Samsung's first clip-on earbuds go on sale in South Korea on Oct. 27. Here's what they do differently, what they might cost, and the signs of a wider launch.
Samsung's Galaxy Buds On are its first clip-on earbuds. Instead of sealing your ear, they hook around its edge like an earring, so you can still hear what's around you. They go on sale in South Korea on October 27 for 299,000 won, about $220.
Samsung says it studied 119 million ear data points to perfect the fit and used shape-memory alloy so the clip adapts to your ear. Twin Boost speakers and a new leakage-reduction design aim to fix the thin bass and sound spill typical of open-ear buds.
Galaxy owners who want workout buds may want to wait a few weeks for a wider launch.
Samsung’s newest earbuds don’t go in your ears at all. The Galaxy Buds On clip onto the edge of the ear like an earring, leaving your ear canal open so you can hear traffic, coworkers or your running partner while music plays. They go on sale in South Korea on Tuesday, October 27.
If you have been looking at open-ear buds for running, cycling or long workdays, this matters because Samsung is bringing tight Galaxy phone integration to a category mostly owned by specialists like Shokz. The catch for readers in the US, UK and Canada: Samsung has not said when, or whether, the Galaxy Buds On will reach you.
Instead of a silicone tip that seals your ear, each bud is a C-shaped clip with a ball at the end. The speaker sits just inside the ear while the rest wraps around the outer edge, so nothing plugs the ear canal. That is why open-ear earbuds feel lighter over long sessions and let ambient sound in.
Fit is the hard part, since ears vary so much. Samsung says it collected 119 million ear data points and used AI-based optimization to spread pressure evenly where the clip touches your ear. The bridge is made from shape-memory alloy, a metal that bends to your ear and, according to Samsung, conforms more closely the longer you wear it. The company says the grip holds steady even during intense exercise.
Two small touches stand out. There is no left or right bud, so you can grab either one, which helps if you only wear one while running. And they work with Galaxy Buds4 series accessories, so existing case covers fit.
This is the classic weakness of clip-on earbuds. Because the speaker sits outside the ear canal and further from the eardrum, bass tends to be thin and sound leaks out for others to hear. Samsung is tackling both problems directly:
Whether it works as well as promised is the open question. Reviews outside Korea are not out yet, and fit and feel matter as much as sound with this style of earbud.
Calls get serious attention. The earbuds pack three microphones plus a bone-conduction vibration sensor that picks up your voice through your skull, and Samsung’s Intelligent Clear Call uses machine learning to separate your voice from wind and traffic.
Paired with a Galaxy phone or tablet that supports Galaxy AI, the Buds On add hands-free extras:
Battery life is rated at up to 9.5 hours per charge. That is long for earbuds, partly because there is no active noise cancellation, which would make little sense in a design meant to let sound in.
In South Korea, the Galaxy Buds On cost 299,000 won, which works out to roughly $220, in black only. Buyers there through November 30 get two coupons for 30% off Galaxy Buds accessories.
Samsung has only confirmed Korean pricing and availability so far. But there are signs a broader launch is near. Retailers in Switzerland have started listing the earbuds at between CHF 179 and CHF 199, or about $216 to $241. Listings like that usually mean a product is heading to more countries soon. A US price is anyone’s guess until Samsung announces it.
Samsung’s own research suggests these are meant as a second pair, not a replacement. An internal survey found 73% of clip-style earbud users also own regular in-ear buds, using in-ear models for focused listening and open designs for exercise and work.
If you own a Galaxy phone and want earbuds for runs, bike rides or the office, the Buds On look like a strong fit, mainly because of the head gestures, Gemini Live and Galaxy Watch controls that third-party open-ear buds can’t match. If you use an iPhone, much of that appeal disappears, since the AI features depend on a Galaxy device.
Should you wait or buy something else now? If you need open-ear buds today, established options such as the Shokz OpenDots 2 are already available. If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem and not in a hurry, it makes sense to hold off for a few weeks to see whether a US or UK launch, and real-world reviews, arrive.
They launch in South Korea on October 27. Samsung hasn’t announced dates for the US, UK or Canada yet.
They are 299,000 won in Korea, about $220. Swiss retailers list them at CHF 179 to 199.
No. They are open-ear earbuds designed to let you hear your surroundings, which also helps them reach 9.5 hours of battery.
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