Samsung launches Galaxy Buds On clip-on open earbuds

Samsung has officially entered the clip-on open-ear category with the Galaxy Buds On, its first open-ear clip-on true wireless earbuds, NokiaPowerUser reported on Thursday. The earbuds break from traditional in-ear silicone tips and canal-blocking designs.

Instead, the earbuds clip onto the outer ear and are designed to hold firm during movement while letting air and sound pass naturally. Samsung pitches them for people who want comfort all day, awareness of their surroundings, and safety outdoors without blocking ambient sound.

For audio processing, Samsung chose Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform. NokiaPowerUser describes the platform as ultra-low latency and says it works with a custom high-efficiency Class-D amplifier to deliver crisp sound staging and minimal power draw.

They carry a TwinBoost Speaker System, a two-driver design built to push fuller acoustic energy straight into the ear canal. To counter weak bass and sound leakage common in open designs, Samsung adds targeted frequency optimization and phase-canceling technology for low-frequency enhancement and audio leakage reduction. The aim is to lock in low-end punch and keep music private to people sitting nearby.

Automatic volume adjustment raises or lowers output as ambient noise changes. Software features include hands-free Google Gemini Live, so users can talk to the assistant without unlocking a phone. Head gestures let users nod or shake to answer calls, dismiss alarms, or clear notifications. Bixby Memo Search records audio notes and indexes them for later retrieval. The assistant can answer questions or retrieve real-time assistance.

For calls, Samsung uses three microphones plus a bone conduction sensor, which the company calls a Voice Pickup Unit, to isolate voice from wind and street noise. Battery life is 9.5 hours of continuous music playback per charge. The Galaxy Buds On will be available only in black.

South Korea gets the earbuds first, on October 27, 2026, priced at 299,000 won. NokiaPowerUser estimates the US price at about $220 and the India price at about 21,120 rupees. The publication notes that Bose, Huawei, and Shokz already use clip-on open-ear designs. It says global rollout timelines for North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are expected to follow shortly after the initial Korean release window.

NokiaPowerUser argues that the mix of built-in Gemini Live, the Snapdragon S7 platform, and 9.5 hours of endurance makes the Galaxy Buds On "a very compelling contender" at about $220.