Full Breakdown
Samsung’s Leaked “Galaxy Buds On” Open-Ear Earbuds: Design, Features, and Outlook
By Drooid · · How we work
Leak Reveals Samsung’s Upcoming Open-Ear Earbuds
On September 10 2026, multiple tech outlets reported that Samsung is developing a new pair of clip-on, open-ear earbuds internally codenamed “Able.” The information comes from a teardown of a recent One UI build and from renders published by the site SammyGuru, which were also highlighted by 9to5Google and Android Central. Samsung has not issued an official announcement; the details are based on leaked app assets and certification filings.
Design Details and Color Options
The leaked renders show two rounded “bulb” sections linked by a silicone loop. The larger bulb is intended to sit inside the concha of the ear, while the flatter end clips onto the outer ear and houses a concave touch surface. Images depict a black finish, and a separate illustration suggests a white variant may also be offered. SammyGuru identified the model number SM-U600 in India’s BIS certification documents, confirming that hardware prototypes are in regulatory review.
Feature Set Highlighted in the Buds Manager App
Strings extracted from the Buds Manager app describe several software capabilities:
- Auto Volume – dynamically raises volume in noisy environments and lowers it when it’s quieter.
- Volume Boost – forces higher output at the risk of sound leakage.
- Head-gesture controls – nod and shake gestures, first seen on the Buds 4 series.
- Voice-memo integration – a touch-and-hold gesture starts a recording that is automatically transcribed; users can invoke Bixby or Google’s Gemini AI assistant to search the text.
- Sleep-detect pause – music or podcasts pause automatically when the phone detects the wearer has fallen asleep, requiring One UI 9.0 or newer.
The app does not reference active noise cancellation, a departure from Samsung’s previous open-ear model, the Galaxy Buds Live.
Market Context and Expected Launch Timing
Open-ear earbuds have gained popularity, with competitors such as Bose and Nothing releasing similar designs. Android Central notes that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Glasses and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra are also rumored, suggesting the company may bundle the Buds On launch with other hardware announcements later in the year. SammyGuru cites the BIS certification and firmware presence on Samsung’s internal servers in India, Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia as evidence that a launch could occur in Q4 2026, though no exact date has been confirmed.
What Remains Unconfirmed
No official statement from Samsung has been released, and key specifications such as battery life, sound quality, and pricing are absent from the leaks. Additionally, while the app strings describe several features, they may change before the final product ships.
