Samsung Galaxy Buds On hands-on: open-ear clip-on design, Gemini Live, all-day comfort
What are Galaxy Buds On?
Announced on October 27, 2026, Galaxy Buds On are Samsung's first open-ear earbuds. Instead of sealing the ear canal, a flexible clip-on band rests lightly on the ear, leaving it open to ambient sound. The design targets users who wear earbuds all day — commuting, working, exercising — and want situational awareness without sacrificing audio quality. Samsung says the clip-on fit stays secure during vigorous movement, and an adjustable band angle lets users fine-tune the fit for their ear shape.
Audio: TwinBoost speaker and leakage reduction
The Buds On use a new TwinBoost speaker architecture that Samsung says delivers enhanced bass compared to previous Galaxy Buds models. Because open-ear designs naturally leak some sound, Samsung includes Audio Leakage Reduction technology to minimize what escapes in shared spaces like offices or libraries. The company notes that at high volumes, in quiet environments, or with certain ear shapes, some leakage may still be noticeable.
AI features: Gemini Live, Bixby, and Quick Voice Memo
On Galaxy AI-enabled smartphones, users can invoke Gemini Live hands-free with "Hey Google, let's talk Live" — useful for getting running routes, distances, or general info without touching the phone. Bixby integration lets users ask about tasks and hear details read aloud. A press-and-hold gesture on the earbud back starts a Quick Voice Memo instantly (requires Samsung Voice Recorder and Bixby apps, with the gesture configured in Settings). These AI features require a compatible Galaxy device.
Head-gesture controls
Galaxy Buds On add head gestures for hands-free call and notification management: nod to answer a call, shake your head to decline, and use gestures to check or dismiss notifications and alarms. Tap controls on the earbud handle playback. Voice commands ("Next song," "Volume up/down") work without a wake word for media control.
Call clarity: Intelligent Clear Call
For calls in noisy environments — Samsung tested crowded subway stations — the Buds On combine three microphones with a bone-conduction Voice Pickup Unit Sensor and a machine-learning-based Intelligent Clear Call solution to isolate the user's voice and suppress background noise. The open-ear design means no ear pressure even after hours of wear.
Who this is for (and who it isn't)
Galaxy Buds On suit users who prioritize all-day comfort, situational awareness (hearing traffic while running, colleagues in the office), and hands-free AI assistance. They are less suited for users who need maximum noise isolation or the absolute best bass response — sealed in-ear designs still win there. Compatibility for the full AI feature set (Gemini Live, Quick Voice Memo) is limited to Galaxy AI-enabled smartphones.
