Philips is getting ready to launch a fresh new set of true wireless earbuds called The Buds, and they’re aiming to stand out with a feature you don’t see every day: a built-in touchscreen display on the charging case. Slated for release in the second quarter of the year as part of Philips’ upcoming Moving Sound collection, these earbuds blend a retro-inspired look with modern convenience.
At first glance, The Buds lean heavily into an eye-catching 80s vibe. The earbuds come in a bright yellow finish, paired with bold silicone ear tips in neon pink and mint. If you’re tired of the typical “stem” style found on many wireless earbuds, Philips takes a different route here. The Buds use a compact, closed-ear design without protruding stems, and the silicone tips are designed to help keep audio sealed in while reducing outside noise.
The round charging case is where the headline feature lives. On top, Philips has added a touchscreen display that shows media playback information and lets you control playback directly from the case. It’s a handy idea for quick adjustments when you don’t want to grab your phone, though users who want deeper customization and settings will still be relying on the Philips Headphones app.
For everyday performance, Philips is packing The Buds with hybrid active noise cancellation, along with a six-microphone setup. Three of those microphones are AI-assisted, designed to improve voice clarity for calls—useful for anyone taking meetings on the go or making frequent calls in noisy environments.
Durability also gets attention. With an IP54 rating, The Buds are built to handle dust exposure and water splashes, making them a practical fit for commutes, light workouts, and day-to-day use.
Battery life is another strong point. Philips rates The Buds for up to 42 hours of total playback with the charging case when active noise cancellation is turned off, which should cover several days of listening for many users.
As for price, expectations point to a launch cost of around €80 (about $93). That positions Philips The Buds as a notably budget-friendlier option in the small but growing category of earbuds that include a display on the charging case—making them worth watching if you want something stylish, feature-packed, and different without paying premium prices.
