Samsung is reportedly preparing to enter the open-ear wireless earbuds space with a new model called Galaxy Able, expected to debut as early as July. Firmware leaks from One UI reveal earbuds designed with a clip-on style that rests outside the ear canal, foregoing traditional silicone tips. If confirmed, this move signals Samsung’s push into a category that’s quickly shifting from niche fitness gear to mainstream audio wearables.

What open-ear clip-on earbuds are

Unlike conventional true wireless earbuds that seal the ear canal, clip-on open-ear headphones attach to the outer ear and leave the ear canal open. This design lets users listen to music or podcasts while staying aware of environmental sounds – a key reason why runners, cyclists, and people who wear earbuds for hours favor this form factor. The fit is generally softer and less fatiguing to the ears, albeit at the cost of reduced noise isolation.

Early insights from Samsung’s One UI code hint at a Galaxy Able model featuring a pronounced clip-like silhouette and possible bone conduction technology. These clues suggest a product tailored toward workouts and active everyday use, prioritizing situational awareness over aggressive noise cancellation. Samsung is expected to reveal Galaxy Able at its upcoming Unpacked event in July 2026.

Open-ear clip-on earbuds gaining popularity beyond fitness

The concept of open-ear clip-on earbuds isn’t new. Huawei’s FreeClip, launched in 2023, was among the first to show these earbuds could be both sporty and suitable for everyday wear. Bose followed with its Ultra Open Earbuds, and Shokz – a veteran maker of bone conduction headphones – has expanded into more casual designs recently.

Sony has also moved toward this style. Its initial LinkBuds grabbed attention with a quirky ”donut” shape, while recent models have embraced clip-on designs that feel more conventional to everyday consumers. The trend shows the wireless earbuds market moving past experimental shapes and toward earbuds you can simply slip on every morning without fuss.

Samsung’s role in popularizing open-ear clip-on earbuds

Samsung’s strength lies in its vast Galaxy ecosystem that ties together phones, watches, tablets, and laptops. When Samsung introduces a particular accessory, it usually reaches far beyond niche users. For many consumers, their earbuds choices are limited to AirPods, Galaxy Buds, and a handful of Sony models. Introducing clip-on earbuds under the Galaxy brand makes this format accessible to a far wider audience, not just audio enthusiasts.

The drive toward open-ear designs also reflects how crowded the traditional true wireless earbuds market has become. With noise cancelling, transparency modes, cases, battery life, and similar shapes dominating, it’s difficult to stand out. Clip-on earbuds offer an immediate justification: a comfortable, non-intrusive fit that keeps you aware of your surroundings-ideal for outdoor use. It’s a rare occasion when design itself sells a use case instead of just aesthetics.

The trade-offs are clear. Open-ear earbuds generally cannot match active noise canceling, bass depth, or isolation offered by in-ear models. They won’t replace flagship Galaxy Buds or AirPods Pro any time soon. Instead, they are carving out a parallel category focused on comfort and safety rather than total immersion.

The Galaxy Able leak matters beyond a single product launch. With big names like Huawei, Bose, Sony, Shokz, and now Samsung entering the open-ear field, clip-ons are becoming a permanent fixture on store shelves alongside standard in-ear true wireless earbuds.

If Samsung unveils Galaxy Able at the July 2026 Unpacked event, expect open-ear clip-on earbuds to appear more frequently across midrange brands in the second half of 2026. The big question then becomes: will Apple join the trend? Until then, Samsung could be the company that turns clip-ons from a curious niche into a mainstream wireless audio standard.