Samsung announces news for its wearable devices: new operating system, new Galaxy Watch 4 or both in one go?
Giuseppe Croce Journalist
Peppe Croce, journalist since 2008, deals with electronic devices and new technologies applied to the automotive world. He joined Libero Tecnologia in 2018.
Despite leaving an empty seat in the Barcelona edition of this year's Mobile World Congress, Samsung may have some interesting revelations ready about its upcoming wearable, Galaxy Watch 4. All eyes of experts and wearable lovers are on the company's only online event in the coming weeks.
The virtual session, the Korean manufacturer's only one for MWC 2021, will take place on June 28 and, according to many, would be the perfect time to show the public the new device and its Watch Active 4 variant. The description of the online meeting, in which they talk about "reimagining smartwatches, creating new opportunities for both developers and consumers", has also contributed to the growing anticipation. In short, an innovation plan that would profoundly change the face of these small devices branded Samsung. But what's behind this radical change?
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, what changes?
Although the industry giant has not spent more than necessary to allow most to understand more information about the "new opportunities" at stake, a major news seems to be coming. The most attentive will have already noticed this fundamental detail: the new smart watches will be able to take advantage of a different operating system than in the past.
In place of TizenOS, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will be able to rely on WearOS, the OS for wearables made by Google. This is not, however, a transition without background: in fact, we're talking about a version designed and built specifically by the two big, a mixture of the best of the two software, different from that currently in use on other devices.
After six years of absence on the Samsung wearables, the revised and corrected declination of WearOS points everything on a platform more performing and fast, with renewed and interesting features, customizable UI, different dials and, above all, a significantly improved battery life. The return to Android should act as a stimulus for developers, who will have the opportunity to bring on Korean devices more applications than in the recent past, thus populating a rich and evolved ecosystem.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the OS is the new experience
So it seems consistent that the real evolution will not be dictated by the technical specifications of the models but, primarily, by the operating system integrated on the Galaxy Watch 4. A step forward that would ignite again the clash between the company's smartwatch and those produced by competitors of the same level, Apple above all.