Update, May 13, 2021 (10:25 AM ET): We’ve updated the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 hub below with new rumors related to a blood glucose monitor feature. We also have new rumors related to a supposed release timeframe. Read on for all the latest!
Original article: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 was among the few smartwatches to challenge the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020. Now, the Korean company’s flagship wearable is due for an upgrade, likely in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.
See also: The best smartwatches you can buy
Rumors of the forthcoming wearable are gathering momentum. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of all the credible leaks and rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 so far. Be sure to bookmark this article and check in regularly for the latest.
Name and release date
Samsung has switched up its product naming schemes now and again, skipping numbers or adding errant letters to its smartphones’ titles. We don’t foresee that happening with its Galaxy Watch line, though. As the fourth iteration of its Galaxy smartwatch, we expect the device to be called the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.
As for the release date, Samsung generally launches its wearables in August alongside the Note series. However, no Galaxy Note 21 will debut this year. Instead, Samsung might launch its newest wearables in August alongside the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, which we expect during that month. A recent report out of Korea supports this idea.
There are conflicting rumors from multiple sources related to the launch date of Samsung's next big products.
Not everyone agrees with this rumor, though. Sometimes-accurate tipster Ice Universe believes Samsung could push up the Galaxy Watch 4’s launch date to Q2 2021. The smartwatch may launch alongside the Galaxy Watch Active 4, according to the tipster. There’s no secondary source backing this early launch claim, but Samsung did unveil its Galaxy S21 series much earlier than usual this year and we expect a June launch window for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. So it’s possible an earlier launch could happen.
However, yet another rumor suggests Samsung could just launch everything in August: the Galaxy S21 FE, two foldables, and two watches.
The bottom line here is that there are a lot of conflicting rumors related to the launch windows for the newest Samsung devices. Hopefully, we’ll get more clarity soon.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Design
Samsung’s keeping the Galaxy Watch 4’s appearance under wraps for now. No renders or mockups have spilled just yet. However, Samsung doesn’t usually implement sweeping aesthetic changes to its wearable range. We should expect the Galaxy Watch 4’s appearance to shadow its predecessor.
Our verdict: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review | Galaxy Watch Active 2 review
This would likely signal the return of the circular design and rotating bezel, as opposed to the touch-controlled bezel on the Galaxy Watch Active 2.
As far as sizing goes, a leak of that information suggests we could see two sizes:
- Galaxy Watch 4 (42mm) SM-R880
- Galaxy Watch 4 (46mm) SM-R890
If those sizes end up being true, that means the larger Galaxy Watch 4 would be ever-so-slightly bigger than last year’s 45mm model.
Specs and features
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s raw technical specs also remain a mystery for now, but we may see some improvements to the wearable’s longevity.
According to an April report by The Elec, the 42mm Galaxy Watch 4 could feature a 240mAh battery — a decrease of 7mAh over the similarly sized Galaxy Watch 3. The 46mm Galaxy Watch 4 may gain a 350mAh cell — 10mAh larger than its predecessor. We doubt these minute changes will result in major real-world results.
As for health tracking improvements, Samsung was tipped in January to add blood glucose monitoring to a future smartwatch. The company developed a system last year that uses lasers to detect the chemical composition of the blood. The addition would be a boon for those who have diabetes. Unfortunately, a more recent report suggests Samsung may have abandoned this idea.
It’s safe to expect the pulse oximeter, heart rate sensor, blood pressure monitoring, and ECG to make a return, though.
Tizen or Wear OS?
There is a huge question mark hanging over the watch’s operating system. Rumors per SamMobile — echoed by tipster Ice Universe and several others — suggest Samsung may switch from its in-house Tizen OS to Google’s Wear OS for a forthcoming smartwatch.
See also: Why Samsung should ditch Tizen for Wear OS (and why it shouldn’t)
It seems unlikely, though, as Samsung has built a solid foundation with the OS it develops and controls. The move from Tizen to Wear OS would also mean significant changes to the Galaxy Watch 4’s functionality.
While the company has launched wearables running Wear OS in the past, there’s no solid evidence Google’s OS will come to Samsung’s next flagship smartwatch. However, the rumor has been repeated so many times now that it’s impossible to rule it out entirely.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Price and availability
Samsung seems acutely aware of its products’ pricing in 2021. This year, it launched the Galaxy S21 series at a lower base price than the S20 line. Arguably, this was necessary, but could this philosophy filter down to the company’s flagship smartwatch too?
Related: The best Samsung smartwatches you can buy
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 pricing started at $399, but the wearable did offer numerous improvements over its predecessor. However, it seems unlikely that the company would sell the new watch for anything less. This might be especially true if it implements additional health-monitoring tech.
As for availability, expect the Galaxy Watch 4 to be available to preorder on announcement day, with general sales commencing a few days later.
That’s all we know about Samsung’s next flagship smartwatch for now. Be sure to bookmark this Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 hub as we’ll update it with new info regularly!
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