Galaxy Fit3 Launching in Early Next Year
Display Larger Than Previous Model
Samsung Electronics will launch the smart band 'Galaxy Fit3' in the first half of next year. It has been three years since the release of its predecessor, the Galaxy Fit2. This is interpreted as part of the company's efforts to strengthen its core healthcare business.
On the 15th, a Samsung Electronics official said, "We plan to release the Galaxy Fit3 within the first half of next year."
Samsung Electronics has released the Galaxy Watch series every August. The Galaxy Fit2 was released in October. Next year, considering marketing aspects, the company plans to release products in two phases: the first half (Galaxy Fit3) and the second half (Galaxy Watch7).
There is speculation that the Galaxy Fit3 might be unveiled together at the Galaxy S24 series unpacked event scheduled for January next year, but the company dismissed this, saying, "The possibility is low."
The reason for re-releasing the Galaxy Fit series, which was thought to be discontinued, is due to strong demand from existing users. Samsung Electronics explained, "There is still a strong fan base for the Galaxy Fit2, and many have requested a successor. The Galaxy Fit2 is still actively traded on secondhand marketplaces."
Samsung Electronics is launching the Galaxy Fit series for the first time in three years. The photo shows the Galaxy Fit2, released in October 2020.
Some view the launch of the Galaxy Fit3 as a strategy to expand the healthcare ecosystem. As the 'digital healthcare' industry rapidly grew amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung Electronics designated healthcare as a new business and has been focusing its efforts since early this year.
Currently, the company is building an ecosystem centered on smartphones and wearable devices such as the Galaxy Watch. All devices can be connected through the health management app called 'Samsung Health.' The latest model, Galaxy Watch6, has enhanced healthcare functions by incorporating features such as personalized running guides, irregular heartbeat detection, and menstrual cycle prediction. Expanding the lineup to include the Galaxy Fit alongside the healthcare wearable Galaxy Watch is expected to further grow the related ecosystem.
The Galaxy Fit can be understood as a kind of 'affordable' Galaxy Watch. It focuses on healthcare functions such as heart rate, sleep, and blood pressure monitoring. It does not have a speaker or microphone, so it cannot be used for calls.
The only known difference between the Galaxy Fit3 and its predecessor so far is a slightly larger display. Other detailed specifications and features have not been disclosed.
Samsung Electronics expects the Galaxy Fit3 to contribute to increasing its global watch market share. Currently, the global watch market is dominated by Apple Watch. According to analysis data from market research firm TrendForce, last year’s smartwatch shipments totaled 150 million units. Apple had the highest market share at 32%, followed by Samsung Electronics at 10%, Huawei at 8%, Garmin at 4%, and Fitbit at 3%.
The most notable aspect is the price. The predecessor, Galaxy Fit2, was priced at 49,500 KRW. Considering the rise in component costs, inflation, and the larger display size, the market predicts that the Galaxy Fit3 will be priced around 100,000 KRW.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
