Samsung is working on an AirPods Max 2 rival, likely for 2027

Samsung already has most corners of the audio market covered, from Galaxy Buds and speakers to soundbars and the unusual Music Frame. One category has been conspicuously missing from its recent lineup: over-ear wireless headphones. That could soon change.

According to a report from SamMobile, Samsung is developing a pair of wireless headphones internally known as the Galaxy H1. Evidence for the headphones was reportedly found in code strings within the Galaxy Wearable app, along with illustrations that offer an early hint of the product. The presence of support within Samsung’s companion app suggests the headphones will connect wirelessly over Bluetooth.

Beyond those details, Samsung’s plans remain largely unclear. There is no confirmed launch date, pricing or specification sheet, and the limited evidence suggests the headphones may still be some distance from release. SamMobile speculates that Samsung could launch them sometime in 2027.

Samsung has been away from over-ear headphones for years

A return to wireless headphones would mark Samsung’s first major attempt at the category in years. The company previously sold the Level Over, an over-ear wireless model that arrived in 2015 with active noise cancellation, NFC pairing and up to 15 hours of battery life.

A decade later, the market looks very different. Premium wireless headphones have become a major category, with Apple, Bose and other brands competing on noise cancellation, sound quality, comfort and integration with their respective platforms.

Samsung already has a strong foundation in wireless audio through its Galaxy Buds lineup. A full-size headphone could give the company another way to appeal to Galaxy users who want something more substantial than earbuds, particularly for long listening sessions, travel or working at a desk.

The timing could also make the Galaxy H1 interesting, as Samsung would be entering a market where buyers already have several established options rather than trying to create the category from scratch.

Galaxy H1 could target Apple’s premium headphones

The biggest question is where Samsung intends to position the Galaxy H1. The company could push into the premium segment and take aim at Apple’s AirPods Max 2, or pursue a lower price point closer to Bose’s $300 QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) and Nothing’s $300 Headphone 1.

Pricing could ultimately determine how seriously Samsung’s headphones are taken. A premium Galaxy model would need to offer more than another set of Bluetooth headphones, while a more aggressively priced option could give Samsung an easier way into a crowded market.

For now, almost everything beyond the Galaxy H1 name remains speculation. Samsung has not officially confirmed the headphones, and the leaked app references do not establish a launch date. If the project does arrive in 2027, Samsung will have had more than a decade to figure out what a modern over-ear Galaxy headphone should be.