True Wireless
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
55Average
$150
Full review dataSamsung Galaxy Buds3 FE vs Sony WF-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM4 - Great overall at around $199.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling4.0
Battery5.0
Calls3.0
Value4.0
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 55 / 100 · Average | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2025 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, SSC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8.5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | Gemini | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 5 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 41.8 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | - |
What reviewers said
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are true wireless earbuds that prioritize a pleasant sound signature but fall short in other key areas. They lack multipoint connectivity, have average noise cancellation, and their call quality is disappointing. While the audio performance is a highlight, the overall package feels overpriced compared to similarly priced rivals, making them a tough recommendation for most buyers.
- Pro:Good sound quality
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
- Pro:IP54 water resistance
- Con:No multipoint connectivity
- Con:Mediocre active noise cancellation
- Con:Poor call clarity
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are high-end true wireless earbuds that excel in active noise cancellation and sound quality, with a compact 6mm driver and support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They provide about 8 hours of playback per charge, extendable to 24 hours with the case, and include handy features like multipoint connectivity and quick charging. Their IPX4 rating makes them suitable for workouts, though the overall design is a bit bulky for some ears.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Good battery life with fast charging
- Con:Bulkier fit compared to rivals
- Con:No wireless charging on the case
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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