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Sunday, July 4, 2021

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Over the past few years, Samsung has released a number of true wireless earbuds to compete with the likes of the Apple AirPods and the AirPods Pro, with each iteration of the Samsung Galaxy Buds getting better than the last.

Now, it looks like Samsung could be on the verge of releasing its next wireless earbuds model – the so-called Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 were seemingly revealed by some intriguing lines of code within the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app’s APK file data, as originally discovered by Android Police.

The Galaxy Buds 2 are seemingly being developed under the codename ‘berry,’ and will likely be able to connect to multiple devices at the same time. It’s anticipated that the true wireless earbuds could launch alongside the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 in the latter half of the year.

We've also heard rumors that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 will launch later this year in four different color options. And most recently, what looks like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 were spotted on the FCC (Federation Communications Commission) platform by 91Mobiles , which suggests a launch is imminent. We've also seen leaked images of the device.

That means the Galaxy Buds 2 could compete with the rumored Apple AirPods 3, which are also projected to debut later this year. As was the case with previous generations, Samsung will likely be looking to undercut Apple’s flagship earbuds when it comes to pricing. We're hoping that these will be able to compete with the best wireless earbuds on the planet.

Cut to the chase

What are they? The next wireless earbuds from Samsung.
When will they be released? Possibly in August 2021
How much will they cost? Likely around the same as the original Samsung Galaxy Buds ($149 / £139 / AU$249).

The original Samsung Galaxy Buds, launched in March 2019, sought to topple the Apple AirPods' monopoly on the true wireless earbuds market. Alongside their successors, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, they make up a wider portfolio of Samsung true wireless earbuds.

Whether the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 will be a successor to the original wireless earbuds or to the newer Galaxy Buds Pro remains to be seen. If they are the latter, we could see a reprisal of features like active noise cancellation and waterproofing; though if they are the former, we might see these more premium features dropped in favor of a cheaper price.

We think it looks more likely that the they'll be the former. The original Samsung Galaxy Buds never had a 'true' follow up, with the Galaxy Buds Plus acting as more of an upgraded version. According to Sammobile, the model number of the rumored Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is 'SM-R177', like most Galaxy Buds models. The Galaxy Buds Pro, on the other hand, come with the model number 'SM-R190', suggesting that the new earbuds won't pick up where the Pro left off.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. (Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 release date

The discovery of code relating to the earbuds in the Samsung Wearable APK was the first suggestion that a release date could be imminent.

More recently, we've heard that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 release date will fall later in 2021, so we may not have long to wait. (Galaxy Club, via Sammobile). In fact, tipster Roland Quandt has said that Samsung is "ramping up production" on the next-gen Galaxy Buds, which means they could be released as soon as August, on the three-year anniversary of the original Galaxy Buds.

One tipster has gone as far as saying that August 11 is the day when the Galaxy Buds 2 and plenty of other Samsung hardware will see the light of day. If they do launch in 2021, they could have some stiff competition in the form of the Apple AirPods 3 (rumored to be launching this year) and the Google Pixel Buds A (already out).

While the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro only launched in January this year, it’s not unlike Samsung to release wireless earbuds in quick succession. Since 2019, the company has released no less than four models in the Galaxy line.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 price

Again, we haven’t heard any rumors as to the price of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, but we can hazard a guess based on previous models.

The most recently released Samsung earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Pro, cost $199 / £219 / AU$349, while their predecessors, the Galaxy Buds Live, cost $169.99 / £179 / AU$319.

If the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are a follow-up model to the Buds Pro, you can expect them to cost around the same price as their predecessors, if not more. However, if Samsung is planning on releasing a more budget-friendly pair of earbuds, they may cost something more like the original Galaxy Buds, which cost $149 / £139 / AU$249. We think it's more likely that the Galaxy Buds 2 will have a similar price to the original Galaxy Buds, especially if Samsung wants to offer an upgraded version of its entry-level true wireless earbuds.

It’s also possible that Samsung will look to undercut its biggest rival – the Apple AirPods cost $159 / £159 / AU$249 at launch, but are regularly discounted.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 design

If the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are the follow up to the original Galaxy Buds, we'd expect them to look similar to their predecessors, with rounded housings, interchangeable eartips, and a slim charging case.

Most recently, we've heard that they'll sport a very similar design to the Galaxy Buds Pro, after a photos of the upcoming buds attached to an FCC filing were revealed.

We've also heard that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 will come in four different colors: black, white, green, and purple. These color options match the rumored color options for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, which are said to be coming in black and green, and green and light violet, respectively.

More recently, we've seen some actual leaked images, including the picture below: you can see how the design follows the template of the Galaxy Buds Pro.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: features

While most of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 leaks and rumors have centered around the design of the earbuds, there are a few features that are said to be coming with the next Samsung buds.

Seasoned tipster @UniverseIce has revealed that the Galaxy Buds 2 will be keeping the active noise reduction of their predecessors, and come with "better sound quality" – an upgrade we would usually expect from a new pair of earbuds.

There's an image attached to this leak as well, though it doesn't really tell us much more about what's on the way. It looks as though the infrared sensors for automatic in-ear wear detection will be kept from the Galaxy Buds Pro, and we won't be seeing a return to the bean-shaped design of the Galaxy Buds Live:

The Galaxy Buds2 has better sound quality and still has active noise reductionMay 28, 2021

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: what we want to see

The company’s latest wireless earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, are its best yet – but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any improvements we’d like to see from the Galaxy Buds 2.

Improved audio quality

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are the best-sounding Samsung buds yet, but they do leave a little to be desired. While their overall presentation is well-balanced, and they do make for a pleasant listening experience, they lack the detail and presence of audiophile-approved earbuds.

If Samsung wants to up its game, the Galaxy Buds 2 should provide more clarity in the mid and high frequencies, as well as a wider, more immersive soundstage.

Support for aptX HD

With the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, you’re limited to lossy SBC and AAC codecs unless you’re using them with a Samsung Galaxy device – which support Samsung’s Scalable Codec technology.

We’d like to see Samsung license aptX HD support from Qualcomm with the Galaxy Buds 2, which would give more widespread support for higher definition, 24-bit wireless audio. This can really make a difference to the audio quality of your music, so it would be a worthy upgrade.

Stronger noise cancellation

Noise cancellation was a welcome addition to the Galaxy Buds Pro, but they can’t compete with the Sony WF-1000XM3. Just wearing them around the house for a few days, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro were able to drastically reduce the sounds of loud air purifiers and humidifiers, but didn’t stand a chance when someone else in the house was playing music. They’re good enough that you won’t be able to hear nearby conversations in another room, but anything louder than someone speaking will be audible through the ANC.

We’d love to see an improvement to the noise cancellation feature with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, and it could make them a real competitor for the likes of Sony’s earbuds, and models like the Apple AirPods Pro.

Ditch Bixby

The only smart assistant the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro supports is Bixby. That means, if you’re tapped into the Google or Apple ecosphere of products, you won’t be able to control them with a hands-free assistant. That’s not a deal-breaker on its own, but we’d like to see Samsung appeal to a wider audience with a voice assistant-agnostic approach to the Galaxy Buds 2.

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 - not Watch Active 3 - could be Samsung's next fitness-centric smartwatch. While the 'Active 3' suffix seems a no-brainer, given the last one was the Watch Active 2, rumors suggest Samsung is skipping the 3.

The Watch Active 2 landed well over a year ago now, and Samsung's scattered smartwatch release schedule has left those clamoring for the next health device empty-handed.

In fact, if the latest rumors are to be believed, this smartwatch is actually going to be called the Galaxy Watch 4, while the wearable we thought was the Galaxy Watch 4 is going to be called the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.

Whatever it's called, we could see it soon though - Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 rumors have been slowly increasing, hinting at an imminent release, perhaps as soon as June and almost certainly by August, at an anticipated product launch where the Watch 4, Galaxy Tab S7 Lite, Galaxy S21 FE, Galazy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 all have a chance at appearing.

A number of things have been leaked and rumored about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 (some of them when we thought it'd be the Active 3), all of which you’ll find below, along with more precise information on the likely release date.

Based on current leaks it sounds like the Galaxy Watch Active 4 could be visibly similar to its predecessor, but with some significantly upgraded internals, which could be enough to make it one of the most exciting smartwatches of the year.

But there’s plenty that we don’t know yet, so we’ve also included a list of all the things we want from the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 was just a minor upgrade on its predecessor, so we want big changes here.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The successor to the Galaxy Watch Active 2
When is it out? August 11 could be the day
What will it cost? Likely at least $279.99 / £269 / AU$549

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 release date and price

It’s unclear exactly when the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 will land. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 was announced in August 2019, so given that a lot of smartwatches release on a yearly schedule it's overdue.

A new Galaxy Watch Active is likely on the way (Image credit: Future)

There is evidence that a new Samsung smartwatch is coming soon though, as wearables with model numbers associated with such a device have recently been spotted.

The model numbers are SM-R86x and SM-R87x, but we can't say for sure whether these are for the Galaxy Watch Active 4, the Galaxy Watch 4, both, or some other wearable altogether.

What's becoming increasingly clear though is that it now looks likely that the Galaxy Watch Active 3 will get skipped entirely (just like the Galaxy Watch 2 was), and that Samsung will start numbering its flagship watch and the Active variant in the same way in the latter half of 2021.

Indeed, a leak from May 2021 calls this wearable the Galaxy Watch Active 4 and says that it's "coming soon", while elsewhere we've heard that it might land by the end of June - perhaps at an event Samsung is holding on June 28. Another tipster suggests that we'll see the wearable launch alongside a bunch of other Samsung devices on August 3, 2021, while the slightly later date of August 11 has also been put forward.

On the other hand, it might be a lot further out - if it lands at all - as Evan Blass (a leaker with a great track record) has suggested that they don't think it's coming anytime soon. They made this claim in late June, 2021, so this is very much at odds with other leaks.

As for the price, the earliest leak there suggests that it will cost less than Rs 30,000 (around $400 / £290 / AU$530).

More recently we've heard that it could cost roughly 350-370 euros (around $425/£310/AU$570) for a 40mm model and 380-400 euros (approximately $460/£335/AU$615) for a 44mm one.

For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 had a starting price of $279.99 / £269 / AU$549, so we’d expect the Watch Active 4 will be at least that much – except perhaps in Australia, which didn’t get the smaller (and therefore cheaper) version of the Watch Active 2, but might well get the smaller Galaxy Watch Active 4.

The Galaxy Watch Active 4 might look a lot like the Active 2 (Image credit: Future)

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 news and leaks

Everything we've written below refers to a watch that we thought would be called the Galaxy Watch Active 3. However, we're now being led to believe that the successor to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be the Galaxy Watch Active 4 – so there won't be a '3' model at all. That would match up with the Galaxy Watch 4.

The biggest claim we've heard here is that an upcoming Samsung wearable might run Wear OS. This was first said by a leaker with a decent track record, but they didn't name the wearable, so it might not be the Galaxy Watch Active 3.

Then, a Samsung wearable codenamed 'Merlot' was spotted alongside mention of Wear OS in some Samsung Galaxy S20 source code. So it's looking very likely that such a device is in the works, but we're still none the wiser from that as to exactly what smartwatch it will launch as.

Samsung's new watch will use Android to replace Tizen.February 19, 2021

Another source has also said that the Galaxy Watch Active 4 will run Wear OS, but that it will be overlaid with a new version of Samsung's One UI, designed to make the interface reminiscent of the one on current Galaxy Watch models. Apparently the wearable might also have a walkie-talkie mode.

Perhaps the biggest news on this front though comes from Google itself, which has announced that the upcoming Wear OS update was made was Samsung's help. That doesn't mean the Watch Active 4 itself will switch to Wear OS, but it seems likely.

Elsewhere we've also specifically heard that both the Galaxy Watch Active 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 might run Wear OS.

This comes from a leaker who also hinted at the colors, saying these wearables would come in the same shades as the next Galaxy Z - which rumors suggest could arrive in black, beige, green, and light violet (or some combination of that, depending on whether they're talking about the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or the Galaxy Z Flip 3).

This source also said the hardware won't be much different to the Galaxy Watch Active 2, and that like that wearable it won't have a rotating bezel.

Indeed, we've now seen unofficial renders of the Galaxy Watch Active 4, one of which you can see below, and they do show a familiar design.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 leak — (Image credit: GizNext / OnLeaks)

It's not identical to the Watch Active 2 in these renders though, with different shaped buttons, a strap that joins the body with no gap, and flatter sides. The source of these images also claims that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 will come in black, silver, green and gold shades, and in the same 40mm and 44mm sizes as its predecessor.

We'd also previously heard that it might not look much different to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Like that wearable it might apparently come in both aluminum and stainless steel versions, and in black, silver and gold colors (with the stainless steel model only available in silver and gold).

Another source has also said to expect aluminum and stainless steel models, but with smaller bezels than the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and - perhaps most excitingly - a new 5nm chipset, which could make for an enormous upgrade in power and efficiency. They also say it will run TizenWear OS, which isn't something we've heard of by name before, but sounds a lot like Google and Samsung's redesigned Wear OS.

Some leaks also point to there being two different screen sizes (supposedly 40mm and 42mm - making this smaller in the top size than the Watch Active 2, though this is at odds with a leak above), but with a bigger 330mAh battery in the smaller model (up from 247mAh in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2).

It’s possible that there would also therefore be a bigger battery in the 42mm model, but we don’t know how much bigger yet, and given that this would be a smaller screen and case than the 44mm Watch Active 2 there might actually not be.

It has also been reported that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 will have 8GB of storage, which is double the 4GB in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.

In terms of features, we've heard an upcoming Samsung wearable will have a glucometer for measuring blood sugar levels. It's not clear if this is the Galaxy Watch Active 3 or Galaxy Watch 4 - maybe both - but as a health-related feature, it seems a good fit for the Watch Active.

What we want to see

There are a number of things we’d like Samsung to change, upgrade, and add for the Galaxy Watch Active 4. The following seven are the main ones.

1. An ECG on day one

The Watch Active 2 has an ECG, but it hasn't been activated yet (Image credit: Future)

Technically the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 already has an ECG (electrocardiogram), but despite being advertised at launch, at the time of writing it has still not been activated.

So while we fully expect the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 to have ECG hardware, we also want the software to be functioning from day one.

2. More third-party apps

While no wearables are home to the same sort of app selection as you get on smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is particularly lacking.

That’s thanks to Samsung using Tizen, which has a smaller app offering than Wear OS, which is in turn more limited than watchOS.

We’re not sure how much Samsung can do about this, but it could probably work to incentivize developers to make apps for the platform, so we’d like to see it try.

3. A rotating bezel or crown

The Samsung Galaxy Watch has a rotating bezel (Image credit: Future)

With the limited space available on smartwatches, a physical rotating bezel or crown can be a great alternative to swiping across the screen to navigate the interface, but this isn’t offered by the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Sure, there’s a digital dial, which is better than nothing, but this still involves interacting with the screen. So for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 we’d like to see this moved external.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch already has a rotating bezel, so imitating that would be an obvious option, but a rotating crown might be better – it’s a more compact solution, and would help differentiate the two devices.

4. More power

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has an Exynos 9110 chipset, which, while not exactly slow, is the same as you’ll find in both the original Samsung Galaxy Watch Active and the Samsung Galaxy Watch, so the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 could really do with a new chipset.

An upgrade in RAM wouldn’t go amiss either, so that the Galaxy Watch Active 4 feels like a slick, speedy, flagship device.

5. More accurate exercise tracking

The Watch Active 2 is great for some exercises, less so for others (Image credit: Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is packed full of exercise-tracking features, but not everything is measured accurately. In our review we found that it struggled with certain exercises, despite having modes for them, with crunches for example only being registered when the hand (and therefore also the Watch Active 2) was extended far over the knees.

If an activity can’t be tracked reliably then there’s arguably not much point in tracking it at all, so we’d like to see this improved for the next model.

6. Make it fit for diving

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 can survive and even track a swim, but it’s not suited to diving, which, while not unusual, does slightly limit it in a pool.

So for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 we’d like to see its water resistance upgraded so that you won’t have to take it off before jumping in. Better yet, we’d like to see Samsung add a specific dive-tracking mode as well.

7. Better battery life

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has a respectable two days of battery life. That’s enough for it to have the Apple Watch 5 beat, but it’s no match for the likes of the Fitbit Versa 2, which is a key rival, so we’d like to be able to get at least another day out of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4.

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Latest Tech News

It looks like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 that we were expecting will actually launch as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, while the Galaxy Watch Active 4 will launch as the Galaxy Watch 4. Confusing possible name changes aside, it's the Classic that we're talking about here – Samsung's next stylish, premium smartwatch.

The latest news suggests Samsung's two wearable lines, which have previously alternated in release, could launch together in 2021, while still sporting distinct designs and features.

This is just the latest of plentiful leaks and rumors that have emerged about the next top-tier Samsung smartwatch, and you’ll find them all below. Then further down you'll find our wish list of all the key improvements that we want from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.

From features that actually work on day one to a better app situation, there's a lot that could be improved for Samsung's next smartwatch, as you'll see below. There are a host of things that we wished were better on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, and we outline what's left to improve on the new smartwatch.

We've also included an educated guess at when we’re likely to see the Galaxy Watch 4 – and what it might cost.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The next top-end smartwatch from Samsung
When is it out? Perhaps August 11
How much will it cost? We're not sure, but probably a lot

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 release date and price

Samsung has confirmed that the next Galaxy Watch will be unveiled "this summer", which presumably means July, August or September.

Of those, August is perhaps the most likely, as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 was announced on August 21 of 2020. There wasn’t a Galaxy Watch 2, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 was announced on August 5 of 2019, and the original Samsung Galaxy Watch was unveiled on August 9 of 2018.

Plus, a recent leak hints that August 3 is going to be the big day – and that the Galaxy Watch 4 will appear alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, among other devices. Another tipster says that August 11 will be the date.

Whenever it’s announced, it will probably be another two weeks or so from then to when it’s actually released, so don’t expect to have the Galaxy Watch 4 on your wrist before late August.

As for what the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 might cost, there's one leak there, suggesting a price of between 470-500 euros (roughly $575/£416/AU$765) for a 42mm model, and between 500-530 euros (around $610/£440/AU$815) for a 46mm one. That's for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, but that's what we're now expecting the Galaxy Watch 4 to launch as.

There may be a watch that's actually called the Galaxy Watch 4 too, but that's now thought to be the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 in all but name. In any case, that one could start at around 350-370 euros (roughly $425/£310/AU$570) according to this leak.

For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 starts at $399 / £399 / AU$649 for the smaller 41mm model, and $429 / £419 / AU$699 for the larger 45mm one, with the price rising in both cases if you want LTE connectivity, so a price rise is looking likely for the upcoming model.

News and leaks

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 4 will run its new One UI Watch interface, which will be overlaid on top of the new version of Wear OS that the company has built with Google.

Samsung has also detailed some aspects of the software, saying for example that this will include access to the Google Play Store and Google apps, plus faster app load times and more accurate sensor readings.

If you pair the wearable with a Galaxy smartphone then you'll also benefit from things like apps being automatically put on your wearable when they're installed on your phone.

Prior to this announcement, the presence of this new operating system had been extensively rumored by numerous leakers, including in the tweet below from February, and there was even evidence of this found in Samsung source code, so it doesn't come as much of a surprise.

Samsung's new watch will use Android to replace Tizen.February 19, 2021

We've also heard the Wear OS claim from another source, who adds that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will have a similar design to its predecessor, complete with a rotating bezel, and that it will be available in the same colors as 2021's "Galaxy Z."

That last bit is deeply unclear, both because no Galaxy Z models have launched yet this year, and because it's not clear whether they mean the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 or the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

However, rumored colors for those phones include black and green for the Fold 3, and black, beige, green, and light violet for the Flip 3.

We've now seen leaked renders that appear to show the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic - which is what we're talking about here, though there's a chance it will still launch as just the Galaxy Watch 4.

You can see these below, and they show a rotating bezel, two large buttons on the right edge, and a choice of white, grey or black colors. Details mentioned alongside the renders include a choice of 42mm, 44mm and 46mm sizes, the use of standard 20mm watch straps, a choice of aluminum or stainless steel cases, and both 5ATM water resistance and MIL-STD-810G certification.

Image 1 of 2

Leaked Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic renders showing it in white, grey and black shades — (Image credit: Android Headlines)

Image 2 of 2

Leaked Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic render showing it in grey — (Image credit: Android Headlines)

We've also seen leaked renders supposedly showing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, some of which you can see below. These show a sporty-looking watch that was previously thought to be the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4, but is now rumored to be dropping the Active from its name.

It's worth noting that this probably isn't the 'Galaxy Watch 4' that we're mostly talking about in this article (which is now thought to be launching as the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic instead) but as there's still some uncertainty we've included them.

Image 1 of 2

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 leak — (Image credit: 91mobiles)

Image 2 of 2

In other design news, we could see the Galaxy Watch 4 have to change its shape and size to accommodate batteries from a new supplier. It's yet to be seen if there are any benefits to the battery being changed, though it's most likely part of an agreement between Samsung and ATL - who partnered up in 2019 again after the companies cut ties in 2017 over Galaxy Note 7 fires.

Speaking of the battery, a certification listing out of Finland mentions a 247mAh battery. That's the same size the 41mm Galaxy Watch 3's battery, and suggests that the larger Galaxy Watch 4 will also match its predecessor at 340mAh. The listing also mentions 5W charging.

One rumor also suggests an upcoming Samsung Galaxy smartwatch will have a glucometer, for measuring the blood sugar of the wearer. It's not clear if this is for the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch Active 3, or both.

Another leak explicitly states that the previous one is wrong, though and that the Watch 4 won't have a glucometer, so maybe it won't.

Another rumored health feature is a BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) sensor, which could allow the wearable to measure your body fat and muscle mass. Only one leaker has talked about this so far, but there aren't any conflicting reports, so it's certainly possible.

We've also heard that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 may come in 42mm and 46mm sizes, both of which are 1mm bigger than the options on the Galaxy Watch 3.

It might have a major power boost too, as the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 is rumored to have a powerful new 5nm chipset, and if the Active 4 has that we'd expect the standard Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 would as well.

Beyond all that, there are a few things that we can predict. Based on previous models it’s likely that the Galaxy Watch 4 will be available in two different sizes, optionally come with LTE, and in all cases come with a heart rate monitor, an ECG, GPS, and a circular AMOLED screen.

It will also almost certainly come with a variety of exercise and activity tracking features, along with a swim-safe build.

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 switching to Wear OS doesn't make sense right now

What we want to see

As excellent as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is, there’s always room for improvement, and we think Samsung would do well to start with the following five things.

1. Better battery life

Battery life is a problem with a lot of smart devices, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is no exception. While its life isn’t terrible, it does need charging every two to three days in our tests.

Worse still, the size of the battery and the life it delivers are both actually a step down from the original Samsung Galaxy Watch, so for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 we want to see a return to form, with a battery that can go four to five days between charges.

That might be tricky while keeping the wearable slim, but if any company can do it it’s one with the resources of Samsung.

2. A lower price

With a starting price of $399 / £399 / AU$649 and a price of $479 / £459 / AU$849 for a 45mm model with LTE, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is far from cheap. In fact, its starting price is higher than that of an Apple Watch 6 in many regions, which seems excessive.

So for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 we want a lower starting price, perhaps more in line with the original Galaxy Watch, which started at $329 / £279. At the very least though we really hope Samsung doesn’t further push the price up.

3. ECG and SpO2 out of the box

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is packed full of health features, including an ECG (electrocardiogram), blood pressure monitoring, and an SpO2 monitor for detecting sleep apnea, but none of them were available in all regions at launch.

That’s because these features each need certifying by regulatory bodies in most countries before being activated in them, but it was a shame to have a premium product where many of its advertised features didn’t initially work.

So for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 we want these features to still be included, but we want them all to be active everywhere on day one.

4. More apps

For its Galaxy Watch wearables Samsung has opted to use Tizen, rather than Wear OS. That’s not entirely a bad thing since Tizen has a lot to like about it, but one area where it struggles even more than Google’s smartwatch operating system is apps.

As well as only offering a rather limited number of apps, it also lacks some of the most useful smartwatch ones, such as Google Maps.

We’d love to see this situation somehow improved for the Galaxy Watch 4, whether it’s through Samsung somehow incentivizing developers to bring more apps to its device, or producing more and better apps of its own to make up for the omissions.

5. A new chipset and more RAM

Smartwatch specs don’t move on as fast as smartphone ones do, which is why the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 uses the same chipset as the original Galaxy Watch. Not only that, but it also has less RAM (at just 1GB) than the LTE version of the first Samsung Galaxy Watch.

While performance is solid, it’s definitely time Samsung improved both the chipset and RAM situation, so we want a new one of the former and at least 1.5GB of the latter in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 could be Samsung's next foldable phone, and a launch would now seem to be imminent - the Galaxy S21 launch on January 14 didn't bring with it any foldables, but Samsung's flagships have now had some time in the spotlight, so we're due another device.

It's over a year since we saw the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, which is another indicator that it might not be too long before the successor comes. That was the company's first 'clamshell' style folding device, and this is set to be the second.

So why doesn't this article concern the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2? Well, we've heard it's not going to be called that, and we'll explain more in a section below.

What, then, do we know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3? More and more rumors and leaks are coming in all the time. Before the grand Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 reveal, we've listed everything we know about it below, including details on its confusing name.

Cut to the chase

What is it? A 'clamshell' foldable phone from Samsung
When is it out? August 11, 2021... possibly
How much will it cost? Expect around $1,380 / £1,300 / AU$1,800

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 release date and price

As stated in the introduction to this article, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 could land soon, since it's now over a year since the first model launched.

Of course, that might not end up being right, and we could see a launch later in the year. Early rumors suggested 'late 2021' is when we should expect the Flip successor, while July has also been suggested from more than one source.

While a leaked Samsung launch roadmap running up late August didn't mention the Z Flip 3, we've since heard that it might well arrive in August. That would make sense with the Samsung Galaxy Note 21 likely canceled, a phone that normally launches during that month. One report says August 3 is going to be the big day, while another tipster has gone for August 11, and a recent leak says the phone is now in mass production.

We've also heard that it will probably land alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, which itself is probably going to get an August launch.

We've also heard that it might run a new version of Samsung's One UI though, which probably wouldn't land until the second half of the year, so don't expect the phone soon.

Regarding price, we'll may see a similar cost to the original Galaxy Z Flip, which sold for $1,380 / £1,300 / AU$1,800. That said, one source suggests it will be significantly cheaper than the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, which launched for the $1,449 / £1,399 / AU$2,599, which could mean it's also cheaper than the original Z Flip. Another rumor suggests the US price will be $1,400 (around £1,010 / AU$1,865).

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 or Z Flip 2?

Naturally, you'd expect the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip would be the Galaxy Z Flip 2... right?

In practice that might not be right, as we've heard the next phone could be the Galaxy Z Flip 3. This comes from Dutch website GalaxyClub, which has a mixed record on providing accurate information.

It seems the reasoning for the naming change is because the 5G equivalent of the Galaxy Z Flip was technically the 'Flip 2', so this new version is the 'Flip 3'.

In addition, GalaxyClub states the company is doing it to bring the Flip line on par with the numbers of the Fold line, with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 the next release there.

More recently, LetsGoDigital has echoed these claims, saying that it's heard from "several reliable sources" that the phone will be called the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

That said, sometimes many pre-launch rumors and leaks say the same thing and we take it for granted, until the launch comes and proves us wrong. It's very possible this will happen with the new Galaxy Z Flip model (as indeed it did with the Samsung Galaxy S21, which many people thought would be the Galaxy S30).

We'll have to wait until the next foldable phone comes out to know for sure.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip news and rumors

We might have had our first proper look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 courtesy of some leaked marketing material, some of which you can see below.

The images and accompanying information reveal a new two-tone design (apparently in dark green, light violet, beige, grey, black, pink, dark blue and white shades), along with a much larger secondary screen than on its predecessor.

Those colors have also been mentioned previously, so they're likely accurate. They've also appeared in a batch of renders leaked by GizNext, which gave some of the first potential looks at the Z Flip 3, reaffirming the two-toned look:

But other rumors have actually shown alleged photos of the phones themselves:

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 leak — (Image credit: @TheGalox_)

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Some Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 renders are also out in the open, and you might have seen them, but don't be fooled - they're not official. Instead, they were made by LetsGoDigital based on specs and image leaks, to try and get a clear picture of what the foldable phone could look like.

Samsung Z Flip 3 with Galaxy S21 camera design👀https://ift.tt/35xTZTZ you Tron @FrontTron for the tip!#Samsung #GalaxyZFlip3 #SamsungZFlip3 pic.twitter.com/myHbOQwHJIJanuary 8, 2021

Another Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2 leak - that's what the leaker called it - suggested it'll have a 3-inch screen on the outside of the device, and a 6.7-inch one when opened up. While the main screen is the same size as that on the original Flip, that phone only had a 1.1-inch cover screen, so we could see a big improvement in that department.

That leak, and several others, also says the Z Flip 2 will have a bigger battery than the 3,300mAh one in the original Flip. There are no bets on the new size though.

It sounds like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 could work with Samsung's S Pen. This comes from a trademark filing that hints at compatibility with the mobile stylus. It's not clear if the phone will be designed around this functionality, like a Galaxy Note phone, or simply be compatible with the stick, like the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

According to one leak, the next Galaxy Z Flip will have a redesigned hinge, and improved display material, to its predecessor. These are the two main components of a foldable phone, so it seems Samsung is aiming for a more durable device.

Backing up that idea of durability is the news that Samsung has registered the trademark 'Armor Frame'. The filing doesn't go into much detail, but it's possible that the Z Flip 3 could come with a much stronger material around the edges.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 might be better able to resist the elements too, as sources suggest it will have an IP rating, meaning some amount of water and dust resistance, though they didn't know how much.

We've also heard that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 might have a triple-lens camera, smaller bezels, and come in black, beige, green and purple colors.

Elsewhere, we've heard that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 could come in 128GB and 256GB storage sizes, as well as running Android 11. 128GB is less than the Galaxy Z Flip comes with, which could mean a lower starting price.

Indeed, we have also heard rumors of a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Lite, and it's possible this affordable foldable phone actually is the Z Flip 2 or 3, with the next phone designed to hit a lower price point than the one we've currently got.

What we want to see in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

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Latest Tech News

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 didn't appear at the Galaxy S21 launch on January 14, nor at the Unpacked event unveiling the mid-range Galaxy A52 5G in March, but that doesn't mean it's not coming – we're just having to bide our time before Samsung's next big foldable phone is out.

We've been hearing rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 for a while now, so it's almost definitely in development, and it's very likely to be Samsung's next top-tier foldable phone.

Other phones coming soon

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 21
Nokia 10
iPhone Flip
iPhone 13

The Fold 3 follows on from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, which was officially released in September 2020 and which crucially improved on the original Galaxy Fold’s durability issues and got a much bigger front screen. So what’s left to improve?

Foldables are in their early days, and they’re still working out the issues of folding displays, battery life, and multi-screen software. Given how bulky they are, future foldables might be slimmer, lighter, and less cumbersome to use one-handed.

Samsung could be making many of these general improvements, but the rumor mill has suggested several more specific upgrades the Z Fold 3 could implement – including, at long last, an S Pen stylus. Given we’re also expecting a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, more productivity-focused features make sense for the Z Fold 3, especially since we're hearing that Samsung probably won't release a Note phone in 2021.

Here’s all the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 leaks and rumors we’ve heard, along with what we want to see out of Samsung’s next flagship foldable.

Cut to the chase

What is it? Samsung's next big folding phone
When is it out? August 11, 2021... maybe
What will it cost? Expect $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,999 and up

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 release date and price

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 — (Image credit: Future)

A recent rumor has put the Galaxy Z Fold 3 launch date somewhere in August, which would make sense in terms of it filling a gap left by the Note 21. Two tipsters have gone as far as naming a specific day: one says August 3, while the other says August 11.

We've also heard that components for the phone entered mass production on June 1, suggesting a launch around two to three months later, so either July or August would fit with that. The phone itself is now apparently rolling off production lines.

We've also heard that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 could run One UI 3.5 - software which itself is unlikely to land until the second half of the year.

We've also seen a leaked Samsung product launch roadmap that runs up to late August, and there's no sign of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 anywhere on it. That might mean we won't see it before late August, although the roadmap looks like it's probably incomplete, so don't count on having to wait quite that long.

The Z Fold 3 may not even be the next Samsung foldable though, as we could see the clamshell Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 launch first, given their alternating release schedules. With a rumored late-2021 release date for that, though, it's anyone's guess which foldable comes out first.

As for the price, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 cost a whopping $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,999, so expect a similar price for the Z Fold 3, especially as there's been a suggestion that it will be very expensive.

That said, SamMobile suggests that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 could be up to 20% cheaper than it predecessor, meaning the price might be more like $1,600 / £1,440 / AU$2,400. We've also since heard elsewhere that the price might be slightly lower than the Z Fold 2's.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 rumors and leaks

Design and display

Leaked marketing materials have shown what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 might look like, and they show three cameras on the back, and list it as coming in black, silver, green and beige shades - though a more recent leak suggests the beige shade has been renamed to 'cream'.

The marketing materials also mention both the S Pen and an under-display camera, and the source of these images additionally claims that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will have flat aluminum sides and be protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 leak — (Image credit: @TheGalox_)

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We've also now seen clearer leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, from two different sources. Some of these images can be seen below.

They show a phone in black, navy and pink shades, with a triple-lens camera on the back, a punch-hole camera on the cover screen, and likely an under-display camera on the front.

While we'd take these with a pinch of salt, we reckon the design is probably more or less accurate, especially as they line up with each other and other leaks.

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A third leak has also now shown off the same design, as well as mentioning that the phone will apparently have a 7.5-inch AMOLED 120Hz foldable screen, a 6.2-inch cover display, and dimensions of 158.1 x 64.8 x 14.5mm when folded, and 158.1 x 128.1 x 6.6mm when unfolded.

Elsewhere, we've heard that there might be two Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 models. The source doesn't say what's different about them, but claims that they'll both support 5G. We have however heard of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Lite, so they might be talking about that.

It's possible that one of these Galaxy Z Fold 3s could sport a smaller outer screen. At a supposed 5.4-inches, it would be significantly smaller than the outer display on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 (6.23-inches) so we're more than a little skeptical. However, a smaller screen could hint again at a cheaper Lite model.

That said, another source has since echoed claims of a smaller outer display, adding that this would be to leave room for an S Pen slot, which seems believable.

The standard model might also get a slight reduction in size though, with a report claiming it will have a 7.5-inch main screen (down from 7.6 inches on the Z Fold 2), and a 6.2-inch cover display.

Elsewhere we've heard that the Z Fold 3 might be around 13g lighter than the Z Fold 2 (making it roughly 269g), which would make sense if the battery was smaller as has been rumored (more on which below). We've also heard that it might have an IP rating - meaning some amount of water and dust resistance.

Could the Z Fold 3 also come with a super-strong outer frame, perhaps made of titanium or carbon? The fact that Samsung just applied to register the trademark 'Armor Frame' suggests that it might.

In more unlikely possibilities, according to a patent (shown below), Samsung is working on a foldable without any physical, protruding buttons – input is handled by gestures, swipes and capacitive buttons built into the casing. Whether this technology is going to be ready for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 remains to be seen.

Camera and battery

One feature the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 might get is an in-screen camera, something we've heard several times now from a variety of sources, which also say that it's likely to be the first Samsung phone to have one. A Samsung official has reportedly even said as much now - though the feature may apparently not make it if it degrades the screen or photo quality.

Speaking of photo quality, don't get your hopes up – a recent leak suggests that the three cameras on board the Z Fold 3 will be very similar to those on the Z Fold 2, apart from that one embedded in the screen.

Indeed, that source has since followed up that claim with a list of cameras that sound almost completely identical to those on the Z Fold 2. That includes a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 12MP telephoto, offering 2x optical zoom, plus a 10MP cover camera. The only listed difference is a 16MP selfie camera on the foldable screen - and it's this one that's apparently under the display.

The same megapixel counts have been mentioned by another source too, though they didn't specify what purpose each lens serves.

As for the battery, a report points to a slightly smaller 4,380mAh battery (down from 4,500mAh on the Z Fold 2).

A battery for a phone believed to be the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has also now been certified, and it comes in at an even smaller 4,275mAh. Also in battery news, a 25W charger has been certified for the phone, suggesting that's the highest charging speed you'll get.

Specs and features

One of the biggest features we've heard about is support for the S Pen – the same stylus in the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 family and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus – that a patent suggests is coming in a future Samsung foldable phone, which could refer to the Z Fold 3.

This S Pen compatibility has also been teased by Samsung itself, strongly leading credence to the idea that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will work with the company's styli.

Another report supports the reasoning that an S Pen may come to the Z Fold 3, while also suggesting some display changes that may need to be made to get stylus functionality. First, Samsung may switch screen technologies from electromagnetic resonance (EMR) to active electrostatic solution (AES) to better register stylus input; and second, that the ultra thin glass (UTG) may be twice as thick as on the Z Fold 2, from 30 micrometers to 60 micrometers.

There’s also a rumor that the Z Fold series will combine with the Note series to make a single productivity-focused phone line, ultimately condensing Samsung’s annual flagships to just the S- series and the stylus-packing foldable Z Fold line. A Samsung official has reportedly said similar, saying that the Z Fold 3 will get a stylus while the Note range will be discontinued.

This would be sad news for Note fans – though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has launched with stylus support anyway for folks who won’t want to wait for a foldable.

We've also heard that - unsurprisingly - the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 could have at least 256GB of storage and run Android 11 overlaid with Samsung's One UI 3.5, though one source says there could also be a 512GB model.

Continuing the specs rumors, one reliable source says that the foldable phone is going to come running a "top secret" chipset – which makes us think it won't be the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100, which aren't secret at all. That said, the same source has since said that actually it probably will have the Snapdragon 888.

We've also heard from multiple other sources that the Snapdragon 888 will be used, so this seems likely. The same sources also mention 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 could help you monitor your health too, as a patent suggests it might have both an ECG and a blood pressure monitor.

And rounding out the rumors is a fun one: a patent suggests a future foldable phone will get a light strip on its hinge. Inscribed hinges are so Galaxy Z Fold 2, we want RGB on our Z Fold 3.

What we want to see

What do we want to see Samsung bring to its next big foldable phone? We've put together a few improvements we'd like to see Samsung introduce on the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

1. More onboard storage

The Z Fold 2 is a powerful phone with the best specs on the market – aside from its storage. With a maximum 256GB and no tray for a microSD card to expand its space, users had no choice but to deal with it.

Even giving the option for a 512GB or 1TB storage option would be acceptable, with a microSD slot ideal, but 256GB feels criminal for a device that’s supposed to be so central to your personal and professional lives.

2. Easier one-handed use

The Z Fold 2 is an impressive phone, but they really need two hands to use properly – even when closed and using the 6.2-inch external screen, its 16.8mm thickness, about twice that of most other phones, is tough to use one-handed.

Unfolded is a whole different story, of course, since it’s even more difficult to manhandle a 7.6-inch display with one hand. But it would be nice to have an easier way to pry open the device without needing both hands.

3. Better cameras

The Z Fold 2 has a decent spread of cameras, but it misses out on the powerful shooters on Samsung’s other phones. The trio of rear 12MP cameras (main, ultra-wide, telephoto) don’t measure up to the Samsung S20 Ultra’s 108MP main and 48MP 4x optical telephoto lenses, which combine for their stunning 100x Space Zoom capability. More of that in the Z Fold 3, please.

4. Better multi-screen capabilities

If there’s one thing we’ve seen with 2020’s wilder phones, it’s inspiring new features. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, for instance, let you keep the phone open at an angle to, say, voice chat without needing to prop the phone up. Or the LG Wing 5G, which allows you to record video from the front and rear cameras at the same time.

We’d love to see some inventive uses of both the display and the six (!) cameras in the Z Fold 2, especially if the Z Fold 3 ends up packing more shooters.

5. Longer battery life

Despite being around twice the size of a typical smartphone, the Z Fold 2 has a 4,500mAh battery, which has been surpassed by even budget phones like the Moto G8 Power and its 5,000mAh battery.

With the extra screen and 5G connectivity, a bigger battery would certainly be welcome, or at the very least, faster charging times than the 25W max in the Z Fold 2.

What we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy Note 21

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Sunday, July 4, 2021

Cut to the chase

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 release date

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 price

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 design

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: features

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: what we want to see

Cut to the chase

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 release date and price

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 4 news and leaks

What we want to see

1. An ECG on day one

2. More third-party apps

3. A rotating bezel or crown

4. More power

5. More accurate exercise tracking

6. Make it fit for diving

7. Better battery life

Cut to the chase

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 release date and price

News and leaks

What we want to see

1. Better battery life

2. A lower price

3. ECG and SpO2 out of the box

4. More apps

5. A new chipset and more RAM

Cut to the chase

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 release date and price

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 or Z Flip 2?

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip news and rumors

Cut to the chase

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 release date and price

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 rumors and leaks

Design and display

Camera and battery

Specs and features

What we want to see

1. More onboard storage

2. Easier one-handed use

3. Better cameras

4. Better multi-screen capabilities

5. Longer battery life

Saturday, July 3, 2021