It looks like Samsung has pulled a sneaky one on us by launching the Galaxy Buds 3 Fan Edition. The audio device is already on sale, and not where you’d expect. While everyone was preparing for the usual September–October FE drop, Samsung went ahead and stocked them in its Latin American store.
From what we've seen so far, they've ditched the old look and leaned into the Galaxy Buds 3’s design with rubber tips that look more like the Pro version. No official spec sheet is out yet, but it's been confirmed that the Buds 3 FE is coming in black and gray for $129. That's about $30 pricier than the last Buds FE.
Buds 3 FE spotted in elegant white and black
The Galaxy Buds 3 FE has been listed on Samsung’s Latin American store, complete with images, colors, and a $129 price tag. Leaks claim charging speeds of 1W for the buds and 4.5W for the case. Luckily, they were able to grab pictures before Samsung pulled a disappearing act.
The Buds 3 FE have a stemmed form factor with an elongated profile. Each stem features a slim, vertical black accent strip that runs down the front, breaking up the otherwise glossy white finish. The ear tips are made of soft black silicone and give each one an in-ear seal that’s visually contrasting against the white body.
The charging case has a compact, rounded-rectangle shape with smooth, curved edges. The top lid is made from a transparent, slightly glossy plastic that lets you peek at the earbuds nestled inside.
The base comes in either a deep graphite-like black or a soft matte white finish, depending on your choice. A small LED indicator sits on the front for charging status. The buds rest horizontally inside the case, their stems angled slightly upward toward the transparent lid.
We don't want Buds 3 FE to peel again
I'm absolutely in love with the black version, just because. Also, matte black absorbs light instead of reflecting it, which will always make it look cleaner and even more expensive. Plus, it hides those grubby fingerprints and smudges better than shiny surfaces.
But of course, that won’t mean anything if it still starts peeling like the Buds 2 Pro. There’s a problem with the soft-touch matte coating Samsung used back then. Over time it yellowed, then began to flake off entirely, leaving the buds looking worn even if they still worked fine. Hopefully, Samsung has learned its lesson.
In other news, the Galaxy S25 FE now has a likely debut date, and it’s landing a little earlier, too. Reports from South Korea claim that Samsung will introduce it on September 19, which is exactly a week ahead of last year’s S24 FE announcement.
Pricing in that region is tipped to stay under KRW 1 million (≈$721), with only a slight increase possible compared to its predecessor.
The phone's specifications point to the Exynos 2400 chip, a 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED display at 120Hz with Gorilla Glass Victus, and a camera setup of 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP 3x telephoto, plus a sharper 12MP selfie.
It’ll also have a 4,500mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging, IP68 water resistance, and ship with One UI 8 on Android 16.
