On August 1, 2026, a Samsung earbud leak turned a familiar product line into something more pointed: Galaxy Buds may be getting a workout-first branch built around earhooks, not just another compact in-ear refresh.
The leaked model is reportedly codenamed “Buds Canal 5” and uses curved, flexible earhooks, according to Notebookcheck, citing SamMobile. That puts Samsung closer to the territory occupied by Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2 and the more affordable Nothing Ear (Open) than by its own standard Galaxy Buds formula.
August 1 leak points to a sport-audio branch inside Galaxy Buds
Samsung is reportedly planning to expand the Galaxy Buds line while keeping standard and pro models in place. The leak describes two additional designs: one with a clip-on style similar to the Moto Buds Loop, and another with earhooks similar to Powerbeats Pro 2.
That second model is the more revealing one. Earhooks are not a neutral design choice. They signal motion, sweat, and retention. They say the product is being built for people who do not trust standard earbuds to stay put during running, lifting, cycling, or long wear.
The illustrations reportedly show curved earhooks made from a flexible material. That matters because bad earhooks create pressure behind the ear, especially with glasses or helmets. Good ones distribute weight without making the ear canal do all the work.
Samsung has not confirmed the product. The leak also does not show whether the earbuds use an in-ear design like the expected Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or a semi-in-ear design like the expected Galaxy Buds 4. Notebookcheck also leaves open the possibility that Samsung could launch both designs, with the in-ear version positioned as a pro model.
Earhooks solve the fit problem standard earbuds still struggle with
The case for earhook earbuds is simple: standard true wireless earbuds can sound excellent and still fail if they shift during movement.
Related buying-guide material supplied for this analysis cites a Counterpoint Research forecast that the true wireless stereo market is projected to exceed 520 million units annually by 2026. It also cites surveys reported by Statista and IDC indicating that over 60% of active listeners experience fit-related issues with standard in-ear earbuds, including slipping, pressure fatigue, and dropouts during movement.
That is the opening Samsung appears to be testing. Earhooks reduce reliance on ear-canal pressure. They help maintain driver position. That can preserve bass response and reduce the need to constantly adjust fit mid-workout.
The trade-offs are just as real:
| Design type | Strength | Compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Standard in-ear buds | Strong isolation, compact case | Can loosen during motion |
| Wingtip buds | Better grip without over-ear hook | Still depends heavily on inner-ear shape |
| Over-ear hook buds | Best retention for movement | Larger case, possible glasses/helmet interference |
| Open-ear models | Awareness and comfort | Less isolation, weaker bass potential |
Samsung’s leaked design suggests the company may be moving beyond all-purpose earbuds and into use-case-specific audio. That is not the same fight as premium phones; readers tracking Samsung and Apple device rumors can compare this narrower audio move with our separate coverage of Apple’s rumored foldable pressure on Samsung and Samsung’s premium foldable pricing leak. Here, the hinge is literal only in the earhook.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 comparison sets a high bar Samsung has not cleared yet
The leak gives Samsung a category. It does not yet give Samsung a product story.
Known details are thin: codename, earhook shape, likely Galaxy Buds branding, and possible timing later in 2026. There is no confirmed price, battery life, water-resistance rating, ANC status, driver design, microphone setup, codec list, case size, or weight.
That is why the Powerbeats Pro 2 comparison matters. In the supplied related source material, Rolling Stone lists Powerbeats Pro 2 at $249.00 and positions it as “best for iPhone.” Notebookcheck, meanwhile, names Nothing Ear (Open) as a comparison point and notes it is available on Amazon for $99.
Samsung will have to decide which fight it wants.
| Product | Position from supplied sources | Price cited in supplied sources |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung “Buds Canal 5” | Leaked earhook Galaxy Buds-style model | Not confirmed |
| Apple Powerbeats Pro 2 | Premium earhook rival | $249.00 |
| Nothing Ear (Open) | More affordable open-ear comparison | $99 |
| Anker Soundcore Sport X20 | Budget sport-earhook option in related source | $63.99 |
If Samsung prices near Apple, buyers will expect premium sport execution. That means secure fit, sweat resistance, strong calls, reliable controls, and battery life that does not collapse during long sessions. If Samsung prices closer to Nothing or Anker, the product becomes less about prestige and more about filling a missing Galaxy accessory slot.
The most important signal from the leak is not a spec. It is the physical architecture. Earhooks suggest Samsung is designing around motion first.
Samsung still lacks a Beats-style workout identity
Samsung already sells mainstream wireless earbuds. The supplied Digital Trends comparison material describes Galaxy Buds 4 at $179.99 with Adaptive ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Bluetooth v6.1, Samsung Find, Auracast, and support for assistants including Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. That is a feature-heavy general-purpose pitch.
Apple’s audio split is different in the supplied material. AirPods serve the mainstream line. Beats, including Powerbeats-style products, gives Apple a clearer fitness lane.
Samsung does not yet have an equivalent identity in the supplied source material. A Galaxy-branded earhook model could address that gap, but only if the company treats sport audio as more than a shape change.
That means the missing details matter more than usual:
- Fit: Flexible hooks need to hold without pinching.
- Durability: A sport model needs a credible sweat and water-resistance rating.
- Controls: Physical or reliable gesture controls matter during workouts.
- Awareness: Open-ear or ambient modes affect running and cycling use.
- Case design: Earhook cases are often bulkier, which can hurt daily carry.
The leak does not mention Galaxy Watch, Samsung Health, workout coaching, heart-rate features, or AI fitness tools. Those may be obvious areas for speculation, but they are not confirmed. Without them, this is simply a more secure pair of earbuds.
Fitness buyers will not grade this like normal Galaxy Buds
A gym user will not care first about codec branding. They will care whether the earbud moves during burpees, whether sweat causes control errors, whether the mic works outside, and whether the hook becomes annoying after an hour.
Galaxy phone owners may expect the usual Samsung conveniences: fast pairing, device tracking, low-latency behavior, and tight app control. The supplied comparison material already shows Samsung leaning into features such as Samsung Find, Auracast, assistant access, and advanced ANC on current Buds models. But none of those are confirmed for the leaked earhook pair.
Retail positioning could be cleaner than with another standard Buds refresh. A sport-focused model gives Samsung a clear bundle story around phones, watches, and fitness use — but that is MLXIO analysis, not a leaked fact. The source only supports the existence of a reported earhook design and possible release timing.
That distinction matters. Samsung can win spec-sheet shoppers with features. It wins runners by not falling out.
Later-2026 timing would turn this into a product-stack test
Notebookcheck says the upcoming earbuds do not yet have a release date, but there is speculation they could arrive later this year, possibly alongside the Galaxy S26 FE and Galaxy Tab S12 series.
If that timing holds, Samsung’s next decision is how to frame the product. A soft launch as “another Buds variant” would make the earhooks feel cosmetic. A focused pitch around stability, sweat, outdoor awareness, and Galaxy device convenience would make the design feel intentional.
The evidence to watch is straightforward. Confirmed IP rating, battery life, case size, fit type, ANC or open-ear design, and price will tell us whether Samsung is chasing Powerbeats Pro 2, undercutting with a cheaper sport model, or testing a niche form factor.
For now, the leak signals a credible shift: Samsung appears interested in earbuds built around movement rather than just smaller cases and smarter noise control. The thesis weakens if the final product ships with vague fitness claims and ordinary Buds specs. It strengthens if Samsung builds the earhooks into a real sport-audio platform instead of treating them as a hook-shaped accessory.
