Samsung debuts Galaxy Buds On, its first open-ear earbuds, in South Korea

Samsung is launching its first open-ear earbuds in South Korea, combining a clip-style design with hands-free AI features for listening without shutting out surrounding sounds.

Samsung Electronics will begin sales of its first open-ear earbuds in South Korea on 27 October, expanding its audio range with a product designed for users who want sound without complete isolation from their surroundings. The Galaxy Buds On will come in a single black finish and will cost 299,000 won, or about US$225, according to the company.

The new earbuds use a clip-style, open-ear form that sits lightly around the outer ear rather than sealing the ear canal. Samsung says the design is intended for everyday listening, outdoor use and exercise, particularly running, where awareness of traffic and other sounds matters. The company also says it used artificial intelligence-based optimisation, including simulations built on four-dimensional computing, to refine the shape and fit.

Alongside the hardware design, Samsung is positioning the Buds On as an AI-enabled accessory. When paired with a smartphone or tablet, they support hands-free voice commands, and the company says users can access Gemini Live for conversational assistance or use Quick Voice Memo to capture ideas and tasks. The earbuds also include head-gesture recognition and touch controls, features that appear aimed at reducing the need to reach for a handset during use.

Additional reporting from technology sites suggests the Buds On will offer up to 9.5 hours of playback and use a TwinBoost speaker system powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform. Those reports also say Samsung has built in automatic volume adjustment and sound leakage reduction, indicating that the product is meant to balance open-air listening with a degree of audio privacy. Samsung has not yet announced when, or if, the earbuds will be sold in other markets.