Image source: Samsung

Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch snags another certification

We are getting a steady drip-feed of leaks on a successor to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch. The timepiece is edging closer to public release having snagged another certification.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Samsung unveiled the original watch back in August 2018. At the time it represented a significant revamp on its Gear line. Galaxy Watch comes with LTE connectivity, comprehensive fitness smarts, GPS, water resistance and a price-tag to match. Few real surprises, though.

The company followed this up in February last year with a sportier version called Galaxy Watch Active. It was released along with two fitness bands, Galaxy Fit and a budget-friendly Galaxy Fit-e. To the surprise of most, it followed this up six months later with Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Galaxy Watch 2 rumors

The first rumors on Galaxy Watch 2 appeared about a year ago. Two watches were uncovered. A Wi-FI/Bluetooth-only version that came under SM-R820 and SM-R830 monikers, and an LTE variant with model numbers SM-R825 and SM-R835. In the end, this turned out to be info on Galaxy Watch Active 2, not Galaxy Watch.

Fresh rumours on a possible successor to the Galaxy Watch then came about six months ago from Dutch website GalaxyClub. According to their sources Samsung is working on a  timepiece with a moniker SM-R840/845. The second number probably refers to the cellular variant of the watch.

Looking at previous model numbers, this looks to the larger version of the upcoming timepiece. There’s an additional SM-R850/855 variant, which is probably the smaller model. Whether Samsung sticks with the 44mm and 40mm options remains to be seen.

The other detail that is known about the upcoming SM-R840/845 is its battery capacity of 330 mAh. That’s slightly less than the 340 mAh of Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Apart from this, it was revealed by SamMobile that the device will have 8GB of internal storage. This is double what is available on the current generations, which means more space for apps and local music storage.

Other info that is known is that the device will come three colour options: black, silver, and gold. There will be an additional stainless steel variant but this one is only in development in silver and gold. This may, of course, change further down the line. No info yet on whether the device will retain the physical rotating bezel of its predecessor.

All of this points to the device being the second generation of Galaxy Watch. But there is an outside chance this could be Galaxy Watch Active 3. We can’t be absolutely sure at this point.

Release date

At the end of April the upcoming timepiece received certification from the Chinese regulatory authorities. The devices with precisely the above monikers passed through the country’s CMIIT certification process.

According to SamMobile, now they’ve skipped another hurdle. This one is to do with obtaining 3C or Compulsory Certification of China which are required for products imported and sold there (screenshot below).

Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch snags another certification

The multiple stamps of approval from Chinese regulators are a strong indicator we are nearing public release. As far a date, a late summer unveiling alongside the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Fold 2 looks likely. This could take the form of an on-line event in August.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

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