For years, Samsung has been synonymous with some of the best true wireless earbuds on the market. From the original Galaxy Buds to the latest Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, the South Korean tech giant has consistently challenged Apple's AirPods. But in the over-ear headphone category, Samsung has been conspicuously absent—until now. Strings of code discovered in the Galaxy Wearable app hint at an upcoming pair of over-ear headphones, possibly dubbed the “Galaxy H1,” which could launch in 2027 and go head-to-head with Apple's AirPods Max.

According to a report from SamMobile, first covered by The Verge, the code reveals connection status icons for over-ear, wireless Bluetooth headphones, but not the final design. This would be Samsung's first over-ear release since the Level On in 2015, released well before the company acquired Harman and a suite of premium audio brands.

At a Glance

  • Galaxy H1 over-ear headphones could launch in 2027
  • Open-ear Galaxy Buds with bone conduction may arrive soon
  • New Hearapy app uses earbuds to combat motion sickness
  • Samsung earbuds continue to rank among the best in the market

The Galaxy H1: What We Know So Far

“Strings of code in Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app hint at an upcoming pair of over-ear headphones that could compete with the AirPods Max,” The Verge wrote. SamMobile reports that Samsung's internal codename is “Galaxy H1,” and the launch could occur as early as 2027. While that seems far off, it gives Samsung time to engineer a product that can meaningfully compete on noise cancellation, sound quality, and ecosystem integration.

Industry observers note that Samsung's acquisition of Harman—which owns AKG, JBL, and Harman Kardon—gives it the audio expertise to craft a serious AirPods Max rival. Gizmochina picked up on the rumor, highlighting that Samsung has been tipped for years to re-enter the over-ear market. The Galaxy H1 would likely leverage AKG tuning and Samsung's proprietary scalable codec for high-resolution wireless audio.

Beyond Earbuds: Open-Ear Galaxy Buds and Bone Conduction

Samsung is also expanding its wireless audio lineup in other directions. Android Headlines reports that open-ear Galaxy Buds with bone-conduction technology may arrive soon. These would target fitness enthusiasts and those who prefer to keep both ears open to their environment, a trend popularized by brands like Shokz and Bose. Rumored to be called “Galaxy Buds On” (per MSN), they could be positioned as a lighter, more breathable alternative to standard in-ear buds.

Bone conduction headphones transmit sound via the cheekbones, leaving the ear canal open. This makes them ideal for running, cycling, and situations where situational awareness is critical. Samsung's expertise in wearables, combined with its health and fitness integrations, could make these a compelling option.

Hearapy: Using Earbuds to Fight Motion Sickness

Beyond hardware, Samsung is experimenting with audio-based wellness. The new Hearapy app, available on Galaxy Buds, is designed to reduce motion sickness through acoustic therapy. TechRadar's reviewer spent time with the app and reported that it “might actually work,” while Notebookcheck highlighted the feature as a unique selling point. Digital Trends, however, argues that the app might've worked better as a native Galaxy Buds feature rather than a standalone download.

“I tried Samsung's all new earbuds therapy app for travel sickness — and it might actually work,” wrote TechRadar.

The app uses specific sound patterns to help rebalance the inner ear and brain, potentially easing nausea for passengers in cars, planes, or boats. It's a novel use of earbuds that goes beyond music and calls, showing Samsung's willingness to invest in health-focused audio tools.

A Legacy of Strong Earbuds

While we wait for the Galaxy H1, Samsung's current earbuds continue to earn accolades. WIRED called the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro “a real AirPods Pro competitor,” and Tom's Guide found that they work surprisingly well with iPhones. In roundups from Forbes, Rolling Stone, NBC News, and The Independent, Samsung earbuds consistently rank among the best wireless earbuds of the year. SoundGuys and TechRadar also praise Samsung's sound quality, comfort, and feature set.

However, the ecosystem lock-in is a double-edged sword. The Verge recently explored how Samsung and Apple earbuds are designed to keep users inside their respective walled gardens. Features like seamless multi-device switching, 360-degree audio, and low-latency gaming mode are often exclusive to Galaxy or iPhone devices. For Android users, Samsung earbuds are the closest equivalent to AirPods—and the Galaxy H1 could extend that advantage to over-ear designs.

What's Next for Samsung Audio

SamMobile's 2027 timeline is speculative, but the direction is clear: Samsung is building a comprehensive audio ecosystem to rival Apple's. The open-ear Galaxy Buds could arrive much sooner, while the Hearapy app is already rolling out. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset—which Mashable reports launches at half the price of Apple's Vision Pro—demonstrates the company's broader ambition to dominate the spatial computing and wearable space. TechRadar's week-long review of the XR headset noted its impressive capabilities, though the head strap left room for improvement.

For consumers, the promise of a true Samsung AirPods Max competitor is exciting. If the Galaxy H1 delivers premium build quality, best-in-class noise cancellation, and deep Galaxy integration, it could give iOS and Android users alike a reason to switch. Until then, Samsung's earbuds remain the essential accessory for Galaxy owners, and the company's audio roadmap is one to watch.