Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE vs Google Pixel Buds 2a: The industry midweights duke it out

Samsung and Google both know how to build great earbuds for Android users, but their approaches couldn’t be more different. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE aim to distill the company’s flagship experience into an affordable package that feels premium without the extras, while the Google Pixel Buds 2a focus on simplicity and seamless connectivity. Both sets of earbuds target Android users who want convenience, integration, and solid sound — but which one strikes the better balance between the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE vs the Google Pixel Buds 2a?

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE compared to the Google Pixel Buds 2a?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE feel remarkably premium for the price. The company wisely returned to a sealed ear tip design that provides a secure fit and solid isolation, unlike the open design of the regular Buds 3. I also found the matte black finish sleek and less flashy than Samsung’s other models. Each earbud weighs 5g and sits comfortably for long sessions. Likewise, the stem-based shape provides a stable anchor without feeling heavy. With an IP54 rating, they handle sweat and light rain without issue.

The Google Pixel Buds 2a take a different approach, prioritizing a universal fit without any hard protrusions. Their smooth, rounded shells and soft-touch finish feel great in the ear, and the built-in stabilizer fins help them stay put without pressure. The circular touchpads are intuitive and require no force to operate — a clear comfort advantage over Samsung’s pinch gestures. These earbuds also have an IP54 rating, making them just as durable for workouts or commutes.

In daily use, I found the Buds 3 FE more secure thanks to their sealed tips, while the Pixel Buds 2a offered better comfort for extended listening sessions. The Samsung pair feels more refined overall, while the Pixel Buds 2a win points for their simplicity and ease of use.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE or Google Pixel Buds 2a have more features?

The Galaxy Buds 3 FE borrow heavily from Samsung’s flagship line. They support Galaxy AI features, such as real-time translation, voice commands via Bixby or Gemini, and Auto Switch between Galaxy devices. Through the Galaxy Wearable app, you can access ANC, ambient mode, equalizer presets, and a full 9-band custom EQ — impressive features for midrange earbuds. iPhone users, however, miss out entirely on these extras.

The Pixel Buds 2a, meanwhile, integrate deeply with Google’s ecosystem. Gemini voice assistant comes built-in, and features like live translation, Find My Device, and Spatial Audio (on compatible Pixel devices) enhance usability. However, many of these are Pixel-exclusive, meaning users of non-Pixel Android phones may find functionality limited. The EQ customization is basic — just a 5-band unlabeled slider — which feels minimal compared to Samsung’s detailed tuning options.

Feature-wise, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE clearly offer more control and customization, especially for Samsung device owners. Google’s earbuds deliver hands-free convenience but feel more locked into the Pixel ecosystem.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a connect?

Both earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring low-latency, stable connections. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE support SBC, AAC, and the Samsung Seamless Codec for near-lossless quality — though the last option only works with newer Samsung phones. There’s no Multipoint support, but Auto Switch between Samsung devices helps fill the gap.

The Pixel Buds 2a use the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, with no mention of high-bitrate or future-proof options like aptX or LC3. Multipoint support is present here, though, so you can stay connected to two devices at once, making the Google pair a little more flexible for multitaskers.

In my testing, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE deliver better audio fidelity with Samsung’s codec, but the Pixel Buds 2a offer better multi-device convenience. If you’re a Samsung phone owner, the FE earbuds are a clear winner.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE or Google Pixel Buds 2a?

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 FE last around 4 hours and 26 minutes with ANC enabled and just under 6 hours with it off. That’s average, but fine for day-to-day use. There’s no wireless charging, though, and Samsung doesn’t advertise fast charging. However, as the buds are small, you can expect about an hour of playback from a few minutes of charging.

Google claims the Pixel Buds 2a last up to 7 hours per charge — better than Samsung’s numbers on paper. While we haven’t confirmed that figure through testing yet, it’s a reasonable expectation for earbuds of this size. Unfortunately, like the Buds 3 FE, they don’t support wireless charging.

If endurance is your top priority, Google takes the lead here, though Samsung’s numbers are still adequate for typical listening sessions.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE or Google Pixel Buds 2a block noise better?

Noise cancellation is where Samsung pulls ahead. The Galaxy Buds 3 FE passively reduce external noise by approximately 66% and up to 86% with ANC engaged — outperforming even Samsung’s own Buds 3 Pro. The sealed tips make a massive difference, keeping low-frequency rumble and chatter at bay. Wind noise reduction is also excellent, which is a rarity among earbuds.

The Pixel Buds 2a perform well but not exceptionally. With ANC on, they reduce outside noise by about 76%. However, a significant dip in the 4–9kHz range allows sharp sounds, such as rattling keys and rustling paper, through. The shallow fit likely causes this limitation.

In noisy environments, I found the Galaxy Buds 3 FE far more effective. The Pixel Buds 2a’s ANC works fine for casual use, but Samsung’s implementation is best-in-class for the price.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE sound better than the Google Pixel Buds 2a?

Samsung’s tuning on the Galaxy Buds 3 FE is impressively balanced. The sound signature follows our house curve closely, with just a slight 5dB bass boost above what we enjoy here at SoundGuys. However, that same bass boost is popular nowadays and helps to compete with outside noise. The earbuds’ midrange is pleasing, and the highs between 4kHz and 9kHz are not overly pronounced like the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Consequently, listening to tracks like The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio” reveals well-sounding vocals, and the pluck of an acoustic guitar string is pleasant without being fatiguing.

By contrast, the Google Pixel Buds 2a have an uneven sound. For example, I found their treble emphasis above 7kHz fatiguing and their upper midrange around 1-5kHz oddly recessed. Consequently, songs with lots of high-frequency content, like Dan Deacon’s “True Thrush”, can sound piercing, while guitars and cymbals can sound strangely under-emphasized. Unfortunately, the slightly over-emphasized bass only makes matters worse. While there will be those who like this sound, even bassheads may struggle to figure out the tuning.

In short, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE deliver a more accurate and enjoyable sound signature, whereas the Pixel Buds 2a are listenable but unrefined in comparison.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS) for the Buds 3 FE demonstrate good Distortion and Immersiveness performance, although Timbre accuracy is just okay. Still, they sound subjectively better than Samsung’s pricier Buds 3 Pro in listening tests.

The Google Buds 2a’s tonal inconsistencies show in their middling Timbre and Immersiveness scores. However, their higher Distortion score means that the earbuds enjoy cleaner audio reproduction with less added noise than the Galaxy Buds 3 FE.

Overall, our MDAQS tests show that most people will prefer the sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE. However, they exhibit slightly more noise than the Google Pixel Buds 2a.

Objective Measurements

The chart above shows that Samsung’s mid-tier buds follow our house curve more closely than the Pixel Buds 2a. This is particularly true between 150Hz and 4kHz, where most fundamental sounds occur. The Galaxy Buds 3 FE also over-emphasize bass and sub-bass frequencies more than Google’s rival buds. However, the Pixel Buds 2a’s undulating upper-midrange and treble response is demonstrably more chaotic than Samsung’s offering. This explains the divergence in sound quality — particularly when listening to busy tracks — that I experienced when testing the buds side by side.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE or Google Pixel Buds 2a have a better microphone?

Samsung’s microphones on the Buds 3 FE are a big step forward. Background noise reduction is excellent, keeping voices clear even on busy streets. Only strong wind causes noticeable degradation. The mic system clearly outperforms both the older Buds3 models and Google’s Pixel Buds 2a in most real-world scenarios.

The Pixel Buds 2a’s call quality is decent, and the new super wideband feature helps on supported phones. However, isolation issues mean your environment can still intrude on calls. Indoors, they perform fine, but outdoors, they struggle to suppress ambient sounds as effectively as Samsung’s earbuds.

For anyone who frequently takes calls or voice notes, the Buds 3 FE are the more reliable choice.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Google Pixel Buds 2a microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Google Pixel Buds 2a microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE vs Google Pixel Buds 2a: Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE retail for $149, while the Google Pixel Buds 2a come in at $129. Both are widely available online and in major retail stores. That $20 difference is small but meaningful — Samsung offers better sound and ANC, while Google gives you slightly longer battery life and easier cross-device switching.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE or the Google Pixel Buds 2a?

Both earbuds deliver great value for Android users, but they serve slightly different audiences.

If you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE are the obvious choice. They provide excellent ANC, refined sound, and access to Samsung’s AI features — all in a comfortable, premium-feeling package. They outperform the Pixel Buds 2a in both sound quality and noise cancellation, even edging out Samsung’s own Pro models in ANC.

The Pixel Buds 2a, on the other hand, are best for Pixel owners seeking seamless connectivity and those with smaller ear canals. The fit is pleasing once you settle them into place, and Google’s AI integration is polished. However, their sound signature and ANC performance fall short of Samsung’s effort.

Ultimately, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE are the better all-around earbuds. They’re the Goldilocks pick of Samsung’s lineup — and they easily outclass Google’s Pixel Buds 2a for most listeners.