Samsung brings its budget-friendly ‘blade’ design to the Galaxy Buds 3 FE

Samsung’s New Galaxy Buds 3 FE: Affordable Audio with a Familiar Look

Samsung is expanding its popular Galaxy Buds lineup with an exciting new addition: the Galaxy Buds 3 FE. Following last summer’s refresh with the Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro, this “Fan Edition” offers a more budget-friendly option at $150, making premium audio more accessible. It boasts the distinctive “blade” design seen on its siblings, bringing a sleek, AirPods-esque aesthetic, combined with the comfortable ear tip fit of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Even at its lower price point, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is still a core feature, making these a compelling choice, especially for owners of recent Samsung Galaxy phones.

Design Evolution
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE marks a significant evolution from its predecessor, the Galaxy Buds FE, which launched in 2023. Unlike the previous model, this new Fan Edition fully embraces Samsung’s “blade” design – their term for the stem-like look that has become synonymous with Apple’s AirPods. This means the Buds 3 FE looks distinctly different from its direct ancestor, featuring onboard controls conveniently placed along the stem, just like the rest of the Galaxy Buds 3 series.

Enhanced Audio and Call Quality
Samsung has made notable improvements in both audio and call performance for the Galaxy Buds 3 FE. To ensure clearer conversations, the voice microphones have been cleverly relocated to the stem, bringing them closer to your mouth. When it comes to sound, these new earbuds feature larger speakers compared to the previous FE model, promising “powerful sound with deep bass and clear treble.” The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has also been enhanced, and the improved call technology includes advanced noise reduction to isolate your voice even in noisy environments.

Battery Life and Durability
You’ll also find a slight boost in battery life. With ANC turned off, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE can last up to eight and a half hours on a single charge, extending to an impressive 30 hours total with the charging case. That’s a good 90 minutes longer than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. If you keep ANC enabled, the battery life matches the Pro model, offering six hours of listening (24 hours total with the case).

However, there’s a minor trade-off in durability. While the Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro boast an IP57 rating for dust protection and water immersion, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE comes with an IP54 rating. This means it’s designed to withstand water splashes, making it suitable for workouts or light rain, but not full submersion.

Availability
Ready to upgrade your audio? The Galaxy Buds 3 FE will be available for purchase starting September 4th, priced at $150. You’ll be able to choose between classic Black and Gray color options.