Samsung releases new AirPods rivals, but EE has a more affordable way to switch to Galaxy Buds

Galaxy Buds3 FE are a more affordable version of the top-tier Galaxy Buds3 Pro launched in July last year
|SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICE

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You can make the new earbuds yours for £129
- Samsung just released the Galaxy Buds3 FE for £129
- But the older Galaxy Buds3 are now just £79.50 from EE
- That's 50% off the standard price tag for these earbuds
- Each is a more budget-friendly option than the Galaxy Buds3 Pro (£219)
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Samsung has released its latest pair of Bluetooth earbuds — Galaxy Buds3 FE — with a surprisingly affordable price tag. Like the Galaxy S25 FE smartphone unveiled earlier this week, these wireless earbuds are designed to be a budget-friendly alternative to the South Korean firm's top-tier offering.
In this case, that's the flagship Galaxy Buds3 Pro (£219) wireless earbuds, which launched last summer. Samsung has brought many of the features associated with these flagship 'buds to its new Galaxy Buds3 FE, including its angular "Blade" design for the stems, Galaxy AI capabilities, and enhanced audio experience.
Galaxy Buds3 FE are now available in a choice of either Black or Grey colourways for £129.
Samsung already offers "FE", which stands for "Fan Edition", variants of its bestselling models, including its Galaxy S smartphone lineup and tablets. These revisions are designed to offer premium technology at a lower price point, bringing the latest features to the widest possible audience.
Be the first to buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
The Galaxy Buds3 FE packs AI-powered smarts, top-tier comfort, and standout battery life into an affordable package—which may be a great choice for Galaxy users seeking premium features without the flagship price.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
$129
However, these aren't actually the most affordable Galaxy Buds available to buy this week. That's because mobile carrier EE has launched an incredible half price sale on the Galaxy Buds3 — the predecessors to the Galaxy Buds3 FE and Buds3 Pro.
With an eye-popping 50% discount, these Bluetooth 'buds are now just £79.50.
You don't need to have an EE SIM card inside your handset to take advantage of this half-price deal.
Despite the recent release of Galaxy Buds3 FE, the Galaxy Buds3 may prove to be the better deal. Released in July 2024, the Buds3 filter out distractions with noise cancellation. You can also enjoy seamless Bluetooth connectivity with the rest of your Galaxy devices.
Like the other earbuds, they also come with a portable rechargeable battery case, so you don't have to worry about plugging them into an outlet all the time. They're also dust and water-resistant, so you can wear them worry-free, whether you're in the gym or on a hike outdoors.
Get 50% off the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 from EE
Available in both silver and white, you can listen to your favourite music, podcasts, and more with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3. If you add them to an existing EE monthly mobile bill, you'll only need to pay £2 up front and then £11 for the next 11 months, which makes them an even more budget-friendly option.
Even if you're not an EE customer, you can trake advantage of this incredible Galaxy Buds saving!
Samsung Galaxy Buds3
$159
$79.50
It's an incredible saving that you won't find on Amazon or Samsung's own online store. In both stores, the Galaxy Buds3 still cost £159 at the moment.
Still, if you want the latest product launch from Samsung, you might want to stick with the earbuds launched this week. Galaxy Buds3 FE arrive with some straightforward gestures — saving you the hassle of having to your smartphone out of your pocket to adjust volume. Simply pinch the Blade-like stem to make a selection or swipe for volume adjustments.
With a larger speaker compared to the earlier Galaxy Buds FE, these new 'buds should deliver rich, powerful sound with deep bass and clear treble. Samsung has equipped its Bluetooth earbuds with bolstered Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to quash distracting background noises for a more immersive listening experience.
If you remember to pop the 'buds back in the charging case, Galaxy Buds3 FE are capable of lasting over 24-hours between charges
|SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICE
It also means you'll be able to hear your favourite podcasts, playlists, or audiobooks in a noisy environment, like a train carriage or plane seat.
This is powered by a three-microphone array. The same hardware also enables you to make calls in busy environments via the new Crystal Clear Call feature. This uses machine learning algorithms to separate your voice from surrounding noise, whilst the repositioned microphones face towards your mouth for optimal voice capture.
Your new Galaxy Buds3 FE 'buds are designed to last six hours on a single charge when using ANC, or 8.5 hours with this feature switched off. If you keep returning the earbuds back in the bundled case, which has its own battery to top up the 'buds, you'll be able to go 24-hours with ANC activated, or 30 hours without it, before you'll need to find a charger.
The Galaxy Buds3 FE are rated IP54, which means they're able to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for around 30 minutes without any issue. That means you'll be able to wear these Bluetooth buds in a downpour or working up a sweat in the gym without any issue.
However, Samsung doesn't advise you to take the Galaxy Buds3 FE with you to the beach or pool.
The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with Auto Switch functionality, so the Galaxy Buds3 FE will be seamlessly switched between your Galaxy devices — automatically moving to a tablet if you start watching something, then switching back to your Galaxy smartphone if you receive an incoming call.
With a larger speaker compared to the earlier Galaxy Buds FE, these new 'buds should deliver rich, powerful sound with deep bass and clear treble
|SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICE
Like other recent additions to the Samsung lineup, there are no shortage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) features baked into the Galaxy Buds3 FE.
These lightweight 'buds support hands-free commands like “Hey Google”, prompting the Galaxy Buds3 FE to listen, understand, and respond without a screen or hands – just the user’s voice.
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Samsung claims the experience is "fast, natural, and conversational, designed to feel more like talking to a friend than using a device". You'll be able to check your agenda for the day or email without removing the phone from your pocket or bag. For translation, Galaxy Buds3 FE supports the Galaxy AI Interpreter app available on Android phones to listen to a lecture in a foreign language or have a conversation with someone in another language.
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