- Code leak points to three new Galaxy Watch models
- They may all have the Pixel's “raise to talk” feature
- Users still have concerns about the devices' battery life.
We're expecting successors to Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in the coming months, and a new leak gives us a better idea of the models we can expect, as well as one of the features they could bring with them.
The Android Authority team has found three smartwatch codenames buried in the latest Google Wear OS app for Android: Fresh 9 (likely Galaxy Watch 9, based on previous codenames), Wise 9 (Galaxy Watch 9 Classic), and Project V2 (possibly the long-awaited Galaxy Watch Ultra 2).
Samsung's smartwatch launches aren't as easy to predict as its smartphone launches are, and we don't always get a Classic or Ultra addition. Previously we have also seen a Pro model: the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, from 2022.
This goes some way to solving the question of what we're about to see, although it will be interesting to know what the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 brings with it. The original Ultra made its debut in 2024.
get up to speak
The same digging into the Wear OS app code has revealed something else: These upcoming Galaxy Watch models may well include the “lift to talk” feature that's available on Google smartwatches, including the Google Pixel Watch 4.
Changes to the code, including a “3p” tag that could mean third-party, suggest the feature won't be Pixel-exclusive for much longer. Allows the user to lift their smartwatch towards their head and Gemini will launch instantly, ready to receive voice commands.
As for online reaction to Samsung's upcoming smartwatch update, there's approval of the current circular face design, but questions about battery life. Of the three rumored models, one Redditor says that “none of them solve why I switched to Garmin,” with battery life being weeks instead of days.
Another commenter suggests that “we don't need annual releases of Samsung watches,” saying that they “evolve very little year after year.” Whether Reddit approves or not, it looks like these wearables are on the way, and we'll bring you all the details when they arrive.
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