Galaxy S8 to launch with new wireless in-ear headphones

Samsung’s IconX earbuds (pictured above) may soon get a successor. SamMobile said on Thursday that Samsung plans to launch new wireless in-ear headphones at the same time it launches the Galaxy S8. The headphones might be more appealing to consumers than the IconX, at least considering that the Galaxy S8 is expected to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack entirely.

Folks might be quick to suggest that Samsung is trying to copy Apple’s AirPods here but, really, that’s not quite the case. The IconX are extremely similar, allowing a user to store and charge the earbuds in a small carrying case. They also pair with smartphones and tablets using Bluetooth but are a bit bigger than AirPods. Perhaps this new model will be less cumbersome.

In the Galaxy S8 box?

SamMobile didn’t have many additional details on the buds, only noting that they’re coming. The site said it wasn’t sure if Samsung plans to include them with the phone or not. My guess is that, given these sorts of headphones can cost anywhere from $150 to $200, they’ll be a separate purchase. On the other hand, Samsung needs to win back consumers following the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, and a free pair of advanced earbuds could be just the trick to win over a few folks.

Samsung is expected to launch the new Galaxy S8 in April, though an announcement could come as soon as late February during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.