Samsung Galaxy Buds FE / Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: Galaxy Buds FE (SM-R400); Graphite or White. The Galaxy Buds3 FE released in 2025 is a separate product.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C); 2023 version. The 2022 Lightning-case version has the same earbuds but a different case; AirPods Pro 3 is a separate model.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Buds FEApple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
Release year20232023
Driver and sound1-way speaker; Scalable (Samsung proprietary), AAC and SBC codecs

The Scalable codec is Samsung’s codec that adjusts bitrate to connection quality and works with Galaxy devices; other phones use AAC or SBC. The high-resolution SSC Hi-Fi codec is not supported.

Samsung		—
Noise cancellationActive Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound

ANC picks up outside sound with microphones and suppresses it with an inverse wave; Ambient Sound lets outside sound in so you can hear without removing the buds.

Samsung		—
Microphones3 microphones per earbud (2 outer + 1 inner)

Samsung says automatic personalized beamforming and a DNN separate speech from background noise.

Samsung		—
BatteryEarbud 60 mAh, case 479 mAh (typical); 6 hours with ANC on (21 hours with case), 8.5 hours with ANC off (30 hours with case); talk time 3.5 hours with ANC on

The case does not support wireless charging; it charges over a USB-C cable.

Samsung		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.2; Auto Switch, SmartThings Find

Auto Switch moves audio automatically between Galaxy phones, tablets and watches on the same Samsung account. SmartThings Find shows the buds’ last location.

Samsung		Bluetooth 5.3

With non-Apple devices they work as basic Bluetooth earbuds; most settings need an Apple device.

Apple
Fit3 sizes of ear tips and 2 sizes of wingtips

Wingtips grip the ear to help the buds stay in place during exercise.

Samsung		—
SensorsProximity, Hall, touch

The proximity sensor pauses music when a bud is removed; the touch surface controls playback and modes.

Samsung		—
CompatibilityAndroid 8.0 or later with more than 1.5 GB of RAM

Some features do not work on non-Samsung devices.

Samsung		—
Size and weightEarbud 17.1 × 19.2 × 22.2 mm, 5.6 g; case 50.0 × 27.7 × 50.0 mm, 40.0 g SamsungEarbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm, 5.3 g; case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm, 50.8 g Apple
Chip—Apple H2 in the earbuds; Apple U1 in the case

The U1 chip lets Find My show the direction and distance of the case precisely.

Apple
Sound and noise control—Custom high-excursion Apple driver and amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation

Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency based on surrounding noise; Conversation Awareness lowers the music when you start speaking.

Apple
Spatial audio and EQ—Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple
Hearing health—Hearing Test; Loud Sound Reduction

The Hearing Test runs with a compatible iPhone; availability depends on country and software version.

Apple
Microphones and sensors—Dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; skin-detect sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; touch control Apple
Controls—Press once: play/pause, calls; twice: skip forward; three times: skip back; press and hold: switch modes; swipe: volume Apple
Battery life—Up to 6 hours per charge with ANC (5.5 hours with Spatial Audio); up to 30 hours total with the case; about 1 hour from 5 minutes of charging Apple
Case charging—MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers or USB-C

The case has a speaker for Find My and a lanyard loop.

Apple
Durability—Earbuds and case rated IP54 for dust, sweat and water

IP54 protects against splashes and sweat but not immersion, and resistance can decrease over time.

Apple
Ear tips—Silicone; XS, S, M, L Apple