Samsung Galaxy Buds On unveiled with open-ear design and Galaxy AI features

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Buds On, its first clip-on wireless earphones in the Galaxy Buds lineup. The new design sits on the ear instead of going inside the ear canal, making it a more comfortable option for users who want to stay aware of their surroundings while running, walking or exercising. Let’s check it out in more detail below.

Galaxy Buds On: a different audio product

Unlike standard Galaxy Buds, the Galaxy Buds On uses a clip-on design that sits around the ear instead of sealing the ear canal like a traditional in-ear device would. This makes them better suited to users who want to hear their surroundings while walking, running or cycling. The open design also places less pressure on the ears during long listening sessions, which is also a decisive factor for users who dislike in-ear designs.

The trade-off is that users do not get the same level of isolation and audio depth as with in-ear earbuds. The Buds On will likely be less immersive in noisy places, and Samsung also notes that some sound can leak out depending on the volume, ear shape and surroundings. The company has tried to address this with audio leakage reduction technology, although performance will vary by user and environment.

Samsung claims to have analysed different ear shapes to position the speaker and battery more comfortably. The design spreads pressure across a wider area and adjusts the clip’s elasticity to keep the earbuds secure during movement. Users can also control music and calls with a light touch on the back of the earbuds.

The Galaxy Buds On use TwinBoost speakers to improve low-frequency sound, while automatic volume control adjusts the volume based on the surrounding environment. The company has also added its Intelligent Clear Call technology for clearer voice calls.

The earbuds use three microphones, a bone conduction-based Voice Pickup Unit sensor and machine learning to separate the user’s voice from background noise. This should help keep calls clear in situations such as strong winds or when a vacuum cleaner is running nearby.

The Buds On claim to deliver up to 9.5 hours of music playback on a single charge. Samsung uses the Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform and a high-efficiency Class-D amplifier to manage power consumption.

Samsung is also positioning the Buds On as a hands-free companion for Galaxy AI-supported phones and tablets. Users can access voice conversations, memos and notifications through the earbuds without taking out their phone. With Head Gestures, you can access calls through nodding or shaking your head to accept or decline calls.

Should you buy the Galaxy Buds On?

The Galaxy Buds On will launch in South Korea on October 27 for KRW 299,000, around Rs 19,000. Samsung plans to bring them to other markets later but has not shared the India price or launch date yet.

The main reason to consider them is the clip-on design, as they could suit users who find in-ear earbuds uncomfortable or want to stay aware of traffic and other sounds while walking or exercising. The main drawback is weaker noise isolation than regular earbuds, along with possible sound leakage.

There are already several open-ear options in India, the Huawei FreeClip 2 is available for around Rs 17,999, while the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds cost around Rs 25,900. Buyers on a tighter budget can also look at options such as the Noise Air Clips Pro, which starts at around Rs 2,499.

For now, the Galaxy Buds On will mainly appeal to users who want an open-ear design along with Samsung’s software and AI features. The India price will be important, though, since buyers already have plenty of alternatives in this category.