Samsung’s 2026 earbud lineup gives buyers a clear fork in the road: spend $249 for the feature-packed Galaxy Buds4 Pro, or save $100 and grab the $149 Galaxy Buds3 FE. After testing both, I find that the choice isn’t as simple as “Pro is better.” While the Buds4 Pro lean into cutting-edge Samsung-exclusive features, the Buds3 FE focus on fundamentals like fit, ANC, and a more balanced tuning. Here’s my in-depth take on the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs the Galaxy Buds3 FE.
How has this article been updated?
This article was originally published on March 8, 2026, and this is the first version.
What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro compared to the Galaxy Buds3 FE?
Both come in Black, but the Buds 3 FE are bigger.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro feature a lollipop stem-and-bud design with silicone ear tips and no stabilizing fin. At 5.1g per earbud, they’re light and comfortable for long listening sessions, but they rely entirely on the ear tip seal to stay in place. I find the pinch controls a bit awkward to use, especially since the nub that indicates the control area isn’t particularly intuitive. Nevertheless, the small charging case slips easily into a pocket and supports both USB-C and wireless charging. With an IP57 rating, the earbuds are extremely well protected against dust and moisture.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE also use a stem design with a sealed ear tip fit that feels secure in daily use. At 5g per earbud, they’re slightly lighter, and I find they stay put better during workouts thanks to the solid anchoring through the tragus and antitragus. The matte black finish looks more understated than the Pro’s styling. However, while the case is similarly sized, it does not support wireless charging. The IP54 rating is also a step down, but it’s still suitable for gym sessions and rain. Controls are conducted with familiar pinch and swipe gestures, but the pinch requires some force. Thankfully, their superior fit prevents them from shifting as much as the Buds4 Pro.
Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 FE have more features?
The app is the main controller for advanced options.
If you own a recent Samsung phone, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro clearly offer more cutting-edge features. For example, they include Ultra-wideband voice (16kHz bandwidth) and Ultra High-Quality audio, although these require a compatible Samsung device (S23 or newer with One UI 6.1.1+). The Buds4 Pro also support Auracast, allowing you to tune into shared public broadcasts, something the Buds3 FE lack.
Still, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE provide strong app integration through the Galaxy Wearable app. You get six EQ presets plus a custom 9-band EQ, ANC and ambient controls, Find My Earbuds, Gemini voice commands, real-time translation, Bixby integration, and Auto Switch within the Samsung ecosystem. As with all Samsung earbuds, iPhone users miss out on most of these features. Overall, the Buds4 Pro include age-related tuning adjustments and Samsung-exclusive codec perks, but the Buds3 FE deliver most of the core smart features at a lower price.
How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy Buds3 FE connect?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE feature a 9-band custom EQ.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro use Bluetooth 6.1 with SBC and AAC, plus Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) on compatible Samsung phones. This is ideal for high-quality wireless audio fans and those wanting the latest connectivity options. Sadly, the buds do not support true Multipoint. Instead, they require the Samsung Wear app on each device for switching.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE use Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codec. Like the Pro, they lack true Multipoint connectivity, though Samsung’s Auto Switch helps within the Galaxy ecosystem. In practical use, both perform similarly for Samsung users, but neither supports simultaneous dual-device connections.
Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 FE?
Samsung will sell an exclusive Rose Gold variant of the Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
Samsung advertises up to 6 hours of playback with ANC on for the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, though we are still awaiting our final standardized test results. Each earbud houses a 61mAh battery, and the case includes a 530mAh cell. It also supports wired USB-C and wireless charging.
In our testing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE last 4 hours and 26 minutes with ANC enabled, and just under 6 hours with ANC off. That’s fairly average performance. The Buds3 FE do not support wireless charging, but a few minutes plugged in should net around an hour of playback. Until final lab data is in for the Buds4 Pro, Samsung’s estimates suggest similar endurance, though the Pro offer more charging flexibility.
Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 FE block noise better?
Both earbuds perform very well, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE slightly edge ahead in active noise cancellation. With ANC enabled, the Buds3 FE attenuate about 86% of outside noise, and even without ANC, passive isolation hushes about 66% of environmental sound. I find they also handle wind noise particularly well.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro attenuate noise by an average of 84% with ANC strength set to maximum. There is slightly reduced effectiveness between 500Hz and 1.1kHz, though they still improve on the Buds3 Pro by 5–10dB in that range. Isolation is solid, but the FE technically measure stronger overall ANC performance.
Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro sound better than the Galaxy Buds3 FE?
The Galaxy Buds3 FE may be Samsung’s best-sounding earbuds.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro have a dark tuning with strong bass and a rolloff in the higher octaves. Overall, bass frequencies are more elevated than we typically look for, and I find the low-end can dominate certain mixes. While some quiet or older recordings may benefit from this approach, busy tracks can sound muffled due to the perceived lack of treble extension. EQ adjustments in the Galaxy Wearable app are vital for reining things in.
Objective Measurements
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE loosely follow our house curve, with about a 5dB bass overemphasis but no pronounced high-frequency spikes. The midrange is marginally less prevalent, and the treble dip around 10kHz can make cymbals and other high-frequency content sound less prominent. However, despite the measurements above, they sound more balanced and refined compared to the Buds4 Pro’s darker presentation. For listeners sensitive to excessive bass strength, the FE may be the safer bet.
How would most people rate the sound from 1 to 5?
What do the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores mean?
Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Looking at Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS), the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro earn a “good” overall rating of 4.8. Distortion is their weak point, meaning mixes may sound less clear than with other earbuds. However, the Buds4 Pro have a very high Timbre score, resulting in a more faithful presentation of the entire frequency spectrum.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE return decent Distortion and Immersiveness scores, with just “okay” Timbre in baseline testing (without Samsung’s proprietary codec). Both earbuds fall within the “good” range overall.
Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 FE have a better microphone?
The Galaxy Buds4 Pro have better bass precision to my ears.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro use a combination of microphones and bone conduction pickups to reduce in-call noise. The system works well, provided that the buds are fitted properly. If the seal isn’t secure enough to activate the bone conduction sensors, outside noise and wind can creep into calls. Ultra-wideband calling depends on both device and network support.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE show noticeable improvement in background noise reduction compared to previous FE and Buds3 models. In office and street simulations, voices remain clearer, though very windy environments still pose challenges. Overall, I find the Buds3 FE more consistent for calls.
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
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Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs Galaxy Buds3 FE: Price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro retail for $249 in Black, White, and Pink Gold. The last is only available from Samsung’s website and Samsung Experience Stores. Their price tag positions them at the high end of the true wireless market. Many of their most compelling features require a recent Samsung phone.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE cost $149 and are available in Gray and Black colorways. They sacrifice wireless charging, Auracast, and IP57 durability, but maintain strong ANC, balanced sound, and Samsung ecosystem features at a significantly lower price.
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro price history
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE price history
Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro or the Galaxy Buds3 FE?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE represent excellent value for money.
If you own a recent Samsung flagship phone and want every cutting-edge feature available — including Auracast and ultra-wideband voice — the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro make sense. They offer strong ANC, useful software features, and broad durability.
However, for most Samsung users, I find the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE hit the sweet spot. They deliver slightly better ANC performance, a more balanced tuning that loosely tracks our target curve, solid call quality, and $100 in savings. Unless you specifically need the Pro-exclusive features, the Buds3 FE are the more sensible buy for most people.
Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro if you:
Have a modern Samsung device
Want high-end features
Exercise often
Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE if you:
Are on a tighter budget
Need superior ANC
Don’t care for every bell and whistle
Which earbuds would you buy?
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Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
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