New Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds models incoming
New Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds models incoming
Samsung is making worthwhile updates and additions to its smartwatch and entry-level earbuds lines
In the same Unpacked event that the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3 were introduced, Samsung also unveiled its latest smartwatch and earbuds, the Galaxy Watch4 and the Galaxy Buds2. The former is especially important because it marks a turning point for the Koreans: instead of relying on their own operating system, Tizen, this is based on Google's WearOS in an effort to better compete with the various successful Apple Watch models. We'll have to wait and see how effective this new approach will be, but chances are that Samsung plans to follow it long-term. Surprisingly - or... not? - the Galaxy Watch4 will not work with Apple smartphones and tablets.
Samsung also made significant changes to the Galaxy Watch product line itself. The various models do not belong to "regular" and "Active" ranges anymore: there's now the "vanilla" Watch4 range and the Watch4 "Classic" one, which is the premium of the two (unless there's a "Pro" range down the line). People following Samsung's various smartwatch lines can think of the Watch4 as the successor of Watch Active 2, while the Watch4 Classic is more like a refined, improved version of last year’s Watch 3.
Samsung's new smartwatch lines are using a new, more powerful processor, more system memory and a sharper screen. They also incorporate a much more capable biometric sensor for more detailed reports on vitals and health, all the various other sensors previous models offered, as well as 16GB of storage for user files such as e.g. songs or podcasts. Both new Galaxy Watch lines will be available on August 27th with prices starting from €269 for the "vanilla" Watch4 models and €369 for the "Classic" models.
The company in the same event also unveiled the Galaxy Buds2, which replace the original Galaxy Buds but now sit between the Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro (the Buds Plus are more affordable but do not offer active noise canceling). The Galaxy Buds2 follow the same design language as Samsung's higher-tier earbuds, they come in four different colors and are the "smallest, lightest" in the company's line-up so far.
They offer ANC, of course, and are water-resistant (not totally water-proof) while they should be good for about 6 hours of continuous use (their case battery can charge them twice more). New for this year: a machine learning-based system that "understands" how to separate environmental and/or background noise in order to offer clearer sound. The Galaxy Buds2 will be available on August 27th for €149.