Each August for the previous three years, Samsung’s launched a brand new technology in its line of Put on OS-powered Galaxy Watch wearables. Final 12 months’s, the Watch 6 and Watch 6 Traditional, are two of our favourite smartwatches. However as good as they’re, we’re effectively into spring, and August is only some months away. Samsung hasn’t introduced something but, however we’re assured we’ll be seeing the Galaxy Watch 7 quickly. This is every little thing we all know to this point — and what we hope to see.
Rumors and what we all know to this point
Samsung confirmed to PCMag final 12 months that it supposed to alternate between Traditional and Professional variants as its premium watch providing every technology. We now have a Watch 4 Traditional, a Watch 5 Professional, and a Watch 6 Traditional. If our math is true, that ought to imply we will anticipate a Watch 7 Professional this 12 months — however a more moderen rumor complicates issues. In accordance with a March report, the Watch 7 collection will are available three variants: Traditional, Professional, and a “new one.”
That “new” mannequin may doubtlessly be a mannequin with a form just like the Apple Watch. SamMobile reported in March that Samsung is contemplating adopting a sq. form for its Galaxy Watch gadgets sooner or later, however it’s not clear whether or not that change is supposed for the subsequent technology or one sooner or later.
Final October, PhoneArena reported on a rumor that the Watch 7 collection might be powered by a brand new, 3-nanometer (nm) course of chipset, in comparison with the 5nm Exynos W930 used within the Watch 6 collection. Decrease numbers right here imply extra semiconductors can slot in the identical bodily space on a chip, bettering efficiency and battery effectivity.
If this rumor is true, the Galaxy Watch 7 collection ought to see important battery life enhancements over the Watch 6. Battery life continues to be a serious sticking level for many smartwatches, with some fashions failing to final even one full day on cost. There are exceptions, just like the OnePlus Watch 2 and Samsung’s personal Galaxy Watch 5 Professional, besides, the prospect of massive features in effectivity is thrilling.
In accordance with a March report, the Galaxy Watch 7 collection will launch with a small, however sensible improve: double the storage of earlier generations, as much as 32GB from 16. That is a number of room for watch apps and Spotify playlists.
What we wish
Thus far, that is actually all we have heard about Samsung’s subsequent watches. Samsung has traditionally launched new Galaxy Watch gadgets in the summertime, so we’re doubtless nonetheless far out from any official confirmations that may come. However we’ve got a number of enhancements we hope to see.
Dependable multi-day battery life throughout sizes
Samsung’s bigger watches supply among the greatest battery life you will get in a smartwatch. We discovered the 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional repeatedly made it two full days on a cost, and 2022’s Watch 5 Professional lasted even longer. Its smaller fashions have smaller batteries and do not final fairly as lengthy. A 40mm Watch 6 may make it two days with the always-on show possibility turned off, however heavier use can deplete it in beneath 24 hours.
If the Watch 7 collection is certainly constructed round a 3nm course of chipset, we should always see important features in battery life throughout sizes. A small smartwatch that may comfortably make it by means of a weekend of use with out battery babysitting feels like a dream come true. The Watch 7 collection may give us that. Bigger Watch 7 fashions comfortably lasting three or 4 days at a stretch would not be so dangerous, both.
Useful blood strain monitoring
The Galaxy Watch 6 collection’ {hardware} is technically able to monitoring the wearer’s blood strain. Nevertheless, the watches haven’t got entry to that performance within the US. Wrist-based blood strain monitoring is difficult, and within the US, wearables that declare to have the ability to pull it off usually want FDA clearance. In accordance with an August 2023 discussion board put up from a Samsung Care Ambassador, the corporate hasn’t secured that clearance for its Galaxy Watch gadgets.
Samsung acquired FDA clearance for irregular heartbeat notifications in time for the discharge of the Galaxy Watch 6 collection, so it may hypothetically get clearance for blood strain monitoring by the point the Watch 7 collection hits stateside retailer cabinets. Added to the suite of well being parameters Galaxy Watch gadgets can already observe, blood strain monitoring would make for a fairly complete well being monitoring expertise, so we’re very hopeful Samsung can get this one nailed down.
Higher compatibility with non-Samsung telephones
Samsung usually makes its cell equipment work greatest with its telephones. The corporate’s current earbuds supply seamless switching between Galaxy-branded telephones and tablets however do not assist Bluetooth multipoint on gadgets from different producers. Equally, some Galaxy Watch options are solely out there when the wearable is paired to a Samsung cellphone. Taking ECG measurements (and monitoring blood strain in international locations that permit it) requires the Samsung Well being Monitor app, which is just formally out there by means of the Galaxy Retailer on Samsung telephones.
It could be good to see this type of function exclusivity relaxed within the Watch 7 collection, both by baking full ECG performance into the Galaxy Well being app out there on the Play Retailer or by making the Samsung Well being Monitor formally out there on non-Samsung telephones.
GPX for working
The Watch 5 Professional supplied some interesting options for outside athletes, together with GPX mapping for climbing and biking. There isn’t any devoted assist for GPX-mapped runs, solely hikes and bike rides. Constructing in a GPX working mode could be a boon for path runners who desire a Put on OS watch — and we see no motive to limit the performance to the higher-end mannequin(s).
The Watch 6 collection options Samsung’s brightest wearable shows, with peak brightness reaching 2,000 nits. That is superior for outside visibility, however it will be good to see enchancment within the different path. It is a small factor, however 4 generations in, Samsung’s working out of obtrusive flaws to repair in its Put on OS watches. We’re anticipating extra small, quality-of-life-style enhancements like this in future generations.
Extra thrilling colours for the 7 Professional
Ever since Samsung began making Put on OS watches, its high-end fashions, the 2 Classics and the Watch 5 Professional, have been supplied in blander colours than their normal Galaxy Watch counterparts. You may get a base-model Watch 5 in a stunning shade of darkish blue, and the common Watch 6 is available in silver and gold variants. Each Traditional generations got here in black or silver, and the Watch 5 Professional was even much less thrilling, out there in black or grey.
For the Galaxy Watch 7 collection, it will be good to see Samsung buck the business development of Professional-level {hardware} coming in additional subdued colours than cheaper choices. If there is a gold, blue, or pink Galaxy Watch 7, give us the identical possibility on the Watch 7 Professional. Professionals like colour, too.
One thing shocking
It could be nice to see Samsung do one thing surprising with its subsequent technology of wearables. Samsung’s Put on OS watches are persistently among the many greatest available on the market, besides, it is laborious to argue the Watch 5 or Watch 6 collection moved the Put on OS ball ahead in any significant manner. Every technology has been a small, predictable step up from what got here the 12 months earlier than.
Enhancements in all the traditional areas — responsiveness, battery life, well being monitoring — will certainly make the Watch 7 collection higher than the Watch 6 gadgets we’ve got. But it surely will not assure Samsung’s new watches are thrilling. Samsung has been a frontrunner within the Put on OS area for a number of years, and it ought to use that place to advance the platform. After three consecutive generations of comparable choices, it is not unreasonable to anticipate one thing contemporary and revolutionary. No matter that could be.
When ought to we anticipate the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 collection?
Samsung hasn’t formally introduced that the Watch 7 collection is coming in any respect, not to mention when. We solely have historical past to go on. The Watch 4 was launched in August 2021, the Watch 5 in August 2022, and the Watch 6 in August 2023. Given the development, our cash is on an August 2024 launch date for the Watch 7 collection, doubtless with a full reveal the month earlier than.
Within the meantime, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Traditional are nice wearables. As we transfer nearer to the subsequent technology, they’re on sale extra continuously. When you do not need to look ahead to the Watch 7, the Watch 6 continues to be a great decide.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is among the greatest smartwatches you should purchase right now. With the Watch 7 doubtless nonetheless months from launch on the earliest, Samsung’s present watches stay a superb possibility.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional
The Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional has extra conventional styling and a rotating bezel for navigating menus. We do not anticipate that rotating bezel to return within the Watch 7 collection, so if the 6 Traditional speaks to you, go forward and seize one.
