The Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are arguably the best smartwatches Android smartphone users can buy right now. However, the competition will soon heat up in the Wear OS smartwatch segment, and Samsung will face heat from Google, OnePlus, and Xiaomi soon as they seem to be preparing new Wear OS smartwatches.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 has improved hardware, while OnePlus and Xiaomi could soon launch their first Wear OS-based smartwatches.
Google Pixel Watch 2 to feature Galaxy Watch 6-like skin temperature sensor
Google will soon launch its second-generation Pixel smartwatch, running Wear OS 4. The Pixel Watch 2 will primarily use the same design as the first-generation Pixel Watch but will bring multiple internal improvements. Per various leaks and reports, the Pixel Watch 2 will have the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor featuring four Cortex-A53 CPU cores. It is a 4nm chip, and it is being reported that the Pixel Watch 2 will have massively improved battery life.
The smartwatch will reportedly feature a new heart-rate sensor offering more accurate and consistent health tracking. It is also said to feature a skin temperature sensor, which was only available on Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 devices earlier. Google's upcoming smartwatch also seems to feature stress tracking (powered by Fitbit) and an improved UI for workouts, encouraging users to reach their workout goals.
The Pixel Watch 2 is also said to feature improved personal safety features. It can surface a user's core medical information on the screen when the paired Pixel Watch detects a car crash. The LTE version of the smartwatch could even send your location with trusted emergency contacts in such situations. The Safety Check feature, which checks whether you respond after a set countdown timer expires, is reportedly coming to the Pixel Watch 2. If the user doesn't respond, it sends a notification to emergency contacts.
The story continues after our Galaxy Watch 6 Classic video review.
OnePlus and OPPO could launch Wear OS smartwatches later this year
While OnePlus has released a couple of smartwatches, they were fitness bands in the form of a smartwatch, featuring no real operating system. The company is planning to launch a real smartwatch soon, though. As per tipster @realMlgmXyysd, OPLUS, the parent firm of OnePlus, OPPO, and Realme, is working on a new smartwatch that features a circular screen with 466 x 466 pixels resolution. It features the same Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor used in the Pixel Watch 2. It is also said to feature the BES 2700 co-processor to handle other tasks.
This smartwatch has two models: OWW231 and OWWE231. The OWW231 is meant for the Chinese market and could run Android 11 Go. However, the OWWE231 will reportedly run Wear OS, and it is intended for global markets. Some leaks claim that the next OnePlus Watch could be available in Black and White colors and have features like a heart rate sensor, ECG, always-on display, SpO2 measurement, fist gestures, sleep tracking, stress tracking, and workout tracking. It is also said to feature an eSIM for cellular connectivity.
OPPO could also launch this smartwatch in global markets. Some of its watch faces were leaked months before the launch. OnePlus and OPPO seem to be working on their Wear OS smartwatches for a worldwide launch.
Xiaomi has teased its first Wear OS smartwatch
Google has teased Xiaomi's first Wear OS smartwatch. Called the Watch 2 Pro, the Wear OS 4-based smartwatch reportedly features a circular 1.43-inch OLED screen with 466 x 466 pixels resolution. It is said to come equipped with the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a 500mAh battery. It has a stainless steel body, Gorilla Glass screen protection, up to 5ATM water resistance, and a rotating crown.
It reportedly runs Wear OS 4-based MIUI software. The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro features a heart-rate monitor, ECG, skin temperature sensor, sleep tracking, and around 150 sports modes. The smartwatch may last up to 80 hours on a single charge.
To compete with all these upcoming Wear OS-based smartwatches, Samsung needs to up its game and bring major improvements. We've reported earlier that it needs to upgrade from its existing 5nm Exynos W920 and Exynos W930 processors. It also needs to improve its GPS and heart rate tracking accuracy in a major way.
