Samsung's Galaxy Buds On launch in South Korea tomorrow

Samsung’s first clip-on earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On, go on sale in South Korea on 27 October for 299,000 won, roughly $226. The open-ear design leaves the ear canal unobstructed, while the earbuds add gesture controls and voice-memo features through Galaxy AI on compatible Galaxy devices.

What Samsung is launching

The Galaxy Buds On wrap around the ear instead of sealing it with a conventional in-ear tip. That makes them a different proposition from Samsung’s more familiar Galaxy Buds designs: listeners can hear more of their surroundings while still using the earbuds for music, calls and podcasts.

Android Authority reports that the earbuds will initially be sold in black through Samsung’s website and retail stores in South Korea. Samsung is also offering two 30% discount coupons for Galaxy Buds accessories to buyers who purchase before 30 November; those coupons can be redeemed until 20 December.

The hardware uses TwinBoost speakers and includes technology intended to reduce sound leakage. On a compatible Galaxy phone, users can answer calls with a nod or record a voice memo without taking the phone out. Those are convenience features rather than a promise of hands-free control for every task, and their availability depends on the Galaxy device being used.

Global availability is not confirmed

European retailer listings suggest Samsung may bring the Galaxy Buds On to more markets. Swiss listings seen by Android Authority show prices between CHF 179 and CHF 199, or roughly $216 to $241. Those listings are not the same as a Samsung launch announcement, however, so they do not establish a release date or final UK and European pricing.

Samsung has not confirmed an international launch date in the source material. The South Korean launch is the only firm date currently attached to the product, meaning overseas buyers should treat retailer listings as a signal rather than a guarantee. Prices and availability can change before any wider release.

The product is therefore best understood as Samsung testing a more visible open-ear direction. It is a distinct design from sealed earbuds, but the real questions — comfort over long sessions, sound quality in noisy places and how much audio leaks out — will need proper testing once the Buds On reach more reviewers and markets.

Our opinion

The Galaxy Buds On are interesting because the clip-on shape addresses a genuine trade-off: many people want music without losing awareness of traffic, colleagues or announcements. Samsung’s gesture controls could make that design more useful, but they do not remove the need for good microphones and dependable touch-free interaction. The South Korean launch is a real release, while the international story remains speculation until Samsung publishes dates and prices. That distinction matters more than the optimistic retailer listings.

For now, the Buds On are a confirmed South Korean launch with possible global expansion — not a confirmed worldwide release.