Galaxy Buds FE hands-on video: Samsung cuts price, not quality

We had the chance to test the Galaxy Buds FE before their launch, and you can check out our experience with the new earbuds in the video below.

At just $99, the Galaxy Buds FE are 50% cheaper than the Galaxy Buds 2, but it still has two major advantages. Samsung has brought back the wing tips seen on the Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Buds+, which make them fit more securely in the ears. Moreover, they last longer than the more expensive Galaxy Buds 2. During our week-long experience with the Galaxy Buds FE, they never had a problem staying in place or any fit issues, even while working out. The charging case follows Samsung's new design theme, though, with a rounded square shape.

Up to 8.5 hours of battery life on a single charge

Samsung claims that the Galaxy Buds FE can last up to 8.5 hours on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. While that's not as chart-topping as the Galaxy Buds+'s 11-hour mark, they are considerably longer lasting than the Galaxy Buds 2 and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The Galaxy Buds FE lacks wireless charging, but it makes up for it with faster charging. With the USB Type-C port, the earbuds offer close to two hours of music playback after just 10 minutes of charging.

Despite its single-driver setup, the Galaxy Buds FE offers clear audio and plenty of bass. It is not as good as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and the tuning leans a little toward bass, but many people actually prefer audio that way. So, for those people, the Galaxy Buds FE might be better than the more expensive Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The voice quality during calls was pretty good, too. The ANC was good, too, and it was on par with the Galaxy Buds 2 in our limited testing period.

Stay tuned to our website and YouTube channel for our complete Galaxy Buds FE review.