Proving that all you need to stand out in tech is a quirky name, some primary colours, and a screen, Philips’ The Buds headphones have peered over the horizon. The brand’s audio products are available in South Africa, though Philips doesn’t make a fuss about it. Hopefully, it’ll change its mind for these wireless in-ears.
They’re unlikely to topple Sony or Bose in the ‘best audio’ stakes. They do like they’re always ready to head out and do something silly. Which is what you expect from your buds, right?
Can The Buds come over?
The The Buds (yes, that’s grammatically correct) will feature active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and support multiple connections when Philips gets them out the door. The bright case provides up to 42 hours of total use (with noise-cancelling off), and you’ve probably noticed the display in the case itself. It makes these in-ears look a little like a retro MP3 player, but it’ll also serve a useful function — changing your music or settings without hauling out your phone.
The Buds include six microphones (for ANC), three AI mics (for background noise suppression), and an IP54 rating. They should tolerate rougher treatment. The in-ears are planned for launch before the middle of 2026. When they turn up, they’ll cost around R2,000 (£80). Oh, and if the yellow is too friendly for you, they’ll also be available in black. But the bright pink strap is sticking around.
Philips is launching these in-ears with a few companions, all similarly styled. Two Bluetooth speakers (called The Roller and The Tube, respectively) and some very retro over-ears called The Ringo Duo are also heading to market at the same time. But The Buds are the only devices with something approaching pricing information. Hopefully, we can snag a pair to test when they hit the market.
