As we all know, in the past two years, Samsung has enjoyed many privileges in the entire Google smartwatch (Wear OS) ecosystem. For example, they can use the latest version of Wear OS more than other manufacturers, and can do more in-depth customization of Wear OS that other manufacturers can't do. And Samsung's Wear OS watch can also be managed using its own app, instead of using the unified Google official app like other "Google Watch".
But this "privilege" actually comes at a cost, that is, Samsung must contribute their own health monitoring related code to help Google improve the relevant features of Wear OS. At the same time, Samsung will also have to abandon its own Tizen smartwatch operating system and only use Wear OS in future smartwatch products.
On the surface, Samsung has successfully "killed" and suppressed a number of competitors by virtue of its "privileged" position in Google's smart watch system. However, in the long run, being forced to give up the "right to use" the self-developed Tizen OS on smart watches may also cause immeasurable losses to Samsung's R&D capabilities and ecological influence in related fields.
But when the time comes to 2024, things seem to have changed a bit. Recently, it was reported that in the promotional video released by Samsung on the official website, it seems that the new smart bracelet Gear Fit3 that will be unveiled will be exposed. It has a UI that looks "plausible" to existing Samsung (Google) smartwatches, and it is claimed to have a battery life of up to 21 days, which is far more than the 3-5 days of Samsung's current smartwatches.
Samsung Gear Fit2 Smart Band
I have to say, it's very exciting. Because according to convention, the current Wear OS smartwatch is almost impossible to last as long as 21 days due to the complexity of its system. And considering the product positioning of the smart bracelet, it is indeed unlikely that it will use Google's Wear OS.
So the question is, will the Gear Fit3 be a signal for Samsung to reboot the Tizen OS smart wearable device ecosystem?
The Samsung developer website has made it clear that the Gear Fit2 uses Tizen OS
According to public information, the predecessor of the Gear Fit3, the Gear Fit2, uses Samsung's own Tizen OS. Compared to Google's Wear OS, Tizen OS is much lighter, so it can provide enough battery life with a smaller capacity battery.
Some friends may wonder, since the cooperation with Google in 2021, hasn't Samsung stopped the development of its Tizen OS smart wearable device?
At the end of 2023, Samsung had pushed a system update to the old Tizen OS smartwatch
Because at the end of 2023, an old Samsung Tizen OS smartwatch that we have in hand has received a system update for the first time in a long time. And judging from the content of the update, it is clear that Samsung is still continuing to optimize and improve this operating system, and has not abandoned the prospect of Tizen OS "on the wrist" because of the cooperation with Google.
Finally, in terms of product composition, although the agreement between Samsung and Google stipulates that the former cannot launch new Tizen OS smartwatches, the problem is that Samsung's smart wearable product lineup is more than just smart watches. They also have smart bracelets, smart headphones, and even smart rings that just debuted not long ago. And many of the older models of these product lines use Tizen OS.
So from this point of view, it really cannot be ruled out that Samsung may take advantage of the release of Gear Fit3 to re-improve the "presence" of its own smart wearable device operating system. Of course, it may not compete with Google's Wear OS in the short term, but in the long run, it is not a bad thing to be "prepared" more.
[The picture in this article comes from the Internet]