Samsung’s “Fan Edition”, or FE series, has always had a varied track record. The concept is sound: to incorporate key features from premium models and offer them at a more accessible price point. While some iterations have been successful, others have been hampered by excessive compromises. Now, we introduce a new addition to this line: the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE headphones.
With a recommended price of 1,790 SEK, these headphones are positioned in the highly competitive upper-mid-range segment. This review aims to determine if Samsung has finally struck the ideal balance between price and performance.
Design and Fit
Upon unboxing the Buds 3 FE, the immediate impression is one of premium quality, distinctly not aligning with a budget offering. The matte finish on both the case and the earbuds themselves feels refined and more sophisticated than the glossy plastic often encountered. A significant advantage is the surface’s resistance to fingerprints and scratches, enhancing handling and grip.
The design is a traditional in-ear style, utilizing replaceable silicone tips. This not only provides excellent passive sound isolation, a prerequisite for effective noise cancellation, but also ensures deep and consistent bass response. Regrettably, Samsung provides only two additional silicone tip sizes beyond those pre-installed. The innovative “blade” design, a discreet, angular “stem,” not only contributes to an aesthetic appeal but also serves as an anchor, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit, even during prolonged use. With an IP54 rating, they offer reliable protection against sweat and light rain, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.
Control functionality mirrors that of their premium counterparts, utilizing pinch and swipe gestures on the stem. A pinch pauses the music, and a swipe adjusts the volume. This design necessitates a moderately firm press, minimizing accidental activations when adjusting the fit. However, it does require a brief learning curve to master the precise pressure and gesture locations for activation. Once accustomed, the controls prove highly effective.
Sound Quality and Software
Out of the box, the default sound profile can be described as somewhat understated. While not poor, it lacks optimal balance. Fortunately, Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app offers a significant enhancement. By accessing the app and selecting the “Dynamic” equalizer preset, a notable transformation occurs. The sound stage expands, becoming considerably more balanced and engaging.
With this simple adjustment, the Buds 3 FE deliver impressive audio quality. The 11mm driver produces powerful and full-bodied audio. Bass response is punchy, and the treble is clear without exhibiting harshness or listener fatigue.
For users seeking further customization, a 9-band graphic equalizer is accessible within the app. The earbuds support SBC and AAC codecs, and for users with a Samsung phone, Samsung’s proprietary Seamless Codec (SSC) is also supported.
The earbuds do not feature true Bluetooth multipoint, precluding simultaneous connections to devices like a laptop and a phone. While a multipoint-like feature exists, its functionality is limited to an ecosystem of exclusively Samsung devices. Moreover, the absence of an iOS application means that on this platform, the earbuds operate as basic Bluetooth headphones, lacking access to sound adjustments, customized controls, or ANC settings.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance genuinely impressed our editorial team. Leveraging the excellent passive seal from the silicone tips, the active noise cancellation operates under optimal conditions, yielding exceptional results that surpass expectations for this price segment.
Low-frequency ambient noise from sources like trains, buses, and airplanes is almost entirely attenuated. Additionally, they demonstrate commendable suppression of wind noise, an area where many competing headphones falter. Adaptive ANC is not present; users must manually adjust the noise cancellation level via the app. We highly recommend setting it to its maximum level for optimal performance.
Battery Life & Charging
Samsung specifies up to 6 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation enabled, and 8.5 hours with it deactivated. The charging case then provides approximately three additional full charges, resulting in a total playtime of up to 24 hours with ANC on, or 30 hours without.
Our tests largely corroborate these figures, yielding 5–6 hours with ANC active and 7–8 hours without. These are entirely acceptable durations.
The case exclusively supports USB-C charging, lacking support for wireless charging. Placing the earbuds in the case for five minutes provides approximately one hour of listening time. A full charge for the case takes approximately 90 minutes, while fully charging the earbuds within the case takes approximately 50 minutes.
Call Quality
With three microphones per earbud and Samsung’s “Crystal Clear Call” technology, the specifications are promising, and our tests confirm strong performance. Voice pickup is consistently clear and distinct in the majority of environments.
Their ability to manage wind noise surpasses many competitors, offering a significant advantage for calls taken while mobile. However, in extremely noisy environments, we observed some instances where ambient sounds were picked up and, at times, amplified rather than effectively filtered. Nonetheless, this was not a pervasive issue during our testing. For typical calls, even outdoors, the call quality is considered perfectly acceptable.
Conclusion
Priced at approximately 1,790 SEK, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE represent a significant investment, yet they stand out as a thoughtfully designed and well-balanced product. Rather than being a significantly diluted version of a flagship, they convey a sense of purposeful design, where Samsung has prioritized crucial elements: a comfortable and secure fit, impressive sound quality, and active noise cancellation that excels within its price category.
However, certain limitations prevent them from achieving a top rating, including the absence of high-resolution codecs, wireless charging, true multipoint connectivity, and an iOS application. Despite these points, we remain generally satisfied with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE. Should the price approach 1,000–1,200 SEK during a promotional period, they would represent an unequivocally strong recommendation.
Samsung provided review units for this test. Material providers have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently, focusing on our readers and consumers.
