Samsung’s first clip-on wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On, are now available in South Korea. The open-ear earbuds sit around the outside of the ear rather than blocking the ear canal, allowing users to listen to music while remaining aware of nearby sounds. Samsung also promises up to 9.5 hours of music playback per charge and hands-free AI features when paired with compatible Galaxy devices.
Samsung first unveiled the Galaxy Buds On on October 1, 2026, and began selling them in South Korea on October 27. The company has announced plans to introduce the earbuds in additional international markets, although specific launch dates have not been confirmed.
Open-Ear Clip-On Design
Unlike traditional wireless earbuds that fit inside the ear, the Galaxy Buds On gently clip around the outer ear. This open-ear design allows users to hear nearby sounds while listening to music. It could be especially useful for people who enjoy walking, running, cycling, or working outdoors.
Samsung designed the Galaxy Buds On using data from different ear shapes to improve comfort and stability. The earbuds feature a flexible band made with shape-memory alloy, helping them adjust to the outer ear and distribute pressure more evenly. According to Samsung, this design helps keep the earbuds secure during daily activities and exercise.
The Galaxy Buds On also carry an IP54 dust-and-splash resistance rating, offering protection against everyday dust exposure and splashes of water. However, Samsung does not recommend using them while swimming or at the beach, and the charging case is not water-resistant.
Sound Quality and Call Features
The Galaxy Buds On feature 11.3mm TwinBoost speakers that Samsung says deliver stronger bass and fuller sound despite the open-ear design. They also include Audio Leakage Reduction technology, designed to limit the amount of sound heard by nearby people. However, Samsung notes that some audio may still leak, especially at higher volumes or in quiet environments.
Another useful feature is automatic volume adjustment. This technology can change the sound level based on surrounding noise, making listening more convenient in different environments.
For phone calls, the Galaxy Buds On use Samsung’s Intelligent Clear Call technology. Each earbud combines three microphones, a bone conduction-based Voice Pickup Unit (VPU) sensor, and machine learning-based noise processing. Samsung says these technologies help separate the user’s voice from background noise, improving call clarity in places such as busy streets and public transport.
Galaxy AI and Hands-Free Controls
When paired with a compatible Galaxy AI-enabled smartphone or tablet, the Galaxy Buds On support hands-free access to Google Gemini Live. Users can launch the assistant using a voice command, ask questions, request information, or get help with supported tasks without taking out their phones. Availability depends on the connected device and supported AI services.
For more context on the development of conversational voice assistants, TechBonafide has also covered Google’s recent Gemini voice AI models for real-time conversations.
The Quick Voice Memo feature lets users start recording by pressing and holding the touch area on the back of an earbud after configuring the gesture. Recordings can later be found using Samsung’s Bixby assistant. Samsung says this feature requires a compatible Galaxy AI-enabled device, the Samsung Voice Recorder app, and the Bixby app.
The Galaxy Buds On also support Head Gestures, allowing users to answer or reject incoming calls by nodding or shaking their heads. Samsung says the feature is disabled by default and must be configured on a compatible device. Additional controls, including dismissing alarms and reading notifications, require One UI 9.0 or later and work only with supported apps and settings.
For setup, the Galaxy Buds On support easy pairing with compatible Galaxy smartphones and tablets when the charging case is opened. Samsung says users with One UI 8.0 or later can manage supported settings directly on their devices, while some earlier software versions require the Galaxy Wearable app. The Galaxy Wearable app is not supported on iOS.
Battery Life, Price and Availability
Samsung says the Galaxy Buds On use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform alongside a high-efficiency Class-D amplifier to reduce power consumption. The company rates the earbuds for up to 9.5 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge, although this is a manufacturer-stated maximum rather than an independently verified runtime.
However, the actual battery performance may vary depending on usage, volume settings, and connected devices.
The Galaxy Buds On are available in black in South Korea for 299,000 won (KRW), through Samsung’s online store and participating domestic retailers. Samsung plans to release the earbuds in more markets, but country-specific launch dates and prices have not yet been announced.
The Galaxy Buds On offer an alternative to traditional in-ear earbuds by combining an open-ear design with hands-free AI controls and extended playback time. Their main advantage is allowing users to hear nearby sounds while listening to audio. However, people who prioritize stronger noise isolation or active noise cancellation may prefer conventional sealed earbuds.
For examples of conventional earbuds and over-ear models, TechBonafide’s 2025 guide to wireless headphones covers several alternatives, including products with active noise cancellation.
