Between the Galaxy Buds FE and Ear (a) 2, the Galaxy Buds FE comes out ahead in several specs, while the Ear (a) 2 wins on battery — buds and battery — with case. Overall, the Galaxy Buds FE scores 64.5 and the Ear (a) 2 scores 74.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Ear (a) 2 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The Galaxy Buds FE doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Ear (a) 2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — buds, battery — with case, weight per bud, among others.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, driver size, spatial audio, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Ear (a) 2 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Samsung - Galaxy Buds FE wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Nothing - Ear (a) 2 wins
- ▲Battery — buds — 66.67% more. 10 h vs 6 h.
- ▲Battery — with case — 40.00% more. 42 h vs 30 h.
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.80 g less. 4.8 vs 5.6.
- ▲Water resistance: IP54 (vs IPX2).
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds FE | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 5.6 g | 4.8 glead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IPX2 | IP54lead |
Audio
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds FE | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | false |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds FE | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 6 h | 10 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 30 h | 42 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | false | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Buds FE | Nothing - Ear (a) 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.2 | 5.3lead |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | LDAC,AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | true | true |
| In-ear detection | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, Galaxy Buds FE or Ear (a) 2?+
Ear (a) 2 lasts 10h per charge vs 6h.
Do Galaxy Buds FE or Ear (a) 2 support multipoint?+
Both support multipoint pairing.
Which has ANC, Galaxy Buds FE or Ear (a) 2?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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