Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE makes AI earbuds affordable at SGD 168

Samsung trims the Buds3 formula into a cheaper, smarter “fan edition.”

by Justin Choo September 5, 2025

written by Justin Choo September 5, 2025

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds3 FE wants to make 2025’s big earbud upgrades available without burning a hole in your pocket. Priced at SGD 168, the FE brings the same Blade stem design and Galaxy AI features from the flagship Buds3 series, just trimmed down for mainstream buyers.

Blade design, but budget-friendly

The new FE buds ditch the old bean-shaped look for Samsung’s “Blade” aesthetic, complete with pinch and swipe controls on the stems. A larger dynamic driver handles sound — delivering punchier bass and clearer treble compared to the last-gen FE — while enhanced ANC and a 3-mic ML-powered call system tackle noisy trains and windy streets. You also get a basic Ambient Sound mode for passthrough when you need awareness, though it lacks the adaptive tricks of the pricier Buds3 models. The FE also supports 360 Spatial Audio when paired with compatible Galaxy devices, giving movies and music more depth — though without the head tracking found on the Buds3 Pro.

Entry-level Galaxy AI

For the first time in an FE model, Samsung bakes in Galaxy AI. That means voice-triggered assistants, Interpreter and Live Translate for real-time conversations, and the ability to check your agenda or emails hands-free. It’s not the full feature set of the Buds3 Pro, but they’ve included the most helpful features. Codec support covers Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC), AAC, and SBC — no hi-res extras here.

How it stacks up in the lineup

Buds3 FE (SGD 168): Single driver, basic ANC with ambient sound passthrough, codec support for SSC/AAC/SBC, 360 spatial audio, IP54 — essential AI and design at the lowest price.
Buds3 (SGD 198): Dual drivers, Adaptive EQ and ANC with ambient passthrough, Real-time translation features, Gemini voice assistant support (One UI 8+), 360 spatial audio, IP57 — better sound and smarter noise control.
Buds3 Pro (SGD 278): Dual drivers AI-tuned for detail, adds Voice Detect and Siren Detect for smarter ambient sound switching, Context-aware ANC tuning, more seamless and full Gemini AI integration, 360 spatial audio with head tracking, IP57 — the premium pick.

The Buds3 FE also fares well in battery life compared to its peers: it lasts up to 6 hours (24 with case), whereas the Buds3 is rated for 5 hours (24 with case) and the Buds3 Pro does 6 hours (26 with case) — with ANC on in all instances. Fast charging helps too: a quick 5-minute top-up nets about an hour of playback.

Availability

The Galaxy Buds3 FE will be available in Singapore from 12 September 2025 at Singtel, StarHub, Samsung Online Store, Shop App, Experience Stores, Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, KrisShop, iShopChangi, and major electronics retailers.

Justin Choo

Justin lives for gadgets, even if there isn’t a circuit board inside. From pool cues to nerf blasters to paper card stock, there’s nothing he won’t obsess about if curiosity gets the better of him. A self-professed master of useless information (his words, not ours), he has spent the greater part of 13 years writing about technology (and grumbling about it), having worked with PC Magazine, Gadget3, T3 (not the airport terminal), Stuff and NXT (not the wrestling one) among others. He has also written all manner of topics for non-tech publications like Spirited Singapore (not the ghostly kind), Active Age, and The Robb Report, to name a few. (Be warned: he’ll sidetrack every conversation.)