Samsung Electronics Co. is aiming to release a smartwatch that functions as a stand-alone phone this summer.
The watch-phone would have the ability to make and receive calls without being connected to a smartphone, according to The Wall Street Journal. People with knowledge of the South Korean company's plans said most smartwatches don't have this capability.
Unidentified sources added that other abilities of the smartwatch include taking photos and sending emails, and that it could include Bluetooth, a GPS and a heart monitor.
Samsung's reliance on being connected to a phone has been a major complaint among customers, The Verge reported.
The device is reported to also not be running with Google's Android Wear watch operating system.
Instead, the smartwatch will most likely be built with hardware from the new Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo watches, CNET reported.
It has also been reported to come with its own SIM card.
Samsung currently has four wearable devices on the market, which include the Gear 2, which is run by Tizen, and the Galaxy Gear, which is run by Google's Android Wear system. Unlike the rumored smartwatch, these devices can only be used for calls and the Internet by being connected to a smartphone, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Many analysts say the device wouldn't make much money.
"There's still the question of why people really need to buy smartwatches today," said Lee Seung-woo, an analyst at IBK Securities in Seoul. "Samsung is estimated to be the dominant vender of wearables, but it will take quite a bit of time for sales to contribute to the company's earnings."
Details about how calls on the smartwatch will be made, its battery life, and the logistics to taking a photo have not been revealed, according to ZDNet.
The company has also yet to reveal how data plans will be sorted with current contracts, as well as how big the watch face has to be to support its new functions.
Samsung is using smartwatches to conduct more tests for its Tizen operating system, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Executives said the company wants to use Tizen to connect to cameras, air conditioners, refrigerators and other products.
