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There have been contrasting reports lately regarding the presence of a skin temperature sensor i.e. thermometer on Samsung‘s upcoming Galaxy Watch 5 series. While the Korean media claimed the company is working on the feature, industry watchers believe the tech biggie may not be able to make it ready on time. It is reportedly struggling to develop a powerful algorithm for the tech to work effectively. However, recent developments suggest Samsung may still pull it off.
Samsung recently released a beta update to its Health app. In the new version, Redditor u/thedrunkmayor spotted a toggle for “skin temperature during sleep” (via). A brief description of the toggle says the feature will help “forecast your cycle more accurately.”
It’s unclear if this feature will be readily available whenever you want to measure your skin temperature or if it only works during sleep. Since skin temperature can vary quickly depending on outside environments, making accurate readings with a tiny wrist-worn device would require quite a powerful algorithm. So, maybe Samsung is limiting the functionality to sleep cycle tracking only. It might be easier to measure skin temperature accurately at night when you’re asleep.
Samsung may not launch a Classic Galaxy Watch 5 model this year
This beta update for the Samsung Health app came as part of the company beta testing One UI Watch 4.5 for the Galaxy Watch 4 series. The new beta version also pretty much confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 5 series will not include a Classic model. We will still see two models, but the vanilla Galaxy Watch 5 will be accompanied by the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
Reports suggest Samsung will do away with the iconic rotating bezel on its smartwatches this year. The company had decided on this to make room for bigger batteries. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will reportedly feature a 572mAh battery. The vanilla model will also get more battery power than its predecessor.
Other upgrades on the Galaxy Watch 5 series will include a more durable build. Rumors are that the new smartwatches will feature sapphire glass and titanium case. We are also expecting more powerful hardware and improved software. Hopefully, all of these upgrades will be enough to make up for the lack of the much-loved bezel ring. You can expect to hear more about the new Samsung smartwatches in the build-up to their launch. The Galaxy Watch 5 series should break cover alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 foldables in August.
