Samsung Unveils New Gear S3 Smart Watch With GPS and LTE [Update: Will Support iPhone]

[Oohara]

I dig the functionality but I'm sad they didn't go for a more original design. At least as an alternative to these classic looking models. It seems that everyone but Apple is stuck on the idea of making smartwatches that could pass as some kind of generic rugged mens watch when the screen is off or set to a fake mechanical watch face. I'm still hoping for a watch with a screen more like that of the Gear Fit 2...which can be slim while still having a big effective screen area.

But anyway, that's all subjective of course and I never was a Omega type watch kind of guy anyway, I prefer me 80's Casios any day of the week...

 

[smoledman]

A great reminder that a watch can be circular and still look ugly.

Looks like a normal 'sport' watch to me. If anything the AW is an ugly thing only nerds would like.

 

[Zaft]

I see. Personally if there is no always on display the watch is bordering on useless. I never thought much of always on displays until I used a Note 7, now I don't think I could live without it. I hate the lift to activate feature even more, haven't found a watch yet where its consistent, but I haven't personally tried the AW.

Well since its a watch your raising your wrist anyway, its not a big deal. I have the AW (Its collecting dust at the moment), but I would like always on from a style standpoint. The watch faces are nice and would look good if always on.

 

[JoeyEatWorld]

I have the Gear S2 right now. No where near as good or capable as the Apple Watch, which I also have. Let's hope the Gear S3 improves greatly.

 

[Zaft]

Looks like a normal 'sport' watch to me. If anything the AW is an ugly thing only nerds would like.

Except most people I see with an apple watch are totally not nerdy women.

 

[PowerGala]

So does this mean still a separate data plan? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't previous versions have their own standalone number/data plan?
To me, that's just redundant and ridiculous, if so.

At T-Mobile One it's a $5 add-on for data on wearables and $20 on tablets. I don't know about all carriers.

 

[smoledman]

Impressive? I'm not impressed at all. Where's the fitness apps? Texts? Looks flimsy. My Apple Watch has withstood my 6-6 day jobs in a factory. The circular bezel looks chinsy

http://www.wareable.com/samsung/best-samsung-gear-s2-apps-1804

Tizen app development is rumbling along!
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Except most people I see with an apple watch are totally not nerdy women.

It's a fad amongst urban women to wear the AW... because reasons. If Apple made a sexy looking round watch they'd wear that.

 

[Rafterman]

Maybe not the appropriate place to ask, but can you tell us about what, if any, limitations the gear has with iOS?

Biggest reason I haven't so much as really looked at previous gear devices is because my personal phone (iOS, if that wasn't clear lol) simply wouldn't work.

Most of the features work in iOS, though its still beta. All the notifications work and the watch apps can sync with the corresponding iOS apps, like mail and calendar. I think some of the Samsung only features, like Samsung/Android pay wont work, nor does Apple Pay.

 

[69Mustang]

i find it's really good looking, but i just cant use their Tizen OS. It's hard to trust them with updates about their own unlocked phones, flagships mind you, imagine about a device the will only sell a handful. If it had Android Wear, it would have been much much better, IMO.

I think you're better off with Tizen on the watch. Samsung has the same software/hardware integration as Apple does with their watch. A lot of layer are removed from the update process compared with updating their Android phones.

 

[Flow39]

Here's a 1:1 comparison using the 42mm Huawei:

I see. This was mostly what I was looking for. When looking through Android's developer library, this is what I found comparing a square face to a round face:

As you can see, the circular watch face has more wasted space on the side of the notification and more of the background image is cut off. The caption in the round watch face is also not as wide. With a longer caption, more information is available on the square watch than the round. On the circular display in the picture, the entire card is shifted up on the display. The information on the circular face is also limited to an internal square rather than going clear to the edges, which would be yield far more usable space and information on the display. I think this has a big part in why square watch faces do appear to display more info--there is no internal polygon limitation in the software. Your picture definitely does make sense, but scaling and internal limitations on text and info keeps circular displays less information-dense. The photoshopping of a map is one example of where the circular display shows more info, but I think that text-based items are going to be used far more than maps or photos. I think what it comes down to is just how the software formats text and scales different things. Maybe if we could get an optimized version of watchOS onto a circular display we could see if there would be any info loss in the case of the Apple Watch.

In the end, you showed that there really isn't a loss of anything substantial. I guess it's just personal preference to me for square smartwatches. I like the look of no wasted space, whereas round smartwatches tend have that wasted space effect towards the sides. I do love the look of round, but for me, I prefer square.

 

[SchneiderMan]

The 7th smartwatch from Samsung still hasn't sold as well as Apple's first Apple Watch.

 

[cdmoore74]

boring - watches arent the next big thing.

That includes the Apple Watch.

It's all about price. Best Buy has been selling certain AW models with a big discount. $159 for 38mm sport and $200 for the 42mm stainless steel but these are refurbished (but better than buying used at higher cost). But next week should be even crazier to dump inventory.
The right price will make me buy.

 

[Technarchy]

I have to see it up close but I'm not really a fan of the size. That's a big watch and I tend to prefer more subdued dimensions.

I gave up on large face bling watches several years ago.

My favorite analog watch has a 40mm case and I wear a 42mm Apple Watch.

 

[bice]

I realize a lot of people are all fuzzy and nostalgic about the round springs, cogs, gears, pistons and levers look. I'm not one of those. I think it's insanely ugly. I find the stupidity of a wrist computer trying to imitate pre steam-era tech offensive.
Reminds me of this abomination

Yeah, Apple would totally have made that horse thinner!

...
After all, wasn't GPS and LTE what MR readers have been asking for?

Not if Samsung offers it first!

 

[anomie]

boring - watches arent the next big thing.

That includes the Apple Watch.

Ok, but unfortunately you forgot to put in your vision. What else could actually be "the next big thing".
But honestly I think you'd always find something to complain.

 

[69650]

Finally a smartwatch I would actually wear.

 

[Christian 5G]

Im actually impressed with this, might even consider buying.

 

[skellener]

It's all about price. Best Buy has been selling certain AW models with a big discount. $159 for 38mm sport and $200 for the 42mm stainless steel but these are refurbished (but better than buying used at higher cost). But next week should be even crazier to dump inventory.
The right price will make me buy.

Wouldn't take an Apple Watch even for $49. I just don't care to wear jewelry. I really don't like the way it looks at all.

 

[69650]

But does it have a Mickey Mouse watch face option? Probably not becuase it doesn't have a clueless nerd as Product Manager. Apple better have a stunning new design with tons of new features to announce on Sept 7.

 

[Three141]

This is worth considering, Samsung threw the kitchen sink at the competition this year, sort of like Microsoft did last year.

 

[sidewinder3000]

Great! but to be honest I kinda expected something else, so Samsung decided to focus more on fashion rather than tech wich I think that's a bad idea, speaking of fashion...Samsung Galaxy S7 (tech product) wipes the floor with any fashion gadget out there, and the reason why is because it look so beautiful, it has an unique design and no one had ever seen something like this before! so I'm guessing Samsung doesn't know why S7 Edge had sold so much
Things I would've want it: unique beautiful design with curved display, Iris scanner, 8GB storage, freaking camera! and along side the features it already has ! It would've been the perfect smartwatch!

Lol! the Apple Watch users are freaking out!

Maybe it could have a toaster and bug zapper as well.

 

[L-U-R-C-H]

Really? I find it MUCH better looking than the Apple Watch... plus GPS, waterproof, 4 day battery are my biggest complaints with the Apple Watch (and why I don't wear mine much).

Agreed. To me, this is a much more appealing design than the Apple Watch.

 

[a.gomez]

I must say, it looks super nice and like that it emulates a real luxury watch (like the digital Tag Heuer one). And Waterproof and Dustproof too. Hope Apple Watch 2 is like this.

Yeah, this is a grown up watch. I'm amazed it is samsung. Wonder if they used an outside design firm.

 

[mi7chy]

If anything the AW is an ugly thing only nerds would like.

Personally, I wouldn't buy one but saw an Apple Watch for the first time in public recently at a dance studio. The white one doesn't look bad on a female. Too feminine and lacking in features for a professional male though.

 

[kilcher]

Looks real nice. Competition is always good. Hopefully Samsung can move these without having to give them away with the purchase of a phone.