For several months, reports have hinted at a new Samsung wearable that’s different than what the company has released in the past. Although we know it won’t be the Gear S4, new information suggests it will be more of a mix between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch. Here’s what we think we know about the Samsung Gear Sport.
Design
In August, a new Samsung wearable bearing the model number SM-R600 passed through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) product database. It was labeled as a “wrist device” with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and an accompanying sketch showed what appeared to be a square-shaped watch face with curved edges.
It’s likely the same device about which Samsung surveyed SmartLab Plus members earlier this year. In the survey, Samsung described the Gear Sport as a smartwatch with a smaller body and thinner watch straps than the Gear S3 and Gear Fit 2 — as something that you could wear all day at work and then afterward at the gym. It’s designed to provide maximum comfort, the survey said, with a modular body that’s water-resistant “to the point where it is swim proof, allowing all forms of fitness tracking.”
Activity-tracking software
Samsung’s SmartLab Plus survey hinted at more than just the Gear Sport’s design. It also described its software.
The Gear Sport is mainly focused on weight or calorie management, activity tracking, active sports, and coaching, the survey said. Users will see a revamped interface, which includes notifications and improved widgets that are easier to read at a glance. Building on what Samsung has on its existing products, Smart Inactivity — a feature reminding users to get up when they are being too inactive — will also make an appearance.
Release date and availability
The Gear Sport’s release is still a mystery, but the FCC filing’s timing suggests it could be less than a month away. Historically, Samsung has announced new Gear devices at the IFA electronics conference in Berlin, Germany, so we expect to learn more about the Gear Sport there.
