If you’re torn between the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core and the Galaxy Buds FE, you’re not alone. Both are great true wireless earbuds from Samsung that promise solid sound, reliable noise cancellation, and deep integration with Galaxy phones — but there are a few key differences worth knowing before you buy.
I’ve spent some time comparing both models side by side, and here’s what I found.
Price & Avialablity
The Galaxy Buds FE are priced at $99.99 USD and come in two sleek colors — Graphite and White. They’re widely available through Samsung’s official store and major online retailers.
The newer Galaxy Buds Core are expected to cost around $59 USD and will be offered in Black and White. Global availability is still rolling out, but they should hit most markets soon.
Design & Build Quality
Let’s start with the basics — the design.
Both earbuds come in a compact case with Samsung’s clean, minimalist look. The Buds FE case feels a bit sturdier and more protective, while the Buds Core is slightly lighter and easier to carry around.
The earbuds themselves feel almost identical in material — smooth, lightweight, and well-built. When it comes to comfort, both fit nicely in the ears, even after hours of listening. If I had to pick one, I’d say the Galaxy Buds Core feel just a touch more snug, but it’s really close.
Sound Quality & Noise Cancellation
Both models deliver a well-balanced sound signature — clear mids, crisp highs, and surprisingly strong bass for their price. Even at high volumes, there’s no noticeable distortion.
However, if you love bass or just want a bit more depth in your music, the Buds Core sound a bit fuller and more detailed. When you enable the extra bass mode in the Galaxy Wearable app, it really shines.
Noise cancellation is solid on both. The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) on the Buds Core feels slightly stronger in everyday environments — enough to make a difference if you often use them outdoors or on public transport.
Microphone & Call Quality
Both earbuds do a good job with calls. Voices sound clear, and background noise is kept under control. That said, the Galaxy Buds Core once again pulls slightly ahead with a cleaner microphone output and more natural tone. If you take calls often, you’ll probably notice the difference.
Bluetooth & Connectivity
Here’s where things get interesting — the Galaxy Buds Core come with Bluetooth 5.4, while the Buds FE use Bluetooth 5.2.
In daily use, though, both connect quickly and stay stable, especially with Samsung phones. The Core feels slightly faster to pair, and reconnects instantly once you open the case near a Galaxy device. No dropouts, no lag — just smooth performance.
App Features & Customization
Both earbuds work with Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app, which is surprisingly good.
You can tweak just about everything — toggle ANC or ambient sound mode, change EQ presets, edit touch controls, and even find your lost earbuds.
One cool thing is that you can completely disable touch controls if you find yourself tapping accidentally. Both models also support “read notifications aloud,” ambient sound during calls, and several sound effect presets. It’s the same feature set across both, so no real winner here.
Battery Life
Battery life is another area where the Buds Core takes a small lead.
- Galaxy Buds Core: up to 35 hours total with the case (ANC off)
- Galaxy Buds FE: around 8 hours per charge, and about 30 hours total with the case
It’s a small difference, but if you travel or use your earbuds constantly, that extra 5 hours might come in handy.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Core vs Galaxy Buds FE: Specs Comparison
| Features | Galaxy Buds Core | Galaxy Buds FE |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Battery (earbuds / case) | Earbuds 65 mAh / Case 500 mAh — Up to 35 hrs (ANC off) | Earbuds 60 mAh / Case 479 mAh — ~8–8.5 hrs earbud, up to 30 hrs (ANC off) |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes (ANC) | Yes (ANC) |
| Microphones | Multi-mic system (outer + inner mics) | 3 mics per bud (2 outer + 1 inner) |
| Water / Dust Rating | IP54 (dust & splash resistant) | IPX2 / splash resistant (check local SKU) |
| Weight (per earbud / case) | Earbud ~5.3 g / Case ~31.2 g | Earbud ~5.6 g / Case ~40 g |
| Charging | USB-C (fast charge supported) | USB-C (fast charge supported) |
| App & Features | Galaxy Wearable — ANC, Ambient sound, EQ, touch controls, Find My Earbuds | Galaxy Wearable — ANC, Ambient sound, EQ, touch controls, Find My Earbuds |
My Recommendation
In actual use — watching YouTube, listening to Spotify, or taking calls — both perform great.
The Buds FE sound clean and balanced, while the Buds Core come off slightly richer, especially in the bass range. For music lovers, that difference might be enough to sway your decision.
If I had to pick just one, I’d go with the Galaxy Buds Core.
The difference isn’t massive, but it does feel a bit more refined overall — especially in sound quality, Bluetooth speed, and battery life.
That said, the Buds FE are still an amazing pair of earbuds for their price, and you won’t regret getting them either.
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
