Samsung has expanded its Galaxy Buds line with the new Galaxy Buds3 FE, packing 11mm dynamic drivers, AI-powered noise-cancelling, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI smarts, all at a more approachable price than its higher-end models. The buds promise rich, powerful sound with deep bass, clear treble, and a more immersive listening experience thanks to enhanced ANC and smart audio features.
The market, of course, isn’t waiting: Apple, Sony, Beats, Sennheiser, Bose, Cambridge Audio and a seemingly endless parade of other brands are all diving into AI-enhanced earbuds, making it clear that the wireless ANC pool is starting to runneth over.
Galaxy Buds 3 FE Feature 11mm Drivers, AI Noise-Cancelling, and Smart Audio
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE aren’t here to reinvent the wheel, but they do pack a serious punch for their price. With ANC off, you’re looking at up to 8.5 hours of playback and roughly 30 hours with the charging case. Flip noise cancelling on and those numbers drop to around six hours from the buds and 18 with the case—enough to survive a day of commuting, or a weekend binge if you ration carefully.
Samsung’s leaning hard on AI here. Galaxy AI lets the buds listen, understand, and respond without a screen. “Hey Google” prompts work like they should, while Galaxy AI Interpreter translates conversations in real time. Seamless? Check. Useful? Also check.
And yes, it all works best if you’re already living in Samsung’s ecosystem: Find My Earbuds, fast switching between Galaxy devices, and 360 Spatial Audio for compatible phones and tablets make this a frictionless experience… if you can stomach the loyalty tax.
Physically, these IP54-rated buds mimic the long stem design of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Those stems aren’t just for show—they handle pinches and swipes for controls like volume and track management. Samsung also threw in Crystal Clear Call technology, using a machine learning model to isolate your voice and a better microphone position to cut through street noise and crowded trains.
The 11mm drivers are engineered to deliver deep bass and crisp treble, and the enhanced ANC has been tweaked to do a better job with specific frequencies, while not choking the life out of your music
Ease of use is baked in. Auto Switch detects where the audio action is and shifts your connection seamlessly between Galaxy devices. AI features mean you can cue up the next track or translate a foreign-language conversation without touching a phone.
Design-wise, the Buds3 FE Blade keeps the Galaxy aesthetic alive: matte dual-tone finish, semi-transparent accents, and a modern-but-playful vibe. They’re not going to win any awards for originality, but they look like they belong in the lineup—and that’s kind of the point.
In the end, Galaxy Buds3 FE are for people who want smart features, solid performance, and a clean design without dropping big bucks. They integrate tightly with Galaxy devices, respond intuitively to your voice and gestures, and generally get the job done—no fuss, no frills, just a reliable entry into Samsung’s crowded wireless ANC world.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE – Key Specs
- Colors: Black, Gray (varies by market)
- Driver: 1-Way Dynamic Driver (11mm)
- Microphones: 3 mics with Crystal Clear Call tech
- Noise Control: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) + Ambient Sound
- Battery:
- Earbuds – 53mAh
- Case – 515mAh
- Playback Time:
- ANC On: 6 hrs (buds) / 24 hrs (with case)
- ANC Off: 8.5 hrs (buds) / 30 hrs (with case)
- Talk Time: Up to 4 hrs (buds) / 18 hrs (with case)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, Auto Switch
- Supported Codecs: SSC, AAC, SBC
- Sensors: Proximity, Hall, Touch, Pressure
- Compatibility: Android 11+ with ≥1.5GB RAM (some features limited on non-Samsung devices)
- Water Resistance: IP54 (earbuds only)
- Dimensions & weight:
- Earbud – 18 x 21.1 x 33.8 mm (5 g)
- Case – 58.9 x 48.7 x 24.4 mm (41.8g)
Galaxy Buds3 FE: What You Need to Know About AI Features, Auto Switch, and Compatibility Caveats
Samsung isn’t shy about packing AI into the Galaxy Buds 3 FE, but it’s important to know the fine print. Galaxy AI features, like Interpreter and Live Translate, are only fully functional on compatible Samsung Galaxy devices—and you’ll need a Samsung account to make them work.
Some languages require additional downloads, and the translation itself only shows up on your phone, not the earbuds. Accuracy isn’t perfect, so don’t expect a flawless Rosetta Stone experience on your morning commute.
Auto Switch is convenient in theory: the buds can detect which Galaxy device is actively playing audio and shift the connection automatically. The catch? This only works with Galaxy smartphones, certain tablets, or watches running One UI 3.1 or higher, and you have to be logged into a Samsung account. Non-Samsung devices won’t get this magic.
Voice wake-up, or “Hey Google,” can be handy for hands-free commands, but it’s off by default. You need a compatible phone (One UI 8.0+) and a Google account for Gemini Live features. And while the ANC and gesture controls look simple, configuring them on older devices requires diving into the Galaxy Wearable app.
Pairing and feature access aren’t universal, either. Android 11 or higher with at least 1.5 GB of RAM is required for full functionality. Without the latest software updates, some AI features may not even show up.
The Bottom Line
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE deliver a solid mix of AI-powered features, enhanced ANC, 11mm dynamic drivers, and intuitive controls at an affordable price. Playback reaches up to 8.5 hours per charge (30 hours with the case), with Crystal Clear Call tech and improved microphone placement ensuring clear conversations even in noisy environments.
Galaxy AI features like Live Translate and Interpreter add real-time smart functionality—but only on compatible Samsung Galaxy devices with a Samsung account, and some languages require downloads. Auto Switch works seamlessly across Galaxy devices (One UI 3.1+), while voice wake-up and gesture controls require the latest software or the Galaxy Wearable app on older devices.
In short: Samsung packed a lot of tech into these buds, but to get the full experience, you really need to live inside the Galaxy ecosystem. Outside of it, the buds still work… but much of the “smart” magic gets left behind.
Price & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE will be available in black or gray for $150—making them a more budget-friendly alternative to last year’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which debuted at $249.
Available September 4, 2025 at Samsung.com.
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