Samsung is moving beyond sealed in-ear earbuds with the Galaxy Buds On, its first clip-on model. The earbuds wrap around the outer ear and leave the ear canal open, allowing music and calls to play without blocking traffic, conversation and other nearby sounds.
The Galaxy Buds On will launch first in South Korea on October 27 in black for 299,000 won. Samsung says a wider global rollout will follow, but it has not confirmed U.S. pricing or a U.S. release date.
A different kind of Galaxy Buds
Most Galaxy Buds sit inside the ear, creating a seal that helps with bass and active noise cancellation. Galaxy Buds On use two small sections connected by a flexible clip, placing the speaker near the ear canal rather than inside it.
That open design is aimed at runners, walkers and people who want to remain aware of their surroundings. Samsung says it analyzed different ear shapes and used simulations to position the speaker and battery. A larger contact area is intended to spread pressure more evenly, while the band is tuned to stay secure during movement.
These are manufacturer claims; comfort and stability will still depend on the wearer’s ear shape. Samsung has not provided multiple sizes or detailed fit measurements in its announcement.
TwinBoost speakers tackle the open-ear tradeoffs
Open-ear earbuds usually sacrifice some bass because they do not seal the ear canal. They can also leak more sound to nearby people. Samsung’s answer is a TwinBoost speaker system designed to strengthen low frequencies, plus automatic volume adjustment that responds to the surrounding environment.
The company is also introducing Audio Leakage Reduction, which is intended to limit how much sound escapes. Samsung’s own fine print is important: some leakage can still occur depending on playback volume, ear shape, ambient noise and fit, and it may be more noticeable in quiet rooms.
There is no conventional active noise cancellation here. That is consistent with the purpose of an open-ear product, but commuters who want to suppress airplane or train noise may be better served by sealed earbuds such as the Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
Battery life and call hardware
Galaxy Buds On use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform and a Class-D amplifier. Samsung rates them for up to 9.5 hours of continuous music playback on one charge. The company has not yet stated total listening time with the charging case, charging speed or whether the case supports wireless charging.
For calls, each earbud uses three microphones, a bone-conduction-based Voice Pickup Unit sensor and machine-learning processing. Samsung says this system separates the wearer’s voice from background noise, including wind outdoors and appliance noise indoors. Actual call quality remains to be established through independent testing.
Galaxy AI features come with compatibility limits
The earbuds support hands-free access to Gemini Live when paired with a compatible device. They can also record a Quick Voice Memo after the user holds the touch area and speaks. Those recordings can be searched through Bixby later.
Quick Voice Memo is not a universal Bluetooth feature. According to Samsung’s announcement, it requires a Galaxy AI-compatible phone or tablet, Samsung’s Voice Recorder and Bixby apps, and a configured long-press action.
Head gestures provide another hands-free option. Nodding or shaking the head can answer or end calls, dismiss alarms and read message notifications. Basic playback and call controls are also available by touching the rear of each earbud.
Setup is designed around Galaxy devices
Opening the charging case prompts pairing with a nearby Galaxy phone or tablet. Samsung says owners can adjust volume and equalizer settings through the device’s Settings panel and Quick Panel without installing a separate Galaxy Wearable app.
That streamlined setup could be useful for Galaxy owners, but Samsung has not fully detailed the experience on non-Samsung Android phones, iPhones or computers. Buyers outside the Galaxy ecosystem should wait for the complete compatibility list before assuming every AI, gesture and settings feature will work.
Price and availability
- South Korea release: October 27, 2026
- Price: 299,000 won
- Color: Black at launch
- International availability: Planned, with dates and regional prices still unannounced
- Claimed battery life: Up to 9.5 hours of music playback per charge
The Korean price converts to roughly the premium-earbud range, but a direct currency conversion is not a reliable prediction of U.S. pricing. Taxes, distribution and regional positioning can change the final figure.
Who should consider Galaxy Buds On?
The Galaxy Buds On make the most sense for people who prioritize awareness and long-wear comfort over isolation. Outdoor exercise, office listening and casual all-day use fit that brief. The 9.5-hour battery claim is also competitive for a small open-ear design.
They are less convincing for frequent flyers, listeners who want powerful sealed-ear bass or anyone buying specifically for active noise cancellation. The announced AI features also lean heavily on compatible Galaxy hardware and Samsung services.
Android Central’s launch coverage provides additional market context, but the unanswered U.S. price, case battery capacity and non-Galaxy compatibility remain the details to watch before the broader release.
Featured image: Samsung Electronics, via Samsung Newsroom.