Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Review: Sometimes the Fit is Everything

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

For many, the fit and feel of earbuds can be a deal-breaker. Manufacturers often boast about how much research and data inform the design tweaks they make with each new model. Despite these claims, there will always be a subset of customers who prefer the old design. Samsung’s new noise-canceling Galaxy Buds FE are here to cater to those people.

Priced at an accessible $99.99, the Galaxy Buds FE are Samsung's new entry-level earbuds. As part of the Samsung FE product family, they trade frills for a solid baseline value. What's most intriguing is their design: unlike Samsung’s recent rounded models, the Galaxy Buds FE hark back to the Galaxy Buds Plus with silicone “wings” to help them stay firmly in place. Their flattened touchpad area is also easier to press, making controls more foolproof.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Reliable performance with satisfactory sound

• Good noise cancellation for the price

• Flat buttons are easier to interact with

Cons:

• No wireless charging

• No multipoint Bluetooth

• Wing fins might not improve fit for everyone

A Return to Form

The Galaxy Buds FE do have their omissions. They lack Samsung’s 360 Audio (spatial audio) features, a conversation mode, and advanced gesture controls like tapping your cheek instead of the buds themselves. Most notably, they don’t include wireless charging, a feature present in the Galaxy Buds Plus since 2020. This omission is the clearest sign of cost-cutting. The earbuds are also rated IPX2 for water resistance, compared to the more standard IPX4 or IPX7 of higher-end models.

Despite these cuts, Samsung preserves essentials like active noise cancellation and a transparency mode for ambient sound passthrough. While the noise cancellation is impressive for the price, the transparency mode is less natural-sounding compared to the Buds 2 Pro. Samsung also includes game mode (for reduced latency) and auto-switching between Galaxy devices. However, the lack of true multipoint Bluetooth means these features fall short of more seamless solutions.

Setting Up

Samsung’s setup process through its Galaxy Wearable app remains cumbersome. First, you download the app, then an additional add-on for the Galaxy Buds FE. This multistep process feels outdated, even on Samsung phones where you’d expect better integration.

The Buds FE come in black or white, with three sizes of ear tips and two pairs of wing tips. The glossy white carrying case is similar in size and shape to that of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, likely making accessories compatible.

Sound and Performance

Sound quality on the Buds FE is an improvement over the Galaxy Buds Plus, though not quite up to the standard of the Buds 2 Pro. Following Samsung’s standard tuning curve, the Buds FE’s sound is enjoyable, if slightly recessed in the treble. EQ presets in the Galaxy Wearable app allow for customization. While head-tracking spatial audio is absent, this feature often feels gimmicky anyway.

Voice call performance is satisfactory, with the option to configure the buds for easier self-hearing during calls. Battery life is another strength, with up to six hours of listening time with ANC on and 8.5 hours with it off. Real-world use matched these estimates, and the case extends these totals to 21 and 30 hours, respectively.

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy Buds FE fill a much-needed gap in Samsung’s earbuds lineup. They’re a sensible upgrade for those still using the Buds Plus, especially if battery life has waned. While the Buds 2 Pro offer more features and higher fidelity, the Buds FE provide solid performance at a budget-friendly price. Their design, reminiscent of older models, will appeal to those who prioritize comfort over new features.

At $99.99, the Galaxy Buds FE are a reliable, no-frills option for Android users. Should the price drop further during the holidays, they’ll be an even better deal. For many, the fit is everything, and these earbuds deliver a comfortable, familiar experience.