Samsung Galaxy Buds On: clip-on earbuds with AI smarts leak ahead of Q4 launch
Samsung is preparing its first clip-on open-ear earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On, and a fresh leak has revealed the design and feature set in detail. The model number SM-U600 has already cleared BIS certification in India, and test firmware has appeared on Samsung servers across multiple countries. A Q4 2026 launch is expected, putting Samsung roughly a year behind Bose and Sony in the clip-on category.
The look
According to SammyGuru, the Buds On use a two-part clip structure connected by a silicone bridge. The larger section — housing the speaker — sits inside the ear bowl, while a flat piece with a concave touch surface clamps to the outside of the ear. Two colorways are confirmed: black and white.
The features
9to5Google corroborated the feature list via a teardown of the Buds Manager APK. Head gesture controls let you nod to accept a call or shake to dismiss one. Auto Volume adjusts output based on ambient noise levels, and a Volume Boost option forces louder playback when needed. Both Gemini and Bixby can be triggered by voice or touch.
A voice memo function records audio and automatically transcribes it to text, with Bixby voice search built in — though this requires One UI 8.5 or later. A sleep pause feature cuts audio when your phone detects you've fallen asleep, but that one needs One UI 9.0 or higher.
What's missing: there's no active noise cancellation (ANC) and no 360 Audio with head tracking. The design prioritizes situational awareness — you stay connected to your surroundings, which is the core pitch for clip-on earbuds in general.
Where it fits
The clip-on segment is crowded by the time Samsung arrives. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Nothing Ear (Open) are already on shelves, with the Nothing model sitting around $150. Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro runs $249.99 in the US and £219 in the UK, so Buds On will likely slot below that — though no pricing has been confirmed.
The AI integration angle is Samsung's clearest differentiator. Rivals don't offer the same Gemini plus Bixby combination, and the auto-transcription voice memo feature has no direct equivalent from Bose or Sony. Whether that's enough to justify waiting until Q4 — and paying Samsung's likely premium over Nothing — depends on how much you value the Galaxy ecosystem.
No official pricing or regional availability has been announced by Samsung.