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AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: Wireless earphones are now a part of our daily tech lives—be it podcast listening on commutes, office noise cancellation, or enjoying immersive sound at home. Two of the most talked-about true wireless earbuds of 2025 are Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen USB-C) and Samsung Galaxy Buds FE.
But which one is best for you?
In this in-depth comparison, we will be exploring everything from sound quality and noise cancellation to battery life, comfort, compatibility, and price. An Apple or Samsung die-hard, this blog will help you make the smartest choice.
Quick Comparison Table | AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE
| Feature | AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Galaxy Buds FE |
| Release Year | Late 2023 (USB-C refresh) | October 2023 |
| Price (Retail) | ₹26,900 (~$249) | ₹5,999–₹7,499 (~$99) |
| Active Noise Canceling | Yes, industry-leading | Yes, mid-range performance |
| Transparency Mode | Adaptive, excellent | Basic pass-through |
| Sound Quality | Balanced, Spatial Audio | Bass-heavy, customizable EQ |
| Battery Life | 6 hrs (buds) + 30 hrs (case) | ~5 hrs (buds) + 30 hrs (case) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 (buds & case) | IPX2 (buds only) |
| Best For | Apple ecosystem users | Android/Samsung users |
Sound Quality – Balanced vs. Bass-Heavy
AirPods Pro
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have a custom-designed driver and H2 chip that powers Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio, and Personalized Volume. The sound is balanced, clear, and detailed—perfect for pop to podcasts.
Highlights:
- Spatial Audio: Offers a 360° surround-sound experience.
- Adaptive EQ: Pitches up or down in real-time, based on your ear shape.
- Superb mids and sharp treble: Great for classical, acoustic, and spoken content.
Galaxy Buds FE
Samsung has taken a different route with the Galaxy Buds FE. These earbuds are bass-oriented for enthusiasts of heavy bass and relaxed listeners who appreciate energetic, warm sound.
Highlights:
- Bass-forward signature: Perfect for hip-hop, EDM, and pop.
- EQ control via Galaxy Wearable app: Offers some degree of flexibility, especially on Samsung phones.
- Lacks sparkle in treble: Audiophiles will find themselves short of detail at high-end frequencies.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: If you desire audiophile-quality clarity and truly immersive sound, AirPods Pro is the hands-down winner. But for regular listening with a truly punchy low-end, the Buds FE get the job done—especially considering the price.
Active Noise Cancellation – Elite vs. Adequate
AirPods Pro
ANC on AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) is amongst the best in the world. Equipped with the H2 chip and adaptive algorithms, they are able to cancel real-time background noise. Perfect for travel, noisy offices, and public transport.
Features:
- Adaptive Transparency: Amplifies important sounds like voices while reducing jarring environmental noises.
- Conversation Awareness: Automatically lowers volume while speaking.
Galaxy Buds FE
Samsung’s ANC on the Buds FE is quite good for affordable earbuds. It can readily absorb environmental noise, especially consistent ones like engine roar or fan hum. But it lags a long way behind Apple’s precision.
- Passive noise isolation is good because of the fit.
- No auto ambient mode like Apple’s Conversation Awareness.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: If you want class-leading ANC with seamless integrated ambient, AirPods Pro stand alone. Buds FE provide basic noise cancellation that suffices for the normal everyday scenario.
Battery Life – Both Reliable, AirPods Have an Edge
AirPods Pro
- Up to 6 hours with ANC on.
- 30 hours with charging case.
- Wireless, MagSafe, and Apple Watch charging.
- USB-C fast charging gives ~1 hour in 5 minutes.
Galaxy Buds FE
- Up to 5 hours with ANC.
- 30 total hours with the case.
- Charged via USB-C.
- No wireless charging.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: Both have decent battery life, but AirPods Pro win out with better power management, more flexibility in charging, and a little more use per charge.
Fit & Comfort – Stem vs. Wing-Tip
AirPods Pro
The distinctive stem look may not be to everyone’s taste, but AirPods Pro are light and comfortable enough for long-term wear. Apple provides four sizes of tips and an in-app Ear Tip Fit Test to assist users in finding the optimal seal.
Best for:
- Casual listening.
- Office use.
- Light workouts.
Galaxy Buds FE
These buds also come with a wing-tip design that sits perfectly in your ears. They are tightly held when you are exercising or taking long walks, but others consider them bulkier than best-of-breed earbuds.
Good for:
- Active users.
- Runners and gym-goers.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: Opt for AirPods Pro for feather-light comfort and adaptive fit. Opt for Galaxy Buds FE when secure fit for use during intense movement is paramount.
App Support & Smart Features
AirPods Pro
- Seamless integration with iOS and macOS is where AirPods shine.
Features:
- Single-tap Apple device pairing.
- Auto iPhone, Mac, iPad switching.
- Find My integration.
- Head-tracked Spatial Audio.
- Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Transparency, and Personalized Volume (iOS 17+).
Downside:
- No companion app or EQ on Android.
Galaxy Buds FE
- Samsung offers good smart features—especially on Samsung phones.
Features:
- Custom EQ, touch controls, ANC control via the Galaxy Wearable app.
- Live translation (Samsung-exclusive).
- Bixby voice assistant.
- Samsung Scalable Codec for enhanced audio quality on Galaxy phones.
Drawback:
- Limited features on iPhones or non-Samsung Android devices.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro unlock unparalleled smart features. For Android/Samsung users, Buds FE offer more flexibility and customization.
Durability & Water Resistance
AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are rated IPX4 – splash-resistant for both earbuds and case.
Galaxy Buds FE are IPX2, meaning they handle light splashes, but the case is not water-resistant-coated.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: AirPods Pro offer more confidence when exercising or in the rain. Buds FE are fine for normal use but maybe not ideal for long exposure to sweat or water.
Call Quality – Crisp vs. Clear Enough
AirPods Pro
- Beamforming microphones and sophisticated voice isolation.
- Sounds natural on calls and background noise is adequately suppressed.
- Ideal for business calls, remote office work, or voice recordings.
Galaxy Buds FE
- Three mics in each ear with decent noise cancellation.
- Calls come through clearly indoors, but outdoors might pick up some wind or ambient noise.
- Still not bad for budget earbuds.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: AirPods Pro take the win for call quality on voice calls, but Galaxy Buds FE manage just as well for regular use.
Price & Value for Money
- AirPods Pro: ₹26,900 ($249) at launch, often available at ₹21,999 (~$200).
- Galaxy Buds FE: ₹5,999–₹7,499 ($99), often available around ₹4,999 during sales.
Verdict
AirPods Pro vs Galaxy Buds FE: Buds FE win the value game hands down. They offer ANC, EQ, decent sound, and a secure fit at 1/4th the price. AirPods Pro justify the premium with world-class ANC, audio, and Apple-exclusive features—but only if you’re in the Apple world.
Ecosystem Compatibility
AirPods Pro
- Flawless on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch.
- Loses most features on Android.
Galaxy Buds FE
- Impeccable on Samsung Galaxy phones.
- Limited control/EQ on other Android or iOS.
Final Verdict: Which One to Buy in 2025?
Go with AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) if:
- You’re completely within the Apple ecosystem.
- You desire class-leading ANC and Spatial Audio.
- You require smart features like Adaptive Audio.
- You can pay the high price.
Go with Galaxy Buds FE if:
- You’re looking to spend under ₹6,000 (~$75).
- You have a Samsung Galaxy or Android phone.
- You want snappy bass and EQ control.
- You look for safe, gym-use earbuds at an affordable price.
Where to Buy
- AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (USB-C): Available on Apple Store, Amazon, Flipkart.
- Galaxy Buds FE: Available on Samsung India, Amazon, Flipkart, Croma.
Final Thoughts
Both Galaxy Buds FE and AirPods Pro are excellent choices in 2025—but with distinctly different users. Apple’s earbuds are high-end, feature-rich, and polish. Samsung’s Buds FE are excellent value for money with features that out-perform their price.
Whatever you go for, you’re receiving an excellent pair of earbuds—but matching your purchase to your ecosystem (Apple or Android) and budget will have you truly content.
If you also want to consider the gaming earbuds, then you can also read our blog on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2.