New Galaxy Buds will surprise many. What will Samsung's next headphones look like?

For many years, Samsung has been systematically expanding the Galaxy Buds family with variants for different types of listeners, and now it seems it will add another, previously unseen piece to the mosaic. An icon of wireless headphones with an unconventional design has appeared in the One UI firmware code, and they could be introduced under the name Galaxy Buds Able. What do we already know about them, and why does this new development break previous speculations?

Clip-on design with an open-ear style

The editorial team of SammyGuru extracted the Galaxy Buds Able icon directly from one of the latest One UI firmwares. From it, it is clear that these will be headphones with a clip-on attachment, which will be placed on the earlobe instead of being inserted into the ear canal. On the inner side, dome-like shapes pointing towards the ear can be seen, while on the outer side, there is a grille, under which microphones could be hidden.

Many brands specializing in open-ear headphones use a similar design. Examples include models from Soundcore under Anker’s wing or Bose Ultra Open headphones. The advantage is that the user can hear their surroundings without needing to activate transparency mode, which is especially appreciated when running or cycling in traffic. With Galaxy Buds Able, Samsung would enter this specific segment for the first time, expanding its offering alongside the classic in-ear models of the Galaxy Buds 4 series.

What happened to bone conduction?

The first rumors that Samsung was working on headphones using bone conduction under the designation “Able” appeared in March of last year. This technology works on the principle of vibrations transmitted through the cheekbones to the inner ear, allowing the listener to hear music without anything needing to go through the ear canal. However, the current leaked render suggests that Samsung has moved away from bone conduction in favor of an open-ear design with conventional drivers.

The 9to5Google server admits that theoretically, these could be two different devices, but model numbers and software leaks so far mention a single product. So, if bone conduction fans were looking forward to Samsung as one of the few major players in this field, they might be slightly disappointed. On the other hand, the clip-on design generally offers better sound quality.

Price and release date are not yet clear

Samsung has not officially revealed anything about the Galaxy Buds Able, so the specific price or release date is not yet known. According to SammyGuru’s speculations, the new product could be priced between the Galaxy Buds4 and the more expensive Buds4 Pro. The launch could reportedly take place this summer, potentially alongside the foldable Galaxy Z Fold 8, or in connection with the upcoming Galaxy Glasses.

However, all these estimates should be taken with a grain of salt. Until Samsung officially confirms the new product, the details remain speculative, including the very existence of the product. While an icon in the firmware is a strong indicator, it has happened more than once in the past that a similarly revealed product ultimately did not reach an official launch.

Are you tempted by open-ear headphones, or would you rather stick with classic in-ear buds?

Sources: SammyGuru, 9to5Google