The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core aren’t just accessible earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation. They’re a Trojan horse for Galaxy AI, designed to pull you into the Galaxy ecosystem that now includes devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE.

There’s a case to be made that Samsung‘s Galaxy ecosystem has felt a bit like a collection of expensive hobbies. You had the Galaxy smartphones, Galaxy Watches, Galaxy Buds, and Galaxy tablets, all part of the same universe, and together, they’re now more connected than ever. The more recent Galaxy lineup is growing, and it’s doing so with a new focus on being intelligent and intuitive.

The connective tissue is, unsurprisingly, Galaxy AI. It’s being baked into everything: the new Galaxy Watch Ultra has Gemini integration, the just-announced Galaxy XR headset is a $1,800 spatial computing device powered by multimodal AI, and the Galaxy S25 FE is the workhorse phone running the show.

But the most important product in this new, intelligent ecosystem isn’t only the most expensive. It’s also the most wallet-friendly.

We’re talking about the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core, a pair of true wireless earbuds that the South Korean technology giant is aggressively pricing at just P2,690 in the Philippines. These are, frankly, the most accessible buds Samsung has ever released, and their entire purpose is to prove that you don’t need to spend flagship-level money to experience the company’s new Galaxy AI-powered ecosystem.

Our ‘Galaxy Ecosystem for Less’ video

The Galaxy AI hook: Your P2,690 pocket translator

For this price, you get access to the Galaxy AI suite. The flagship feature, Interpreter mode, is genuinely worth the hype.

Here’s how it works: With the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core connected to a Galaxy device with internet, you engage Conversation mode. A simple tap and hold on the bud activates the mic, and the real-time translation flows straight into your ear. We tried this with our daughter, who’s learning Spanish in school, and the process felt natural — no need to glance at a screen. It felt like having a dedicated pocket translator packed into a budget-friendly product.

The guide: Are they good earbuds?

Galaxy AI is a great hook, but it’s useless if the hardware is subpar. The Galaxy Buds Core earbuds are not. Samsung nailed the fundamentals.

• ANC: For P2,690, you get a real, surprisingly capable ANC. It effectively carves out a quiet space, whether you’re editing content or just trying to survive a noisy coffee shop.
• Audio and call quality: The sound is impressive for the price. You get clear highs and deep bass, making them reliable for both music and checking audio levels during edits. The real win is the triple-mic setup. In noisy environments, calls come through clearly, and you don’t have to repeat yourself.
• Battery and fit: The battery life is absurd. You get up to 35 hours of total power with the charging case (ANC off) and up to 20 hours with ANC on. They are lightweight, comfortable enough for all-day wear, and stay secure while walking or running errands. They also have an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.

Where are the compromises then? To hit this price, Samsung cut two notable features: There is no wireless charging and no USB-C charging cable included in the box. These are, in our opinion, perfectly reasonable tradeoffs.

The Galaxy ecosystem glue: The Galaxy S25 FE and Auto Switch

This is what separates the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core from a hundred other budget TWS earbuds. They are built to be the smartest way to get started in the Galaxy ecosystem.

The experience starts with frictionless pairing. Open the Galaxy Buds Core case near the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and they connect instantly.

The Auto Switch feature is great, too. Imagine watching a video on your Galaxy Tab while the audio plays through your Galaxy Buds Core. A call comes in on your Galaxy S25 FE. The buds automatically shift from the tablet to the smartphone without you touching a thing. That’s the intelligence you’re paying for. And if you misplace a bud, the Samsung Find app makes tracking it stress-free.

This setup is clearly designed to pair with the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. It’s the Galaxy ecosystem hub, starting at P39,990 (128GB/8GB), with 256GB (P44,990) and 512GB (P53,990) options. That phone gets you a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, the Exynos 2400 chip, a 4,900mAh battery, and a promise of seven OS upgrades, making it a long-term hub for all your Galaxy AI-powered accessories.

The verdict

The Galaxy Buds Core earbuds are one of the most important Samsung products of the year, not for their specs, but for their price. At P2,690, they are an impulse buy. The company has stopped reserving its best ecosystem features for premium “Pro” models and is now giving them away.

This is the new playbook: The affordable, Galaxy AI-powered buds serve as an entry point to a seamlessly integrated ecosystem. Imagine: They’re designed to be powered by the Galaxy S25 FE, complemented by the Galaxy Watch for fitness, and fully realized with the Galaxy XR headset for immersive computing.

If you are already in the Galaxy ecosystem or even just thinking about joining, this is a no-brainer. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core are available in Black or White, and they are the smartest P2,690 you can spend on audio right now.

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