Samsung may be preparing its first major move into open-ear, ear-loop earbuds. Renders of the rumored Galaxy Buds On show a design that wraps around the ear rather than sealing inside the ear canal, a format aimed at keeping users aware of their surroundings while reducing the pressure associated with conventional in-ear buds.
The device has previously surfaced under the Galaxy Buds Able name, but more recent reporting points to Galaxy Buds On as its possible retail name. The imagery suggests conventional air-conduction speakers rather than the bone-conduction approach mentioned in earlier rumors. Visible hardware includes pogo-pin charging contacts, a flat outer area that may support touch controls, and a rounded speaker section positioned alongside the ear.
Code found in Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app suggests the earbuds could add several software-driven controls and Galaxy AI features:
- Head gestures, along with Auto Volume and Volume Boost controls.
- Support for Bixby and Gemini.
- Voice recording that can be summarized through Galaxy AI.
- Automatic playback pausing when the system detects that the wearer has fallen asleep.
The open-ear format appears to come with familiar compromises. Current information indicates that Galaxy Buds On may omit active noise cancellation and 360 Audio, both features that are better suited to sealed earbuds designed for isolation. Samsung already offers the Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro for a more traditional listening experience, with the Pro model positioned around more advanced ANC and hi-fi sound.
Samsung has not officially confirmed Galaxy Buds On, so its final name, specifications, pricing and launch timing remain unknown. If the reported design and feature set hold up, the earbuds would put Samsung into a growing open-ear category where Huawei, Bose and other brands have already introduced clip-on and loop-style alternatives.
