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

[Mac 128]

Very interesting.

If the Samsung does have a lug to lug size of 49.0mm then it shouldn't wear big. The lugs look like they protrude more than 1.5mm each side of the case so the 46mm dimension must be including the pushers and I would imagine it's case size is closer to a normal 42mm watch.

Well it's still 46mm wide. But yes, much closer. And yes, I do think it must be including the buttons. Apple excludes the bottom glass, and button from their online height measurements. Here's a link to the official Apple measurements.

https://developer.apple.com/watch/bands/Band-Design-Guidelines-for-Apple-Watch.pdf

 

[chucker23n1]

And yet people in this very thread are already claiming the battery life will be horrible

Who? Where?

The claim is that battery life is much easier to achieve when you have a heavier, larger product, something which Apple decided against.

 

[Rafterman]

Samsung is working to bring it to iOS. Its currently in testing with Korean customers and should be worldwide by the end or middle of September.

Actually, if you use Google translate to get through the simple sign up page, they use Apple's test flight app to deploy their betas, so anyone can try it.

 

[iShater]

If only Samsung could make a good OS.

I was wondering about that. Nobody had any luck with it?

 

[lordofthereef]

What is wrong their OS? I'm not a fan of touch wiz but overall it has been greatly improved.

When is last time you've tried out of curiosity?

These watches run tizen (well I'm unsure about this one but the rest of their Watch line does), which is actually their own OS. My criticism of that, from a developer standpoint, is I feel there is just bound to be less development for this OS. I do believe it can function android watch apps just fine, but so can blackberry now, and, well, sideloading isn't quite the same as "designed for" sometimes.

Still, this video has me excited. They achieved their goal. St least so far lol.
[doublepost=1472667252][/doublepost]

Who? Where?

The claim is that battery life is much easier to achieve when you have a heavier, larger product, something which Apple decided against.

One of the first few comments on the first page, for starters.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

What is wrong their OS? I'm not a fan of touch wiz but overall it has been greatly improved.

Just speaking on watches .....

Apple Watch .... often lags. But that seems to be more hardware than software. AW2 should fix this.
Android Wear .... I encountered bugs and freezing, but not often.
Samsung Gear .... Tizen has never gave me one issue yet, out of my 2 1/2 years experience with Gear watches.

 

[Flow39]

Yes, that's why I'm dubious about the claim that the Watch 2 will have a real IPX8 certification with a specific depth rating. I don't know how they will do that with a watch that is glued together.



This has totally been debunked extensively on this site. In fact, the Watch itself has text that is cut off and requires more scrolling on the 38mm than the 42mm. Add to that the purpose if the Watch is not to be a text reader, or a photo viewer, but to provide notifications at a glance. Even Jony Ive stated quite clearly that anything more than that and a person should probably pull out their phone. For that purpose round has been proven to serve every bit as useful as square. In fact with Apple's current thick bezels limiting display area, a comparable 42mm round watch will actually display more information than the 42mm Watch.

And that's the beauty of choice.

I hesitate to agree with this based on comparing my 42mm Moto 360 to my 42mm Apple Watch. The same notification will come through on both, yet I can see more of the notification on the Apple Watch. I know the purpose isn't to read a novel on the watch, but when I have a text that's more than 3 words, I can read more of it on my Apple Watch than on the 360.

If the watch should be used just to deliver notifications, why did Apple give it the ability to run apps and view photos? That seems kind kind of backwards thinking if they only want it to be used as a notification device. Not saying that you're wrong, but it does seem kind of backwards that they give it all this functionality only then to say that it should be used to glance at something for 2 second and pull a phone out.

 

[OllyW]

Well it's still 46mm wide. But yes, much closer. Here's a link to the official Apple measurements.

https://developer.apple.com/watch/bands/Band-Design-Guidelines-for-Apple-Watch.pdf

Traditional watches are usually measured by the case size but not including the crowns and pushers, which is why 46mm sounds big.

The 42mm Apple Watch fits me like a glove, I just don't like how it looks. Which is of course very subjective.

 

[tbayrgs]

First looks and hands-on are now out. I have to admit, I'm seriously intrigued by the Gear S3 Frontier LTE. Onboard GPS and LTE connectivity, with a signficantly larger battery than last years model make this a top consideration. And now with full Samsung Pay (including MST).

My concerns/questions for those who have used or presently own a Gear S2:

How well does it work with non-Samsung Android phones? Is functionality signficantly limited vs. what a Samsung smartphone user has avaiable to them? On the off chance I pick one up, it won't be used with a Samsung smartphone.

And on related issue, will Samsung Pay work if I have it paired to a non-Samsung Phone?

Hardware-wise, the Frontier LTE seems like King of the Mountain--just need to see what limitations affect someone who won't be using a Samsung phone.

Android Central's preview:

Samsung Gear S3 preview: Big watches, bigger wearable family


And Mr. Mobile's Hands-On impressions:

 

[Tech198]

I like Samsung's watch face... It complements your typical SEKIO watch instead of the "smart" flat surface of Apple and others...First thing i thought was when "frontier " was mentioned was:

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

My God that thing looks just like every other £20-£150 watch on the market. I'm a guy and I think it looks boring, imagine what women think...

 

[C7 POWER]

I wish they would make it work with iOS

They have a beta version out for iOS, will be on iOS by years end.

I a week ago went to the Note 7 so I bought the Gear S2 and LOVE it!! I like it a lot more than my Apple Watch, which I will be selling this weekend. Even has Samsung Pay so I can pay for stuff like I did with the Apple Watch.

 

[saturn88]

I like more the design of the original Gear S with curved AMOLED display and SIM card option. I own it and it is a great watch. The battery runs 3 days and there are plenty of apps available.

Still, the Gear S3 might be fun to acquire. It looks too traditional, boring, but you can download all kinds of futuristic watch faces. There is a huge variety of them.

.

 

[macdragonfl]

It's great looking, you have to wear and hold it though to see if if feels like a quality watch. One issue out of the gate is that its big and masculine looking. Apple Watch is more androgynous and has a lot of female fans. It would seem that they would need another version for females.

 

[adamneer]

Pretty convenient of Samsung, I'd say, to announce a smart watch with features not thought to be available in the upcoming Apple Watch 2, but to offer no price or release date...

Great way to make it appear as though your product is superior AND came first, without actually having to prove either of those things is true.

 

[69Mustang]

Woo, another data plan, no thanks.

And before you say, when (not if) Apple do this with AW3, I won't be getting a separate data plan.

Like you with the AW3, an S3 owner could skip the data plan. I would do like you too; skipping the data plan. It's an option for those who want that functionality. I ain't gonna hate. I still haven't found a viable use case (viable for me) for a smartwatch yet, but Sammy tempted me with the S2 Classic and tempts me further with the S3 Frontier. I'm a fan of larger watches so this would be in my wheelhouse. It's a bit on the smaller scale of large, but still in my size wheelhouse. I also prefer the masculine look of the S3. Too many of the other options out there had a unisex look that... just not my cuppa.

 

[lordofthereef]

They have a beta version out for iOS, will be on iOS by years end.

I a week ago went to the Note 7 so I bought the Gear S2 and LOVE it!! I like it a lot more than my Apple Watch, which I will be selling this weekend. Even has Samsung Pay so I can pay for stuff like I did with the Apple Watch.

Since I know nothing about their beta, is it any good? I know android wear is severely neutered on iOS. I don't believe calls can be answered or messages sent. I'm fairly sure emails can't be read unless they are through the grail spp. And of course Siri can't be activated. Sports tracking is borderline in existent and you're better off pairing a Fitbit. Has Samsung gotten around these hurdles?

 

[rhinosrcool]

Yeah, I think this is my next smartwatch.

As for Samsung Pay without a Samsung phone, good question. For me, I have the Note 7. However, friends have Nexus's and Motos so we'll see...

 

[Rogifan]

That's great if you're a guy or have huge wrists. Would look ridiculous on me.

 

[lordofthereef]

Like you with the AW3, an S3 owner could skip the data plan. I would do like you too; skipping the data plan. It's an option for those who want that functionality. I ain't gonna hate. I still haven't found a viable use case (viable for me) for a smartwatch yet, but Sammy tempted me with the S2 Classic and tempts me further with the S3 Frontier. I'm a fan of larger watches so this would be in my wheelhouse. It's a bit on the smaller scale of large, but still in my size wheelhouse. I also prefer the masculine look of the S3. Too many of the other options out there had a unisex look that... just not my cuppa.

Probably not the place to ask, but can one buy an lte model device, not pay for a plan, but still make emergency calls (or 911)? I know all cell phones sre able to dial out 911 with or without actual service. Being able to call for help would be my only requirement for LTE connectivity.

 

[Flow39]

It's great looking, you have to wear and hold it though to see if if feels like a quality watch. One issue out of the gate is that its big and masculine looking. Apple Watch is more androgynous and has a lot of female fans. It would seem that they would need another version for females.

Motorola and LG added women-friendly versions of their watches and I've seen a number of gold Watch Urbanes and women's Gold Moto 360s out in the wild. Still have yet to see a female wearing a Gear S2 Classic or any of the other masculine smartwatches. Apple was smart to come out with a unisex type design in my opinion, and it shows based on how popular it is among both males and females.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Meanwhile, the Note7 is explosive, literally. All going well.

http://iphone.appleinsider.com/arti...s-shipments-of-exploding-galaxy-note-7-phones

Yeah. It is not like iPhone never exploded during charging, right?

 

[mi7chy]

Best looking aviator smartwatch design so far. Much better than the Tag Heuer Connected which looks too busy and gimmicky for the $1500 price tag. Gear S3 checks all the boxes with best design, LTE stand-alone capability untethered from phone, GPS, longer battery life and even MST payment which works virtually everywhere. If it has apps such as Hangsout for calls and SMS, Google Maps/Waze, Gmail/Aqua Mail, calendar, contacts and Garmin-like fitness app then it seals the deal. First smartwatch to be worthy of being worn on my wrist.

 

[Mac 128]

I hesitate to agree with this based on comparing my 42mm Moto 360 to my 42mm Apple Watch. The same notification will come through on both, yet I can see more of the notification on the Apple Watch. I know the purpose isn't to read a novel on the watch, but when I have a text that's more than 3 words, I can read more of it on my Apple Watch than on the 360.

If the watch should be used just to deliver notifications, why did Apple give it the ability to run apps and view photos? That seems kind kind of backwards thinking if they only want it to be used as a notification device. Not saying that you're wrong, but it does seem kind of backwards that they give it all this functionality only then to say that it should be used to glance at something for 2 second and pull a phone out.

Why limit a product's capabilities if it can do more without compromise? That's the same battery argument going on in another thread. Even though many are arguing that the battery life is just fine in the watch, if Apple can increase the battery life without compromising other features, even add features, and make is slimmer for some, then why shouldn't they? Likewise with the LTE chip. Even if someone never uses the cellular capabilities in the watch, if they can add the chip, it pays for it the first time someone has to call 911 while jogging without their phone.

The point Ive was making is that the watch isn't really designed for extended interaction, but to the extent someone needs to do that, it's available.

In any even here's a direct comparison to the sacrifices between the 38 & 42mm watches which customers are already making for style and shape size:

 

[spinedoc77]

It's a tradeoff between size and function. With the Samsung, you get LTE, longer battery life. But compare the sizes:
Apple Watch 38mm: 38.6x33x10.5mm, 25g (Sport), 40g (Watch)
Apple Watch 42mm: 42x35.9x10.5mm, 30g (Sport), 50g (Watch)
Samsung S3 Classic: 49x46x12.9mm, 57g
Samsung S3 Frontier: 49x46x12.9mm, 62g
The Frontier is more than twice as heavy as the 42mm Apple Watch Sport.

Interesting, I thought the AW was thicker. I guess it just looks thicker because of its design. But I have to see them side by side.