Wireless Earbuds / Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE vs Google Pixel Buds 2a
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE vs Google Pixel Buds 2a
Google Pixel Buds 2a
Real ANC on Google's own silicon — best if you live in Android.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.1 points separate them. Real ANC on Google's own silicon — best if you live in Android. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a are both current-generation wireless Earbuds models, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is $9 cheaper than the Google Pixel Buds 2a ($119.99 vs $129). On Comfort & Fit, the Google Pixel Buds 2a leads (8.5 vs 7.5/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. On Noise Cancelling, the Google Pixel Buds 2a leads (7.5 vs 7.0/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed. On Battery, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE leads (6.5 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. Overall, the Google Pixel Buds 2a scores 7.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.3/10 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE | Google Pixel Buds 2a |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 | $129.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 6 | 7✓ |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24✓ | 20 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Active Noise Cancelling with an additional microphone for background-noise reduction | Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency, driven by the Tensor A1 chip |
| Driver Size (mm) | 11 | 11 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Not listed on Samsung's US specification | Not listed on Google's specification |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IP54 buds, IPX4 case |
| Wireless Charging | No | Not listed on Google's specification |
| Weight per Bud (g) | Not published by the manufacturer | 4.7 |
| Codecs | Not listed on Samsung's US specification | Google does not publish codec support for this model |
| Spatial Audio | 360 Audio, but without head tracking on this model | Not published by the manufacturer |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White | Hazel, Fog, Berry |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a are level here, at 7.5/10 each. tuning, detail and codec support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Noise Cancelling
The Google Pixel Buds 2a leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on how much ambient noise is actually removed. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Google Pixel Buds 2a does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Google Pixel Buds 2a leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a are level here, at 7.5/10 each. microphone performance and background noise rejection is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a are level here, at 7.5/10 each. app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Durability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a are level here, at 7.0/10 each. IP rating, build materials and case robustness is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE and Google Pixel Buds 2a are level here, at 7.5/10 each. features and performance relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE scores 6.5/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
- • You want to spend less — it's $9 cheaper.
Choose the Google Pixel Buds 2a if…
- • Comfort & Fit matters most to you — the Google Pixel Buds 2a scores 8.5/10 here (weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions).
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Google Pixel Buds 2a scores 7.5/10 here (how much ambient noise is actually removed).
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
Pros
- +Stem design and Galaxy AI features at well under Pro pricing
- +Real-time translation and Gemini on Galaxy phones
- +IP54 dust and water resistance
- +11mm driver
Cons
- −No head tracking, unlike the Pro models
- −6 hours with ANC on is mid-pack at best
- −No wireless charging
- −The Galaxy Wearable app is Android-only, so there is no iOS support at all
- −Most of the interesting features need a Galaxy phone
Google Pixel Buds 2a
Pros
- +First A-series Pixel Buds with genuine ANC, on Google's own Tensor A1 silicon
- +Very light at 4.7g per bud
- +Deep Gemini integration for Android users
- +IP54 rating
Cons
- −20 hours total is the shortest battery in this group
- −Google publishes no codec list, so hi-res support is unknown
- −Functionality is heavily reduced on iOS — Gemini, Fast Pair and full settings are Android-centric
- −Wireless charging and multipoint are both absent from the spec sheet
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE or Google Pixel Buds 2a better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google Pixel Buds 2a comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Comfort & Fit, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE or the Google Pixel Buds 2a?+
The Google Pixel Buds 2a scores higher on Comfort & Fit (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE or the Google Pixel Buds 2a?+
The Google Pixel Buds 2a scores higher on Noise Cancelling (7.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed.
Which is better for Battery, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE or the Google Pixel Buds 2a?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE scores higher on Battery (6.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE or the Google Pixel Buds 2a?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE scores higher on Sound Quality (7.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — tuning, detail and codec support.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE worth the price difference over the Google Pixel Buds 2a?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE is the cheaper option at $119.99 versus $129. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Comfort & Fit.
What's the warranty on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE vs the Google Pixel Buds 2a?+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE ships with a 12-month warranty; the Google Pixel Buds 2a ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — $99.99
Premium Option
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $249.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.