Samsung has entered the growing clip-on earbud market with the launch of its Galaxy Buds On in South Korea. The new wireless earbuds use a design that sits around the outer ear rather than sealing the ear canal, bringing a different approach to Samsung’s existing Galaxy Buds range.
The Galaxy Buds On are initially limited to Samsung’s home market, with a wider international release planned for later. However, Samsung has not yet confirmed which countries will receive the earbuds or when they will become available outside South Korea.
Galaxy Buds On take a different approach to wireless audio
Unlike conventional in-ear earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On are designed to attach to the side of the ear while leaving the ear canal open. This style has become increasingly common among audio manufacturers, including Bose, Huawei and Shokz, as consumers look for alternatives to earbuds that sit inside the ear.
The open design can make the earbuds more comfortable for people who dislike the sensation of having an earbud inserted into the ear canal. It can also help users stay more aware of sounds around them while listening to audio. However, open and clip-on designs can present challenges with sound leakage and bass performance.
Samsung says it has addressed some of these concerns with a TwinBoost speaker system. The company claims the system strengthens bass output, helping compensate for the acoustic limitations of an open-ear design. The earbuds also feature automatic volume adjustment that responds to the surrounding environment.
Comfort has also been a focus of the Galaxy Buds On. Samsung says the earbuds have a wide contact area that helps spread pressure more evenly across the band. The design is intended to reduce concentrated pressure around the ear during extended use.
Touch controls are on the rear of each earbud, letting users control playback and other functions without reaching for a connected device. Samsung has also included a voice-isolating feature intended to improve call clarity by helping the earbuds distinguish the user’s voice from surrounding noise.
Galaxy devices add extra connected features
The Galaxy Buds On are designed to work particularly closely with compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphones and other devices. As a result, users with supported Galaxy hardware will have access to features that go beyond basic music playback and calls.
One of those features is hands-free control using head gestures. The earbuds can recognise certain head movements, letting users control calls without touching the earbuds or smartphone. Samsung is also bringing Gemini Live support to the device, expanding the ways users can interact with Google’s AI assistant through compatible Galaxy hardware.
Another feature is Quick Voice Memo. Samsung says users can activate the function by pressing and holding the touch area on an earbud. This is intended to provide a quick way to capture a voice note without opening a separate application on a smartphone.
The charging case also follows a familiar design language. 9to5Google reported that the Galaxy Buds On case looks very similar on the outside to the case supplied with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4. The similarities give the new earbuds a visual connection with Samsung’s existing Galaxy Buds products despite their substantially different physical design.
The combination of open-ear hardware and Galaxy-specific software features positions the Buds On as a new option within Samsung’s wider audio ecosystem. Rather than replacing the company’s conventional in-ear models, the design gives users another way to listen while keeping their ear canals open.
Samsung plans a wider release
Samsung will begin selling the Galaxy Buds On in South Korea on 27 October. The earbuds will initially be offered in a single black colour, with a launch price of 299,000 won, equivalent to about US$220 based on the figure provided by Samsung.
The initial South Korean release means customers in other markets will have to wait to purchase the new earbuds officially. Samsung has confirmed a global rollout is planned, but the company has not yet provided details on specific countries, launch dates, or international pricing.
The international launch could determine how broadly Samsung’s new clip-on design becomes available. Open-ear and clip-on earbuds have gained attention as manufacturers explore alternatives to traditional in-ear products, particularly among people seeking greater environmental awareness or a different fit.
For now, the Galaxy Buds On represent Samsung’s first entry into this particular category. More information about availability outside South Korea is expected when the company provides details of its planned global rollout.
