Samsung Prepares Galaxy Buds Able as Open-Ear Earbuds Market Grows

Samsung already offers in-ear earbuds with immersive listening and noise cancellation. Now, the company is gearing up to step into the open-ear earbuds segment as demand for such devices continues to grow. It could introduce the Galaxy Buds Able earbuds, featuring a clip-style open-ear design.

Samsung sees new opportunities in open-ear earbuds

While in-ear earbuds block outside noise to offer a solid sound quality, open-ear designs take a different approach. They do not seal the ear canal, so you can hear ambient sounds such as traffic and conversations while listening to audio content. This comes in handy for outdoor use and when awareness of surroundings is crucial.

Market research firms suggest that the open-type headphone and earphone space is growing steadily. The global market could increase from around $3.8 billion last year to about $4.2 billion this year. Analysts suggest that consumers prefer this form factor because it lessens ear pressure while addressing concerns for external ear canal hygiene.

In recent years, several brands have stepped into the open-ear earbuds segment. Some products include Huawei FreeClip, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Anker Soundcore AeroClip, and Sony LinkBuds Clip. They are helping the category gain strong buyer attention around the world.

Korean media reports that Samsung is now preparing to join this trend with a new pair of wireless earbuds called the Galaxy Buds Able. The earbuds could feature a clip-style open-ear design that rests around the ear. Last month, we got our first look at the device that shows the clip structure. A small grille is also visible on one side of the earbud, likely for microphones.

There are chatters that Samsung could use bone conduction technology for the Galaxy Buds Able. This means sound may transmit through vibrations, bypassing the eardrum. As of now, it’s unclear when the company intends to debut its open-ear earbuds. The firm is reportedly holding an event on July 22, 2026, to launch next-gen foldables and smartwatches. So it would not be surprising if the earbuds are also present there.