Rounding out Samsung range of ‘Fan Edition’, or FE, products is Galaxy Buds FE. Like all FE devices, Samsung Galaxy Buds FE come in at substantially lower price point than their non-FE stablemates but retain some of their signature high-end features and design quality.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE wade into a competitive market with its marquee brand-name to pull some attention. And Buds FE are armed a surprising list of features at a reasonable price to help them hold their own.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are available now in Ireland at an MRSP of €119. And for this price you get the epitome of the Fan Edition, or FE, experience.

The FE Experience

Samsung’s Fan Edition, or FE, range aims to offer certain brand features and design quality to more price-conscious devices. This goal is met perfectly by Samsung Galaxy Buds FE in a number of places.

For example, the clean and transparent voice is in keeping with their Galaxy Buds range, and stands out at this price range. Another example is the inclusion of Samsung Seamless.

With Seamless, you sign into one device and then your Buds FE are paired with your other devices. Galaxy Buds FE also offer what most other buds at this end of market don’t – support for a wide range of Hi-Fi codecs.

Galaxy Buds FE are also small and very light with some obvious Samsung miniaturisation mastery on show. At just 40 grams inside a 50mm x 28mm form factor, the case is incredibly pocketable. And at just 5.6 grams each, the buds don’t weigh on the ears, even after extended listening.

Graphite and White

Our review Samsung Galaxy Buds FE in ‘Graphite’ rock a glossy white outer, with a solitary light grey logo and a peep of the inner dark visible at seam of the case. It’s elegant and simple, and very in keeping with the greater Galaxy range.

The inside of the case is a matte titular graphite with the buds themselves wearing a mostly matching matte dark grey. The touch surfaces are glossy, offering some contrast as well as an easily identifiable touch surface.

Precision Profile

The buds don’t quite offer powerful bass, but they offer a present and precise low-end. The middle and upper registers have the same precision.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE review frequency response bass

The profile is, as mentioned above, neutral and flat. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE aim for a transparent and flat EQ where many around this price opt for a more musical or heavier sound.

Galaxy Buds FE can have a little throaty distortion on tracks that go very loud across the whole audio spectrum on the beat. It’s not too noticeable most of the time but if you like certain genres of music where this type of ‘hot’ mastering is preferred, you might hear more it often.

Samsung ANC Options

Galaxy Buds FE come with both Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound modes. The ANC performance is excellent for steady dins and drone, like those on a plane, train or automobile. The buds resist that ‘breathing’ sensation you get from budget ANC earphones.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Fan Edition graphite white colours style

Each Bud FE houses three mics and uses AI-powered noise reduction to allow for legible calls, even on windy days or when by busy roads.

The buds themselves form a great seal within the ear offering excellent noise isolation, to make the most of the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The silicon tips that latch onto the pinna are another Samsung design marker that keep the buds in situ while exercising.

Buds FE On-Ear Control

There are no buttons on the case of Samsung Galaxy Buds FE. Putting the buds in the case and opening the case makes the buds available to pair. It’s a seamless process. It’s worth noting that Buds FE do not offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity. However, the Auto-Switch function does a good job keeping up.

U-Aye Samsung Wear Wearables Buds Galaxy FE

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE offer an intuitive and simplified control scheme that won’t take long to get used to. The touch area is quite well-defined and you won’t accidentally pause or skip your track whilst adjusting the bud’s position in your ear.

The control scheme, and how the user operates and adjusts the unit in use, show the level of refinement you would expect from Samsung. However, due to the small touch area there are a limited number of commands. You will have to chop and change the default touch options to have volume control, for example.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Battery and Charging

Samsung claim that Galaxy Buds FE are the longest-lasting buds in the series. Numbers from the brand themselves rate the earphones for up to 8.5 hours of playback on their own. Between the buds and charging case, Samsung promise a total of up to 30 hours playback.

With ANC enabled, Samsung claim users still get up to 6 hours of playback on the buds alone. A total up to 21 hours, including the case, with ANC enabled is outstanding.

In practice, you’ll probably have the volume up a little higher and you’ll have H-Fi audio streaming here and there – but you will still achieve admirably close to what Samsung has rated the Buds for.

Charging performance through the USB-C connection is adequate for the price but those coming from higher-end units may find 90 minutes to charge the lot from 0 to 100% to be a bit lax.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Specifications

Frequency response:	20-20,000Hz
Dimensions:	Case: 50.0 x 50.0 x 27.7mm Earbud: 19.2 x 17.1 x 22.2mm
Weight:	Case: 40 grams Earbuds: 5.6 grams each Total: 52.2 grams
Connectivity:	BT5.2; A2DP,AVRCP,HFP, Auto-Switch Samsung Seamless
Drivers:	6.5mm bespoke dynamic
Stamina:	8.5 hours per buds, 30 hours total with case (ANC Off), 6 hours per buds, 21hours total with case (ANC On)
Battery:	Case: 479 mAh Per earbud: 60 mAh
Charging:	Case and buds: 0-100% in 90 minutes
Ruggedisation:	IPX2-rated, light rain resistant
Sensors:	Hall Sensor,Proximity Sensor,Touch Sensor

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are available now in Ireland at an MRSP of €119.

Review unit supplied by Samsung Ireland.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE offer excellent ANC and everyday audio performance with some neat company extras that epitomise the 'Fan Edition' range