Wireless earbuds are still a new concept for many consumers, but soon would become an everyday device for many people. Apple announced the AirPods when it showcased the new iPhone 7 smartphones. They do look awkward, but thanks to Apple, more players will start making their own wireless earbuds now.

What do you get when you take an audio device, give it touch controls, make it as small as humanly possible and stick some fitness tracking functions on it? The Samsung Gear IconX .

The Samsung Gear IconX is a completely wire-free pair of Bluetooth headphones with solid sound quality and the ability to track your workouts.

Seamless, simple swipe-and-tap-based operation; Built-in heart rate monitor, works with app for fitness tracking; 4GB of internal storage for music; Carrying case doubles as charging dock and portable charger

Not for those seeking huge bass; Delay with ambient mics

Do you remember a time, not long ago, when the iPhone still had a headphone jack and wireless headphones still had a wire? In a way, the $199.99 Gear IconX can be seen as Samsung's answer to the forthcoming Apple AirPods, in that it too is a pair of completely wire-free earphones. Independent left and right earpieces snap right into a charging case, which also acts as an on-the-go charger, when not in your ears. But unlike the AirPods, the IconX is also focused on fitness, with a built-in heart rate monitor and the ability to track your activity. Whether this new earphone style will be ubiquitous in about a year's time is up for debate, but the IconX is a solid start, offering both respectable sound quality and fitness tracking capabilities. DesignAvailable in blue, gray, or white, the Samsung Gear IconX has some distinguishing design flourishes, but is ultimately very similar to the wire-free Apple AirPods and Bragi Dash once you get past the cosmetics. Each pair has a tiny hard...

The Samsung Gear IconX is a completely wire-free pair of Bluetooth headphones with solid sound quality and the ability to track your workouts.

Seamless, simple swipe-and-tap-based operation; Built-in heart rate monitor, works with app for fitness tracking; 4GB of internal storage for music; Carrying case doubles as charging dock and portable charger

Not for those seeking huge bass; Delay with ambient mics

This is the year of the truly wireless earbuds - we've had Bluetooth in-ear headphones for a while, but never anything that cut even the cord between the two earpieces. We've seen these from Jabra, Earin, Apple, and a few others so far, but one of the first to hit the market was the Samsung Gear […]

Very secure fit; comfortable; decent audio quality; convenient fitness tracking without needing a phone; convenient charging case; reliable touch controls

Frequent connectivity issues; short battery life; batteries drain unequally; lack of playlist options for stored music

Samsung announced the Gear IconX wireless earbuds as a truly wireless solution to listening to music, but also as a way to track fitness without having to keep your phone with you at all times.

Samsung just revealed its Gear IconX, a wireless pair of earbuds that not only let you enjoy the music but also helps you in tracking all your fitness activities such as heart rate, calorie meter, steps count and more.

Highly Portable; Notably Light in weight; Splash Resistant; Standalone Music Player; Heart-rate sensor; Splendid Design

Poor Battery Life; Tends to Heat on prolong use; No iOS and Windows Phone compatibility

Had these for a couple of days now. I'm very impressed with the fit.I've always had issues with in ear headphones trying to keep them in,no such worries with these little beauties. The sound is very good,a bit more base would be better!

Samsung doesn't like to be left out, and given how opportunistic the company has been in recent years, its foray into wireless audio is hardly a surprise. The Gear IconX is the latest attempt at entering a category that still has plenty of room to grow.

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