Samsung's upcoming Galaxy earbuds may feature an unexpected earclip design.
Open-ear, clip-on, and completely different: Galaxy Buds Able might be Samsung's most unexpected audio product in years.
Samsung's upcoming audio device could be designed to clip onto your ear. An icon found by SammyGuru within One UI firmware has unveiled a new product: the Galaxy Buds Able.
What’s noteworthy is that these earbuds do not resemble previous Galaxy Buds models we have seen.
What exactly are the Galaxy Buds Able?
The leaked icon depicts a clip-style earbud design that rests on the outer ear, directing sound towards the ear canal while keeping it open to external sounds. This places the earbuds in the open-ear category, which has been increasingly adopted by brands like Bose and Anker.
The Galaxy Buds Able have an SM-U series model number, differing from the current SM-R identifiers, which strongly indicates that this could represent a completely new product category for Samsung.
Previously, tipster Ice Universe suggested that the company was developing bone conduction headphones under the “Able” codename, with early reports from Korea hinting at a late 2025 launch. However, that did not materialize.
What happened to the bone conduction rumors?
The newly revealed icon suggests that Samsung may have shifted its focus from traditional open-ear technology instead. While the possibility of bone conduction has not been entirely dismissed, it may not be part of the immediate releases.
For everyday users, open-ear audio offers significant appeal, allowing individuals to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying music, podcasts, or scrolling through social media. This makes these earbuds ideal for commuting, exercising, or extended work periods.
Samsung could be preparing to launch these earbuds alongside its next-generation foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8. The company's recognition of open-ear audio is no longer niche; the category has reached a mainstream tipping point.
I believe the growing demand for open-ear earbuds stems from considerations of safety, comfort, and all-day wearability, all packaged into a compact, portable, and reliable wireless audio device. Samsung already has considerable experience in these areas.
For over five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified consumer tech developments and conveyed them effectively...
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Nonetheless, a new, clever design approach is emerging that reimagines how a smart ring should look and feel, allowing it to blend more harmoniously with everyday wear.
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Samsung's upcoming Galaxy earbuds may feature an unexpected earclip design.
Icons leaked from the One UI firmware suggest 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.
