Samsung Galaxy Buds On Officially Launch: $220 Clip-On Earbuds with Gemini Live Hit Korea October 27

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Buds On, its first-ever clip-on open-ear earbuds. After months of leaks, Samsung quietly revealed the Buds On on October 1, 2026, marking the company's first departure from in-ear design. The earbuds go on sale in South Korea on October 27 at KRW 299,000 (approximately $220), with a global rollout planned in phases.

Key Specs and Features

• Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform — Qualcomm's latest audio chip
• 9.5 hours battery life on a single charge; total case life not yet confirmed
• TwinBoost speakers with Audio Leakage Reduction technology
• 3 microphones + bone-conduction sensor for Intelligent Clear Call
• Gemini Live, Quick Voice Memo, and Bixby Memo Search
• Head Gestures — nod to answer calls, shake to decline

Open-Ear Design

The clip-on form factor leaves the ear canal completely open, avoiding the fatigue and isolation of in-ear buds. Samsung's approach directly targets the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299) and the Shokz OpenFit 2 ($180), offering a middle-ground price with Samsung's Galaxy AI ecosystem.

Should You Wait?

At $220, the Buds On undercut the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds by $79 while offering Samsung's Gemini Live integration. However, only a black color is available at launch, and global availability dates have not been announced. If you're in the U.S., you'll likely need to wait until November or later. Compare all options in our wireless earbuds guide.