Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Buds On in South Korea, marking the tech giant's first venture into clip-on open-ear wireless headphones before a wider European rollout.
The new earphones go on sale exclusively in South Korean retail stores ahead of an anticipated international release, with European retailer listings and industry reports suggesting the device could arrive in other territories far sooner than expected.
In South Korea, the Galaxy Buds On are priced at 299,000 won, which converts to approximately 200 euros. That valuation places the new accessory in Samsung's premium audio tier, sitting just below the flagship Galaxy Buds4 Pro, which carry a recommended retail price of 249 euros.
Early retailer listings have already appeared across Europe, including leaked pricing figures from Switzerland where the earbuds are slated to cost between 179 and 199 Swiss francs. That range converts to between 194 euros and 215 euros, reinforcing expectations of an imminent continental release.
European release window
Industry observers had broadly anticipated that Samsung would hold back the clip-on earphones until early next year, potentially debuting them alongside the upcoming Galaxy S27 smartphone range and other wearable devices. However, sources cited by specialist publication SamMobile indicated that the launch has instead been scheduled for the coming weeks, without providing a more specific calendar date.
Open-ear headphones have grown into an increasingly popular alternative to conventional in-ear monitors that use silicone tips to seal off the ear canal. Rather than relying on heavy active noise cancellation, clip-on audio hardware attaches gently to the outer ear to distribute pressure evenly and keep the canal open, allowing ambient environmental sound to reach the listener naturally.
Samsung's implementation adopts an ergonomic clip mechanism designed for extended everyday wear. The open design allows users to listen to music or podcasts while remaining aware of traffic, office colleagues or public transit announcements, trading aggressive acoustic isolation for long-term comfort and situational awareness.
Hardware specifications and audio technology
Under the hood, the Galaxy Buds On are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform. The audio pipeline incorporates a Class D amplifier and Samsung's newly developed TwinBoost speaker drivers, designed to deliver high-fidelity acoustic performance despite the open acoustic form factor.
To address the common tendency of open-back earphones to spill sound into quiet surroundings, Samsung has fitted the Buds On with dedicated audio leakage reduction technology. The company intends this shielding to prevent nearby people in shared spaces such as libraries and cafes from overhearing playback. The internal battery provides up to 9.5 hours of continuous operation on a single charge.
Galaxy AI and voice features
The earbuds feature a three-microphone array combined with Samsung's Galaxy AI software suite. Wearers can initiate hands-free voice interactions with Google's Gemini Live conversational assistant directly from the earbuds without needing to take their smartphone out of their pocket.
The integrated artificial intelligence tools also support real-time language translation for spoken conversations. In addition, a feature called Quick Voice Memo allows users to record rapid voice notes instantly by pressing the earbud's capacitive touch control surface.
