Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Buds On in South Korea, marking the company’s first move into open-ear, clip-style earbuds. Rather than sitting inside the ear canal like conventional Galaxy Buds, the new device attaches around the ear, leaving the opening of the ear unobstructed.
The Galaxy Buds On are scheduled to launch in South Korea on October 27. Samsung is initially offering the earbuds in a single black finish, with a price of ₩299,000, which is approximately $220. The company says the new design is aimed at people who want to listen to music and other audio without the enclosed feeling associated with traditional in-ear earbuds.
The biggest difference is the physical design. Instead of being inserted into the ear, each Buds On uses a clip-like structure that grips the ear. Samsung has designed the contact area to be relatively wide, helping spread pressure across the structure rather than concentrating it on one small point.
That approach is intended to make the earbuds more comfortable during extended use. It also gives the Galaxy Buds On a noticeably different appearance from Samsung’s existing wireless earbuds, moving closer to the growing open-ear category where the speakers sit near the ear rather than inside it.
Open-ear audio, however, comes with its own technical challenge. Because the ear canal remains open, some sound can escape into the surrounding environment, while outside noise can also make it harder for the listener to hear quieter parts of music or conversations.
Samsung has addressed this with its proprietary TwinBoost speaker system. The technology is designed to strengthen bass reproduction and help compensate for some of the sound leakage that naturally occurs with an open-ear design.
The company has also included automatic volume adjustment, allowing the earbuds to respond to changes in the surrounding environment. This can help maintain a more consistent listening experience when users move between quieter spaces and noisier locations.
The open-ear approach could make the Galaxy Buds On particularly useful in situations where users want to remain more aware of what is happening around them. Since the ear canal is not blocked, environmental sounds can still reach the listener while audio is playing.
Samsung has also built several controls directly into the earbuds. Touch-sensitive controls are positioned on the rear section of each unit, allowing users to interact with playback and other functions without having to constantly reach for their smartphone.
For calls, the Galaxy Buds On feature a voice-isolating system designed to improve communication by helping focus on the user’s voice. This is particularly important for open-ear earbuds because users may wear them in environments where there is considerable background noise.
The earbuds also take advantage of Samsung’s wider Galaxy ecosystem. When paired with compatible Galaxy devices, users can access additional functions that are not simply limited to basic Bluetooth audio playback.
One of those features is hands-free call control using head gestures. Instead of physically touching the earbuds or reaching for a phone, compatible functions can be controlled through specific head movements, adding another layer of convenience for users who are occupied or on the move.
The Galaxy Buds On also support Gemini Live, bringing Samsung’s earbuds into the company’s broader push toward AI-assisted interactions. This gives compatible users another way to interact with their digital assistant through voice while using the earbuds.
Samsung has included another practical feature called Quick Voice Memo. By pressing and holding the touch-sensitive area, users can quickly activate the voice memo function, allowing them to capture thoughts or notes without going through multiple steps on their phone.
The earbuds come with an external charging case that provides a dedicated place to store and recharge the two units when they are not being used. Like other true wireless earbuds, the case is an important part of the overall system because it combines portability with charging functionality.
The Galaxy Buds On represent a significant design departure for Samsung's earbuds business. The company has traditionally focused heavily on conventional in-ear designs, making this new clip-style form factor an attempt to reach consumers who want a different balance between comfort, awareness and audio performance.
The category itself has been growing as manufacturers experiment with ways to deliver wireless audio without completely sealing the ear. Open-ear products can be appealing to people who want to hear their surroundings while listening to music, following navigation instructions, taking calls or interacting with an assistant.
Samsung is attempting to combine that concept with some of the smart features already associated with its premium Galaxy accessories. Instead of treating the Buds On simply as an alternative speaker design, the company is positioning them as another connected device within the Galaxy ecosystem.
The initial release, however, is limited to South Korea. Samsung has confirmed that it plans to bring the Galaxy Buds On to international markets, but the company has not yet provided specific details about which countries will receive the earbuds first.
International pricing and release dates have also not been announced. As a result, customers outside South Korea will have to wait for Samsung to provide additional information about the global rollout.
The international expansion could give Samsung an opportunity to test how consumers respond to the open-ear format before expanding availability further. The company's approach also allows it to explore a different segment of the wireless audio market without replacing its existing Galaxy Buds lineup.
For now, the Galaxy Buds On offer a combination of a new physical design and familiar Samsung ecosystem features. Their clip-style construction keeps the ear canal open, while the TwinBoost speaker system, automatic volume adjustment, voice isolation and touch controls are designed to address some of the challenges that come with that design.
With the first South Korean release set for October 27, the Galaxy Buds On will give Samsung an opportunity to establish itself more firmly in the open-ear earbud category. A broader global launch is planned, but details about the next markets and timing are still to come.
