• Samsung is entering the clip-on earbud race with the Galaxy Buds On, featuring an open-ear design inspired by the comfort and awareness of outdoor-friendly earbuds.
• A wider contact area helps reduce pressure, while the clip-style band is designed to stay secure during workouts and runs.
• The Galaxy Buds On go on sale October 27 for approximately $220, with global availability coming later.

I use Shokz's clip-on earbuds for outdoor runs for one simple reason: They stay comfortable without blocking my ears. I can listen to music and still hear the traffic, the cyclists, and everything around me. Samsung sees the same appeal — and its first clip-on Galaxy Buds are now official.

Unlike Samsung’s usual in-ear Galaxy Buds, the Galaxy Buds On sit around the ear, leaving the ear canal open, as we've seen through leaks. Samsung says it studied different ear shapes and used simulations to optimize the placement of the speaker and battery, while a larger contact area helps spread pressure more evenly.

The band is also designed to stay in place during movement, making the format particularly well-suited to workouts and outdoor use.

There might also be a bigger reason for Samsung to get into this category now. Market research firm Omdia reported that open-ear earbud sales grew 12% in the year to Q2 2026, even as the overall wireless-earbud market declined 2%. Clip-on designs made up 61% of open-ear sales.

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(Image credit: Samsung)

The open-ear design brings with it an obvious challenge: bass and sound leakage. Samsung’s tackling both with TwinBoost speakers, automatic volume adjustment, and Audio Leakage Reduction, which is designed to stop music from leaking out into the room.

The earbuds utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform with a Class-D amplifier, delivering 9.5 hours of playback per charge.

Samsung is also incorporating Galaxy AI into the experience. You can use Gemini Live hands-free, record Quick Voice Memos and then search those recordings in Bixby, and use head gestures to answer calls, dismiss alarms, or check notifications.

A black version of the Galaxy Buds On will launch in South Korea on October 27 for KRW 299,000 (around $220), with a wider global rollout to follow. Regional pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet.

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via X or LinkedIn.