【South Korea】AI-Powered Earrings and Necklaces That Eliminate the Need to Take Out Your Phone… Samsung Electronics Shakes Up the Wearable Innovation Landscape

Editor’s Note

Samsung is reportedly exploring AI-powered smart jewelry like earrings and necklaces, signaling a move beyond traditional wearables toward more discreet, integrated forms of technology.

Samsung Explores AI-Based Smart Earrings and Necklaces

Samsung Electronics is actively exploring the development of new forms of wearable devices, such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based smart earrings and necklaces, stirring up a wave of innovation in the global wearable market.
A next-generation accessory strategy is becoming visible, moving beyond existing smartwatches and smart rings to seamlessly integrate ‘invisible AI’ into users’ daily lives.

“AI Without Needing to Take Out Your Phone”… Samsung’s Wearable Expansion Strategy

In a recent interview with CNN, Samsung Electronics MX (Mobile eXperience) Business President Won-joon Choi stated:

“Wearables should be in a form that can be worn, not carried around,” and “We are reviewing various accessory types such as glasses, earrings, watches, rings, and necklaces.”

This reveals Samsung’s strategic intent to aim for a companion-like wearable ecosystem that complements rather than replaces smartphone functions.
Samsung has already expanded its wearable portfolio this year by launching the AI-powered Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch Ultra, which analyze biometric data using AI to provide personalized health insights.

Global Market Competition and AI Wearable Status by the Numbers

Samsung’s move aligns with the explosive growth of the AI wearable market. The global wearable AI device market is projected to grow 36% from $21.97 billion (approx. KRW 29 trillion) in 2024 to $29.89 billion (approx. KRW 40 trillion) in 2025. It is forecasted to expand to $101.28 billion (approx. KRW 135 trillion) by 2029.
The smart jewelry (earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.) market is also analyzed to grow to a size of $990 million (approx. KRW 1.3 trillion) by 2030.

차세대 웨어러블 기기 개발경쟁이 가열되는 가운데, 삼성은 패션과 실용성을 아우르는 신중한 전략으로, 스마트폰 보완형 웨어러블 생태계 확장에 집중하고 있다. / 삼성전자

Competitors’ movements are also noteworthy. Meta has been leading the market, selling over 2 million units of its AI-based Ray-Ban smart glasses, launched in October 2023, as of February 2025. EssilorLuxottica plans to expand its annual production capacity to 10 million units by 2026. Google, Snap, and OpenAI are also accelerating the development of smart glasses and AI wearables.
On the other hand, startups face challenges. The Humane AI Pin, created by Apple alumni, had its service discontinued less than a year after launch due to performance issues and high prices, and its assets were sold to HP. The Rabbit R1 was launched to harsh criticism, and the AI necklace startup Friend has postponed its product launch to the end of this year.

Technology, Fashion, Privacy… Challenges and Future of AI Wearables

The smart jewelry market is seeing the spread of new trends such as female-centric design, personalized health management, safety alerts, and location tracking. AI algorithms analyze data collected from wearables to provide various recommendations for personalized fitness, sleep, and stress management. However, data privacy, battery life, and algorithm reliability remain challenges to be solved.
A Samsung Electronics official emphasized:

“Many users are reluctant to wear glasses because they change their appearance,”

highlighting that they are researching various wearable form factors that consider both fashion and practicality.
President Won-joon Choi stated:

“We are reviewing all possibilities.”

However, prototype development does not necessarily lead to commercialization, and the launch decision is expected to depend on market response and technological maturity.
Securities firms and industry insiders analyzed:

삼성은 이미 올해 초 AI 기반 건강 기능이 탑재된 갤럭시 링과 갤럭시 워치 울트라를 출시하며 웨어러블 포트폴리오를 확장했다. / 삼성전자
“Samsung Electronics is actively exploring the development of next-generation wearable devices such as AI-based smart earrings and necklaces, jumping into the innovation competition in the global wearable market,” and “The market is experiencing high growth of over 30% annually. Amid fierce competition with rivals like Meta, Samsung is focusing on expanding a smartphone-complementary wearable ecosystem with a prudent strategy that encompasses both fashion and practicality.”
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⏰ Published on: July 12, 2025