Discounts on Samsung Electronics' existing Galaxy Watch8 series are widening quickly as expectations grow that the company is close to unveiling its next smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch9. The industry sees retailers moving into full-scale inventory clearance as the chances rise that Samsung Electronics will unveil the Galaxy Watch9 series this summer.

Tech outlet TechRadar reported on June 23 that prices for the Galaxy Watch8 series have been cut sharply in major markets including the United States and Britain.

The discounts are being offered alongside Amazon Prime Day. Products on sale include the base Galaxy Watch8, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 edition.

The Galaxy Watch8 was seen as the Samsung smartwatch with the biggest design change when it was launched last year. Key features included a thinner design, improved comfort and a new form that sits closer to the wrist. TechRadar described the Galaxy Watch8 as "a product that has been successfully redesigned."

It also received positive reviews for user experience. Strengths cited included artificial intelligence-based features, an intuitive operating system and improved navigation.

The Galaxy Watch8 Classic was seen as improving convenience by retaining the rotating bezel, considered a symbol of Samsung smartwatches. Its relatively thick and heavy design was cited as a drawback.

The price cuts are also substantial. In the United States, the Bluetooth model of the Galaxy Watch8 was discounted about 38 percent to $237.49 from $379.99. In Britain, the LTE model fell about 25 percent to 299.99 pounds from 399.99 pounds, while the Galaxy Watch8 Classic also dropped to around 337 pounds from 449 pounds.

The industry sees the discount event as closely tied to Samsung Electronics' new-product release cycle. Samsung Electronics has typically unveiled key mobile products such as smartphones and smartwatches together at its Galaxy Unpacked event in July or August. When a new model appears, existing products are phased out of Samsung Electronics' official sales channels, and retailers repeatedly follow a pattern of cutting prices to clear inventory.

The market expects a similar trend this year. TechRadar called the ongoing large-scale discount event "a sign that the launch of a new model is getting closer." The industry is also raising the possibility that a follow-on premium model, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, could be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Watch9 series.

Some analysis says waiting for the new product is not necessarily the best choice. It says the Watch9 could end up as a gradual upgrade focused on improving features rather than changing its exterior, because the Galaxy Watch8 already underwent a major design overhaul last year. That has led to an assessment that consumers may get better value by buying the more heavily discounted Watch8 rather than waiting for a new product sold at full price.

So far, Samsung Electronics has not disclosed detailed specifications or launch plans for the Galaxy Watch9. The view that the unveiling is closer than expected is gaining traction, as the distribution industry has moved first to cut prices.