Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Buds On open-ear earbuds have been leaked, revealing a clip-on design with features like Auto Volume, head gestures, and sleep detection.
The Galaxy Buds On feature a clip-on design with two rounded bulbs connected by a silicone loop, designed to rest on the outer ear while the larger side sits in the concha. This style, similar to offerings from Bose and Nothing, includes a flat touch surface for gestures. The Buds Manager app, revealed in leaks, shows support for Auto Volume, which adjusts loudness based on ambient noise, and head nod/shake gestures for controls. A Pause media while you’re asleep feature, requiring One UI 9, automatically stops playback when the device detects sleep.
Samsung's open-ear 'Galaxy Buds On' leak [Gallery]
The earbuds also include a voice memo function, allowing users to start recordings via touch or voice commands. Recorded memos are transcribed and searchable via Bixby, eliminating the need to retrieve a phone. A string in the app states: If you set up touch and hold controls as a voice recorder app, you can quickly start and stop voice recorder with your earbuds.
Early indications of the Galaxy Buds On’s imminent launch come from certification filings. While an exact date remains unconfirmed, the Buds On’s development appears to be in its final stages. The Buds Manager app’s features, including Auto Volume and sleep detection, suggest the device is nearing production. A white variant is also in development, as noted in app assets, though the black version remains the primary visual focus in leaks.
The Galaxy Buds On enters a growing market for open-ear earbuds, a trend led by brands like Bose and Huawei. Samsung’s approach diverges from its previous open-ear model, the Galaxy Buds Live, by omitting active noise cancellation. Instead, the Buds On prioritize comfort and gesture-based controls, appealing to users who prefer a lighter, non-invasive design. However, the Buds On’s clip-on style and gesture controls could carve a niche for users seeking hands-free convenience, though their success will depend on software integration and ecosystem compatibility.
Exclusive: Galaxy Buds On (Able) Design and Features Revealed
The Buds On’s design, as revealed in leaks, includes two rounded bulbs connected by a silicone loop. The larger side is meant to sit inside the concha, the bowl-shaped part of the ear, while the flat end clips onto the outside of the ear, featuring a concave touch surface. The only image of them we have so far shows the black colourway, though a white variant is on the way, according to the Buds Manager app.
SammyGuru, a tech publication, reported that the Galaxy Buds On were internally codenamed “Able” and that icons of the devices surfaced in a recent One UI release. The publication’s APK teardown of the Buds Manager app revealed features such as Auto Volume, voice memo recording, and head gesture controls. The app also mentions a feature that pauses music automatically when the wearer is detected to be asleep, requiring One UI 9.
Samsung’s first clip-on earbuds leak in new image
The publication also noted that the Buds Manager app includes a “Head Nod/Shake” gesture control feature, allowing users to adjust volume or skip tracks without touching their phone. Additionally, the app supports AI assistant integration, enabling users to activate Bixby for voice searches without retrieving their phone. The device’s focus on gesture-based interactions and voice commands aligns with Samsung’s broader push toward hands-free convenience in its wearable ecosystem.
Unlike the Buds Live, however, the Buds On do not include active noise cancellation, a trade-off that may appeal to users prioritizing comfort over sound isolation.
Independent reactions to the Galaxy Buds On remain limited, but industry analysts note the potential for the device to expand Samsung’s wearable offerings. The clip-on design, combined with gesture controls and AI integration, positions the Buds On as a competitor to open-ear earbuds from Bose and Huawei. However, challenges include ensuring consistent audio quality and user adoption of gesture-based controls. The Buds On’s success will also depend on their compatibility with Samsung’s ecosystem, particularly One UI 9, which enables the sleep detection feature. As of now, no official pricing or availability details have been released, though the Q4 2026 launch window suggests a competitive release strategy.
