Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE Review: Is This the 'Fan Edition' We Waited For?

You know the drill. Samsung drops a new flagship product, then a few months down the line, they give us the 'Fan Edition' or 'FE' version. It's supposed to be a best-of-both-worlds kind of thing—all the good stuff from the flagship, but at a price that won't make your wallet cry. The Galaxy Buds3 FE is the latest to join the party, coming in at a cool RM499. But the real question is, is this the budget earbud king we've all been waiting for? Let’s check it out.

Design & Fit

The first thing you'll notice about the Buds3 FE is the new "Blade Design" with a protruding stem, a big change from the old pod-like shape and a design shared with the higher-end Galaxy Buds3 Pro. I have to say, it's a solid change. The matte finish on the earbuds and case looks premium, and it doesn't get all scratched up like a glossy finish would. The stem also makes it easier to take them out of the case without accidentally dropping them on the floor.

Honestly I would say it's quite a good move to have the casing cover be transparent, especially for forgetful people like me. You can always easily check if you have both your buds kept with a glance. A minor inconvenience for me is the buds are being stored with the stems towards the centre, so you would need to either twist your hands or flip the buds instead of putting them on directly out of the case. While that’s not quite a big issue, having a more quality-of-life design would definitely make the whole experience better.

As for the fit, it's a classic in-ear design with silicone tips and a stabilizer fin. They give you three sizes (S/M/L) to choose from, and honestly, the fit is pretty secure and comfortable. You can wear them for hours while doing a long-haul commute on the LRT or even a quick jog, and they won't feel like they're about to fall out. The IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance is also a nice upgrade, so a little rain or sweat won't be a big issue.

Sound Quality

Out of the box, the Buds3 FE's sound profile is a bit bass-heavy, which is perfect for those who love their bass-thumping songs. This is thanks to the larger speakers, which deliver a richer and more powerful sound with deeper bass compared to the previous Galaxy Buds FE. If you’re not a fan of the bass-heavy sound, don't worry. You can easily tweak the EQ in the Galaxy Wearable app. The 'Dynamic' preset is a great place to start, as it gives a more balanced sound.

For the price, the sound quality is actually quite good. It's got an 11mm driver that gives you rich details and a wide soundstage. While it doesn't have the fancy UHQ audio codec like its Pro siblings, most people won't even notice the difference. Plus, you get 360 Audio for a more immersive sound experience, which is a fantastic feature to have at this price point. The Crystal Clear Call Technology, which uses an advanced machine learning model, helps to filter out ambient noise during calls, ensuring your voice is clear and focused even in noisy environments. The microphone position has also been optimized for better voice pickup.

The touch panels located on the upper part of the stems are quite responsive as well. It registers a pinch gesture so that you can avoid accidental taps that mess with your experience. You can also customize the pinch-and-hold function within the Galaxy Wearable app to control ANC or launch the digital assistant, adding a welcome layer of personalization to the user experience. Of course, if you are not a fan of operating on the buds, you can always turn them off.

Active Noise Cancellation

The ANC performance on the Buds3 FE is surprisingly strong, especially considering its price point. When activated, it effectively reduces persistent low-frequency sounds, such as the humming sounds of vehicles and machines, or the constant background noise in a busy environment. While it may not completely silence every distraction, it is highly capable and allows you to significantly focus on your audio. It's a genuinely impressive feature at this level, allowing for a much clearer listening experience, even in moderately crowded places.

The Ambient Sound mode is also solid. It lets you hear your surroundings without taking the earbuds out, which is super useful when you're walking near traffic or trying to listen out for important information white still enjoying your audio.

One thing that I need to highlight is that ANC mode is only available when you have both buds on, so when you are using only one side of the buds, it changes to Ambient Sound mode by default. I personally like this feature a lot as it reduces the need to switch mode manually. After all, you wouldn’t need to have ANC on when you have only one bud on.

Galaxy AI

One of the biggest selling points of the Buds3 FE is their integration with Galaxy AI. You get hands-free access to Google Gemini, allowing you to use your voice for smart assistance without needing to take out your phone. When paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy device, the earbuds can also be used as a translation companion with features like Interpreter and Live Translate. Other than the Conversation Mode that we have seen in previous Galaxy devices, we have the Listening Mode on the buds as well. Simply pinch and hold your Galaxy Buds3 FE when the speaker is talking, and your earbuds will keep interpreting.

Source: Samsung

Battery Life & Connectivity

Samsung says you get up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC on and up to 8.5 hours with it off. With the charging case, you're looking at a total of 30 hours. In real-world use, this is pretty accurate. It's enough to get you through a full workday and your commute without needing a recharge. The one minor downside? There's no wireless charging, which is something you might miss if you've gotten used to it. And no charging cable in the box, so make sure you have a spare USB-C cable lying around.

Connectivity is a breeze, especially if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem. The seamless "Auto Switch" feature allows them to automatically switch the audio connection between your Galaxy devices, such as your phone, tablet, and laptop, for a continuous listening experience. You can also enjoy effortless pairing with other Galaxy devices simply by opening the charging case, and easily access and adjust essential audio controls from the Quick Panel on your Galaxy device.

Verdict: Is it a Good Buy?

So, should you get the Galaxy Buds3 FE? For RM499, this earbud is a fantastic value. It's got excellent sound quality thanks to its larger speakers, enhanced ANC that punches way above its weight class, a comfortable and secure fit, and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem, including the new Galaxy AI features.

Sure, it lacks some premium features like wireless charging and voice commands. But honestly, most of these are nice-to-haves, not must-haves. For the price, what you get is a solid pair of everyday earbuds that get all the fundamentals right. If you're a Samsung user looking for a great pair of earbuds without the flagship price tag, the Galaxy Buds3 FE is a seriously good option.