Galaxy Buds FE vs Pixel Buds A-Series: Richer in Features, But...
Naila Syifa
Updated January 2025
Retailing at the same USD 99 price tag, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and Google Pixel Buds A-Series are direct competitors in the budget true wireless earbuds segment. The Galaxy Buds FE is a newer model by two years though, so it arguably packs newer features and more advanced technology than the 2021-released Pixel Buds A-Series.
However, it's not all about the spec sheet. We've also found some key advantages of the Pixel Buds A-Series that make it a worthy competitor despite its relatively older hardware. So let's dive deeper into the comparison to see which one appeals to you the most!
Key Takeaways
Galaxy Buds FE packs a longer battery with more features and customizations, including ANC, Ambient Sound mode, and 6 EQ presets, as compared to the Pixel Buds A-Series with no ANC and just one EQ preset. However, real-time translation features on the Galaxy Buds FE are more limited to a handful of Samsung users with a future subscription fee, while the Pixel Buds A-Series offers a similar feature more widely accessible for a larger Android user base. Pixel Buds A-Series also has better water resistance than the Galaxy Buds FE.
Galaxy Buds FE
Entry-Level Smart Audio
✓ ANC & Ambient Mode
✓ Interpreter & Live Translate
✓ 6 EQ Presets
✓ IPX2 Earbuds
Pixel Buds A-Series
Rich Sound, For Less
✓ Adaptive Sound
✓ Real-Time Translation
✓ 5-Hour Listening Time
✓ IPX4 Earbuds
Design
Galaxy Buds FE
The Galaxy Buds FE adopts a slightly oval shape with a glossy touchpad surrounded by a matte finish, while the Pixel Buds A-Series feature a fully circular shape with a uniform matte texture. Despite this difference in design, both earbuds offer a comfortable in-ear fit and a lightweight feel.
They also have similar touch controls, though not all the functionalities are identical. For example, tapping the touch surface once plays/pauses the audio, double-tapping skips tracks, while triple-tapping rewinds the track on both models. However, tap-holding activates the voice assistant on the Pixel Buds A-Series, while it declines a call on the Galaxy Buds FE.
The tap-and-hold gesture on the Galaxy Buds FE can also be customized to access other functions, including voice assistant activation, noise control switching, and volume adjustment. Pixel Buds A-Series doesn't let you customize touch controls and there are no gestures for volume control. You have to control the volume manually through the connected device or ask the voice assistant to change the volume.
Another design difference between the two is the stabilizer, which helps keep the earbuds in place during physical activities. Galaxy Buds FE comes with detachable wingtip stabilizers in two sizes, which you can choose from to get the most secure fit. In contrast, the Pixel Buds A-Series has a built-in stabilizer arc that cannot be adjusted, which means less flexibility in finding the perfect fit.
So far, we see the Galaxy Buds FE taking the lead in terms of design flexibility and customization options. Now, let's move on to durability, which the Pixel Buds A-Series seems to be taking the lead. With IPX4 water and sweat resistance, the Pixel Buds A-Series is more durable compared to the IPX2 rating of the Galaxy Buds FE. IPX2 only protects against vertically dripping water, whereas IPX4 can withstand water splashes from any direction.
Audio Features
Pixel Buds A-Series
The Galaxy Buds FE has some clear advantages over the Pixel Buds A-Series in terms of audio-related features. It offers active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode, the two features commonly found in more premium earbuds models.
ANC helps to block out external noise, while ambient sound mode allows you to hear your surroundings for safety and awareness purposes. FYI, the flagship Pixel Buds Pro 2 offers these features while the budget Pixel Buds A-Series does not. It's interesting that the Galaxy Buds FE, which is a budget model like the A-Series, includes ANC and ambient sound mode.
The Galaxy Buds FE also offers more customizable EQ settings. From the Galaxy Wearable app, you can choose between 6 EQ presets, including normal, bass boost, soft, dynamic, clear, and treble boost. Meanwhile, the Pixel Buds A-Series only offers a single bass boost EQ setting that you can enable or disable through the Pixel Buds app.
It is true that the Pixel Buds A-Series has one exclusive feature that the Galaxy Buds FE lacks, which is Adaptive Sound. It increases the volume when it detects noisy environments and lowers it when the surroundings become quieter. However, I see it as more of a compensation for the lack of direct volume control on the earbuds. Since we can't adjust the volume with touch controls, it automatically adjusts the volume so we don't have to do it manually through the phone.
Smart Features
Galaxy Buds FE
Both earbuds are equipped with voice assistant capabilities, which allow you to control various functions and perform voice-based tasks hands-free. The difference is really just that the Galaxy Buds FE uses Bixby while the Pixel Buds A-Series relies on Google Assistant. So, that's "Hi Bixby" versus "Hey Google", but you can activate both voice assistants by tap-holding the earbuds.
Both the Galaxy Buds FE and Pixel Buds A-Series also offer real-time translation features, which are similar in mechanism but have some other differences. The similar mechanism is that both require a connected phone. What you say is picked by the earbuds, then translated and played through the phone speaker, while what the other person says is picked by the phone, gets translated, and then played through your earbuds. Google Pixel calls this Real-Time Translation while Samsung calls it the Interpreter feature.
On top of face-to-face conversation, the Galaxy Buds FE also supports real-time translation during phone calls. This feature is called Live Translate and can be used to translate conversations when you're on a call with someone via the native Phone app or other supported apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, WeChat, Instagram, and more. The Pixel Buds A-Series has no equivalent call translation feature.
Another difference is the requirement for real-time translation features. Galaxy Buds FE requires select Samsung Galaxy models with Galaxy AI, such as the expensive Samsung S and Z flagship models, for the Interpreter and Live Translate features to work. The Galaxy AI will also cost a subscription fee in the near future, so real-time translation on the Galaxy Buds FE seems to be more limited and potentially more expensive in the long run, serving just the upper echelon of Samsung users.
Meanwhile, the Pixel Buds A-Series requires just any Android 6.0+ phone with the Google Translate app installed. It's also fully free with no indication of any future subscription fees, making it more widely accessible to a larger Android user base, including Samsung phone owners.
Therefore, while real-time translation features are more advanced on the Galaxy Buds FE, the Pixel Buds A-Series makes this feature more accessible and affordable for a wider range of Android users.
Battery Life
Pixel Buds A-Series
The battery life is another key area where the Galaxy Buds FE outperforms the Pixel Buds A-Series. When the ANC is off, the Galaxy Buds FE offers up to 9 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, with a total of 30 hours of battery life when used with the charging case. When the ANC is on, the battery life drops to 6 hours on a single charge and 21 hours in total with the charging case.
In comparison, the Pixel Buds A-Series has a more modest battery life of up to 5 hours per charge, with a total listening time of up to 24 hours with the charging case. This means the Galaxy Buds FE can last significantly longer between charges, making it a better choice for those who need extended listening sessions or frequent use throughout the day.
Galaxy Buds FE vs Pixel Buds A-Series
Final Thoughts
Galaxy Buds FE
While the Galaxy Buds FE and Pixel Buds A-Series are both budget-friendly true wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds FE's more advanced features and capabilities give it a clear edge in certain areas. With its active noise cancellation, ambient sound mode, and more customizable EQ settings, the Galaxy Buds FE offers a more premium audio experience.
However, the Pixel Buds A-Series counters with its better water resistance and more widely accessible real-time translation features. It is a more inclusive and affordable option in the long run for a broader range of Android users.
If you like to read more about wireless earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Wireless Earbuds
Pixel Buds A-Series vs Pixel Buds 2 Pro
Pixel Buds A-Series vs AirPods 4
Pixel Buds A-Series vs Beats Studio Buds
Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2
Pixel Buds 2 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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