Samsung Galaxy Buds On open-ear earbuds hit the US Nov. 6

Samsung's first open-ear earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On, will go on sale in the United States on November 6 for $229. The company launched them in South Korea a day earlier, so US buyers have only about a week to wait.

The Galaxy Buds On depart from the sealed in-ear design Samsung has used for years. They use a clip-style band that wraps around the ear, and users can adjust its angle to suit their ear shape. Because nothing seals the ear canal, wearers can hear approaching traffic, conversations and other ambient sounds without switching on a transparency mode, according to Samsung.

Sound and features

The lack of a seal means there is no active noise cancellation. To limit how much music leaks out to people nearby, Samsung uses a technique similar to reverse ANC, which relies on opposite-phase sound waves. The company says it draws no extra battery power, so it is always on by default.

Each bud has two 11.3mm drivers, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform. Samsung says this delivers stronger bass than earlier Galaxy Buds models. Other highlights include support for the SSC-HQ codec, an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, clearer calls and Gemini Live support. Battery life is rated at up to 9.5 hours, and the case charges wirelessly. Samsung has not made charging speed clear.

Trade-offs

Bluetooth multipoint is missing, so the buds cannot stay connected to several devices at once. They are also sold in just one size and one colorway, black.

The Galaxy Buds On are a notable shift for Samsung, which is betting on a new earbud design after trying a new aspect ratio on a foldable earlier this year. Battery life and sound quality claims have yet to be tested independently.