My mum always used to say never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. I am going to make an exception for Samsung’s fitness companion – the Gear IconX.

Let’s get what they do straight first. These are Bluetooth music buds with benefits – more than you realise. They store up to 1000 songs. They also track your stats – walking, running, speed, distance, duration, heart rate and calories – no smartphone required. All this from a touch sensitive, rechargeable pair of buds.

They are smart enough to filter ambient noise so you are not blissfully unaware of the approaching fire engine or growling dog. They may just be the fitness aficionados answer to the question – what do I do with my smartphone when running?

“IconX is beautifully designed wearable technology that offers new functionality for Australians who live a mobile and active lifestyle,” said Prasad Gokhale, vice-president, IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia. “This product breaks new ground for our Gear wearables category by combining fitness tracking and real-time alerts in a simple and easy to use earbud design.”

Activated by simply placing them in-ear, the Gear IconX earbuds are designed to track fitness data automatically, meaning consumers can just put them in and go. Thanks to integration with S Health — Samsung’s health and fitness app — progress can be easily monitored long-term by transferring and managing recorded data via a compatible Samsung smartphone between workouts.

Gear IconX also offers Voice Guide, which provides instant in-ear feedback on performance, and utilises the earbuds’ built-in heart rate monitor to help people stay in the Vigorous Intensity Zone for an effective training session.

The earbuds have small, medium and large ear tips and wingtip sizes, to help provide a secure, comfortable fit for all ears.

Key features of Gear IconX include:

• Automatic fitness data tracking
• 4GB of internal storage: up to 1000 songs
• Bluetooth 4.1, Accelerometer, Heart Rate (conductive bone)
• Voice Guide provides in-ear feedback on performance
• Ambient Sound Mode to help increase awareness – 2 microphones per bud
• Splash resistant
• Convenient charging case that not only keeps the Gear IconX earbuds safe but also allows for up to two additional battery recharges that begin automatically when the earbuds are placed inside
• Compatible with a range of Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6, as well as other devices running Android 4.4 or later

Gear IconX is available now with an RRP of $279 from Samsung Experience Stores, online, and at major retailers in early August.