How long can the Galaxy Buds On play music?

Samsung says the buds last up to 9.5 hours on their own and up to 38 hours with the charging case.

What can I control without touching the buds?

They support seven head gestures, including nodding and shaking your head, for answering calls, dismissing alarms and reading notifications. Saying "OK Google, let's talk live" also starts a Gemini Live conversation.

What chip and drivers do the buds use?

They use Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 chip and 11.3mm dual drivers, with a leak-reduction design that fires sound waves backward to cut spillage.

Audio & SpeechGIGAZINE AI5h agoOct 29, 2026, 16:00 JST

Samsung's first open-ear buds, Galaxy Buds On, launch at $229

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3 Key Points

What happened
Samsung introduced the Galaxy Buds On, its first open-ear earbuds, priced at $229 for a US launch in early November 2026; each bud weighs 6.65g and runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 chip.
Why it matters
Because the buds sit outside the ear canal, wearers can hear their surroundings while listening, which Samsung pitches as redefining listening so users can be immersed in music and the moment at once.
What to watch
US sales start in early November 2026 at $229.

WHO IT HITSBuyers shopping for earbuds that don't block the ear canal, such as runners and commuters who need to hear traffic or colleagues, get a new Samsung option; Samsung is also aiming the buds at people who want hands-free control through head gestures and Gemini Live voice chat.

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Context & Analysis

Samsung is entering open-ear earbuds later than some rivals, and it is leaning on fit as the differentiator. The company says the Galaxy Buds On's shape was designed with AI analysis of more than 119 million ear data points, an attempt to address the fit problems that keep some buyers away from this category.

The feature set is built around staying aware of your surroundings. The buds sense noise in real time and raise or lower volume accordingly, so moving from a noisy street to a quiet room needs no manual adjustment. That sits alongside call and voice features: Intelligent Clear Call uses three microphones plus a jaw-motion sensor, and the buds can start a Gemini Live conversation by voice and record quick voice memos.

Samsung is also betting on touch-free control, with seven head gestures covering calls, alarms and notification readouts. At $229 with a US launch in early November 2026, the buds will be judged on whether the open design and gesture controls justify the price against closed-fit alternatives.

FAQ

How long can the Galaxy Buds On play music?: Samsung says the buds last up to 9.5 hours on their own and up to 38 hours with the charging case.
What can I control without touching the buds?: They support seven head gestures, including nodding and shaking your head, for answering calls, dismissing alarms and reading notifications. Saying "OK Google, let's talk live" also starts a Gemini Live conversation.
What chip and drivers do the buds use?: They use Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 chip and 11.3mm dual drivers, with a leak-reduction design that fires sound waves backward to cut spillage.

GIGAZINE AIRead Original Article

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