Have you ever wanted a smartwatch that works as a phone but also comes with a heart-rate monitor, GPS, mobile payment system and even a WiFi? Then look no further because Samsung Gear S3 has all the above, and more.
Samsung, the Korean tech giant at the IFA consumer technology show in Berlin, unveiled the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch which is the latest smartwatch to join the growing list of wearables currently available in the market.
This smartwatch has a beautiful screen, a gorgeous design, great fitness, and it is very durable. The Gear S3 device is a bold watch; it features a rugged all-metal design, an elevated bezel, accentuated buttons and a black case which makes it a mean looking watch. The Gear S3 device has no colors or size options, and this places a limit for a new product that is just trying to win the heart of potential customers.
Samsung Gear S3 – SPECS
- $300 on Amazon
- Vibrating Alert
- IP68 water and dust resistant
- Preloaded Software: Stopwatch, Contacts, E-mail, Messages, Music Player, Alarm, Phone, Gallery, Weather, Navigation, Timer, Bloomberg
- 1 GHz Processor
- Wireless Interface, Bluetooth 4.2, IEEE 802.11b/g/n, NFC
- 380 mAh Battery
- Audio output Speaker, Speaking into watch functionality
- iOS / Android Compatible
- 4GB Installed Memory
- Tizen OS
- 4 GB Installed Memory
Gear S3 – Interface
In producing the Gear S3 device, Samsung decided to make use of the Tizen Operating System which looks precisely like the operating system in Google and Apple watch. However, the OS has two layers. From the home screen of the watch, you can quickly swipe right or left to see notifications, create reminders, check weather conditions and check your recently used app. When you use the button on the side, the screen takes you to the Tizen app menu which has app icons arranged at the edge of the S3 display.
In each page, you can only find eight apps. The S3 device also has the rotating bezel that allows you to scroll through the menu apps quickly. Also, I love how easy it is to promptly respond to notifications and messages. If the Bluetooth is tethered to your phone, you can quickly respond to a message by just dictating the message or typing it. One advantage the gear S3 has over other smartwatches is that you can install apps on it directly rather than first downloading it through a smartphone.
Gear S3 – Unique Design
The Samsung Gear S3 like most smartwatches is built for a larger wrist. The face measures 46 x 49 millimeters (1.8 x 1.9 inches), and also weighs 2.2 ounces without the band.
It is produced with a stainless steel case that makes it very attractive. The serrations on the rotating bezel make it easier to turn. Its surface is protected using a Gorilla Glass, and the MIL-SPEC-810G can withstand when submerged in water of about 5 feet for more than 30 minutes.
Gear S3 – Display
The Gear S3 device has a very bright screen. It has a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. The full-color AMOLED screen looks beautiful with its contents looking clear and packed full of color. The OLED display is covered with the Gorilla Glass SR+ which protect the watch from getting scratched. One excellent feature of the S3 device is the always-on option. You have the option of setting your device to dimmed or always-on display. However, note that setting the smartwatch to always- on display will end up killing the battery life.
Gear S3 – As a Fitness Device
The S3 has a lot of sensors; it has a barometer, an altimeter that measures your elevation and the weather, a heart rate monitor, a GPS too.
You can use the excellent peer app which provides training or get stuck with the Gear Fit app. The Gear S3 can track some activities like rowing machines, squats, cycling and elliptical. You can rotate the bezel to switch between speed, heart rate, distance, pace and even control the music.
The smartwatch has two physical buttons that you need to touch to display and end your workout, but this has a limitation especially when yous hand is sweaty, the screen may not recognize this touch. The heart rate monitor works better when you cinch the watch tighter on your wrist to read your pulse. You can also transfer music to your Gear 3 making it easy for you to listen to music while running.
One major misfit on this watch is that it doesn’t wait to get a GPS signal before sending you on the run. Other running watches wait until it has a steady signal before starting. I think this is one area Samsung must look into.
Gear S3 – Battery Life
One major problem with many smartwatches is that the battery does not last long. However, Samsung seems to have addressed this issue by using the 380-mAh battery for the Gear S3 device.
I discovered that the battery could last for up to 48 hours when I disabled the GPS tracking and have only a few notification coming through even with the always-on-screen is activated. When I put on the GPS, the battery gets drained very fast and 30 minutes run used more than 10 percent of the battery
Gear S3 – Final Verdict
With the Gear S3 device, Samsung has built a classic and robust wristwatch for people who love to wear rugged smartwatch. The watch is bold with a stunning always-on screen and a rotating bezel which makes it easy to navigate on a tiny display. The battery life is good, its compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones and has the ability to speak directly into the watch. Although the Samsung Gear S3 has some issues that need to be addressed, it remains an ideal watch that lets you leave your phone at home and remain connected.