New open-ear headphones from Samsung

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Buds On, a new clip-style open-ear headphone model. These headphones are designed to go beyond traditional music playback by integrating advanced features like intelligent call handling and voice note recording through head gestures.

Features tied to Samsung's ecosystem

The Galaxy Buds On are specifically tailored for Samsung devices. Features like head gestures, quick voice note recording, and automatic volume adjustment are only available on Samsung phones with the latest One UI and are compatible with Galaxy AI.

Release details and pricing

The Galaxy Buds On will be released in South Korea and the United States starting in November, with a price of about 200 euros. However, the release date in France has not been announced yet.

Advanced audio and battery technology

The headphones use two proprietary Samsung Bluetooth codecs, SSC and SSC UHQ. These provide high audio quality up to 24 bits/48 kHz and 24 bits/96 kHz respectively when connected to compatible Galaxy devices. They also offer up to nine and a half hours of playback with an additional 38 hours from the charging case.

Bluetooth and durability features

The Galaxy Buds On are equipped with Bluetooth 6.2 technology, which may support future features like Channel Sounding through firmware updates. They have an IP54 rating, protecting against dust and light rain but not making them waterproof.

Comparison with other open-ear headphones

Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds have an IPX4 rating, offering water resistance but no dust protection. Shokz's Open Dots 2 have an IP57 rating, which provides better water resistance and dust protection compared to the Galaxy Buds On. However, Samsung's ecosystem integration gives it an edge in offering unique AI-based features.

Ecosystem advantage over competitors

Samsung's control over both hardware and software allows it to offer exclusive AI-based features. This makes the Galaxy Buds On a significant asset within the Galaxy ecosystem. While similar features are found in other high-end open-ear headphones, the Galaxy Buds On offer a design that avoids the intrusive intra-aural style of many competitors.