Technology
Samsung preparing over-ear headphones to rival Apple's AirPods Max
Code buried in Samsung's wearable app suggests the company is developing its first premium over-ear headphones in over a decade, expected to arrive in 2027.
The Verge
Samsung appears to be building a pair of over-ear headphones codenamed the Galaxy H1, which could emerge as a direct competitor to Apple's AirPods Max. References to the device have surfaced in Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app, according to reporting from SamMobile, with a potential launch window in 2027.
A gap in Samsung's audio lineup#
The company has not released a flagship over-ear headphone since the Level On in 2015, well before its major push into premium audio through acquisitions including Harman. Today, Samsung's audio presence centers on its Galaxy Buds line—solid earbuds without a true high-end headphone competitor to offerings like Sony's WM series or Apple's AirPods Max.
What the Galaxy H1 might include#
While app code can only hint at the device's final design, icons suggest wireless, Bluetooth-enabled over-ear construction. When it arrives, the Galaxy H1 would likely support Samsung's proprietary audio codec (SSC UHQ), which currently works only with 2023-and-later Galaxy devices. The headphones would probably integrate Samsung's AI tools, mirroring features recently added to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro—including voice assistant support via Gemini and Bixby.
Apple's recent AirPods Max 2 update kept the external design unchanged while upgrading internal components to enable adaptive audio and live translation capabilities, setting a benchmark for feature-rich premium headphones.
