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Samsung’s Fan Edition (FE) lineup has always tried to blend premium features with an accessible price, and the new Galaxy Buds 3 FE fit that mold perfectly. The most obvious change you’ll notice is a complete design overhaul, as Samsung has ditched the classic “bean” look of the previous generation for a stemmed design that aligns with the rest of their earbud lineup.
The new pro-style look brings with it a silicone eartip design that enables enhanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and improved overall sound. Samsung has also added a welcome IP54 rating for dust and rain resistance, making them a more durable choice for daily use. Samsung is promising up to 6 hours of listening with ANC on and a total of 30 hours when factoring in recharges from the case.
The real headline, however, is the AI integration. While the Buds 3 FE offer seamless access to Samsung’s own Galaxy AI features like the real-time Interpreter app, the inclusion of Gemini is a significant move. Users can get hands-free access to Gemini with the “Hey Google” command, marking a major expansion for Google’s AI assistant beyond its own Pixel Buds.
This is a feature that was announced back in May and has only recently begun rolling out to the existing Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, and it has been dependent on the latest Android 16 (One UI 8) update. It’s currently unclear if Gemini on the new Buds 3 FE will be locked behind that same One UI 8 requirement. If not, it would make these new Fan Edition buds the most straightforward way to access Google’s most powerful AI on a pair of Samsung earbuds.
Other notable features include Find My Earbuds support, an ambient sound mode, and auto-switching between Samsung devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE are set to arrive in the US on September 4th in black and gray models. The new design and AI smarts will, however, come at a cost. At $149.99, they are $50 more than their predecessors, placing them in a far more competitive bracket, so we’ll have to see how consumers react. But what are your thoughts on the new Galaxy Buds 3 FE? Are you picking up a pair? Let me know in the comments below.
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