Rumors, leaks, and what we want to see

Also see: Samsung Galaxy Watch: Everything you need to know about

Will there be a Galaxy Watch 5?

In this twilight zone of a year, it might seem like yesterday that Samsung’s current flagship smartwatch arrived. In reality, the launch of the next generation is already around the corner. A series of leaks have essentially confirmed that a Galaxy Watch 5 is in the works. The real question is how the company will follow up the success of its previous generation and what innovations Samsung has planned to stay ahead of the curve.

When will the Galaxy Watch 5 release date be?

Previous generations of the Galaxy Watch line have arrived each year in August. In 2019, we got the Galaxy Watch Active 2  rather than a direct successor to the Galaxy Watch. However, in 2020 Samsung returned to its August launch date with the Galaxy Watch 3.

We expect the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 to follow suit and arrive sometime this upcoming August. That means the device is likely only a few months away and, more importantly, will beat the highly anticipated Pixel Watch to users’ wrists.

Our verdict: Galaxy Watch 4 review | Galaxy Watch 3 review | Galaxy Watch review

What features and specs will the Galaxy Watch 5 have?

There has already been plenty of speculation about what we can expect from the next Galaxy Watch and we have no doubt that more leaks and rumors are coming. We’ll keep this coverage updated as we learn more.

Design

We loved the two-prong approach of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Luckily, leaks suggest the next generation will see multiple models as well. So far, specifics have been a bit convoluted, with early rumors suggesting two models and a more recent leak suggesting three.

Originally, SamMobile suggested that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 would be nixing the line’s Classic version and instead offering two models, a Galaxy Watch 5 and a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Roughly two weeks later, GalaxyClub reported their discovery that Samsung is developing three versions of the device under different iterations of the codename “Heart.” These include Heart-S, a 40 or 42 version with a model number SM-R90x, Heart-L a larger 44 or 46 mm version with model number SM-R91x, and Heart-Pro, a single-sized version with model number SM-R92x.

These coded projects seemingly confirm that a Pro model is on the table as well as two other models. Rumors have been light on what might make the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro “pro” but we’d hope to see upscale design features and high-end materials like those found on the 4 Classic. Early Galaxy Watch 5 Pro rumors suggested a much larger battery as well, but this has not yet been verified.

Longer battery life

If Samsung increases the Galaxy Watch 5’s battery capacity to 276mAh as rumored, users should be looking at longer use time between charges. That being said, other factors affect battery life, including display resolution, so it’s not yet possible to say if we’ll feel the increase outright.

Further reading: It’s high time smartwatch buyers demand a week of battery

Body temperature sensor

Rumors about upcoming wearables aren’t always accurate, but in this case, we’re crossing our fingers: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 may also introduce a thermometer function. According to ETNews, this feature would not only be useful for detecting early signs of COVID-19 but it would also be valuable for women tracking their cycles.

Unfortunately, trusted resource Ming-Chi Kuo has voiced some doubts about the plausibility of Samsung getting this sensor ready for launch. He states that algorithm limitations will likely keep it on the shelf for now. This would be disappointing for sure, but at this point, it’s too uncertain to say the possibility should be put to rest.

See also: The best smartwatches for women

What will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 price be?

• Galaxy Watch: $329
• Galaxy Watch 3: $399
• Galaxy Watch 4: $249
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic: $349

The values above reflect the starting price tag for each previous generation of the Galaxy Watch when it launched. Depending on the size and LTE capabilities users selected, pricing rose from there.

With inflation and Pro models to consider, it’s hard to predict where the Galaxy Watch 5 will ring up. We’d hazard to guess it will fall somewhere between the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 3. If a Pro model arrives, it’s possible that it will bookend the pricing spectrum around $399, while the other models are priced much lower.

What we want to see

There are a few other changes we hope Samsung brings to the new lineup. These are in addition to longer battery life (and faster charging), as well as some of the rumored improvements discussed above.

Less exclusivity

Both older Wear OS watches and past generations of the Galaxy Watch worked with iPhones, but the Galaxy Watch 4 jumped ship. We know most Apple users will opt for the Apple Watch 7 anyway, but who doesn’t like options?

More unfortunate is that some of the device’s most exciting health-tracking features only work if it is paired with a Samsung smartphone. Other Android users do not have access to the ECG, which requires the Samsung Health Monitor app. Blood pressure measurements are also exclusive to Samsung smartphones. We hope to see a Galaxy Watch 5 with tools that all Android users can tap into. If it’s not too much to ask, we’d be happy to include iPhone users too.

Read more: The best Android phones you can buy

More Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 styles

We would definitely be on board for the rumored multi-model availability rumored above. However, we would also love to see more band styles and bolder colors from the company. Third-party bands offer users every option from metal and leather to nylon and resin. Luckily, these are often quite affordable. However, more exciting out-of-the-box looks would be fun to see including additional case colors. Is it too much to ask that smaller wrists at least get the same green option as big wrists?

And on a related note, we are definitely hoping for band compatibility between the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5, because we’re well-stocked.

Those were all the things we want to see on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, but what are some of your expectations? Drop us a line in the comments section. Also, take our poll above to tell us which upgrade matters to you the most.