Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Review

Samsung is famous for making really good earbuds that don’t cost too much. Today, we’re checking out one of their new models, the Galaxy Buds FE. These earbuds claim to be a great mix of good quality and a price that won’t break the bank, costing around $100. Let’s take a closer look to see if they’re as good as people say.

PROS	CONS
Comfortable Design. Affordable. Decent Audio Quality. Good Battery Life. Ease of Connectivity.	Basic Noise Cancellation. Lack of Wireless Charging. Limited App Features. Automatic Play/Pause Issues.

Unboxing and Design

Starting with the packaging, the Galaxy Buds FE come neatly tucked in a box that’s pretty standard for Samsung. Inside, you’ll find the earbuds, a USB Type-C charging cable, two extra pairs of ear tips, and a pair of rings to keep your buds secure. It’s nothing flashy, but it fits right in with Samsung’s usual style.

Now, onto the earbuds themselves. The case is a small, shiny square made of plastic – not a ground breaking design, but it’s reminiscent of Samsung’s previous earbuds like the Galaxy Buds 2. The lid opens and closes smoothly thanks to a magnet, giving you that satisfying feel. The earbuds, available in white and graphite, sport a design with a fin to snugly fit into your ears, promising a secure feel. Let’s see if the Galaxy Buds FE can deliver on both style and substance!

Comfort and Fit

The Galaxy Buds FE really nail the comfort game. Samsung’s decision to bring back the fin design, previously seen in the Galaxy Buds Plus, proves to be a smart move. This design ensures a snug and comfortable fit, making these earbuds perfect for extended use. What’s great is that you can customize the ear adapters, choosing between a fin or a non-fin option based on your personal preference.

In terms of comfort, the Galaxy Buds FE get high marks, surpassing previous Samsung models. They score a solid 10 out of 10, thanks to their soft feel and secure fit. You can wear them for long periods without any discomfort or worrying about them slipping out.

Connectivity and Software

Setting up the Galaxy Buds FE with your device is a breeze. Just open the case, and the headphones pop up in your Bluetooth settings – it’s that simple. Even though they use Bluetooth 5.2 in a market where 5.3 is more common, the connection remains smooth. If you’re a Samsung device user, you’ll enjoy the convenience of connecting the headphones to multiple devices simultaneously through your Samsung account.

For tweaking settings, there’s the Galaxy Wearable app. It’s well-designed, but it lacks some features present in previous Samsung models. No lap menu or experimental settings menu here. It would be great if Samsung could enhance the app by adding more options for users to play around with.

Battery Life and Charging

Samsung makes some bold claims about the Galaxy Buds FE’s battery life, and they seem to hold up. Without noise cancellation, these headphones supposedly give you a solid 8.5 hours of use, stretching to a total of 30 hours with the charging case. If you flip on the noise cancellation, those numbers dip to 6 hours of use and 21 hours with the case.

Our tests back up Samsung’s promises, with the actual results aligning well with the stated battery life. However, it’s worth noting that these buds don’t support wireless charging, a feature you find in many other headphones in this price range. The absence of wireless charging is understandable, though, given the overall affordability of the product.

Microphone Quality

Checking out the microphone quality of the Galaxy Buds FE, we put them through a call simulation test. The recorded audio comes through as clear, picking up ambient noise to give you a feel for the surroundings. The microphones do their job well for calls, delivering a satisfactory performance.

Active Noise Cancellation

Let’s talk about the active noise cancellation (ANC) in the Galaxy Buds FE. The reviewer keeps it real, describing the ANC as basic. You can turn it on, off, or set it to ambient mode, but there aren’t many detailed controls or specific modes for different situations. Despite its simplicity, the ANC gets a thumbs up for doing its job well – effectively cancelling out those low-frequency voices and constant background noises.

Shifting gears to audio quality, the Galaxy Buds FE step up to the plate. They bring the bass game with a deep and well-defined punch. The reviewer highlights a dynamic sound profile, where the bass is solid but doesn’t drown out the other frequencies. Instruments stand out, and overall, these headphones deliver impressive audio quality, especially considering their budget-friendly price.

Should you buy Samsung Galaxy Buds FE?

In deciding whether to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, your choice hinges on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Let’s break down the key takeaways from the review to assist you in making an informed decision.

Reasons to Consider Buying

• Comfortable Design: The Galaxy Buds FE are lauded for their comfort, featuring a design that users find soft on the ears and secure for extended use, thanks to the reintroduced fin design.
• Affordable Price: Positioned as a wallet-friendly option, the Galaxy Buds FE provide a good mix of features at a relatively low price point.
• Decent Audio Quality: These headphones offer a dynamic sound profile with well-defined bass, making them suitable for everyday listening.
• Good Battery Life: With promised battery life matching real-world tests, the Galaxy Buds FE offer a reasonable amount of usage time before needing a recharge.
• Ease of Connectivity: The pairing process is straightforward, and users with Samsung devices can enjoy the convenience of connecting to multiple devices simultaneously through their Samsung account.
• Functional Microphones: The microphones on the Galaxy Buds FE are commended for delivering clear audio during calls, making them suitable for communication purposes.

Considerations Before Buying

• Basic Noise Cancellation: The active noise cancellation is described as functional but basic, lacking more advanced modes for specific situations.
• Lack of Wireless Charging: The absence of wireless charging might be a drawback for users accustomed to this feature, though it’s deemed understandable at the given price point.
• Limited App Features: While the Galaxy Wearable application is well-designed, it has fewer features compared to previous Samsung models. Some users might miss certain options present in other premium models.
• Market Competition: In a market with numerous budget-friendly options from various brands, it’s essential to consider alternatives that might offer different features or better value.

What are other alternatives of Samsung Galaxy Buds FE to consider?

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

The Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) have really good sound that works well for watching videos, movies, and making calls. They come with both regular and wireless charging cases, and you can charge them wirelessly with a Qi charger. There are also lots of discounted case options available. You get an extra Lightning cable, which is handy for charging iPhones and iPads, especially when you’re traveling. The design is comfortable and doesn’t go inside your ears, which some people prefer. The AirPods connect well wirelessly, thanks to a special chip, and they have a unique stem design that makes them easy to handle.

These AirPods are great for phone calls and video calls, with clear voice quality and noise-canceling. The controls are easy to use, handling play, pause, volume, and activating Siri. The AirPods last a whole day with the case, and a quick 20-25 minute charge gives you a fully charged earbud. You can also use each earbud on its own, which is good for preventing hearing problems and allows for charging one while using the other. Compared to the original AirPods, these 2nd Generation ones have better features like quick and reliable wireless connection, wireless charging, and longer battery life, making them a great choice in 2024.

Jabra Elite 75t

The Jabra Elite 75t earbuds are advanced wireless headphones known for strong bass, easy-to-use buttons, clear microphones, and a comfy design. They promise a lengthy 28-hour battery life, ensuring a fantastic audio experience. The compact case has a flat top and bottom for stability, featuring a USB-C charging port. The earbuds, with a magnetic lid, two microphones each, and three rubber tips for a custom fit, offer convenient physical buttons—great, especially for gloved use.

Though lacking active noise cancellation, the earbuds excel in passive noise reduction, creating a good seal for comfort during extended wear. They last around five hours on a single charge, deliver clear call audio, and connect via Bluetooth 5.0 with water resistance. The bass-heavy sound may be too much for some, and while multi-point connectivity is handy, the left earbud has limited solo use. Despite these drawbacks, the Jabra Elite 75t stands out for its sound quality, comfort, and improved design.

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro

The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro has cool features, like a small case with a sliding design and water resistance, scoring a solid 9 out of 10 for build and design. The buds, similar to AirPods Pro, get a comfy 9 out of 10 for a secure fit during workouts. But there’s a battery hiccup; it falls short of promises, getting only a 4 out of 10 when using noise cancellation.

Surprisingly, the microphone quality shines with a 9 out of 10. The Soundcore app is a winner, offering customizable controls and a full equalizer, earning an 8 out of 10 for functionality. However, there’s a sound issue – a noticeable change when turning noise cancellation on or off, earning a 6 out of 10 for sound quality.

Sony WF-XB700

The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro has lots of cool features that make it a great choice for earphones. It costs $100 less than fancier ones and is perfect for people who love strong bass. Even though it’s made of plastic, it’s light and blocks out sound like earplugs. Unlike more expensive ones, it doesn’t have noise cancellation, but it’s still good at blocking noise. You control it with buttons for playing music, adjusting volume, and using voice assistants. It lasts for 18 hours, including the case, and can handle a bit of water, making it good for workouts. The sound is powerful, especially for bass lovers, and it’s a good deal for those who are new to quality audio or need reliable earphones for exercising.