Samsung has established itself as a top manufacturer of wireless earbuds, with its Galaxy Buds lineup that competes directly with Apple’s AirPods. The Galaxy Buds FE, Buds2, and Buds2 Pro are Samsung’s current offerings, each providing a quality listening experience in different ways. This article will do a deep dive into the key factors that distinguish each model. By comparing the important criteria across the versions, you’ll get a clear sense of which is the best choice to suit your needs and budget.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE vs Buds2 vs Buds2 Pro: Key Specs Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Buds FE | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (earbud) | 17.3×19.3×22.2mm | 17 x 20.9 x 21.1 mm | 17 x 20.9 x 21.1mm |
| Dimensions (case) | 50.1 x 50.2 x 27.8 mm | 50 x 50.2 x 27.8 mm | 50.2 x 50.1 x 27.8 mm |
| Weight (earbud) | 5.5 g | 5.8 g | 5.5 g |
| Bluetooth connectivity and codecs | Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec | Bluetooth 5.2, SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec | Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec, Hi-Res Audio Wireless (LDAC) |
| Water resistance | IPX2 | IPX2 | IPX7 |
| Fit type | Sealed | Sealed | Sealed |
| Battery life (earbuds, ANC on) | 5 hours | 6 hours | 5 hours |
| Charging | Fast charging | Wireless charging, fast charging | Wireless charging, fast charging |
| Active noise cancellation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 360 audio | No | No | Yes |
| Touch controls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $99 | $149 | $229 |
1. Design and Fit
The physical design and shape of the earbuds affect both their appearance and comfort. Let’s explore how they differ:
Galaxy Buds FE
The FE edition brings back the wingtip design that anchored earlier Galaxy Buds models. A small oval-shaped fin protrudes from each earbud, tucking into the folds of your ear for stability.
This provides a very secure and customizable fit. You can adjust the angle and position so the Buds FE sit tight no matter your ear size and shape. The wingtips are low profile and don’t feel intrusive.
Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Unlike the FE, the Buds2 Pro opts for a smoother contoured surface lacking any wingtips or fins. The curvature is meant to naturally conform to the bowl of your ear for a snug friction fit.
It relies on this ergonomic shape to keep the earbuds anchored instead of any protruding parts. When positioned correctly, the snugness provides decent stability and comfort. But the fit may depend more on having the right ear tip size.
Galaxy Buds2
The Buds2 has the simplest pebble-shaped design of the three. They nestle into the ear without any contours or wings. The lightweight build keeps them comfortable when worn.
But the lack of design accents also means they risk fitting loosely and falling out if bumped or jostled. You have to get just the right tip size and depth to achieve a tight seal. For some ears, that perfect adjustment may be difficult.
2. Sound Quality
Let’s move on from aesthetics to the actual audio performance. The hardware specs and drivers inside each earbud model have a big impact on sound quality:
Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Without a doubt, the Buds2 Pro delivers the best sound in the lineup courtesy of a new 10mm woofer and 5.3mm tweeter in each bud.
You get a deep, punchy bass response without muddiness plus exceptionally crisp and clear treble. The dual drivers handle low and high frequencies with finesse across music genres. Their wide soundstage gives the music a spacious feel like listening to a concert.
Galaxy Buds2
The Buds2 also utilizes a two-way speaker setup with a woofer and a tweeter. But the 6mm sizes tweeter limits the sound depth somewhat.
The audio still impresses with clean mids, detailed treble, and decent bass punch. Just don’t expect the truly expansive and hard-hitting low-end provided by the Buds2 Pro. The Buds2 delivers very capable sound for its size.
Galaxy Buds FE
With a single 12mm dynamic driver in each earbud, the FE model has the least impressive specifications on paper. Yet the audio remains remarkably well-balanced and energetic.
The bass bumps nicely without muddiness, mids are present and crisp, and highs avoid harshness. You miss some volume and kick compared to the dual driver Pro and 2, but the FE still shines for the price.
3. Noise Cancellation
Blocking out ambient noise is crucial for immersive listening sessions. The levels of active noise cancellation (ANC) differ here:
Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Samsung claims an impressive 99% coverage with the Pro’s ANC enabled, and it shows in daily usage. The isolation from distracting noise in crowded environments is remarkable for earbuds.
Multi-mic ANC combats a wide spectrum of sound frequencies. You can truly enjoy your music or calls without cranking the volume to overcome noise. The algorithm tweaks cancellation levels based on ambient noise changes.
Galaxy Buds FE
Though rated lower at 98% coverage, the FE’s noise canceling remains quite respectable. What’s impressive is how well the design aids it.
The wingtip’s snug seal passively blocks noise before the ANC kicks in. Together, they make loud environments noticeably quieter. The FE hits above its ANC specs when you factor in the passive isolation.
Galaxy Buds2
Like the FE, the Buds2 is officially rated at 98% noise cancellation. Real-world results align with this rating, providing solid dampening of moderate ambient noise like chatter and engines.
For very loud settings, the Buds2’s ANC starts to struggle and let in more background noise compared to the Pro. But you still get decent isolation that improves listening enjoyment.
4. Microphone Quality
You want crisp, intelligible call quality when using earbuds as a headset. Recording audio should sound accurate and natural. Here’s how the mics stack up:
Voice calls
During calls, all three Buds models deliver satisfactory vocal pickup and minimal background noise interference thanks to their array of beamforming mics. Voices transmit clearly and cleanly for natural conversations.
Recording
This is where the Buds2 Pro separates itself recording-wise. It activates a 360-degree audio capture mode on supporting Samsung phones, tapping mics on all sides for surveillance-like environmental recording.
The resulting video clips have a truly immersive and spatial sound quality lacking with the more standard mics on the FE and Buds2. Only the Pro provides this special cinematic recording enhancement.
5. Features and Software
Beyond hardware, features like surround sound, EQ adjustment and other software extras distinguish each model:
Galaxy Buds2 Pro
As the flagship, the Pro version packs in all of Samsung’s audio enhancements:
- 360 Audio head-tracking creates surround sound that follows your head’s movement
- Automatic voice detection lowers the volume when talking
- EQ lets you customize sound profiles to your liking
- Gaming mode reduces latency for videos and gaming
- Find My Buds locates lost earbuds via the SmartThings app
Galaxy Buds2
The Buds2 offers a decent selection of extras, albeit not on par with the Pro:
- Surround sound without head-tracking
- Voice detection that automatically pauses music
- EQ presets but no custom profiles
- Low-latency gaming mode
- Find my Buds support
Galaxy Buds FE
As the most affordable option, the FE cuts back on some of the bonus features:
- No surround sound or voice detection
- Basic EQ presets only
- Gaming mode to cut latency
- Find my Buds support
The FE focuses more on core functionality than fancy extras. But the basics like touch controls, app integration, and auto-switching between devices all work reliably.
Also Read:- How to Put Galaxy Buds FE in Pairing Mode
Conclusion
To summarize, each of Samsung’s wireless earbud models has strengths catering to different priorities:
- The Galaxy Buds2 Pro is the choice for audiophiles wanting top-notch sound and every possible audio feature under the sun. Their sublime listening experience justifies the higher price tag.
- The Galaxy Buds FE lacks premium features but provides tremendous value, solid audio, great comfort, and effective noise cancellation. They make an outstanding practical pair for everyday use.
- The Galaxy Buds2 sits in the middle ground with capable sound, decent ANC and mics, and a smattering of extras. They work well if you want a cheaper stepping stone from the FE to Pro.
Consider how much you prize sound quality, noise cancellation effectiveness, design comfort, and software enhancements when deciding which model best matches your needs and budget. Any of the three delivers an excellent wireless listening experience in different ways.
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