Samsung may introduce a sequel to the Gear S3 smartwatch in 2018, and it not only may have a different name, but a different operating system. Rumors are spreading about a Galaxy Watch with Wear OS, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung’s next smartwatch, whatever it may be called.
After not getting wearables right for a while — see the original Galaxy Gear for evidence — Samsung really improved things with the Gear S2 and Gear S3, combining great design with a simple interface and that cool rotating bezel. Inevitably, rumors are gathering about a Gear S4 smartwatch, which may be called the Galaxy Watch, ready to replace the 2016 Gear S3. Here’s what we think we know about it.
While we had not yet seen any leaked images or design hints about the Galaxy Watch, Samsung might have changed that by accidentally posting it to its U. S. website. The sighting was first reported by reported by CNET, which managed to snag a screenshot of the 42mm rose gold model Galaxy Watch. While the listing showed a photo and product description, there were no specs or prices listed.
The report notes that the model number, SM-R810NZDAXAR, doesn’t exactly match that which was filed with the FCC. But the “R800” portion does match past reports in relation to the name of Samsung’s next smartwatch, and it does corroborate recent reports that Samsung is going with the “Galaxy Watch” name over the Gear S4.
While it has since been taken down from the site, The Verge noticed that it wasn’t removed from the “Related Products” section when looking at any Gear S2 listing, and clicking on the product brought you to a “Page Not Found” error. But it seems that since then, the listing has been removed from that part of the site as well.
It’s possible there will be two different Galaxy Watch models, varying in design, size, and functionality, according to ZDNet Korea’s sources. There are no details, but Samsung did release more than one version of the Gear S3 — the Classic and the Frontier, along with at least one designer model.
Samsung may also look to solve that big wearable pain point: better battery life. A patent filing in the United States suggests Samsung will use a special case to recharge a smartwatch — or another wireless charging device — on the move, simply by putting the two together, extending battery life without using a larger battery or reducing features.
The patent describes a case, which looks like a regular folio case, with a wireless charging system inside and a USB Type-C connector that links it to the phone. Concentrating on the applications with the watch, it appears the two must be in contact with each other to activate charging. It may not happen over a distance, and so the watch, when on your wrist, won’t charge from a phone in your pocket. That’s a shame, but it results from a restriction of inductive wireless charging systems. For real short-range wireless charging, we’ll have to wait until systems like Energous are perfected.
Battery cases are often bulky, and it’s not clear whether the system uses the phone’s battery or one in the new case. The latter would be best, as it could charge up your phone, too. If you buy a smartwatch, you’ll want to make use of it, which you can’t do if it’s out of battery. The use of GPS is also becoming more common on smartwatches, and is notoriously power hungry. Topping up the battery without the need to carry around another charger, or find a power outlet, after a run or other sporting event would be a definite benefit.
Before we get too excited, however, it’s worth remembering that patents are filed all the time, and not all of them end up becoming final products. This one doesn’t specifically mention the Gear S4 or Galaxy Watch, but the timing may be more than coincidental. It also doesn’t provide solid detail about how the technology will work. It does sound viable though, and isn’t too futuristic. After all, the Gear S3 uses wireless charging now, through its own dock.
Here are the all-important details on when we think you’ll be able to buy the watch, and how much it may cost. The new watch’s announcement may come alongside the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9, according to ZDNet, followed by a launch on August 24. This will also be the same launch date for the Galaxy Note 9, the report states. For previous smartwatches, Samsung has used Mobile World Congress and the IFA tech show in Berlin as venues for launch, making this a first for its wearable range.
Samsung may not call the new watch the Gear S4 either, after a logo with the name Galaxy Watch was registered by Samsung as a trademark in South Korea. Its appearance follows a similar registration in the U. S. in May, which trademarked the name Galaxy Fit. These moves hint that Samsung may retire the Gear name and allow its wearables, and potentially other accessories like the Gear VR, to capitalize on the Galaxy brand name’s international popularity and recognition. Samsung used the Galaxy name for its first smartwatches before dropping the Galaxy part to focus on the Gear name.
Details on pricing are unknown, but we’d expect Samsung to keep at least one of its wearables in the smartwatch sweet spot of $350-400.
Samsung hit a home run with its Tizen OS; but there is confusion over whether that system will operate on the Galaxy Watch, as rumors have spread that Samsung will install Google’s Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) on the new watch. However, these rumors have since diminished, with this mid-July report from Korea stating the new Galaxy Watch will use Tizen.
If Tizen is installed — which is most likely — what changes will come with it? It’s possible there will be deep integration of Bixby, after Samsung executives have said the company plans to integrate Bixby into all its products. However, Samsung has never issued a clear roadmap for this. With the improvements in Bixby with the release of the Galaxy S9 and a rumored Bixby Speaker on the way, though, it only makes sense we should see it appear in Samsung’s wearables in the near future.
In addition to Bixby integration, it appears Samsung has some other tricks up its sleeve. A report from SamMobile states the company is vastly improving its sleep and fitness tracking technology for the new watch.
What about Wear OS? In May, according to a tweet by mobile leaker Evan Blass, Samsung employees had been spotted wearing Gear smartwatches that are running Wear OS instead of Tizen. However, a follow-up tweet from Blass said these were one-off devices made by Google for selected Samsung employees, and not prototypes of a future watch.
In terms of specs, there’s not a lot to go on right now. While we’re definitely anticipating a processor bump for the Galaxy Watch, things are a little dicey.
