Samsung's first clip-on earbuds sell out in three days

Sold out in three days

Samsung Electronics' first clip-style wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On, sold out their initial stock within three days of launch, posting a stronger-than-expected debut.

The Galaxy Buds On — Samsung's first earbuds designed to clip onto the ear rather than sit inside it — had generated buzz even before its release. As Samsung and other manufacturers expand their clip-style wireless earbud lineups, the question now is whether the Galaxy Buds On can sustain its early popularity.

According to industry sources, the Galaxy Buds On, which officially launched Oct. 27, sold through its entire initial stock by Friday.

Samsung's official online store, Samsung.com, is currently advising customers that shipments will begin on a rolling basis from Monday. Online retail partners linked through Naver Shopping are listing Nov. 16 as their estimated delivery date.

Coupang Inc, which had also shown the product as sold out on Friday, is now showing next-day delivery for new orders. The Galaxy Buds On has been purchased by more than 1,000 customers on Coupang over the past month and currently ranks first in the wireless headset category on the platform.

The Galaxy Buds On uses a clip-on design that rests on the outer ear rather than fitting inside the ear canal. Samsung launched the product in South Korea first on Oct. 27. It is priced at 299,000 won ($223) and is available in black only.

Being Samsung's first open-type earbuds appears to have drawn strong early consumer interest. The company packed the device with technology aimed at overcoming the acoustic limitations of an open-ear design, and word of mouth spread quickly among consumers.

A standout feature is the TwinBoost Speaker, which reinforces bass frequencies. The earbuds also include an automatic volume adjustment function that adapts to ambient noise levels.

Particularly notable is Samsung's first-ever application of sound-leakage reduction technology, which prevents audio from escaping outward — allowing users to listen in public spaces such as libraries and cafes without disturbing those around them.

The Galaxy Buds On supports up to 9.5 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge. When paired with a smartphone or tablet that supports Galaxy AI, the earbuds enable a range of hands-free functions, including voice conversations, note-taking and notification checks.

Reviews from early buyers include comments such as "my ears don't hurt even after long use" and "the battery lasts longer than I expected."

Samsung's entry into the segment could also prove a catalyst for broader growth in the open-type earbuds market.

Clip-style wireless earbuds from Sony, including the LinkBuds Clip, as well as Huawei's FreeClip 2 and Bose's Ultra Open, are already on the market. With Samsung now joining the field, analysts expect the pace of new clip-style earbud releases to accelerate.

According to market research firms DataIntello and Intel Market Research, the global open-type headphone and earbud market is projected to grow to approximately $4.2 billion this year, up from about $3.8 billion last year — an increase of nearly 1 trillion won.