Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Buds On appear to trade the sealed fit of conventional earbuds for something lighter and less intrusive. Newly leaked renders show an open-ear, clip-on design that wraps around the outer ear, placing a rounded speaker module near the ear canal and a counterweight behind it. The two sections are joined by a soft silicone loop, creating a wearable that looks more like minimalist jewelry than traditional audio hardware.
The shape serves a practical purpose. Users who dislike the pressure of silicone ear tips should find the open construction more comfortable, while the rounded speaker housing appears designed to rest gently against the ear. A flat exterior surface provides room for touch controls, and visible pogo pins handle charging inside the case. Samsung is reportedly preparing both Black and White finishes, with the darker version giving the earbuds a discreet, almost sculptural appearance.
Software could be the Galaxy Buds On’s bigger differentiator. Strings discovered in the Galaxy Wearable app point to head gestures inherited from the Galaxy Buds 4 series, alongside Auto Volume and Volume Boost features. The earbuds may support both Bixby and Google Gemini, while a quick voice-recording function could use Galaxy AI to turn spoken ideas or meeting notes into automatic summaries. Playback may even pause when the earbuds detect that the wearer has fallen asleep.
The open design comes with predictable compromises. Galaxy Buds On reportedly won’t include active noise cancellation or 360 Audio, making them better suited to commuting, working and exercising while remaining aware of the surroundings. Samsung has yet to confirm the product, its price or an exact release date, although the earbuds are currently expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.
via sammyguru