Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 release date, rumours, news and features

Samsung may have only released its new flagship smartwatch last summer, but the latest rumours suggest we could be welcoming the arrival of the Galaxy Watch 4 sooner rather than later. 

It might not come on its own, either, with a new variant of the Galaxy Watch Active line also mooted. Such a move would finally bring some cohesion to Samsung’s smartwatch lines, after years of inconsistent branding and launch cycles. However, many of the real details are scarce at this early stage. 

Below, we’ll be tracking all the latest industry whispers and reports surrounding both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and its potential sporty sibling, including the release date, price and features.

Release date and price

• Tipster suggests “Q2” launch for both watches
• Model numbers for two smartwatches leaked

As we alluded to up top, judging release dates and names for Samsung’s smartwatches has been a constant battle over the last few years. As an example, the original Galaxy Watch Active was followed up by the second generation within around six months, and the Galaxy Watch line skipped over the Watch 2 and went straight to the current flagship, the Watch 3.

So, before we get too far in here, let’s just caveat things by saying Samsung is most likely to go with Galaxy Watch 4 name for its next smartwatch. Meanwhile, the next generation Galaxy Watch Active (whether it launches alongside or not) could ostensibly be either the Active 3 or Active 4. 

Now, the all-important question: when will we see them? 

According to a tweet from noted tipster Ice Universe, we could see both the Galaxy Watch 4 and Active 4 in Q2 2021. That means any time in April, May or June, though with half of Q2 already gone, there’s not much time left for Ice Universe to be right here. If he is, it would represent the first time Samsung has launched a new generation of both watches at the same time. It would also mean Samsung skipping over the Watch Active 3.

Q2

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) March 6, 2021

That’s pretty much all we have to go off so far, and, if true, would be a little surprising. While the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is 18-months-old and due for an upgrade, the six-month-old Watch 3 is arguably only halfway into its cycle. 

It’s worth noting, though, that an earlier GalaxyClub report backs up this theory of two watches launching in 2021.

According to the outlet, Samsung is planning to release smartwatches currently under the model names of SM-R86x and SM-R87x. However, at this stage, it’s not clear whether these are two completely different styles or simply variations of the same model.

With regard to pricing, there are no details just yet. This is usually one of the last scraps of information to leak, and, naturally, can vary quite a bit depending on the region. However, since the Galaxy Watch line has typically started at £349/$399, we don’t expect this to deviate too much in the next generation.

For the next Galaxy Watch Active, as well, no information we have just yet would point to anything other than it staying at the £249/$249 starting price.

Features and specs

• Tizen could be dropped for Wear OS
• Blood glucose monitoring could debut

Rumours are still at an early stage regarding both features and hardware specs, but we do have a couple of tidbits that could help define the next generation of Samsung smartwatches. 

Wear OS will replace the company’s own Tizen operating system after Google and Samsung teamed up to deliver a unified system that includes Fitbit too. The collaboration was announced at Google I/O in May. Leaker Ice Universe did predict the move in February 2021 though, and it will be the first time Samsung has returned to Google’s software since the Gear Live in 2014.

Samsung’s new watch will use Android to replace Tizen.

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) February 19, 2021

Elsewhere, it seems increasingly possible that a headline feature of the next generation – or at least the Galaxy Watch 4 – could be blood glucose monitoring. 

Seen as somewhat of a holy grail for health monitoring in smartwatches, it’s been reported by ET News that the next Samsung flagship will be the first to debut non-invasive glucose monitoring.

This comes after CNET initially detailed that Samsung’s Advanced Institute of Technology has developed a technique called “Raman spectroscopy” that leverages lasers to track glucose levels with enough accuracy to help users avoid pricking their finger. 

Such a move would be a true gamechanger in the space, but we’re not necessarily sold on it debuting this year, despite progress certainly suggesting the fabled, non-invasive tracking is closer than ever.

Design

• Rotating bezel likely
• AMOLED display

As of yet, there are no renders, concepts or leaked photos to give us a true idea of what kind of design changes we can expect from the Galaxy Watch 4. However, as we creep closer to a potential launch date, these things will almost definitely begin to surface. 

Until then, we’re simply left to speculate. Design elements like the popular rotating bezel should remain, as well as the AMOLED display, but we’re not expecting anything too dramatic at this stage.

Hopefully, Samsung will also continue to offer devices in different sizes, too, in order to fit as many wrists as possible, and perhaps slim things down slightly. 

Really, though, it appears at this stage that the next generation will be more about changes in the user interface and experience, rather than the feel on the wrist. 

Stay tuned to see how this area develops.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: What’s happened so far?

Here is everything we have heard so far regarding the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and next generation of Galaxy Watch Active.

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.