Samsung's first over-ear headphones in 11 years just leaked
Samsung hasn't made a full-size headphone since the Level On in 2015, but that may be about to change. A product codenamed Galaxy H1 has appeared inside the Galaxy Wearable app's code, complete with images confirming an over-ear design. A launch is expected in early 2027, putting it directly in the path of the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Max.
The leak
The discovery comes from SamMobile, which spotted the Galaxy H1 reference buried in the Galaxy Wearable app. The codename is almost certainly not the final retail name — Samsung typically reserves internal labels like this until launch. What the code does confirm is Bluetooth 6.0 support. Everything else — active noise cancellation, Samsung's proprietary SSC UHQ audio codec, and Galaxy AI integration — is expected based on Samsung's current product direction, per Android Authority, but not yet officially confirmed.
Samsung's Galaxy H1 over-ear headphones surfaced in Galaxy Wearable app code — the first full-size Samsung headphone since 2015.
The Samsung ecosystem play
SSC UHQ is the detail worth watching. The codec supports 24-bit/96kHz audio — matching Sony's LDAC on paper — but it only works with Samsung Galaxy phones, as TechTimes notes. Sony's LDAC is an open standard that works across Android broadly. That means Galaxy H1 would be a premium pick for Samsung phone owners but a harder sell for anyone outside that ecosystem.
Samsung owns both JBL and AKG through its Harman acquisition, so audio engineering expertise isn't a concern. The bigger question is positioning: the over-ear segment is already competitive, with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Beats Studio Pro sitting alongside the Sony and Apple flagships. A spring 2027 window would sidestep the 2026 holiday rush, giving Samsung room to build awareness without going head-to-head with year-end promotions.
What's still unknown
No pricing, no confirmed specs beyond Bluetooth 6.0, and no regional launch details have emerged. Samsung hasn't acknowledged the Galaxy H1 exists. If the early 2027 timeline holds, an announcement at a Samsung Unpacked event — likely late 2026 or early 2027 — would be the first real look. For Galaxy users who've wanted a premium over-ear option that fits their existing setup, it's worth keeping an eye on.
