Samsung App Code Points to New 'Galaxy H1' Over-Ear Headphones
Software references suggest the South Korean tech giant is developing its first over-ear audio device since 2015 to take on Apple and Sony.
Samsung appears to be laying the groundwork for a return to the premium over-ear audio segment, according to technical details uncovered inside the company's mobile software ecosystem.
Strings of code discovered within Samsung's Galaxy Wearable application reveal references to an unannounced product designated as the "Galaxy H1." As first reported by SamMobile and noted by The Verge, the software discovery includes connection status icons that depict a traditional over-ear, wireless Bluetooth design, though the final consumer styling may differ.
If the product reaches market, the device is projected to release around 2027. That launch window would mark Samsung's first dedicated over-ear headphone release in over a decade, following the debut of its Level On line in 2015.
The earlier release of the Level On headphones predated Samsung's landmark multi-billion-dollar acquisition of Harman International, which brought prominent audio brands such as JBL and AKG under the South Korean conglomerate's corporate umbrella. In the years following that transaction, Samsung primarily concentrated its mobile audio strategy on its true-wireless earbud family, the Galaxy Buds line.
A premium over-ear offering would fill a notable void in Samsung's mobile accessory portfolio. The company currently lacks a direct alternative to top-tier flagship headphones currently leading the category, such as Apple's AirPods Max or Sony's XM series.
Market rival Apple updated its AirPods Max line earlier this year. While keeping the external chassis identical to the original model, Apple added a new system-in-package chip to power software features like adaptive audio and live translation capabilities.
When the prospective Galaxy H1 arrives, technical expectations point to deep integration with Samsung's modern hardware platform. The headphones are anticipated to support the proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec Ultra High Quality (SSC UHQ), a high-resolution protocol that operates strictly with Galaxy smartphones and tablets released in 2023 or later.
Additionally, the device is expected to feature voice assistant capabilities powered by artificial intelligence, including compatibility with Google Gemini and Samsung's native Bixby platform. That AI feature set would align with capabilities previously introduced in products such as the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Sources
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