The AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation cost $129, and the ones with ANC cost $179. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE deliver ANC, live translation, hands-free Gemini AI, and an 11mm driver with deep bass, and Amazon currently has them at $109, down from their regular $149, which puts a more fully featured pair of earbuds at roughly half what Apple charges for its entry-level model. For Android users and anyone not locked into the Apple ecosystem, the value gap is hard to look past.
ANC, live translation, and Gemini AI for less than most basic wireless earbuds
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE run an 11mm dynamic driver, larger than the previous generation, which produces fuller bass and more powerful sound across the frequency range without the thinness that smaller drivers introduce at high volumes. Active Noise Cancellation blocks unwanted environmental sound, and Ambient mode lets it back in when you need to stay aware of your surroundings without taking the buds out. The background noise reduction on calls has been improved over the previous generation, which means the person on the other end hears your voice clearly rather than the street, the office, or the coffee shop behind you.
Live Translation runs in real time through the earbuds during face-to-face conversations, which handles travel situations and multilingual interactions without requiring anyone to hold up a phone or open an app. Hands-free Gemini access lets you ask questions, set reminders, and get assistance on the go without touching your phone. Auto Switch moves the connection seamlessly between Samsung Galaxy devices including phones, tablets, and PCs based on which one you are actively using, which removes the manual pairing step that makes most earbuds frustrating to use across multiple devices.
The intuitive controls handle playback, volume, and calls through pinch gestures and swipe inputs on the bud itself rather than requiring a tap that risks dislodging the fit. Battery life runs long enough for a full day of commuting and work without needing a midday charge, and Find My Earbuds tracks the last known location of each bud if they go missing separately from the case.
Sony’s WF-C700N, the closest comparable option at a similar price, sits around $100 to $120 and delivers competitive ANC but lacks the AI assistant integration and live translation that the Buds 3 FE include natively. At $109, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE sit in a price range where the feature set is usually significantly more limited. With 4.3 stars from early buyers and more than 1,000 units sold last month on a product that only recently launched, the reception is strong for a new release. The near record low price and the 15-hour sale window make this the moment to act rather than wait for a better opportunity that may not come.