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Was the Samsung Galaxy Watch briefly leaked... by Samsung?

The product appeared in a listing of smartwatches on the company's US website Monday morning. Here's what we saw.

Scott Stein Editor at Large
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Expertise VR and AR, gaming, metaverse technologies, wearable tech, tablets Credentials
  • Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Scott Stein
2 min read
screen-shot-2018-07-23-at-12-38-12-pm

Samsung Galaxy Watch, is that you?

Screenshot by Scott Stein/CNET

Update, August 2018: The Samsung Galaxy Watch has been officially announced.

Well, Samsung seems to have confirmed that its next watch is indeed the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Maybe.

The expected smartwatch showed up on Samsung's own website in the US on Monday morning, in a 42mm rose gold model. The model number, SM-R810NZDAXAR, didn't quite match up with recent reported filings to the FCC, but the "R800" part matches earlier reports on the product line's name. This could be a particular variant.

The link connected to a dead page, but the listing showed a photo and the product description, as you can see above. The watch sighting was tipped to me on Twitter by @sugabeticme, who found the link this morning. The listing was still live at the time of this post, alongside a collection of Gear S2, Gear S3 and Gear Sport models. But it's gone now.

Here are some observations based on that listing:

  • It looks just like the Samsung Gear S2 Classic, as other people have noticed, too. Does that mean this isn't the actual watch after all, or does it mean previous watches are being rebranded? Was it a website hiccup?
  • This "Samsung Galaxy Watch" is smaller than the Samsung Gear S3.
  • There doesn't seem to be any new display tech (at least on this model)
  • There are still two buttons on the right side.
  • The band design looks similar to Gear Sport, and possibly compatible with standard watch bands just like that watch (but that's a little unclear still).
  • This model doesn't appear to have cellular. Would an LTE-equipped model be bigger, or the same size?

Here's another screenshot of the watch on Samsung's website from today:

screen-shot-2018-07-23-at-12-38-36-pm

No price, no specs, no product page...but there it is (or was).

Screenshot by Scott Stein/CNET

CNET reached out to Samsung for comment, and didn't get confirmation of what happened...but the listing disappeared minutes later.

What does it mean, what does it mean?

Updated July 24 at 11:15 a.m. ET with additional commentary.

Read more on the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch rumors.

Samsung Gear S2 goes luxe in platinum and rose gold (pictures)

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