Samsung has launched its first open-ear, clip-on earbuds in South Korea, while European retail listings suggest an international release could arrive sooner than expected.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds On have appeared in South Korea, marking the company’s first wireless earbuds to use a clip-on, open-ear design. According to SamMobile, the model went on sale there on 27 October 2026, with a local price of 299,000 won, or roughly $220. The launch places Samsung directly into a growing category that aims to keep listeners aware of their surroundings while still delivering private audio.
The design follows the open-ear approach now used by several rivals, with the earbuds resting on the outside of the ear rather than sealing the ear canal. That makes them more suitable for long listening sessions, commuting and outdoor exercise, while sacrificing some of the isolation expected from in-ear models. Samsung is positioning the Buds On as a premium alternative, rather than a budget experiment, and their pricing appears close to the top end of the company’s current audio range.
On paper, the specifications are substantial. The Buds On use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform, support up to 9.5 hours of battery life and include three microphones. Samsung also says they feature TwinBoost speakers for stronger bass, automatic volume adjustment and Audio Leakage Reduction, a system intended to stop sound from escaping into quiet spaces such as libraries or cafés. The earbuds also integrate Galaxy AI features, including Gemini Live for hands-free conversations, Quick Voice Memo for quick recording and head gestures for call and alarm control.
What is likely to draw the most attention outside Korea is the suggestion that an international launch may not be far away. SamMobile reported that retail listings have already appeared in parts of Europe, including Switzerland, where prices were said to fall between 179 and 199 Swiss francs, roughly €194 to €215. Samsung has not officially confirmed a European release date, but the appearance of those listings has fuelled expectations that the company could move sooner than many had assumed, rather than waiting for a broader hardware launch later in the year.
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