Samsung is widely known as a manufacturer of mid to high-end products, but that is about to change. The OEM is apparently interested in developing a greatly affordable fitness tracker.
Competition is tight across the entry-level market of wearable fitnes tracking bands, with names such as Misfit, Xiaomi and Fitbit fighting to get an advantage.
As SamMobile exclusively reports, Samsung's upcoming gadget will launch as the Triathlon, but the device also sports a less catchy title for testing benches: SM-R150. It is likely that the band will be a fitness/activity tracker. Sources claim that its features could directly rival those of the Xiaomi Mi Band, which sells at a dirt-cheap price point.
The second-generation Xiaomi Mi Band recently came out and the Chinese manufacturer announced that the fitness tracker will be available for purchase in its country of origin starting Nov. 11, for 99 Yuan. That equates to around $15.
Europe and Asian markets expect the latest fitness band from Xiaomi in the following months.
Hardware spec details are scarce for Samsung's purported fitness tracker, yet voices familiar with the development indicate it's unlikely that the Triathlon will have the heart rate sensor, because the model number places the band under the Gear Fit SM-R350.
The Gear Fit, Samsung's fitness wristband line, has experience in releasing trackers with accelerometer, gyroscope and heart rate sensor, albeit for a hefty price nearing $200. Reviews of the Gear Fit showed that Samsung poured a lot of resources into the device and packed enough functionality in it to make it interesting. However, there was little wow factor in the gizmo and, aside from a futuristic design, it didn't really stand out from the crowd.
It's likely that Samsung's new physical activity band will play well with most of the Android devices across the board. The Gear S2 and the S Health apps Samsung uploaded to Google Play show that the South Korean electronics manufacturer is ready to step outside its ecosystem in order to secure market share. Non-Galaxy devices that run on Android 4.4 and above can use the two health apps.
Even if iPhone and Windows 10 Mobile OS support seems dubious at the moment, the future is open to surprises.
The Triathlon might mean a change in strategy from the high-end manufacturer, or just a sign that the company understands the golden potential of developing markets.
