Samsung Launches Budget Galaxy Buds 3 FE with AI Integration
Samsung is rolling out its latest accessible audio offering, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE, bringing a significant design overhaul and enhanced features to its Fan Edition lineup. Departing from the previous “blob” aesthetic, these new earbuds embrace a stemmed design, a form factor popularized by Apple and already seen in Samsung’s higher-end Galaxy Buds 3 models launched last year. This shift aims to align the budget-friendly option more closely with its premium counterparts in both appearance and functionality.
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE arrive with notable improvements, including enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC), richer sound quality, and an IP54 rating, providing robust resistance against dust and rain. For audio playback, users can expect up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC engaged, extending to 8.5 hours when ANC is switched off. The accompanying charging case further boosts these figures, offering a combined listening time of 24 hours with ANC on, or an impressive 30 hours with ANC off. For voice calls, the earbuds provide 4 hours of talk time, regardless of ANC status, which can be extended to 18 hours with the case.
Beyond audio performance, the Buds 3 FE are engineered for seamless integration with Samsung’s Galaxy AI capabilities on compatible smartphones. A simple “hey Google” command or a long press activates a conversation mode, enabling direct interaction with Gemini or the Galaxy AI Interpreter app for real-time translation of spoken language. Additional features include support for Find My Earbuds, an ambient sound transparency mode to keep users aware of their surroundings, and voice isolation technology designed to improve call clarity in noisy environments. The earbuds also boast the convenient ability to auto-switch between various Samsung devices, streamlining the user experience across the ecosystem.
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE will be available in sleek black and gray models, with an economical starting price of $149.99 when they launch in the US on September 4th. This pricing, however, marks a $50 increase compared to the launch price of the original Galaxy Buds FE two years prior, a detail that might surprise consumers accustomed to the line’s historically lower entry point.