The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are both still the best options for those looking at a Wear OS smartwatch. Samsung packed in a high-end set of specs, got the early exclusive on Wear OS 3, will support each watch for years to come, and priced them both incredibly well. However, the smaller models of each watch are by no means battery champs, and we actually recommended that folks choose the bigger model of each in our reviews.
For the Galaxy Watch 5 that is expected to launch this summer, battery life may not be as much of a concern for the smaller model, according to a new report today. A supposed regulatory filing has been found that lists out a battery for what we believe to be one of the Galaxy Watch 5 models and it is indeed an upgrade over last year’s.
- READ: Galaxy Watch 4 review
A listing that will apparently not be publicly shared, showed a battery model number of EB-BR900ABY that has a capacity of 276mAh. The rumor here is for a watch under model number SM-R900, a watch that could be the smallest version of the Galaxy Watch 5. For last year’s smallest Galaxy Watch 4, we had a battery capacity of 247mAh.
Assuming we get battery increase across the board, hopefully this means the bigger version of the Galaxy Watch 5 then jumps above the 361mAh cell we had. If we can close in on a 400mAh watch battery, we might finally one day see 2-day battery life in a Wear OS watch.
The only other rumors we have so far for the upcoming Galaxy Watch 5 are that it could include a temperature sensor and is likely to launch this summer like the Galaxy Watch 4 did alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Galaxy Watch 5 Could Get A Huge Battery Upgrade Over The Galaxy Watch 4
With all eyes on the upcoming Galaxy Watch 5, recent leaks have seemingly revealed that it could be one of the first mainstream smartwatches to come with a built-in thermometer to measure body temperature. A recent rumor also suggested that the 40mm version of the watch could sport a larger battery than its Galaxy Watch 4 counterpart. The latest developments now suggest that the larger variants could also get the same treatment.
New information spotted in a South Korean database suggests that the 44mm model of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 could ship with bigger batteries than its predecessor. According to the listing, the battery carries the part number EB-BR910ABY and has a capacity of 397mAh. That is higher than the 361mAh capacity of the 44mm Galaxy Watch 4. The listing was spotted by SamMobile, which speculates that the increased capacity could help the device last for up to two full days on a single charge. While there are no additional details on the subject at this point, it is likely that more information will become available closer to the Galaxy Watch 5’s release date.
Better Battery Life Is Always A Good Thing
If the twin leaks regarding the Galaxy Watch 5’s batteries are anything to go by, Samsung is looking to fix one of the major complaints users have with the Galaxy Watch 4 devices – battery life. The increased battery capacities in the both the 40mm and 44mm models is good news for users, especially those who use battery-intensive features like the always-on display, GPS tracking, and son on. With the new watches expected to offer more features and new sensors, the power draw might be even greater than the last-generation devices, so the enhanced battery capacities would be most welcome for users across the spectrum.
While recent reports have suggested that the Galaxy Watch 5 will get major hardware upgrades over its predecessors, it is very likely that hardware components are not the only upgrades Samsung is planning for its next-gen smartwatches. With software features often seen as the ultimate deciding factor for consumers, there should also be a number of improvements on the software side as well. Samsung‘s Galaxy Watch 5 will likely run the latest version of Google’s Wear OS with exclusive features and enhanced health tracking, making it one of the leading competitors against Apple’s upcoming Watch Series 8.
