Samsung’s mysterious new wearable device, carrying the model number SM-R382, recently passed through Bluetooth and FCC certification. Based on the filings, this undisclosed gadget appears to be a successor to the Gear 2 smartwatch line.
The new wearable is 10mm shorter than the Gear 2, with dimensions of 37 x 46 mm compared to the Gear 2’s 36.9 x 58.4 mm. It relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity rather than cellular.
Following Samsung’s naming convention for wearables, tech observers suspect the SM-R382 could be a slimmed-down Gear 2 running Google’s Android Wear OS instead of Samsung’s Tizen platform. The company may unveil it alongside other wearables at Google’s upcoming I/O developer conference.
Samsung seems to have moved on from the name “Galaxy Wear” for its smartwatches – it withdrew a Korean trademark application for the moniker.
The SM-R382 represents Samsung’s continuous efforts to refine and upgrade its smartwatch offerings. Though details are still scarce, the Bluetooth and FCC certifications signal this mystery wearable is inching closer to an official announcement.
Samsung watchers will be curious to see if the company does indeed switch to Android Wear, or if it sticks with its own Tizen software, for its next generation of Gear watches. But with Google I/O just weeks away, answers may be coming soon.
