hands-free theverge.com. This goes beyond simple voice commands; Samsung describes the experience as fast, natural, and conversational, “designed to feel more like talking to a friend than using a device.” news.samsung.com news.samsung.com In practical terms, you could ask follow-up questions, have messages read out, or get contextual answers from the AI without touching your phone. It’s an ambitious integration that blurs the line between traditional voice assistants and AI chatbots, all through your earbuds.

Another highly touted feature is the Galaxy AI Interpreter mode. Using Samsung’s Galaxy AI and Google’s tech, the Buds3 FE can perform real-time language translation for conversations or audio. For example, if you’re listening to a lecture or speaking with someone in another language, the earbuds (paired with your phone) can translate it on the fly via the Interpreter app news.samsung.com news.samsung.com. TechRadar explains that you’ll be able to use Live Translate for phone calls or face-to-face talks, with translations piped through the buds in real time techradar.com techradar.com. This essentially puts a Babel Fish in your ear for supported languages – a futuristic feature that until recently wasn’t available in mainstream earbuds. (It does require a compatible Samsung phone with the interpreter app, and likely works best for English/Spanish initially per Samsung’s notes news.samsung.com.)

Of course, the Buds3 FE still support more common voice assistant functions too. Samsung confirms that Bixby (its own assistant) is supported as well, and presumably standard Google Assistant functions are accessible on Android. You can use voice commands to queue up playlists, check your calendar or email, send texts, or control music – basically any task your phone’s assistant can handle, now doable hands-free via the earbuds news.samsung.com news.samsung.com. This hands-free convenience is a big selling point; Samsung is emphasizing that you can leave your phone in your pocket and still perform many tasks just by speaking to your Buds3 FE.

Beyond AI, the Galaxy Buds3 FE include a slew of other quality-of-life features for Galaxy device users. Auto Switch, for instance, allows the earbuds to intelligently switch between your Samsung devices. If you’re watching a video on your Galaxy tablet and a call comes to your Galaxy phone, the Buds3 FE will auto-connect to the phone for the call, then switch back to the tablet afterward news.samsung.com theverge.com. This seamless device hopping is similar to Apple’s AirPods integration in the Apple ecosystem, and it makes using multiple gadgets much smoother. Additionally, if you own a Samsung TV (2022 or later) or Galaxy Book PC, the Buds can also auto-switch to those when needed, provided everything is on the same Samsung account news.samsung.com news.samsung.com.

Another handy feature is Find My Earbuds support. If one of the buds goes missing under the couch cushion, you can trigger it to emit a beeping sound via the SmartThings Find app or the Galaxy Wearable app news.samsung.com. And on newer Samsung phones (One UI 8.0+), you get “app-free control” – meaning you can adjust ANC or other settings from the Bluetooth device panel without opening a separate app news.samsung.com. Compatibility-wise, the Buds3 FE work with Android 11+ devices with 1.5GB RAM (some features limited to Samsung phones) news.samsung.com. There’s no official iPhone support (Apple users are clearly steered toward AirPods), and features like Galaxy AI and auto-switch won’t be available on non-Samsung Android phones. But for Galaxy owners, the Buds3 FE represent an impressively smart pair of earbuds that tightly integrate with the Galaxy AI ecosystem to do more than just play music.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery performance is often a make-or-break factor for wireless earbuds, and the Galaxy Buds3 FE do not disappoint here. In fact, battery life is one of the Buds3 FE’s strongest selling points, even outlasting Samsung’s pricier models. According to Samsung, the Buds3 FE can achieve up to 8.5 hours of continuous audio playback with ANC turned off, or about 6 hours with ANC on theverge.com. When you include the additional charges provided by the case, total listening time jumps to 30 hours (ANC off) or 24 hours (ANC on) theverge.com. For context, the flagship Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are rated for around 7 hours (ANC off) and 5–6 hours (ANC on) per charge, with ~20 hours total using the case gizmodo.com. That means the Fan Edition actually beats the Buds3 Pro in battery longevity – a somewhat surprising feat for a cheaper device. “The new Galaxy Buds 3 FE actually beats Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in a couple of key areas, and one of those battlegrounds is battery life,” wrote Gizmodo, highlighting that you get an extra 1.5 hours of listening time (ANC off) compared to the Pro, for less money gizmodo.com gizmodo.com.

It’s worth noting that the quoted battery figures (8.5h/30h) are among the best in class for true wireless earbuds in 2025. They rival or exceed what you’d get from Apple’s AirPods Pro (approximately 6 hours per charge, ~30 hours with case) and even give Sony’s WF-1000XM5 (around 8 hours per charge ANC off) a run for their money. One TechRadar editor remarked that this is “the longest quoted battery life of any Galaxy Buds to date” techradar.com – a significant achievement given Samsung’s older models typically topped out around 20 hours total. In practical terms, many users will be able to go multiple days of moderate use before needing to recharge the case.

Charging the Buds3 FE is done via USB-C. Samsung did not mention wireless charging support in any press materials, and early hands-on reports indicate the case does not support Qi wireless charging (likely a sacrifice to keep the cost down) ground.news. The upside is that the case’s USB-C port aligns with most modern phone chargers, and a quick top-up can give hours of listening (exact fast-charge specs aren’t provided, but typically 5-10 minutes charge yields an hour or more of playtime in Samsung buds). The case holds a 515 mAh battery while each earbud has a 53 mAh battery news.samsung.com news.samsung.com. According to Samsung’s testing, this is enough for the advertised 30-hour figure with ANC off news.samsung.com.

On the connectivity side, the Galaxy Buds3 FE use Bluetooth 5.4 – an updated Bluetooth version that should provide reliable connections and potentially lower power usage than previous versions sammobile.com. This is one of the first earbuds to tout Bluetooth 5.4. They support the standard audio codecs: SBC and AAC (for universal device compatibility), as well as SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) for high-bitrate audio on Samsung devices sammobile.com. Notably, there’s no aptX or LDAC support (which is common for Samsung earbuds – they prioritize their own codec). But if you’re in the Galaxy ecosystem, SSC will allow 24-bit audio streaming, which audiophiles will appreciate soundguys.com.

The Buds3 FE also benefit from Samsung’s software features like Auto Switch (discussed earlier) and presumably Gaming Mode for low-latency audio when paired through the Galaxy Wearable app. They do not explicitly advertise multipoint Bluetooth connectivity with non-Samsung devices – the auto-switching is primarily within Samsung’s ecosystem news.samsung.com news.samsung.com. So if you want to actively connect to, say, a PC and phone simultaneously outside of Samsung’s system, that might not be straightforward. However, for most users with a Galaxy phone (and maybe tablet or watch), the earbuds will manage connections intelligently in the background.

Lastly, the Buds3 FE are compatible with Android (running 11 or later). There’s no iOS app support mentioned, so iPhone users would miss out on configuration and likely some functionality, though basic Bluetooth audio would still work if paired manually. Given the target audience (“Galaxy fans”), Samsung’s focus is clearly on delivering the best experience to Galaxy device owners, leveraging features like One UI integration and Samsung account linking for things like Auto Switch and Find My Earbuds news.samsung.com news.samsung.com.

How the Galaxy Buds3 FE Compare to Other Earbuds

With its blend of features and pricing, the Galaxy Buds3 FE finds a middle ground in Samsung’s lineup and the broader market. Here’s how it stacks up:

In Samsung’s Lineup (Buds3 Pro, Buds3, and older models)

The Galaxy Buds3 FE effectively serves as the budget-friendly sibling to the flagship Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (launched last year) and standard Galaxy Buds 3. Samsung’s Fan Edition philosophy is to offer core high-end features at a lower price, and the Buds3 FE largely deliver on that. In fact, Samsung says the new earbuds include “most of the features from the pricier Galaxy Buds 3 series” but at a more accessible price sammobile.com sammobile.com. For instance, the Buds3 FE shares the same design language and controls as the Buds3 Pro – both have the stem/blade form with pinch & swipe gestures. They also both offer ANC, ambient mode, 360 Audio, auto-switch, and AI features. Impressively, the battery life on the FE is equal or better than the Pro (30h vs ~ twenty-something hours total) gizmodo.com. And the FE even has an advantage in weight – it’s about 5 grams lighter than the Buds3 Pro, which might make it a tad more comfortable for long use gizmodo.com.

However, the premium Buds 3 Pro still hold a few advantages. According to CNET, while the FE looks very similar to the Pro, it “leave[s] off a few features and don’t have the same drivers.” ground.news The Buds3 Pro utilize a dual-driver setup (for superior sound separation) and may have slightly more advanced ANC tuning. The Pro also has features like wireless charging, and it came with a glossy finish and LED indicators on the stems which the FE lacks soundguys.com. Additionally, past Pro models had higher water resistance (the previous Buds2 Pro were IPX7 for water), whereas the FE is IP54 – meaning the Pro might survive a dunk better (but lacked dust protection). The Buds3 Pro launched at $249, so there’s a $100 price gap – the FE cuts the right corners to hit its price while retaining the “flagship feel.” As Gizmodo put it, “just because the Galaxy Buds 3 FE are cheaper doesn’t mean they have to be worse” gizmodo.com – and indeed they match or excel in key areas like battery and core functionality, making them a great value choice for Samsung users who don’t need absolutely top-tier audio hardware.

Compared to the standard Galaxy Buds 3 (the non-Pro model, reportedly priced around $179), the Buds3 FE also hold their own. The standard Buds 3 (released alongside the Pro) were open-fit earbuds without eartips – more akin to AirPods – which means they likely didn’t seal in sound or cancel noise as effectively. The Buds3 FE, with its in-ear tips and ANC, could actually be seen as an upgrade in functionality for a lower cost, aside from perhaps slightly less premium materials. In fact, one leak suggested the Buds3 FE might even be better than the regular Buds 3 in that key aspect of having silicone tips for better noise isolation currently.att.yahoo.com. So within Samsung’s current lineup, the Fan Edition slots in nicely: it’s more feature-rich than last year’s Galaxy Buds FE (2023) – which it succeeds – offering improvements in “design, audio quality, noise cancellation, and battery life” over that model sammobile.com. (The original Buds FE launched at $99 in 2023, so the new Buds3 FE is about 50% pricier than its predecessor sammobile.com, but brings far more than 50% worth of upgrades in specs.)

In summary, Samsung now has an earbud tier for every user: the Galaxy Buds3 Pro for those wanting the absolute best (dual drivers, perhaps slightly better ANC, wireless charging), the Galaxy Buds3 (non-Pro) for those who prefer open-fit comfort (though with fewer features), and the Galaxy Buds3 FE for cost-conscious buyers who still want ANC, great battery, and the latest smart features. For many Galaxy fans, the Buds3 FE might hit the sweet spot by delivering flagship-like experience at a mid-range price sammobile.com.

Versus Apple’s AirPods and Sony’s WF Series

Samsung is clearly positioning the Galaxy Buds3 FE as a strong alternative to offerings from Apple and Sony, two of the biggest names in earbuds. The comparisons are inevitable – Samsung even borrowed design cues from Apple’s AirPods – and the Buds3 FE hold some distinct advantages, especially on price and features, while undercutting the competition.

Apple AirPods: The Buds3 FE’s stemmed look immediately brings to mind Apple’s AirPods (specifically the AirPods Pro, which also have short stems and silicone tips). In terms of price, Samsung is very aggressive: at $149.99, the Galaxy Buds3 FE come in significantly cheaper than Apple’s noise-canceling earbuds. The current AirPods Pro (2nd generation) retail around $249 (though they often street for ~$199), and even Apple’s non-ANC AirPods (3rd gen) are about $169-$179 ground.news. Samsung’s $150 tag not only undercuts the AirPods Pro by ~$100, but even undercuts the rumored price of Apple’s next AirPods (4th gen) which is expected to be $179 ground.news. For consumers, that’s a big draw – you’re getting active noise cancellation, water resistance, and AI features at a price point below Apple’s entry-level buds that don’t even have ANC.

Feature-wise, the Buds3 FE offer some things AirPods don’t. For example, built-in real-time translation and direct AI assistant integration (with conversational AI) are not features you’ll find on AirPods today. Apple’s ecosystem has Live Translate on iPhone and Siri as a voice assistant, but AirPods themselves currently don’t perform live translations. The Buds3 FE essentially put that capability in your ear, which could attract frequent travelers or multilingual users. Additionally, Samsung touts longer battery life – 6 to 8.5 hours per charge on the Buds3 FE versus roughly 6 hours on AirPods Pro 2 (with ANC). Both have about 30 hours including the case, but Samsung hitting 30 hours with ANC off is impressive theverge.com. The Buds3 FE also have dust resistance (IP5X) which AirPods lack – Apple’s AirPods Pro have an IPX4 rating (sweat resistant but no dust rating). That said, Apple’s AirPods Pro case is IPX4 as well, whereas Samsung’s case isn’t rated.

AirPods do have their strengths: their integration with iPhones is second to none (auto-pairing, spatial audio with head tracking on Apple devices, etc.), and features like Adaptive Transparency and Personalized Spatial Audio are part of Apple’s ecosystem magic. But if you’re an Android or specifically Galaxy user, those don’t apply – and in that arena, the Galaxy Buds3 FE arguably give you a more feature-packed experience for your Galaxy phone than AirPods would for an iPhone, at a lower cost. As one Tom’s Guide headline put it: “Forget AirPods — Samsung’s new earbuds put Gemini and live translation in your ears for just $149” ground.news. The message is that Samsung is offering a compelling alternative to AirPods, especially if you value AI features and battery life over the Apple brand cachet.

Sony WF-1000XM Series: On the other side, compare to Sony’s premium earbuds, like the WF-1000XM5 (Sony’s 2023 flagship). Sony is renowned for class-leading ANC and audio quality. However, the WF-1000XM5 launched at $299 – literally double the price of the Buds3 FE. Even the previous WF-1000XM4 often sells around $200. This puts Samsung’s $150 offering in a much lower bracket. Obviously, Sony’s earbuds have some high-end features: support for advanced codecs like LDAC, arguably even better noise cancellation (Sony tends to set the bar in ANC performance), and audiophile-grade sound tuning with dual drivers. The Galaxy Buds3 FE can’t claim to outdo Sony on pure audio or ANC quality without real testing, but they come surprisingly close in specs for a fraction of the price. For instance, the Buds3 FE’s 8.5h battery life (ANC off) is on par with the XM5’s roughly 8h claim, and Samsung’s 6h with ANC on is in the same ballpark as Sony’s ~6h with ANC. Both have splash resistance (Sony’s are IPX4). Samsung lacks Sony’s LDAC codec, but offers its own hi-fi codec if you have a Galaxy device.

Perhaps the most unique edge Samsung has here is the Galaxy AI integration – Sony’s buds have Google Assistant/Alexa support, but not the level of AI features like real-time translation or conversational AI that Buds3 FE boast. Sony does have a “Speak-to-Chat” feature (pausing music when you talk) and some adaptive sound settings, but Samsung’s route of integrating with phone-based AI is a different angle. It’s also worth noting Samsung’s ecosystem benefits versus Sony’s more platform-agnostic approach. If you own multiple Samsung devices, the auto-switching and integrated controls of Buds3 FE provide a seamless experience that Sony’s earbuds (relying on standard Bluetooth multipoint and manual switching) may not match as smoothly.

Other Competitors: It’s also fair to mention there are other strong contenders in the ~$150 range – e.g., Google’s Pixel Buds Pro (often $150 on sale) and Nothing Ear (2) ($149) – each with their own pros/cons. But the Galaxy Buds3 FE hold their own by bringing true high-end features (ANC, spatial audio, voice assistant, etc.) into this price segment. SamMobile notes that Samsung essentially took “most of the features from the pricier Galaxy Buds 3 series” and put them in the FE sammobile.com. The result is that Buds3 FE can compete not only with midrange models but even nip at the heels of the flagships in functionality.

In summary, against Apple and Sony, Samsung’s Buds3 FE stand out by being significantly more affordable while delivering comparable core features (like ANC, good sound, water resistance, long battery). They also introduce unique selling points like AI translation and deep Galaxy device integration. For Android users (and particularly Samsung Galaxy owners) who might be eyeing AirPods Pro or Sony WF earbuds, the Buds3 FE present a very attractive alternative that covers the essentials and more, for less money. As CNET succinctly put it, “the new $150 Galaxy Buds 3 FE leave off a few features and don’t have the same drivers [as the $250 Buds 3 Pro],” but they cost $100 less while looking and performing similarly ground.news. The value proposition is hard to ignore.

Pricing, Availability, and Color Options

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Buds3 FE will launch in early September 2025. In the U.S., release is set for September 4, 2025, when it will be available on Samsung’s website, Samsung Experience Stores, and through carriers and retail partners news.samsung.com. The official starting price is $149.99 in the U.S. news.samsung.com. This price includes the earbuds, charging case, multiple eartip sizes, and likely a USB-C cable in the box. Samsung is also running a trade-in promotion: U.S. customers can trade-in any wired or wireless headset for up to $30 off the purchase of the Buds3 FE news.samsung.com news.samsung.com, potentially bringing the cost down to around $120 for those with an old pair of headphones lying around.

Color-wise, Samsung is offering the Buds3 FE in two finishes at launch: Black and Gray (also referred to as light gray) news.samsung.com theverge.com. Both colors have the matte dual-tone look. The gray is a very light, almost white-ish gray, which some outlets initially described as white, but Samsung officially calls it gray. Unlike the Buds 3 Pro which came in glossy white/silver and other colors, the FE sticks to these two understated options – likely the most popular choices. A SamMobile report did mention “black and white” colors sammobile.com, but this seems to be referencing the same black and light gray models (so expect a black pair and a pale gray pair). The charging case color matches the buds.

In terms of regional availability, Samsung stated the Buds3 FE will be available in “select markets” starting in early September sammobile.com. Besides the U.S. on Sept 4th, Europe is likely to see them around the same time (SamMobile noted September 5, 2025 for some markets) sammobile.com. Price in Europe hasn’t been officially announced at the time of writing, but based on conversion it should be roughly €149–€169 (including VAT). In the UK, we can expect around £129–£139 (TechRadar speculated ~£110, but that was a direct conversion excluding VAT techradar.com). For other regions: an India pricing leak suggested around ₹11,499 smartprix.com, though we should wait for Samsung India’s official word. It’s safe to say the Buds3 FE will launch across North America, Europe, and Asia in the coming weeks as part of Samsung’s late-2025 product lineup, possibly alongside other “FE” devices (rumor has it a Galaxy S25 FE phone might be coming too).

One thing to keep in mind: initial stock might sell quickly if demand is high, given the positive buzz. Samsung’s FE devices often target enthusiasts who want value, so if you’re keen, marking the date (e.g. Sept 4 in US) is wise. After launch, the Buds3 FE will become a regular part of Samsung’s catalog, and we may see additional promotions or bundle deals (Samsung sometimes bundles earbuds with new phone purchases, etc.).

Early Reactions and Expert Commentary

The Galaxy Buds3 FE’s announcement has generated a lot of discussion in the tech community, with experts and journalists largely upbeat about Samsung’s approach. Here’s a roundup of what the early commentary and reception looks like:

Many reviewers have zeroed in on the design change as a welcome improvement. “The Fan Edition Galaxy Buds 3 have ditched the blob for a stemmed design popularized by Apple,” wrote The Verge, noting that the new look aligns with Samsung’s higher-end models and should please users who prefer the AirPods-style form theverge.com. The design is seen as not only more modern but also functional. SoundGuys pointed out the pinch/swipe controls and IP54 rating, emphasizing that the Buds3 FE “closely resemble the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro” in design and controls soundguys.com. This was generally viewed positively – Samsung isn’t cheaping out on the build for the FE.

Another highlight in coverage is the battery life advantage. Gizmodo’s headline declared Samsung’s new Fan Edition earbuds “beat the pricier Buds 3 Pro in one key way” – that key way being battery longevity gizmodo.com. They compared the stats and noted the Buds3 FE give 8.5 hours vs 7 hours (ANC off) and 6 hours vs 6 hours (ANC on) when compared to the Buds3 Pro, concluding that “it’s nice to know you can get an extra hour and a half [of listening] for less money.” gizmodo.com. Tech journalists generally lauded the 30-hour total battery figure; TechRadar called it the longest of any Galaxy Buds so far techradar.com, and Tom’s Guide highlighted the battery “bonus” as a selling point versus AirPods ground.news ground.news. In an era where many earbuds hover around 20-24 hours total, Samsung’s focus on battery life clearly struck a chord.

The integration of AI features and real-time translation also garnered a lot of attention. Mashable’s coverage led with “Galaxy Buds3 FE are here with Galaxy AI and a $149 price”, underscoring the unique appeal of having AI voice features in $149 earbuds ground.news. Tom’s Guide was impressed enough to say Samsung’s new buds put Gemini AI and live translation “in your ears” at this price ground.news. There is some healthy skepticism about how often users will use these AI features – Gizmodo noted “AI features probably won’t be make-or-break for most people, but it’s nice to know they’ll be there if you need them.” gizmodo.com. Overall, though, the tech press views the addition of these capabilities as forward-looking, even potentially giving Samsung a leg up in the spec battle against competitors. It positions the Buds3 FE as not just another set of earbuds, but part of the broader AI trend in gadgets.

Several commentators made the inevitable comparison to AirPods and other competitors. Engadget quipped that Samsung is bringing an “AirPods-esque ‘blade’ design” to the Buds3 FE, with the subtitle noting “the new set of earbuds still has ANC, but only costs $150.” engadget.com. This framing – high-end features for less money – is echoed across reviews. CNET’s coverage explicitly pointed out that the Galaxy Buds3 FE cost $100 less than the flagship Buds3 Pro and highlighted the omissions (no dual drivers, a few feature trims) as relatively minor given the savings ground.news. That sentiment bodes well for public reception: early readers and commenters on forums seem to appreciate that Samsung didn’t cripple the FE. As one Reddit user remarked, the Buds3 FE are “a great value for what they offer”, especially with Samsung’s frequent promotions making them even cheaper for some reddit.com youtube.com.

Public reception thus far – in comments sections and social media – has been generally positive. Many Galaxy fans are pleased to see an FE earbud refresh, since the original Buds FE (2023) were well-liked for their value, and the Buds3 FE improves on nearly every aspect (though at a higher price). Some have expressed surprise at the $149 price – initially, there were rumors it might be around $129 sammobile.com, but Samsung went with $149. However, considering the Buds3 FE are more feature-rich, the consensus is that the price is justified. It’s still comfortably below the cost of most flagship earbuds.

A few criticisms or caveats have been noted by experts: The lack of wireless charging in the case is one, though not a dealbreaker at this price. Also, because many of the coolest features (Gemini AI, Interpreter) require a Samsung phone, reviewers caution that non-Galaxy Android users won’t get the full experience – they’d essentially be using these like regular Bluetooth earbuds with ANC. In that scenario, alternatives from Jabra, Anker, or others at similar price might be worth comparing. But for the target audience (Galaxy owners), the Buds3 FE are almost a no-brainer addition.

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE have made an impressive debut in the eyes of tech experts and early adopters. Samsung’s goal, as stated in their press release, was to “deliver premium features at an accessible price” and bring more people into the Galaxy audio ecosystem thehansindia.com. So far, it appears they are hitting that mark. With an attractive design, robust feature set, and aggressive pricing, the Buds3 FE are poised to be one of the best value wireless earbuds of 2025. As reviews roll in after people get hands-on time with the buds (testing sound quality, comfort, ANC performance in real life), we’ll get an even clearer picture. But based on the announcement and initial reactions, Samsung’s Fan Edition earbuds are shaping up to be a fan favorite indeed – offering an AirPods Pro-like experience tailored for Galaxy users, without the premium cost.

Sources: Samsung Newsroom news.samsung.com news.samsung.com; The Verge theverge.com theverge.com; SamMobile sammobile.com sammobile.com; TechRadar techradar.com techradar.com; SoundGuys soundguys.com soundguys.com; Gizmodo gizmodo.com gizmodo.com; CNET ground.news; Hans India thehansindia.com.