A Samsung Android-based smartwatch in the works?

The Gear Live was Samsung's last Android-based smartwatch released in 2014 (Source: Samsung)

Samsung's last Android-based smartwatch, the Gear Live, was released back in 2014. From then on, the company has relied on its Linux-based Tizen operating system to power its smartwatches. But a new tweet from Ice universe hints at the company releasing an Android-based smartwatch to replace Tizen. The renowned Samsung leaker didn't mention Google's Wear OS, so it could mean that Samsung is releasing a smartwatch using a customized Android OS. 

According to a Galaxy Club report, Samsung is reportedly working on two wearables with model numbers SM-R86x and SM-R87x, which might be the Galaxy Watch Active 3 or 4 series. It isn't clear if these will have Android as their operating system.

Samsung's Tizen OS-based smartwatches have benefited from offering better performance and power efficiency than the Wear OS-based watches. But what Android can offer Samsung is a wider variety of compatible apps. Perhaps the company wants the best of both worlds.

There is no word yet when we might expect the new Samsung smartwatches, but this particular rumour is one to keep an eye on.

Source: Android Police + Gadget Match