Samsung’s Galaxy Buds On went on sale in the US on November 6, in black, at $229.99. They clip around the ear rather than sealing the ear canal. Several of the hands-free features require a compatible Galaxy phone and specific software, so check those requirements before treating every advertised feature as included for your phone.
What $229.99 buys
Each bud clips around the ear and leaves the ear canal open, and Samsung puts the weight at 6.65 g a bud. Inside is an 11.3 mm TwinBoost speaker, plus a system meant to cut the sound that leaks to people nearby. Three microphones and a voice pickup unit handle calls.
Samsung rates the buds at 9.5 hours of music a charge and 38 hours with the case, from its own tests on a pre-production pair. The case also charges on a wireless pad.
The earbuds have an IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating. Samsung says the case is not water resistant and advises against beach or pool use. Dry wet earbuds and hands thoroughly before handling them. The rating is not a promise of protection in any rain or workout.
The extras that need a Galaxy phone
Samsung’s footnotes tie the clever parts to its own phones. Head gestures (nodding to answer a call, shaking your head to decline) need a Galaxy phone on One UI 8.5 or later. Reading notifications aloud and dismissing an alarm need One UI 9.0 or later.
Auto Volume, which turns the sound up as the street gets louder, is a Labs experiment on One UI 8.5 that you switch on yourself under Advanced features. We wouldn’t count an experiment as a reason to buy. Quick Voice Memo needs a phone with Galaxy AI plus Samsung’s Voice Recorder and Bixby apps.
Samsung’s setup notes refer to compatible Galaxy and Android devices. They do not establish the full feature set on an iPhone. Check Buds On-specific compatibility before buying for one. Restrictions on another Galaxy Buds model cannot settle that question.
Compare the current Bose model
Bose now lists Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) with nine hours of rated battery life and a wireless charging case. That matters when comparing them with Samsung: the older Bose model’s seven-hour rating and standard case do not describe the new generation. These are manufacturer ratings from different tests, so a half-hour difference on paper cannot establish which pair will last longer in your use.
Our take
Buds On are worth considering if you want an open-ear fit and already have a Galaxy phone that supports the features you need. Samsung’s rated battery life and wireless case are useful specifications, but we have not independently measured sound quality, leakage, comfort or real battery life. If you want isolation on a plane or a noisy commute, Samsung points to the Buds4 Pro for active noise cancellation instead.
