Samsung Gear S4 release – Latest leak reveals widespread rumours may not have been true

The South Korean technology giant typically announces its smartwatches in August, meaning fans of the product line may not have to wait long to get the latest version on their wrists.

Earlier this month an image leaked showing Samsung could be set to rebrand its wearable.

The tech firm registered a logo for “Galaxy Watch” in its home territory, suggesting the Gear name is set to be ditched this year.

A screenshot of the logo showed a font very reminiscent of Galaxy S and Galaxy Note smartphones, hinting Samsung could be looking to tie its wearable closer to those devices.

As all Samsung Galaxy products run Google software, it was highly rumoured the Gear S4 would run on Android Wear OS.

Even reliable tipster Evan Blass had previously insisted he had seen Samsung employees wearing the new watch and it ran Google’s software.

But a new report from SamMobile insists the smartwatch will run Samsung’s own Tizen OS instead.

The publication claimed the “Galaxy Watch” would run Tizen 4.0 out of the box.

The latest version of Tizen is understood to feature new voice control functionality.

This means Samsung’s Bixby virtual assistant could make its way to the smartwatch when it releases later in the year.

Berlin’s IFA technology show is set to host the grand unveiling of the Samsung Gear S4, according to Yonhap News.

Such a move would follow the trend of the Gear S3 that was also unveiled at the event in 2016.

IFA in Germany will take place from August 31 to September 5.

Some fans eagerly anticipating the newest edition of the smartwatch had hoped it would debut alongside the Galaxy Note 9 during Samsung’s “Unpacked” event on August 9.

But the latest report from Yonhap appears to dispel these rumours.

Instead the event in New York looks set to focus on the Note 9 and its new functionality.

The invitation to the event shows a picture of the Note’s signature S Pen, hinting this year the accessory could bring a host of new features.

Twitter user and renowned leaker Ice Universe has insisted the S Pen will have Bluetooth support this time and will allow users to control music playback.

They tweeted: “The Galaxy Note 9 S Pen can be used to control long-range self-timer, control music playback, because it is a Bluetooth device, it will do something unrelated to the pen.”