Samsung Gear IconX: Design

We really like how the IconX look. Samsung's done a great job in design considering how much is being crammed into these buds. They're not as svelte as Apple's AirPods, but then Samsung's do more. Each comes with interchangeable wings and eartips, and it's important you have the right ones attached before you do anything; they're snug when they fit, but they won't hold if they're the wrong size.

The earbuds come in a small oval container that looks like something you'd put your contact lenses in, except this one charges the IconX when they're inside, emitting two small red lights that signify a charge in process; green when the batteries are full.

That means you charge both the case and the earbuds. It also means you can essentially get two cycles out of it if you pop the buds back in the charging case when it's time to juice. The earbuds can also detect when you put in/remove them from your ears, and will power up/down accordingly. These are both ways of alleviating some of the battery woes that plague the IconX, but you're still going to be plugging in that USB cable quite often. More on that later.

On the outside of each IconX is a flat touch-sensitive surface, which you'll use to interact with them, and a mic on each for taking calls. Now, there is a range of different touch inputs, and it takes some time to remember which do what. One tap starts your music; two taps skips a track; and holding your finger against either bud for three seconds will begin/finish a workout.

It's relatively simple, but you need to be direct and be sure to apply enough force with each tap. What's more annoying is accidentally tapping them when, say, adjusting them in your ears, or brushing your hand along the side. This is more a flaw of human anatomy than the IconX, but still, it can be annoying.