Samsung’s new round smartwatch that we’ve seen in patent drawings (dubbed Orbis) is sure to be a luxury smartwatch for those that don’t want to compromise on looks and functionality. But what about the power behind this new luxury timepiece? Will raw power turn tech heads?
Samsung seems to be prepared to answer that question in the affirmative: according to a reputable source, Samsung is bringing its Exynos 7420 processor (the same one placed in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge) to its round smartwatch. Keep in mind that the Exynos 7420 processor is an octa-core, as opposed to the dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor found in Samsung’s latest smartwatch, the Gear S.
What is the purpose behind this? Why place an octa-core processor chip into a small, mobile gadget like a smartwatch? The answer, in two words, is “battery life.” Samsung’s Gear S achieves 1-2 days of battery life for normal usage, while users who utilize the device’s Power Saving Mode can achieve 3-4 days of battery life with light usage. The Power Saving Mode on the Gear S does what the Ultra Power Saving Mode does on the Galaxy S5, Note 4, and now S6 and S6 edge: it turns off the screen and all functions you’re not using in order to conserve battery life.
If Samsung does place the octa-core processor into the new smartwatch, buyers will have 4-5 days of battery with moderate usage instead of light usage (provided most of the cores are disabled at all times). One-week battery life has been the desire of smartwatch buyers in the smartwatch’s young history, with only Pebble being the manufacturer able to meet consumer demand (with an E-ink, not an OLED, display). Apple’s below-average, 18-hour promise in the Apple Watch leaves much to be desired, notwithstanding the Apple Watch’s price tag.
The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge have taken consumers by surprise. And for those who buy Samsung regardless, longer battery life will produce the same optimistic response. The round Orbis smartwatch is expected to debut at the CTIA in Las Vegas, Nevada (Sept. 9-11, 2015) and, like its predecessor, will run on Tizen.
