August 2025 update: What started in 2019 as the Galaxy Watch Active has since evolved into Samsung’s most successful wearable line. Fast forward to today, the company’s latest Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch8 series build upon the same circular design DNA seen in the original Galaxy Sport render. Samsung has shifted focus toward advanced health tracking and Galaxy AI-powered fitness coaching, while still retaining the sporty, minimal look that debuted years ago. The Galaxy Watch Active lineup is now seen as the foundation of Samsung’s modern smartwatch strategy.
All eyes will be on the Galaxy S10 series on February 20th, when Samsung will host its Unpacked 2019 event. However, the Galaxy S10 series smartphones won’t be the only new products to be announced at the event, with the Galaxy Watch Sport getting name-dropped in a couple of leaks in the past few weeks. Some other reports suggest that the wearable could carry the Samsung Galaxy Active moniker. Now, 91mobiles has received an exclusive render detailing the design of the upcoming Galaxy Watch Sport / Active from a reliable source.
The Samsung Galaxy Sport will be the first sports-focussed smartwatch for the company under the Galaxy brand name — till now, the company has used the Gear branding for this series. As you can see in the image, it will feature a round dial with two circular buttons to perform the key functions. It has a brushed metallic finish in chrome colour and a more premium look to it than previous sports-oriented smartwatches. The buckle for the wristband has the same finish as the dial.
While the rear casing of the Galaxy Watch Sport / Active is not visible in the render, we can expect it to have the same sensors as the previous models. These include sleep monitor, step counter, activity tracker, heart rate monitor, and GPS. And considering it’s a Sport model, the smartwatch should also have some sort of IP certification for water- and dust-resistance.
Previously, the Samsung Galaxy Sport smartwatch was recently certified by the FCC in the US, NRRA in South Korea, and NCC in Taiwan. It has the codename Pulse and model number SM-R500. It will reportedly be the first smartwatch with the Bixby Reminders feature, have 4GB of ROM, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The smartwatch will also support mobile payments via NFC.
All things considered, the Galaxy Watch Sport / Active looks set to mark an important shift in Samsung’s wearable strategy, moving away from the Gear branding toward a more unified Galaxy ecosystem. With a premium design, improved fitness tracking, and smarter features like Bixby Reminders and NFC payments, it could be one of the highlights at the Unpacked event alongside the Galaxy S10 lineup. If the leaks are accurate, Samsung might finally have a sports-centric smartwatch that balances style with substance.
