Samsung will release the Galaxy Watch Active 2 soon... with its best feature disabled until 2020
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 looks very pretty in rose gold and pink
It appears the world's largest smartphone manufacturer has both a high-end tablet and fitness-first smartwatch in the pipeline too, the latter of which has been repeatedly pictured and rendered in recent weeks, with a few key selling points also revealed in a detailed report from a rock-solid source. Another reputable publication has some fresh inside information to add into the equation today, which essentially leaves price points and an actual commercial launch date as the only important unanswered questions right now.
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 will go after the Apple Watch Series 4... sometime next year
No, that doesn't mean the release of the Tizen-powered smartwatch has been delayed until 2020. But arguably the most exciting upgrade over both the original Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active will apparently be left disabled for quite some time after the new wearable device makes its debut. We're talking about the ECG (electrocardiogram) app, which is reportedly not FDA-approved yet.
The ECG functionality on the Apple Watch will reportedly remain unrivaled until 2020
That's hardly surprising, bringing to mind Apple's own ECG-enabling software update rolled out to the company's latest smartwatch several months after its actual release. But it sounds like Galaxy Watch Active 2 users will have to wait significantly longer for the life-saving functionality to be activated at some point in the "first half of 2020." Samsung can't afford to waste any more time after already being beaten to the punch by an entire year, so although it's unclear when the FDA might give its blessing, the company plans to promote the dormant feature at the August 7 event.
In fact, Samsung wants to focus more than ever on advertising health and fitness capabilities, including some new heart rate features that will be available right out the box, like alerting users of unusually high or low indicators. No word on a fall detector similar to the one incorporated by the Apple Watch Series 4, but a previous report suggested that was also in the works.
Three models, two sizes, several sleek combinations of colors
You must be wondering at this point whatever happened to the "regular" Galaxy Watch 2, which was rumored first under the codename "Renaissance." Frankly, we have no idea, but this new report claims the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is actually the result of the "Renaissance" project, sitting "halfway between the Galaxy Watch and Watch Active." That probably means a prettier Galaxy Watch 2 is also in the pipeline and due for a release at some point next year, even though the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is quite easy on the eye as well.
Samsung has a direct rival for the Apple Watch Nike+ collection in the pipeline too
We're looking at a circular smartwatch with a beautiful Super AMOLED display and a premium stainless steel build in an LTE-enabled variant, replaced by a slightly less sturdy aluminum case on Bluetooth-only models. A third version is expected to rely entirely on Bluetooth connectivity as well while featuring Under Armour co-branding to appeal to sportswear enthusiasts and compete against the likes of the Apple Watch Nike+ and Fitbit Ionic Adidas Edition.
Interestingly, all three main models are tipped to come in 40 and 44mm sizes, unlike the Galaxy Watch, which measures either 42 or 46 mm, and the Galaxy Watch Active, which sports a single 40mm case dimension. The most interesting part, however, is that the Apple Watch Series 4 is sold in, you guessed it, 40 and 44mm sizes.
That's one classy leather band for this LTE-enabled Galaxy Watch Active 2 model
In terms of hues, it sounds like you'll be getting plenty of choice here, as Bluetooth variants will be made available in dark blue, silver, and rose gold paint jobs, while cellular-capable models are expected to combine a black case with a black strap, a gold case with a brown band, and a rose gold body with a pink strap for an extra touch of distinction.
Other rumored features include all the predictable stuff, from Samsung Pay and Bixby support to Samsung Health integration, on-device personal coaching, and sleep monitoring, as well as LTE functionality restricted for Android handset pairing (although iPhones will be supported for everything else).
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: