Samsung Galaxy Buds FE review: good headphones at a low price
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are part of the new range of products launched under the Fan Edition banner, along with the Galaxy S23 FE smartphone and the two Tab S9 FE and S9+ FE tablets. The Korean giant's objective is to offer quality True Wireless headphones at an affordable price. On paper, the Galaxy Buds FE present themselves as a light version of the Galaxy Buds 2 with the promise of “captivating sound”, efficient Active Noise Reduction and up to 30 hours of battery life with the charger.
The Buds FE also benefit from increased connectivity with all Galaxy devices: smartphones, tablets and even the latest Samsung brand televisions. But to maintain a low price, the manufacturer had to make some sacrifices, the Multipoint Bluetooth connection and wireless charging are missing, as is the possibility of HD quality sound or 360 spatial audio. Introductory price at €99, the Galaxy Buds FE are the most affordable Samsung headphones and they prove interesting despite a few compromises. Let's discover them in detail.
Lightweight and comfortable headphones
In appearance, the Galaxy Buds FE are nothing revolutionary with a simple design like many Samsung products. The Korean manufacturer has however revised its copy compared to the Buds 2, the new headphones adopt an oval shape which highlights the tactile control area on the top of the shell.
Compact in-ear headphones, the Buds FE are light (5.6 g) and are not too invasive like certain Jabra models. From this point of view, the feeling of comfort is quite good for entry-level headphones. We understand that style is not the priority here, the Galaxy Buds FE are only available in white or graphite black and no longer in 5 colors like the Buds 2.
The Galaxy Buds FE are designed as “real everyday audio companions” and for this Samsung is focusing on comfort by offering in addition to the 3 classic tips, two pairs of fins of different sizes to be placed on the side of the headphones for ensure better support in the ears. The companion app also offers a headphone fit test to select the right tips for the best noise cancellation.
It must be recognized that the formula is effective, because the Samsung headphones do not move and know how to be forgotten, even during a long day of teleworking. In line with the Buds 2, they are also very discreet and barely protrude from the ear with their compact format.
All-purpose headphones, the Buds FE are ideal for outdoor sports use. But be careful before going running in the forest, it will be better to check the weather because with only IPX2 certification, they are not protected in the event of heavy rain. If you want truly waterproof headphones suitable for sports use, it is better to choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro or the very good Jabra Elite 8 Active. It's a bit of a shame to have sacrificed the protection of the headphones to lower the price.
A compact case but no wireless charging
Although a little thick, the Buds FE case is compact enough to slip into a pants pocket. It's a beautiful, sturdy-looking box that just reveals the brand's logo. On the front, a discreet LED indicates the charging level of the case and on the back we find the USB-C socket for charging.
Please note that to reduce costs, the case is not compatible with wireless charging. An economic argument that doesn't really hold up because some competitors offer this option with headphones for €100. Another small negative point, the Galaxy Buds FE case turns out to be a little messy, this is particularly obvious with the white model that we tested.
Bluetooth 5.2 connection without Multipoint
For connecting the Buds FE, Samsung offers Bluetooth 5.2 but skips Multipoint which allows you to connect your phone and computer at the same time. A regrettable oversight in the era of teleworking! As is often the case with Samsung, Galaxy devices benefit from exclusive features: quick pairing and AutoSwitch option to quickly switch from one audio source to another. A system that works with smartphones and tablets but also with the latest generation Samsung televisions.
For other brands, the Galaxy Buds FE somewhat compensate for the lack of Multipoint with faster connection with previously paired devices. In 1 click, the headphones reconnect with an already identified Android smartphone or PC. But to do this, you must first download the Samsung Galaxy Wearable application (available only on Android). If you have an iPhone, the Buds FE are clearly not for you!
In terms of audio codecs, this is the minimum service. We find the classics SBC and AAC as well as the Samsung SSC codec, accessible only with a Galaxy device. Having tested it with a Galaxy A 52 5G Smartphone, this “in-house” codec does not really change the situation in terms of sound but above all guarantees a more stable connection. We also did not notice any sound dropouts or micro-cuts during the tests. And this is also true with the basic codecs which offer a completely stable connection over a standard range of 10 meters.
Good news for series fans, the Galaxy Buds FE can be used to watch videos with average latency but which is fortunately compensated for on most streaming platforms. And for gaming enthusiasts, a low latency “game” mode is available in the application, provided you own a Galaxy smartphone.
Incomplete orders
For controls, Samsung goes to the basics with a system by pressing on the earphones to control music and manage calls. Classic touch controls that work well: single tap to start the song, double tap to listen to the next track or answer a call and triple tap to go back to the previous track. In use, everything is fluid with rather responsive and accessible controls on each of the headphones, which is not always the case with more expensive models.
Samsung has corrected some ergonomic flaws of previous headphones. Unlike the Galaxy Buds 2, the touch zone here is well defined, which prevents you from accidentally triggering certain functions by touching the earbuds. But there are also some limitations. For noise control, the Galaxy Buds FE allow you to switch between RBA and Transparency mode by pressing and holding the earbuds. And that's about it ! No volume control possible or quick access to the voice assistant via headphones.
Another sacrifice on the altar of price, the controls are not customizable, you will have to make do with the factory settings or completely deactivate them in the application. The fact remains that despite incomplete controls, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE still offer good comfort of daily use.
Exclusive features for Galaxy devices
The Samsung Wearable application is truly essential to be able to take advantage of the full potential of the Galaxy Buds FE. But unfortunately, as mentioned above, it is only available on Android. iPhone users will have to move on since they cannot even access basic settings.
For others, the application allows you to check the fit in the ears, activate the RBA, know the charge level of the headphones or locate them if you have lost them. It also includes an equalizer with a few possible settings but overall the Samsung app remains quite basic. Unable to personalize commands, activate a voice assistant or configure noise reduction.
Happy Galaxy smartphone owners are better off with some exclusive features available in the app. They can, for example, interact with Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant, since the Buds FE are not compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, or activate low latency Game mode to play in the best conditions.
Ultimate privilege, with the SmartThings Find function, the Samsung headphones will notify them if they forget them somewhere, which is quite a good idea given their compact format. In short, an application which is especially valuable for its integration into the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem but which is not exempt from criticism.
Very good autonomy
For autonomy, Samsung promises us up to 30 hours of music in a single charge without ANC and 21 hours if it is activated. Which is high average for Active Noise Reduction headphones. In fact, the Galaxy Buds FE proved to be rather durable since they lasted more than 6 hours with the RBA and music at high volume.
And without ANC, Samsung headphones do even better by offering almost 8 hours of battery life. With the additional recharges of the case, we are not far from the 30 hours announced.
Entry-level headphones that keep their promises by competing with the best models on the market and even surpassing the AirPods Pro 2. And if one of the earpieces leaves before the other, note that they are completely independent and can be recharged separately in the case.
Small disappointment however with the port detectors which do not stop the music if you remove one of the headphones like on most in-ears. To mute the sound, remove them both or press pause. And strangely, the music doesn't restart when putting them back in place. Another bad point to make.
And as we said, the case is not compatible with wireless charging but only via USB-C charging. It's a bit of a shame because many True Wireless headphones offer this option in 2024. The Buds FE case still allows the headphones to be quickly recharged, once flat, they will be 100% operational again in less than 'one hour.
Effective noise reduction
Let's say it bluntly, Active Noise Reduction is one of the strong points of these new Samsung headphones. With a slightly different design from the Buds 2, the Buds FE offer good basic passive isolation. The sensation is immediate as soon as you place them in the ears, provided you have chosen the right tips. And it's even more stunning by triggering the RBA to cut itself off from the world.
Samsung headphones manage to block unwanted noise in transport and in particular the din of metro trains as well as all muffled noises. Even if some voices remain audible, you still have to listen carefully to understand the conversations. Same impression on the street with headphones which effectively attenuate noise attacks in an urban environment to allow you to concentrate on the music.
In addition to RBA, the Galaxy Buds FE also have a Transparency mode to hear sounds around you. The latter is less convincing because it offers an unnatural result. Accessible by pressing and holding the earbuds, it allows you to quickly speak to someone without removing the earphones or to hear announcements on transport. For the rest, the settings remain quite limited. It is not possible to adjust the sensitivity of the noise but just to deactivate listening to surrounding sounds or simply stop the ANC.
The performances are still far from matching those of the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds II which remain benchmarks in the field of Noise Reduction. But the Buds FE do pretty well for headphones in this price range. The promise of being able to immerse yourself in your music without being disturbed is generally respected.
With a rather convincing RBA, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE score points by proving that they are not discount headphones despite their attractive price. A great success from Samsung!
Headphones good for calls
For appeals, the observation is more nuanced. Samsung relies on 3 microphone technology (2 internal and one external) to capture voice precisely. Which gives good results in a calm place where you can communicate without problems with your interlocutor. But it gets a little complicated in a noisy environment, because the AI comes into play to try to erase parasitic noises but not always subtly. This can impact the quality of communications but overall the Galaxy Buds FE allow you to call in good conditions, even in strong winds.
Very decent audio quality
For the sound part, the Korean giant relies on the expertise of the company AKG, a manufacturer of professional audio equipment which has worked for years on the design of Samsung headphones and earphones. With the promise of “high-end audio quality”, the Buds FE have a single dynamic speaker, compared to two previously on the Galaxy Buds 2. The offer is also reduced in terms of audio codecs which here boil down to classic SBC and AAC. We regret that Samsung was not more ambitious in offering Aptx for better quality sound like Jabra with these first-price headphones, the very good Elite 3.
On paper, we could expect the worst. But surprisingly, the sound of Galaxy Buds FE is pretty good. In line with the Buds 2, the new Samsung headphones have a fairly balanced sound signature with nice bass. The whole thing is quite mastered, the headphones perhaps lack a little nuance but we can easily forgive them, given their price.
The Buds FE also have power to spare but never appear too aggressive for the user, this is where you really feel AKG's technical know-how. Samsung has succeeded in its challenge with headphones for less than 100 Euros which offer very decent audio quality and a rather musical rendering. And they are also versatile enough, to enjoy Hip Hop or big rock but also to listen to podcasts.
As is often the case with entry-level headphones, the equalizer is essential to refine the sound reproduction. 6 presets with evocative names are available from the app: Normal – Bass amp – Light – Dynamic – Clear – Treble amp. Effective settings which make it possible to correct certain faults with a special mention for the bass amp which proves very effective in restoring body to the whole on certain pieces. However, we can regret that the equalizer is not configurable, another sacrifice on the altar of price.
Far from being perfect, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE still have real audio qualities to appeal to a wide audience. The Fan Edition 2023 is therefore a good vintage for Samsung's True Wireless headphones. With great sound performance, the Buds FE are among the best models in this price range.
Competition update
In the segment of Bluetooth headphones for less than €100, there are numerous competitors for the Galaxy Buds FE in 2024. Among the True Wireless models offering good value for money, we can cite the Huawei FreeBuds 5i, the Jabra Elite 5 or even the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2.
With Hi-Res Audio certification for HD quality sound and a Multipoint connection, the Huawei have many advantages but they are less durable than the Buds FE.
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