I spend a good part of my day with music in the background — sometimes to focus, sometimes just for quiet company. So when a new pair of earbuds lands, I tend to notice the little things: fit, sound, and how they carry through hours of use.
Samsung’s latest release adds another option to that mix. If you’re eyeing the new Galaxy Buds3 line, you’ve probably come across both the Buds3 Pro and Buds3 FE. The Pro is the premium model — finer hardware, extra features like spatial audio and head-tracking, and a sleeker finish. The FE (“Fan Edition”) trims back some of those extras for a lower price, keeping what matters most for daily listening without unnecessary frills.
TRP had the opportunity to test out a grey unit, and after spending some time with them, here’s how they stack up in real life.
First Impressions
From the moment you pop open the case, the Buds3 FE feel lighter than I expected. The matte finish has a clean, understated look. Fit on my ears is secure; I could wear them for a couple of hours without discomfort. The case feels solid, but it’s not glassy or luxury-rich — which is fine if you’re not exactly chasing luxury, just usability.
What I Care About + How It Performs
| Category | Samsung’s Claim / Spec | My Experience |
| Sound & Music Quality | Samsung promised “improved drivers” and “fuller bass” over earlier entry/fan models. | Bass is punchy but stays tight, giving songs a clean base without muddying the rest. Overall clarity is balanced — instruments and vocals come through clearly with no distortion. Rock tracks sound crisp and energetic, though the space feels a bit close. R&B and jazz vocals carry warmth and detail, while classical pieces play smoothly with clear note definition. Experimental tracks stay well layered and easy to follow. It’s a clear, focused sound that works well across most genres without feeling tiring. |
| Noise Canceling / Ambient Mode | They say “strong ANC” plus good transparency/ambient pass-through. | In cafés and busy streets, ANC does a solid job — nothing like flagship-level mid/low frequency suppression, but enough to reduce chatter or AC hum noticeably. Ambient mode works decently; voices sound a bit processed but usable. |
| Microphones & Calls | Promoted as having AI noise filtering etc for clearer calls. | On calls, compared to other buds I’ve used that are of the same price range, voices are clearer and background noise is better handled. But in windy situations or very noisy streets, it’s still a bit of struggle. |
| Battery & Connectivity | Samsung claims ~6-7 hrs with ANC on, more without; good case battery; Bluetooth stable; features like Auto-Switch for Samsung phones. | In real life, I got close to Samsung’s numbers in moderate-volume use with ANC. Pairing is easy. If you’re outside Samsung’s ecosystem you’ll miss some of the seamless features (Auto-Switch etc). |
| Comfort & Usability | Designed to be lightweight, comfy, with good ergonomics. | They’re light and comfortable — even after an hour, it’s easy to forget they’re in. A proper seal makes all the difference; once fitted right, bass feels fuller and noise cancellation works better. Touch controls are generally quick to respond, though they can occasionally pick up accidental taps. |
Where It Falls Short (The Trade-Offs)
- Premium extras (wireless charging, head tracking, ultra hi-res codecs) are absent or scaled back compared to Buds3 Pro. If you want every cutting-edge feature, FE won’t completely satisfy.
- For extreme noise environments (heavy traffic, loud airplanes), the ANC isn’t going to cancel everything.
- On non-Samsung phones, some features are locked or perform less seamlessly.
Verdict
Overall, the Buds3 FE feel like a very sensible buy for people who want solid sound, real ANC, good mics — but without paying for the top-tier extras. If you’re mostly using them for commuting, office/hybrid work, casual music, calls — these deliver well. If you’re an audiophile, or want full Samsung flagship perks, you might lean toward Pro or other top models.
Price & Availability
- Price: ~RM 499 at launch.
- Availability: Available now via Samsung Malaysia and authorised retailers. Colours include Black and Grey.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very good everyday sound and punchy bass
- ANC that works well enough for daily commuting / café / office
- Comfortable fit; light and wearable for long sessions
- Strong mic performance especially indoors; good call clarity
Cons
- Misses out on some premium extras vs Pro (wireless charging, etc.)
- ANC isn’t flagship-grade; won’t block out every noise, especially very low or very loud ambient noises
- Non-Samsung users won’t get full featureset
