Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 release date, rumours, news and features
Samsung may have only released its new flagship smartwatch last summer, but it's now clear that we'll be welcoming two models of the Galaxy Watch this August, with the Galaxy Watch 4 set to succeed the Galaxy Watch Active 2. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, meanwhile, will take the place of the Galaxy Watch 3.
If the current hints turn out to be true, Samsung's decision to unify its smartwatch lines under one name would be a very welcome one, after years of inconsistent branding and launch cycles.
With nothing officially confirmed yet, though, we're still tracking all the latest industry whispers and reports. This feature focuses on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, including the release date, price and features.
Release date and price
- Announcement expected 11 August
- Availability expected 27 August
- From £300 / $415?
As we alluded to up top, judging release dates and names for Samsung's smartwatches has been a constant battle since the old Gear moniker was dropped. The second generation of the Galaxy Watch Active launched roughly six months after the original, while the Galaxy Watch line skipped over the Watch 2 entirely and went straight to the current flagship, the Watch 3.
Rumours suggest this year will see the sportier Galaxy Watch 4 succeed the Galaxy Watch Active 2, while the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will succeed the Watch 3, streamlining the naming of the devices.
Samsung will hold its next Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event on 11 August where the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are both expected to be revealed. Availability could then start on 27 August, it's been said.
With regard to pricing, the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will reportedly sit at €350 to €370 (which roughly converts to £299 to £320 / $415 to $440), while the 44mm variant will cost between €380 and €400 (which should wind up costing around £325 to £345 / $450 to $475).
Another report suggests CAD 310 (around $250/£180) for the 40mm model, and CAD 347 (around $280/£200) for the 44mm model though, so it could be cheaper than first rumours initially claimed.
Design
- Two case sizes
- Three case colours, multiple band options
- No rotating bezel
There have been a number of leaks surrounding the design of the Galaxy Watch 4. Since the emergence of what appears to be official press images, though, there's not much is left to speculate about.
We now know that the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will feature a very similar design to the Gear S3 and Galaxy Watch lines, as expected, while the sportier model will follow the design DNA of the old Watch Active watches.
| collection: | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 leak |
The Watch 4 looks likely to be available in silver, black and gold cases with a wider variety of band colours, including blue, green, white and pink, than the more serious Watch 4 Classic.
It's also been claimed the device will feature 2D glass and a narrower bezel than Watch Active models, as well as a frame made of titanium. More pronounced buttons and a strap more connected to the bezel appears likely, too.
| collection: | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 renders |
Speculation suggests we'll see 40mm and 44mm case sizes for the Watch 4. Water resistance and MIL-STD 810G durability have also been mooted, with Gorilla Glass 4 expected for display protection.
Features and specs
- Galaxy Watch 4 set to debut Wear OS 3
- Watch faces leak show Google integration
- Blood glucose monitoring could feature
Rumours are still scarce regarding both features and hardware specs, but we do have a couple of tidbits that could help define the next generation of Samsung smartwatches.
Google and Samsung have teamed up to deliver a software experience that integrates the best of Tizen, Wear OS and Fitbit fitness tracking, debuting in the form of Wear OS 3 on Samsung's watches.
The collaboration was first announced at Google I/O in May, with Samsung detailing more about the One Watch UI software during its 28 June event. The Watch 4 is also expected to run on a 5nm chip to take advantage of this software - called the Exynos W920 - which Samsung announced on a blog post.
We also now have a better idea of how Wear OS 3 will appear on the Galaxy Watch 4, with a leaked promo clip, below, showing off a bunch of fun, sporty watch faces.
Here's a little Galaxy Watch 4 tease, thanks to our tipster! pic.twitter.com/7sMP41WU7b
— SamMobile (@SamMobiles) July 27, 2021
Interestingly, as with the leaked clip showing off the Watch 4 Classic, integration with services such as Google Maps, as well as fitness metrics like body composition and steps, are also seen.
Following a listing on Amazon Canada, the Watch 4 is also said to come in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and connectivity options. Features are said to include blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate monitoring, VO2 Max, advanced sleep tracking and body composition analysis.
Elsewhere, it seems possible that a headline feature of the next generation could be non-invasive glucose monitoring, though this may only appear on the Watch 4 Classic, if at all.
The rumour follows a report from CNET regarding Samsung's Advanced Institute of Technology, which has developed a technique called "Raman spectroscopy" that leverages lasers to track glucose levels with enough accuracy to help users avoid pricking their fingers.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: What's happened so far?
Here's everything we've heard so far regarding the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.
10 August 2021: Samsung officially unveils next-gen smartwatch chip ahead of Galaxy Watch 4 announcement
Samsung officially unveiled its next-generation wearable chipset in the Exynos W920, which is expected to power the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
29 July 2021: Suspected Galaxy Watch 4 promo clip leaks
A leaked clip, which appears to be official promo material, has been leaked by SamMobile. The 40-second video shows off watch faces, as well as integration with Google's services and fitness tracking elements.
21 July 2021: Samsung confirms Galaxy Unpacked
Samsung has officially sent out invites for its next Galaxy Unpacked event, which will take place on 11 August, as rumours suggested.
15 July 2021: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic specs and price detailed on Amazon
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic were both briefly listed on Amazon Canada before being taken down. Their release date, prices and some specs were detailed.
12 July 2021: 11 August Samsung Galaxy Unpacked to be packed with launches, see them here
Evan Blass posted a number of short videos on his Twitter account to present what he claims will be announced on 11 August. The Galaxy Watch 4 was included as one of the videos and it's shown off from multiple angles and in various colours.
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 10, 2021
5 July 2021: Samsung Galaxy 4 prices leak; Galaxy Unpacked date confirmed
A wide range of prices for the two expected Samsung smartwatches surfaced in a report, indicating that the Classic model, in particular, won't come cheap.
Samsung also confirmed the date for its Galaxy Unpacked event, which will take place on 11 August.
30 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 could take place on 11 August
Some renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 had 11 August as a date on the display, suggesting Unpacked could take place then.
28 June 2021: Samsung officially teases next Galaxy Watch, launching "this summer"
Samsung held a virtual MWC event at the end of June, where it not only revealed more details surrounding its One UI Watch platform that it has created in partnership with Google, but it also officially teased its next Galaxy Watches.
28 June 2021: Samsung previews One UI Watch experience, sitting on its platform developed with Google
Samsung held a virtual showcase where it shed a little more light on its forthcoming Galaxy Watch and the One UI Watch interface that will run on it.
28 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 press images show design before the official event
91Mobiles posted alleged press images of the Galaxy Watch 4 online, giving us an indication of what we can expect from the device.
| collection: | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 leak |
23 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 renders give us our best view yet of the upcoming smartwatch
Renders from @OnLeaks and GizNext give us our clearest indication of what the Watch Active 4 will look like.
| collection: | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 renders |
11 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 with WearOS could be revealed on 28 June
Samsung has a virtual event called "Galaxy Ecosystem/New Watch Experience/Mobile Security" scheduled for Monday 28 June, starting at 19:15 CEST. Following the announcement of the new WearOS, this event could see a new watch appear, but nothing is confirmed as yet.
21 May 2021: Samsung's next watch could sport a 5nm chip to help the new Wear OS shine
Serial leaker Ice Universe has claimed the Samsung Watch Active 4 could come with a 5nm processor, slimmer bezel and a frame made from titanium, as well as 2D glass.
18 May 2021: Google redesigns Wear OS with Samsung and Fitbit
Google announced redesigned Wear OS in collaboration with Samsung and Fitbit.
6 March 2021: Q2 release date suggested by leaker
Renowned leaker Ice Universe delivers a succinct hint via Twitter at when the next Samsung wearables will launch, indicating that both the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4 will launch in Q2 2021.
19 February 2021: Leaker hints at Wear OS replacing Tizen
The oft-rumoured switch from Tizen to Wear OS is suggested by reliable tipster Ice Universe via Twitter, suggesting that Samsung's new watch will drop its own OS for "Android".
19 February 2021: Model names for two smartwatches appear
As reported by Galaxy Club, Samsung is developing two watches for release in 2021 - with the model numbers being SM-R86x and SM-R87x.
25 January 2021: Blood glucose monitoring may debut
Korean outlet ET News suggests that Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 will be the first to feature non-invasive blood glucose tracking.
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