Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Return to Wear OS

Samsung Re-adopts Wear OS with the Galaxy Watch 4

For a considerable period, Samsung’s smartwatch offerings have represented a unique case in the industry. Initially embracing Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) with the Gear Live, the company subsequently transitioned to Tizen, an open-source operating system predominantly utilized by Samsung for both wearable technology and smart televisions.

This shift was undoubtedly a point of contention for Google, which has consistently faced challenges in securing a substantial share of the smartwatch market. Samsung, however, achieved a degree of success with its independently developed products. Further expansion of its market presence remained a key objective.

The limited availability of third-party applications has historically been a widespread issue for nearly all smartwatch manufacturers, with Apple being a notable exception. This is a primary factor behind Fitbit’s acquisition of Pebble. Recognizing this opportunity, Samsung has chosen to revitalize its collaboration with Google.

The agreement, initially unveiled at Google I/O and further elaborated upon at MWC, is now being realized with the introduction of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.

A New Era of Wear OS

The collaboration is branded as “the new Wear OS Powered by Samsung.” Essentially, Wear OS functions as the foundational codebase. Elements of the Tizen design and functionality are integrated, but the result is effectively a customized iteration of Google’s wearable operating system, developed with significant input from Samsung.

Samsung emphasizes that this is not merely a cosmetic alteration of the operating system. One UI Watch is layered on top, aiming to establish a consistent user experience across Samsung’s entire ecosystem of mobile devices and wearable products.

According to a recent press release, Google details its contributions to the partnership as follows:

The technology giant highlights improvements such as turn-by-turn navigation within Google Maps, the capability to download and stream music via YouTube Music, and enhanced application discovery through the Google Play store. Furthermore, Google Pay on Wear OS is expanding its availability to 16 additional countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

Health Monitoring Advancements

A continued emphasis is placed on health and wellness features, a key area of competition among all smartwatch brands. The monitoring capabilities are centered around a refined version of Samsung’s BioActive Sensor, which measures optical heart rate, electrical heart signals (ECG), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.

This sensor suite collects a wide range of data, encompassing blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection, blood oxygen levels, and now, body composition analysis, including Body Mass Index (BMI). The sensor can capture 2,400 data points in approximately 15 seconds, according to Samsung.

Design and Availability

The primary distinction between the two models lies in their design. The Galaxy Watch 4 is the slimmer and lighter option, resembling the Galaxy Watch Active series. It features a touch bezel, while the Classic model boasts a traditional physical rotating bezel – widely considered Samsung’s most innovative feature in this product category.

Both models are offered in two size options, addressing a previous limitation of Samsung watches. Offering multiple sizes ensures broader customer accessibility. The Watch 4 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, and the Classic comes in 42mm and 46mm. Pricing begins at $250 and $350, respectively, with an additional $50 for LTE connectivity.

Pre-orders commence today, with shipping scheduled to begin on August 26th. Customers who pre-order will receive a $50 Samsung Credit. A limited-edition Thom Browne version of the Classic will also be released in September, likely at a premium price point.