Samsung expected to launch new wearable today to compete with Apple

Samsung will announce a new device today (02/06) in New York. Judging from the invitation sent out to the press, the South Korean manufacturer will not announce its forthcoming Galaxy Note 6, but instead the next version of its fitness band. This move would give Samsung an 11-day jump on Apple’s own big wearable-related announcement.

According to the press invite, the event will take place at 17:00 EDT, and it seems safe to say that the company will announce something, shall we say, geared towards health:

What draws attention is the fact that Samsung has sent this invitation on the date of the launch event. This leads me to believe that the South Korean manufacturer is trying to get the jump on Apple's upcoming developer event, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which takes place on June 13.

Among the most anticipated of Apple's announcements is a new Apple Watch with new bracelets, a thinner design and improved battery. Last year, Apple snapped up a lot of customers who were interested in the health and sport benefits that the Apple Watch's functions were geared towards. Now, Samsung might do the same. But what next?

The Gear Fit 2 is coming

In 2014, Samsung announced the first version of the Gear Fit, its fitness bracelet. In 2015, the company launched the Gear S2, one of the best smartwatches presented that year. Considering the recent rumors about the second generation of the Gear Fit, we will most likely have an announcement about this new gadget today.

According to a tweet from Tizen Cafe channel, the Gear Fit 2 has been in development for some time and may not change its design significantly. But we can expect a big change in the features of this bracelet, which could contain all the Gear S2 software features.

View image on Twitter

SamMobile also released some possible specs for the Gear Fit 2. The bracelet, which would also function as a smartwatch, will reportedly have a 1.55-inch curved AMOLED display. In addition, it appears that device will be focused on sports, as indicated by its appearance in leaked images. 

Other rumors suggest that Samsung has developed a biological processor, or "bio-processor", which would have a wide range of sensors purpose-built for tracking sports activities. Among them would be a built-in GPS, heart-rate monitor, gyroscope, accelerometer and barometer.

The Gear Fit 2 may also come with IP68 certification which would ensure it could survive for up to 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water, which could theoretically allow a user to swim while wearing it.

Could Samsung surprise everyone today?

If Samsung announces a device today which has evolved from Tizen like the Gear S2, and takes advantage of exclusive services focused on health, it would be able to seriously challenge Apple in the wearable arena.

In the upcoming WWDC conference, it is expected that Apple CEO Tim Cook will reveal a unique feature of the next generation of Apple devices: the ability to accumulate blood data in partnership with Cor. By offering such a service, Apple could revolutionize the market for smart appliances associated with health.

Will Samsung today present the gadget that will shake up wearables and challenge Apple's plans? Give us your thoughts in the comments.