Modern earbuds have evolved from simple accessories into constant companions used throughout the day for music, communication, and productivity. As all-day wear becomes the norm, manufacturers face the challenge of balancing high audio fidelity with long-term comfort and environmental awareness. Samsung Electronics recently entered this space with the introduction of the Galaxy Buds On, marking the company’s first venture into open-ear earbuds featuring a distinctive clip-on design paired with artificial intelligence tools. To understand how these devices handle daily routines, we evaluated them across a typical day spanning morning exercise, office productivity, and a noisy evening commute.
At 7:30 a.m., testing began with an outdoor run to evaluate stability and situational awareness. The clip-on architecture is engineered to rest lightly against the ear while maintaining a secure grip even during vigorous head movements. The hardware utilizes an ergonomic structure developed through data analysis and simulations of diverse ear shapes, and users can adjust the angle of the band for a personalized fit. Before setting out, users can engage Gemini Live hands-free by stating “Hey Google, let’s talk Live” when paired with a compatible Galaxy AI smartphone, allowing runners to request route recommendations, distances, and key geography without reaching for their phones. Music playback is initiated with a tap on the back of the earbud, where an integrated TwinBoost speaker system provides deeper bass response compared to earlier Galaxy models. Because the open-ear configuration does not seal the ear canal, users remain fully aware of approaching hazards like passing bicycles and other runners. Additionally, voice commands such as “Next song,” “Previous song,” “Volume up,” or “Volume down” permit hands-free media control.
By 10:00 a.m., the testing moved to a shared workspace environment to assess office functionality. In close-quarters settings, the earbuds rely on Audio Leakage Reduction technology to minimize sound bleed into the surrounding area. Following workplace meetings, a feature called Quick Voice Memo assists with task management. By pressing and holding the rear surface of the earbud and speaking, recording initiates immediately, allowing users to capture action items on the go. Later, users can query Bixby to retrieve and listen to their recorded tasks aloud, removing the need to manually sort through saved audio files. For moments when hands are occupied with other work, Head Gestures offer an alternative input method. Users can nod to answer incoming phone calls or shake their heads to decline them, as well as use head movements to review message notifications and dismiss active alarms.
At 6:30 p.m., the evaluation concluded during a crowded, noisy evening commute on public transit. Even after extended hours of continuous wear, the clip-on design avoids the pressure points typically associated with traditional in-ear models. Call quality in loud environments is managed through Intelligent Clear Call technology, which combines a hardware array of three microphones and a bone conduction-based Voice Pickup Unit Sensor with machine learning algorithms. This system isolates the speaker’s vocal frequencies while suppressing ambient background noise. Throughout a full daily cycle from morning exercise to the evening journey home, the hardware integrates open-ear comfort with advanced processing capabilities to manage daily communication and media tasks without isolating the listener from their surroundings.
