2015 has, so far, been suspiciously bereft of a smartwatch release from Samsung; the firm released five wearables last year, including its Android Wear Gear Live and Gear S smartwatches.
That trend looks set to change with rumours swirling over a new Samsung wristwatch that has been teased through one of Samsung’s verified Twitter accounts, highlighting the fitness prowess of an Exynos powered smartwatch.
The first indicator of Samsung’s intent to produce a round smartwatch was through a teaser image posted on the firm’s website earlier this year.
Now, an image posted on one of Samsung’s verified Twitter accounts depicts a round face depicting heart rate statistics – an interface which isn’t present on any of Samsung’s rectangular or square watch faces so far.
The image teases a new smartwatch with the text “Using your Heart Rate, your Exynos-powered #wearable can deliver accurate training information to help you improve.” What makes this phrase especially interesting is the fact that Samsung haven’t developed an Exynos powered wearable since the release of the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo.
Samsung’s most recent wearables – the Gear Live and Gear S included – have made use of Snapdragon 400 processors, indicating that Samsung might be making a return to Exynos processors in the production of a new smartwatch.
A round smartwatch might represent two different things; either a fitness-centric sports band designed for active consumers (possibly due to act as the definite companion to the Galaxy S6 Active) or a flagship wearable due for release at some point in the second semester of the year.
A round Galaxy Gear smartwatch might serve to compete against other successful Android Wear smartwatches released this year; namely the Moto 360, LG G Watch R, or the forthcoming Huawei Watch. Ultimately, a round Samsung smartwatch might even take the fight to Apple’s newly released wearable.
With little information at present, it remains to be seen as to whether the product will ultimately surface. We’ll provide more news as the story develops!
Follow Bryan on Twitter: @bryansmith1138
