Samsung's upcoming Galaxy earbuds may feature a surprising earclip design.
Open-ear, clip-on, and completely different: Galaxy Buds Able could be Samsung's most unexpected audio product in recent years.
Samsung's next audio device may just clip onto your ear. A newly discovered icon by SammyGuru, hidden within One UI firmware, has unveiled a product: Galaxy Buds Able.
What's intriguing is that these earbuds do not resemble any previous Galaxy Buds models we've encountered.
So, what exactly are the Galaxy Buds Able?
The leaked icon reveals a clip-style earbud design that rests on the outer ear, directing sound into the ear canal without blocking off outside noise. This design places the earbuds in the open-ear category, a growing segment embraced by brands like Bose and Anker.
The Galaxy Buds Able carry an SM-U series model number, contrasting with the current SM-R identifiers. This strongly indicates that this may represent a completely new product category for Samsung.
Tipster Ice Universe had earlier suggested that the company was developing bone conduction headphones under the codename "Able," with early Korean reports indicating a potential launch in late 2025. However, that did not materialize.
What about the bone conduction speculation?
The newly revealed icon suggests that Samsung might have shifted from traditional open-ear technology instead. While bone conduction hasn't been entirely dismissed, it might not be part of the immediate releases.
For everyday users, the appeal of open-ear audio is significant, as it allows for awareness of one's surroundings while enjoying music, podcasts, or scrolling through content. These make the earbuds suitable for commutes, workouts, or extended work sessions.
Samsung could be gearing up to launch these earbuds alongside its next-generation foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8. The acknowledgment of open-ear audio by Samsung indicates that it has moved beyond niche status; the category has reached a mainstream tipping point.
I believe that the interest in open-ear earbuds is driven by safety, comfort, and all-day wearability, all encapsulated in a compact, portable, and reliable wireless audio device, and Samsung possesses substantial experience in many of these areas.
For over five years, Shikhar has been adept at breaking down developments in consumer technology and presenting them clearly.
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Samsung's upcoming Galaxy earbuds may feature a surprising earclip design.
Leaked icons from the One UI firmware indicate that Samsung is working on the open-ear Galaxy Buds Able, a clip-style earphone designed to sit on the ear instead of being inserted into it.
