Skip to main content

Samsung exec confirms it’s prepping a smartwatch, been working on it ‘for so long’

Galaxy-AltiusSamsung confirmed in an interview this week that not only is it working on a smartwatch, but it’s been doing so for some considerable time.

“We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long,” Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile business, told Bloomberg in an interview in Seoul on Tuesday, adding, “We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.”

Related Videos

Rumors about the Korean electronics giant developing a high-tech watch have been doing the rounds for a while now, but this is the first time a source who didn’t mind being named has stated it as fact.

Hee didn’t divulge any details regarding the look or specifications of the smartwatch, though it’s of course possible she was referring to the much-talked-about Altius wristwatch that’s been popping up on many tech websites – including this one – in recent months.

Though consumers on the hunt for a smartwatch already have a few products to choose from, Hee’s comments mean the race is well and truly on between the tech world’s two biggest players and fierce rivals, Samsung and Apple.

In a report earlier this month, it was suggested that the Cupertino company could have a smartwatch ready for launch before the end of this year. The so-called iWatch, possibly made with curved glass, will reportedly run a modified version of iOS, enabling it to sync with Apple’s mobile devices and perform functions such as making and receiving calls. GPS functionality is also likely.

The project is apparently being led by Apple design chief Jony Ive and involves a team of around 100 product designers. As usual, of course, Apple hasn’t yet released any information about the watch through official channels.

With the smartphone market seemingly reaching saturation point, tech companies are desperately looking around for a new wow-factor product to grab the attention of consumers, though there’s much debate as to whether a bells-and-whistles wristwatch will be that product.

For Samsung and Apple, time, so to speak, is of the essence. The company that gets its product on the market first could gain a big advantage, locking new users into its ecosystem before its rival even has a chance to take the wraps off its competing device.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Galaxy S23: should you spend $450 or $800?
The back of the white Galaxy A54.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the cheapest way to get your hands on Samsung's latest flagship tech -- but you don't have to buy a flagship device to get a fantastic smartphone experience. Samsung's Galaxy A series of smartphones supplies excellent performance at a lower price tag, and the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the latest of these. With a strong processor, great camera suite, 120Hz refresh rate, and big battery — all wrapped inside a flagship-rivaling design — the Galaxy A54 is a very tempting midrange smartphone. But can it stand toe-to-toe with its more expensive cousin?

With stronger flagship specs, it's clear the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a significant edge here. But is the edge enough to justify significantly more dollars? We took a look at these two excellent smartphones so you have a better idea of which one to buy.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Galaxy S23: specs

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: the 6 things that would make it amazing
The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro showing a colorful watch face.

Samsung’s 2023 product lineup has turned out pretty impressive so far, but the more promising devices are scheduled for the latter half of the year. Among them is the Galaxy Watch 6 series. Now, the Galaxy Watch 5 line-up isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it also wasn’t really an appealing upgrade over the Galaxy Watch 4 portfolio.

With the Galaxy Watch 6 series, we’re already hearing some promising chatter in the leak land. Here’s a wish list of changes that would make the Galaxy Watch 6 series a truly tantalizing and potent alternative to the venerable Apple Watch.
Bring back the rotating bezel
Galaxy Watch 4 Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Read more
Every iPhone owner needs this portable charger stand, and it’s $17 off
anker 622 wireless charger deal amazon march 2023 feature

An iPhone is good for little if you can’t keep it charged up and ready to go, and today you can catch a deal on a portable wireless charger at Amazon. The Anker 622 Magnetic Wireless Charger is seeing a price drop down below $43, which will save you about $17 from its regular price of $70. It’s compatible with several different Apple iPhone models, and is available in a variety of different colors. Free shipping is included with your purchase.

Why you should buy the Anker 622 Wireless Charger
There are a lot of chargers out there to consider if you have one of the best iPhones, but few of them are as portable or as practical as the Anker 622 Magnetic Wireless Charger. It connects to your iPhone with a super strong magnet that snaps it into place with the wireless charging magnet within the iPhone, and from there, charges it up via USB-C cable. One of the things that makes this such an attractive charger it’s super slim, and when it’s unplugged it’s able to stay attached to the iPhone. It’s so slim, in fact, you could essentially leave it attached to the iPhone when it’s not in use and you would barely notice the added weight and dimensions.

Read more