Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE Review
Samsung has been on a roll with its earbuds, constantly pushing new designs and smart features while also experimenting with what “affordable” really means in the premium space. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE, launched in September 2025 for RM499, sit right in the middle of the lineup. They’re pitched as a stripped-down alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, cutting back on extras while keeping the essentials most people actually care about.
And honestly, that’s exactly what makes them interesting. Let’s break it down.
Design and Build
At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE look nearly identical to the Buds3 Pro. Same compact case, same “blade” stem design, but with a few subtle changes that make them feel a little more practical.
The case is matte grey with a semi-transparent lid. It’s simple, sturdy, and pocket-friendly, with a USB-C port and pairing button at the bottom. The buds themselves follow the same long-stem silhouette but lose the Pro’s flashy “blade lights.” Instead, you just get a black strip on each stem. Whether that’s a downgrade or an improvement depends on how much you cared about glowing lights in your ears.
Samsung also fixed one of the Buds3 Pro’s most annoying quirks: the eartips. The new tips are fully silicone, grippier, sturdier, and less prone to tearing when you swap them out. They’re easier to wash, though keeping them dust-free can be a chore. Comfort is solid, and with just 5g per bud, they’re light enough for long listening sessions.
Durability is rated IP54, so sweat and light rain won’t be a problem. It’s a small downgrade from the Buds3 Pro’s IP57, but unless you’re planning to swim with them, the difference won’t matter much.
Features and App Experience
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE don’t feel “budget” when it comes to software. The Galaxy Wearable app unlocks a bunch of useful features:
- EQ presets and a custom 9-band EQ for tuning sound.
- ANC and Ambient Sound controls with multiple levels.
- Earbud fit test to ensure you have a good seal.
- Customizable pinch and swipe gestures on the stem.
- Find My Earbuds, firmware updates, and more.
Galaxy AI is built in, too. That means Gemini voice commands, real-time translation, and Interpreter mode for conversations, all of which work best when paired with a Samsung phone. Speaking of which, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are clearly made for Galaxy users. Auto Switch lets you hop between your Samsung phone, tablet, and TV, signed into the same account. If you’re on iOS, though, it’s barebones Bluetooth with no app support.
Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4, supporting SBC, AAC, and Samsung’s Seamless Codec (exclusive to newer Galaxy devices). There’s no multipoint pairing, which means you can’t stay connected to two devices at once, but Auto Switch is a decent alternative if you’re in the Samsung ecosystem.
AI Features
Samsung has been hyping up AI across its 2025 product lineup, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are no exception. On paper, you get smart tools like real-time translations, live interpretation via Galaxy AI, and seamless voice control through Gemini.
In practice, it’s a bit hit or miss. When it works, it’s impressive, having a conversation with someone in another language and hearing near-instant translations through your earbuds feels futuristic. But the reliability just isn’t there yet. Sometimes the translations lag, sometimes they’re inaccurate, and other times the feature refuses to kick in.
It’s not a dealbreaker since the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are still great without the AI tricks, but it does highlight that Samsung has some work to do. Hopefully, updates will make these features more consistent over time. Right now, think of them more as “cool experiments” than everyday tools you can fully rely on.
Sound Quality and ANC
Let’s start with the good: the single 11mm dynamic driver on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE delivers a surprisingly refined sound for the price. Vocals are crisp, bass is weighted without being boomy, and there’s enough detail in the highs to avoid fatigue. With the Wearable app’s EQ, you can tweak things further to taste.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE come tuned with a bassy sound profile, and for the most part, it’s handled well. The bass is rich enough to give tracks some weight without overpowering the mids and highs, which means vocals and instruments still shine through clearly. It feels balanced overall and avoids the “muddy” effect that some budget earbuds fall into.
That said, I do wish the bass had more punch. When listening to bass-heavy genres like rock or EDM, it sometimes lacks that extra thump that makes kick drums and drops feel truly satisfying. It’s not weak by any means, it just doesn’t hit as hard as you might hope if you’re into heavy low-end energy.
On the flip side, this tuning does help prevent fatigue. Long listening sessions are comfortable, and tracks with layered mids and highs don’t get drowned out by an overbearing low end.
As for ANC, performance is mixed. It blocks a good amount of low-frequency noise, but in really noisy environments, it can feel underwhelming. It struggles more with higher-frequency sounds. Ambient Mode, however, is excellent, delivering natural-sounding awareness with clear voices.
Call quality is solid, too. The triple-mic setup handles office chatter and street noise well, though heavy wind can still trip it up.
Battery Life
Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is respectable, though not class-leading. With ANC on, you’ll get around 4–6 hours per charge, depending on volume and settings, and up to 8.5 hours with ANC off. The case extends that to around 24–30 hours total.
Charging is USB-C only, no wireless charging this time, but a quick top-up gives you about an hour of playback. Samsung also made the eco-conscious choice not to include a charging cable, assuming most people already have one. Whether or not this is a good move is totally up to you to decide.
Everyday Use
Living with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is refreshingly simple. Pinch and swipe gestures work reliably, though accidental touches can happen when adjusting the earbuds. In-ear detection is less polished: music pauses only when both buds are removed, and it won’t automatically resume when you put them back in. Not a dealbreaker, but it feels a step behind rivals.
Gaming mode is included, but latency measurements hover around 200ms whether it’s on or off. For casual gaming or watching videos, it’s fine, but competitive players will notice the lag.
Price and Value
At RM499, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE sit in a sweet spot. You’re getting most of the Pro’s best features, balanced sound, good ANC, AI tools, and improved eartips, without paying the Pro price.
The catch? The Buds3 Pro have been out for a year, and their price has dropped to around RM600 or less. For just a bit more, you can pick up the Pro model with extras like wireless charging, stronger water resistance, and better drivers.
That said, the FE’s simpler design, better-fitting tips, and lower price might actually make them the smarter choice for most people.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are the definition of a “just right” product. They trim the flashy extras, keep the essentials, and deliver a genuinely enjoyable listening experience without breaking the bank.
They’re not perfect, ANC performance is inconsistent, the bass could use more punch, AI is unreliable, and the missing wireless charging stings a little. But if you’re a Samsung phone user who wants quality earbuds at a fair price, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are hard to argue against.
What we love:
- Balanced sound with good clarity
- Solid ANC and excellent ambient mode
- Comfortable fit with improved silicone tips
- Galaxy AI features at a lower price
What could be better:
- Bass isn’t as punchy as it could be for rock/EDM
- AI features aren’t always reliable
- No multipoint or wireless charging
- ANC struggles in very noisy places
- In-ear detection feels clunky
Verdict: For RM499, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are the “Goldilocks” of Samsung’s earbuds lineup, not too expensive, not too barebones, and just right for most people. You can purchase through Samsung’s website or official retailers across the country.
