Samsung switching to Android Wear (Watch OS) for its smartwatches?
Trademark applications filed by Samsung had suggested the possibility of the company moving to the Galaxy branding for its wearable devices, perhaps to unify its product lineups across the smartphone and wearable categories, but a new rumor is hinting that it may not be just a name change. According to leakster Ice universe, Samsung may be switching to Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) for the Gear S4, or whatever flagship smartwatch it launches later this year. The company is already adopting Android Go in the budget smartphone segment, so maybe a similar move is on the cards for its wearables as well?
Wear OS in, Tizen out?
Now, the rumor comes from a usually trustworthy source, and if it’s true, it would be a major step for the Korean giant. Samsung has pushed Tizen on everything from its wearable devices through TVs to refrigerators in a bid to create a connected ecosystem that works on any electronic product and appliance that has the Samsung logo on top. Switching to Android Wear would be great as far as compatibility with Android on smartphones and developer support is concerned, but we’d be lying if we said we wouldn’t be disappointed if Samsung’s fantastic smartwatch user interface is given the boot.
Even Bixby would have to go since Google doesn’t allow heavy customization to Wear OS by OEMs. It would also make existing apps that you own incompatible with the new watch, so it’s likely that this is just going to be a branding change. Or Samsung could be making a separate smartwatch that runs Wear OS, though Ice universe says the Gear S4 may not exist.
That’s not to say the rumor has to be true, and since Samsung does have a new smartwatch in the works, we’ll just need to wait for further clues that support the possibility of the company giving up Tizen on its smartwatches. In fact, given all the big updates its smartwatches and fitness trackers have received in recent months, it’s not looking very probable. Well, unless those updates were meant to be a parting gift to owners of those wearables before Samsung takes the drastic step of joining the Android Wear party again.
What do you think? Would you like to see Samsung making Watch OS smartwatches and wearables again, or do you think it should stick to Tizen? Perhaps the company should be using both OS’ on different products? Let us know in the comments!
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Tizen is better for Samsung watches. Works faster and drain battery less. Absolutely not Android OS. Only Tizen.
So true and lets face it aw has lagged in supporting lte hspa modems
Only Tizen
Do you get to think! Samsung is not going to give up on Tizen, the fact that they change their name from smartwatch (Gear) to Galaxy Watch is purely marketing to compete with Apple … Did you know that this stupid rumor about the “Galaxy” nomination is fake! ? Samsung does not have to use Android at all, knowing that they did not do it for the “Galaxy Book” that uses the Windows 10 OS …
Samsung should add more attractive features to Tizen and use smart marketing tactics to draw developers back to the platform, rather than abandon its own child, which has potentials and a lot of system advantages to compete with wear os or apple watch os.
If you look at the Digital Trends article of May 12 2017, this was the time when Tizen overtook AW as the second most popular watch OS globally. The difference is even bigger now. A few Samsung smartwatch models sold more than ALL Android Wear brands put together. Of course they’re not going to change. AW is really bad anyway.
I hope not. The battery life and UX of Tizen is just sooooo much better
Unashamed click bait. Total rubbish.
Hell noooo
Why would Samsung go from Tizen OS to Wear OS. Gear S smartwatch out selling Wear OS smartwatch. I’m pretty sure Samsung does not want to go from Tizen OS smartwatch Wear OS smartwatch.
It’s completely useless Samsung is going to go from Tizen OS to Wear OS, after Samsung has invested a lot in Tizen OS.
The rumor mill starts
Would be consistent with Samsung’s inconsistency 🙂
However I doubt it, as that would mean admitting defeat …
No, I don’t think so. Fake rumor. Beside that Tizen on wearable watches has many fans.
Don’t really think that’s a good idea
As usual this site has misleading headlines…”Samsung switching to Android Wear (Watch OS) for its smartwatches?”
You guys need to learn reporting properly and not just take rumours as facts. It’s really boring and annoying that you can’t distinguish the difference by presenting rumors as if they’re facts in your headlines.
Clickbaits, and nothing more.
We’ll try doing better, but care to give us a few links to stories where the title is misleading? Clickbait is something we rarely, if ever, do here on SamMobile. If this story seemed like one, then again, we’ll try doing better. But I’d say it’s otherwise an unnecessary accusation.
You guys are doing fine..Some people need their mommies and daddies to hold their hands while they read a story to explain stuff to them.
Think you will find the question mark in the title says quite plainly they are discussing a rumour. It is not a statement saying that they are switching to Watch OS, its a question – it says in the 3rd line that it is a rumour.
Maybe they need to create a separate website for those who do not have a good grasp on the English language instead? I know Its not everyone’s first language, it can be difficult for some
Did you even read the story? I think not, It states rumor several times.
I hope they change.