Galaxy Buds FE hands-on: better than the AirPods Pro 2?

Samsung has released a Fan Edition of the Galaxy Buds for the first time. While testing them, one question kept coming to mind: are the Galaxy Buds FE, at €109, actually better than my second-generation AirPods Pro, which cost €279?

I realize that an iPhone user will probably always buy the AirPods and an Android user the Galaxy Buds. But many people write to me that they feel trapped in the Apple ecosystem and would like to try Android, but are afraid of losing quality. It is almost a matter of the heart for me to show that there are premium devices in the Android world too, which often cost a fraction of the price and are at least as good, sometimes better.

Why the FE is not a stripped-down version

Since March 2019, Samsung has released six versions of the Galaxy Buds, most recently the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in August 2022. There hasn’t been a new one for a year, so the FE were almost overdue. I wonder why there is no Galaxy Buds 3. The FE don’t feel stripped down to me, though. Compared with my AirPods Pro 2, I am stunned at how little difference I notice.

What both have in common

• Three microphones, Hall, nutrition and touch sensors, as well as personalized beamforming with DNN technology. It adapts the earbuds to how you wear them, so your voice can be understood clearly even in loud environments and background noise is filtered out.
• Active noise cancelling: I can hardly notice a difference.
• Battery life: a maximum of 30 hours including the case.
• Switching devices within the ecosystem: If you are watching a video on your tablet and your smartphone rings, both switch seamlessly to the smartphone and back again.
• Locating feature: through “Find My” at Apple, through the SmartThings app at Samsung.
• Voice assistant: on the Buds FE, however, it is Bixby, which, unlike on other Samsung smartphones, can’t be replaced by Google Assistant. Bixby can just about handle accepting and declining calls or picking a contact to call.

What the Galaxy Buds FE lack

• 360-degree audio. The sound always comes from the direction of the device, even when you move your head. It is the first thing I turn off on my AirPods, but I’m sure some people appreciate it when watching TV.
• Conversation detection. The AirPods lower the volume automatically when you start a conversation or sing along. When it comes to singing along, I find that counterproductive.
• IP54. The Buds FE are only protected against splashes according to IPX2.
• Wireless charging for the case. With the AirPods, it only works on charging pads, because the iPhone still can’t do reverse wireless charging.

What the Galaxy Buds FE do better

• Design: As on the first generation, there is a wingtip, a small fin for a better hold. You can also leave it off and so customize the fit.
• App and equalizer: On iOS there is no dedicated AirPods app, you set up the controls and so on in the Bluetooth settings. On Android, you control the Buds through the Wearable app. The AirPods have no equalizer and probably never will. With the Buds FE, you can set your preferred sound. As with iOS overall, Apple hardly allows any customization.
• Touch controls: On the AirPods, you can finally change the volume of music or a call with a swipe gesture, using a tiny control area on the inside of the stem. For people with less fine motor control or big fingers, that quickly becomes fiddly. The Buds FE have a large touch area on the outer surface that you don’t have to hunt for. You also don’t trigger an action by accident when you adjust the Buds, which is the case with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

Sound

Preferences differ widely when it comes to sound, so this is just my personal impression: both sound incredibly good, in the highs and the lows. Overall, the AirPods are maybe a bit richer and duller in the bass, but thanks to the equalizer I can set the Buds FE so that the bass comes out more strongly. Call quality is outstanding on both.

Verdict

The Galaxy Buds FE currently cost €109 RRP, and in my view a price drop is still to be expected. The AirPods Pro 2 cost €279 RRP. In return, with the Buds FE you give up wireless charging, 360-degree audio, conversation detection and IP54. But you get a larger touch area, a more extensive app with an equalizer, just as good ANC and equally good call quality. Here is my answer to the question of whether the Galaxy Buds FE are better than the AirPods Pro 2: they are at least on par. You have to make some compromises, but you also get advantages. As a consumer, you should ask yourself whether the prices Apple is asking are really justified.