Samsung’s Galaxy Buds FE are the company’s latest attempt to offer premium features at a friendlier price. They come in as the “Fan Edition” of Samsung’s earbuds lineup. These deliver solid active noise cancellation, good sound and a comfortable fit. All this is at a fraction of what you would pay for Galaxy Buds2 Pro. But as with many Samsung accessories, these earbuds truly shine only when paired with a Samsung smartphone.
Design and Fit
The Galaxy Buds FE are small, lightweight and sit comfortably in the ear for long listening sessions. Their fit feels secure enough for workouts or a quick jog. The touch controls are responsive and easy to get used to, and the charging case is compact enough to slip into any pocket.
That said, the design has one clear limitation, an IPX2 rating. That means the earbuds can handle a light sweat or drizzle but aren’t built for heavy rain or intense workouts. There’s also no wireless charging support, so you’ll have to rely on the USB-C cable that comes in the box.
Performance and Features
Once connected to a Samsung or Android phone, the Galaxy Buds FE really come to life. You can manage ANC levels, switch to transparency mode, or fine-tune sound presets through the Galaxy Wearable app. The app also includes a handy “Lost Mode” feature that helps you locate misplaced earbuds. This is something you will appreciate if you tend to misplace small gadgets.
Unfortunately, iPhone users are left out. There’s no iOS app, which means you can’t access features like ANC control, equalizer settings, or voice assistant integration. You can still use them as standard Bluetooth earbuds, but you’ll be missing out on most of what makes them special. These earbuds are made for Android devices and that’s how to get all their best features.
Sound and ANC
The sound quality is surprisingly good for earbuds in this price range. Vocals are clear, instruments are well-separated and overall audio balance feels pleasant across genres. The bass is present but not overpowering.
The real standout feature here is the active noise cancellation. For the price, it’s excellent. It easily cuts out background chatter, traffic noise and even the hum of an office or café. When you need to tune back in, transparency mode lets in just enough ambient sound to stay aware of your surroundings. Keep in mind this is not as natural as what you would get on high-end earbuds like the Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
Battery Life
Samsung promises up to nine hours of playback with ANC off, or around six hours when it’s on. Having use the earbuds, this is pretty close to real-world results. The case adds another 21 hours of juice. This means youl only need to charge every few days. It’s a good balance, though the lack of wireless charging feels like a small step back in convenience.
Pricing and Availability in Kenya
In Kenya, the Galaxy Buds FE retail from around Ksh 7,500, depending on where you shop. Some online stores and retailers already offer discounts, especially when bundled with Samsung smartphones. That puts them in direct competition with models like the Oraimo FreePods 5 Pro, Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 and Soundcore Life Note 3i.
At this price, Samsung’s earbuds stand out mainly for their reliable ANC and app integration, if you’re using a Samsung device.
Verdict
The Galaxy Buds FE hit a sweet spot between affordability and performance. They sound good, block out a fair amount of noise, and fit comfortably enough for daily use. But the catch is clear, they’re built with Samsung’s ecosystem in mind.
If you already use a Samsung phone or any android phone, these are some of the best budget-friendly earbuds you can get right now. For everyone else, especially iPhone users, there are better all-round options that don’t lock you out of key features.
Pros:
- Excellent ANC for the price
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Solid battery life
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Limited app support for non-Samsung/Android users
- Basic water resistance
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Review
