Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Rumored To Feature ECG And Touch Sensitive Bezel
At this point, we're pretty certain that Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Watch Active 2 this year, just months after the original Galaxy Watch Active launched. We first saw prototypes of the Tizen OS-based smartwatch last month, and more recently, we've seen official press renders of the device.
Now, we're beginning to learn a bit more about what kind of features the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will have. Its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Active, did away with the rotating bezel on the more expensive Galaxy Watch. Because of this, all interactions with the smartwatch's UI were done via touching the actual display.
A new report from SamMobile, however, suggests that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will feature a touch sensitive display bezel. So instead of having to touch the screen directly for every interaction, you can simply swipe along the edge of the bezel to navigate the UI. It likely won't be as direct-feeling and functional as a rotating ring, but it is definite upgrade from the Galaxy Watch Active.
The report also confirms that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will feature a Bluetooth 5.0 radio, which would mark a first in the Samsung wearables family. Bluetooth 5.0 will allow for simultaneous audio streaming to two devices at once, boost maximum wireless range to 240 meters, and is more power efficient than the preceding Bluetooth 4.2.
As we've previously reported, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be available in 40mm and 44mm case sizes, with 1.2-inch and 1.4-inch circular AMOLED displays respectively (each with a resolution of 360x360). Battery capacity should be rated at 247 mAh and 340 mAh respectively for the 40mm and 44mm watches, and we should expect multi-day battery life based on previous experiences. It's also rumored that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will bring an ECG and Fall Detection -- two features that Apple introduced last year with the Apple Watch Series 4.
If all goes according to plan, we should see the Galaxy Watch Active 2 launch alongside the Galaxy Note 10 on August 7th in New York City.
