Galaxy Buds On: Samsung’s First Clip-On Earbuds Keep Your Ears Open, and Here’s What You Get

Samsung finally has an answer for people who hate stuffing earbuds into their ears. The Galaxy Buds On are the company’s first clip-on, open-ear earbuds, and they launch in South Korea on October 27, 2026 for 299,000 won (about $220). If you run, cycle, or just want to hear the world around you while listening, these are worth a look — but US buyers will have to wait.

Here’s the short version if you’re skimming:

• Launch: October 27, 2026 in South Korea; global dates not announced yet
• Price: 299,000 won (roughly $220 by conversion; no official US price)
• Battery: up to 9.5 hours of music per charge, plus a charging case
• Design: clip-on, open-ear style that rests on the outer ear
• Colour: black only at launch

What Makes the Galaxy Buds On Different From Every Other Galaxy Bud

Every Galaxy Buds model so far has sat inside your ear canal. The Buds On flip that idea. They clip around the edge of your ear, with a curved arm holding a small speaker just outside the canal.

That means your ears stay open. You’ll hear traffic, a colleague calling your name, or a cyclist coming up behind you. According to Seoul Economic Daily, Samsung widened the contact area so pressure spreads evenly and doesn’t dig in during long wear.

Samsung also says it studied many ear shapes and ran simulations to place the speaker and battery. Whether that translates into a secure fit for every ear is something only hands-on reviews will tell us.

How They Sound — and Why Leakage Matters

The classic weakness of open-ear earbuds is thin bass and sound that spills out to people nearby. Samsung is tackling both, at least on paper.

The key audio hardware looks like this:

• TwinBoost speakers, aimed at fuller bass than a single small driver
• Audio Leakage Reduction, a first for the Galaxy Buds line
• Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform with a Class-D amplifier
• Automatic volume that adjusts to how loud your surroundings are

Leakage control matters more than it sounds. If you plan to wear these in an office or on a quiet train, nobody wants to hear your podcast. Don’t expect noise cancelling, though — the whole point of open-ear earbuds is that outside sound gets in.

Calls, Gemini Live, and Nodding to Answer

Calls are often where open designs struggle, because the mic hears everything around you. Samsung uses three microphones plus a bone-conduction voice sensor that picks up the vibration of your own speech, then separates your voice from background noise.

There are also some really handy software tricks:

• Head Gestures: nod to answer or end a call, shake your head to decline
• Gemini Live: start a hands-free chat with Google’s assistant by voice
• Voice memos: press and hold to record, then search the recording later through Bixby

Head gestures alone could be the feature runners love most. When your hands are busy or sweaty, a nod beats fumbling for a tiny touch panel.

Galaxy Buds On vs Popular Open-Ear Earbuds

Samsung is entering a crowded space dominated by Shokz, Bose, and Sony. Here’s how the Buds On stack up on the specs we know, using rival figures compiled by KnowledgeLib (rival prices are US list prices and can change with sales).

On battery, Samsung lands near the top of the pack, beaten only by Shokz. On price, it sits at the premium end if the US price ends up close to the converted figure. Its real edge is the Galaxy extras — head gestures and Gemini Live — which rivals can’t match as tightly on a Samsung phone.

Who Should Wait, and Who Should Skip

The Buds On make the most sense if you already own a recent Galaxy phone. Samsung says the AI features need a compatible Galaxy phone or tablet with Galaxy AI support. If your phone is due for its One UI 9 update, that’s a good sign you’re in the supported range.

iPhone and Pixel owners should be more careful. Basic Bluetooth audio will almost certainly work, but the clever extras are tied to Samsung’s software. For cross-platform buyers, a Shokz or Bose model is the safer bet.

And if you want silence on a plane, these are the wrong tool. Look at in-ear models with proper noise cancelling, like the ones we covered in our AirPods 5 noise cancellation breakdown.

A few details are still missing. Samsung hasn’t shared the IP rating, weight, case battery, or charging specs yet. For a pair of workout earbuds, sweat resistance is a big deal, so check for it before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Galaxy Buds On come to the US?

Samsung hasn’t announced a US release date yet. The only confirmed launch is South Korea on October 27, 2026, so treat any US date you see as unconfirmed until Samsung says so.

How much do the Galaxy Buds On cost?

They cost 299,000 won in South Korea, which works out to about $220. Official US, UK, and European prices haven’t been announced.

Do the Galaxy Buds On have noise cancelling?

No. They’re open-ear earbuds, designed to let outside sound in so you stay aware of your surroundings. They do reduce how much of your audio leaks out to others.

Will the Galaxy Buds On work with an iPhone?

Samsung only lists Galaxy phones and tablets with Galaxy AI as compatible. Standard Bluetooth playback should still work elsewhere, but features like Head Gestures and Gemini Live are built around Samsung devices.

How long does the battery last?

Samsung quotes up to 9.5 hours of music on one charge. The charging case adds more, but Samsung hasn’t said how much.

Our Take

The Galaxy Buds On look like a smart, overdue move for Samsung, and the 9.5-hour battery plus nod-to-answer calls give them a real reason to exist beyond “Samsung made one too.” If you’re a Galaxy owner who runs outdoors or hates in-ear pressure, keep these on your shortlist — but don’t preorder blind. Wait for the US price and the IP rating, because at around $220 they need to beat cheaper, proven rivals like the Shokz OpenFit 2+ on more than ecosystem perks alone.