Watch samsung galaxy gear s3. Review of the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier smartwatch. Base operating system

Samsung recently expanded its smartwatch lineup with a new generation, the Gear S3, which includes two models: Classic and Frontier. The latter attracted the most attention from the audience due to their pleasant appearance, which complemented the software and hardware advantages of the series. the site tested the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier and figured out whether the device was worthy of the attention it received during the announcement.

Specifications Samsung Gear S Frontier

• display: 1.3 inches, 360R resolution, Super AMOLED, Gorilla Glass SR
• Processor: Exynos 7270 clocked at 1 GHz
• RAM: 768 MB, ROM: 4 GB
• Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11n, NFC, MST, GPS
• accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, altimeter, optical heart rate sensor
• protection: IP68, MIL-STD-810G
• battery: 380 mAh
• dimensions: 49x46x12.9 mm, weight: 62 g
• OS: Tizen Based Wearable Platform 2.3.2

Appearance

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier is a sports version of the current line of smart watches from the Korean brand, which is distinguished by its massiveness and good-looking appearance. The controls are familiar from the Gear S2: a bezel rotating around the display and two keys. The latter have a relief applied to them; the buttons themselves are large, with a moderately tight and precise action. The bezel is matte, it is covered with markings, and there are serifs at the ends.

The upper part of the device, made of stainless steel, has properties similar to gloss: it quickly becomes covered with fingerprints and, even if not thoroughly wiped, retains stains. This can only be noticed when examining the case in detail from a few centimeters; in all other cases, this feature is successfully hidden by the dark color of the metal. The lower half of the case, which is adjacent to the hand, consists of a plastic form and a glass (or very similar to glass) cover, under which the heartbeat sensor is hidden.

The device is large and weighty (62 g without a strap), which will not allow people with thin hands to carry it, and the thickness is impressive. Samsung Gear S3 Frontier cannot be called a “boiler”; rather, it is a medium size, familiar from the mass segment of wristwatches. It’s especially pleasing that the gadget matches its analog counterparts not only in size, but also in appearance.

The design of the first mass-produced smartwatches could hardly be called sophisticated, and they were hardly watches. In three years, the situation on the market has not changed much, but the Gear S3, unlike most competitors, can hardly be called a wearable computer when you see them on your hand - you can’t even immediately understand that the device is smart and not ordinary mechanics.

Additionally, I am glad that the smart watch received not only IP68 protection from water and dust, but also meets the MIL-810G standard, that is, it can withstand falls from a small height (not particularly important for watches), and are not afraid of sudden temperature changes (relevant in winter) and survive light impacts. The latter is critically important for watches that constantly collide with door jambs, the surface of a table, or an unsuccessfully opened door. The standard also includes resistance to sunlight, shock and vibration - typical hazards that any watch faces.

Comfort and straps

The ease of interaction with the interface in the Gear S3 remains the best on the market, since rotating the bezel saves you from three problems at once: the screen does not get dirty, you do not need to take off your gloves, your fingers do not block the interface when interacting with the device (in some situations you have to touch the display, but this is more likely exception rather than the rule).

The control element has become tighter than it was in the Gear S2, besides, it scrolls well only if you cling to it from the side, by the notches; you can’t just move your finger along the rim from above. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage: during all testing, there were no false interactions with the interface when rubbing against clothing or other objects, but scrolling through long lists (for example, the application menu) requires several actions, since you are actually interacting only with a third of the bezel . The last inconvenience is minor, and it is present only now, while the jacket is an obligatory part of the wardrobe: it will disappear in the fall or summer.

The main achievement of the Gear S3 Frontier in comparison with the Gear S2 can be called the abandonment of proprietary strap fastening and the transition to a standard 22 mm solution: from now on, the user can buy a new version in almost any watch store. Yes, it will not have the Gear S3 embossed on the inside, but the choice is not limited to the options that Samsung itself will offer or several third-party companies that will risk mastering the mount for one or two models on the market.

The Gear S3's everyday usability has also improved over the previous generation thanks to its larger screen.

Display

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier is equipped with a 1.3-inch display with a resolution of 360 pixels in diameter. The pixel density has dropped slightly compared to the Gear S2 due to the larger diagonal, but strong pixelation is not visible on the screen, but larger elements are easier to see without raising the hand to the nose, and now in rare cases when you need to touch the display, your finger does not cover all space.

Other characteristics of the screen, traditionally for flagship Samsung devices, are excellent: the maximum brightness is so strong that even the brightest sun does not disturb the picture, the color richness and contrast are high. Black is the main background color of all programs, which not only consumes less energy due to the AMOLED display, but also has a positive effect on readability.

The best thing is the introduction of the Always On Display in the Gear S3. Another advantage of analog watches has disappeared. Moreover, this is not just a pale display of time, but nice, slightly simplified versions of the main dials.

Always On Display

The brightness in this mode is reduced, but it is still enough to clearly see the time. The downside is that even the reduced brightness is clearly visible at night, which makes it difficult to sleep in a watch that automatically tracks the user's sleep.

Functionality

The capabilities of the Samsung Gear S3 are largely the same. At the same time, there are a number of innovations that made the Gear S3 better than its predecessor.

Improvements

The sports component has evolved, which is in line with the trends in the smartwatch market. The device received an altimeter that allows you to measure the number of floors passed: an additional activity in S Health, another tool to reward the user for movement.

Sensitivity has increased significantly - the sensors almost perfectly determine the moments when the user changes the type of activity. So, the device automatically found out the exact time of fast walking - the duration of this activity was manually tracked on the Apple Watch, and the Gear S3 Frontier was simply on the hand. When the activity stopped, the Samsung device reported that the duration of the "workout" was 10 minutes 7 seconds, when in fact it lasted 10 minutes 18 seconds.

The highest accuracy is observed with all types of activity, and automatic detection paired with data reliability produces very detailed and correct information in S Health statistics

Engineers added a speaker to the watch, meaning now the user can make calls and answer incoming calls. Useful for answering in situations where it is inconvenient to take the phone: when you are leaving the store and your hands are full, when you cannot find your smartphone, when your hands are dirty (for example, while cooking). You won’t be able to have a full conversation, but quickly saying where you are or how long it will take you to get to the meeting place works great.

Voice input

The voice input function remains the most convenient way to interact with the watch (at this stage of development) to perform complex scenarios that cannot be described with buttons. These include creating notes, setting reminders, entering addresses and searching through large lists, for example, in contacts.

Voice recognition has improved: The Gear S2 was frustrating when dictating sentences longer than three words, but the Tizen update significantly improved the situation on the previous generation. The new product works even more accurately - now you can respond to a message in detail directly from the watch. Other voice-based functions also work well, except that the assistant’s speech is still too robotic.

The system also received reminders that can be set by voice. The implementation is still lame: the device cannot understand both the text of the task and the due date in one request. For example, “Remind me to eat in 40 minutes” triggers task creation, after which the watch asks what the user wants to name the task.

There is also a bad scenario - the watch completely ignores “10 minutes” (and “an hour and a half”) in the voice request, which is why when the phrase “remind me to turn off the gas in 10 minutes” it creates a reminder with the text “turn off the gas in 10 minutes” and They set it an hour after the task is created. From there it gets funnier - when the user says a task is saved incorrectly, the watch prompts you to say “edit” or “cancel” to perform the appropriate action. When you say “cancel,” the device repeats the same question and will do so until the owner says “cancel cancel” (yes, repeating the same thing twice).

Sometimes a voice request using a similar pattern sets an alarm - in this case, the Gear S3 is able to understand both the time of the task and the name in one command. It is not clear, however, why the same command calls different functions.

Third party apps and store

The amount of software for Tizen smartwatches continues to grow, but the pace is still not encouraging: many popular programs have not arrived on the platform, but Android functionality allows the watch to respond to notifications without software companions, except perhaps viewing a sent picture or sticker. But what the Gear S3 really has a lot of are watch faces, those who like self-expression will like it.

Standard variations:

The software store has become much better than six months ago: cards now indicate whether a program is installed, content loads much faster, cataloging has become better, and sections have appeared with all programs from one developer. However, there is still something to work on, especially with regard to the smoothness of the interface, which noticeably slows down on:

The Gear app store on Samsung runs especially smoothly (no) pic.twitter.com/JYicNPKkjx

However, some changes are noticeable here (the main page is updated, the top pages regularly show new hits), in contrast to Apple’s similar section for smart watches. Yes, Samsung still has significantly fewer programs, but at least some progress is underway. In the future, the difference will become smaller and smaller, even to the point of Samsung's subsequent leadership if Apple continues to do nothing.

Gear S3 as a smart watch

Samsung Gear S3, like an analog watch, copes with most tasks: it always displays the time, supports standard straps and looks presentable. Autonomy is still not given to smart watches on the same level as traditional devices, but this is the price to pay for a bunch of additional features.

The device perfectly performs two main tasks of any smartwatch: it counts physical activity and shows notifications, some of which can be answered (if you use an Android smartphone) directly from the Gear S3. The lack of messengers on Tizen is frustrating, because it is from them that the bulk of notifications come, but the standard implementation displays text, and stickers and other additional content rather interfere with quick communication (or require a thoughtful response, that is, it is still more convenient to take out a smartphone).

The software from the store does not please with the assortment, but all the main programs are there: world time, timers, programs for ordering a taxi and other utilities, the functionality of which can be performed with one or two touches

Controlling the interface using the headband remains the most convenient implementation, since the screen gets noticeably less dirty, and there is no need to take off gloves in cool weather. The best part is that this method of interaction does not require getting used to: it is logical and simple thanks to the logic originally built for the round screen.

Autonomy

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier received a 380 mAh battery, which in a loaded mode of use with an active Always On Display provides 42-43 hours of battery life. For example, almost the same number of people live, but without a constantly active display. If you disable the main feature of the Gear S3, then the autonomy increases to 65-70 hours, but this is the case when it is worth sacrificing autonomy for the sake of functionality.

The watch is charged from the docking station using the inductive method; the process of full energy recovery takes a little more than two hours. Externally, the charger completely replicates that of the previous generation, only slightly larger in size (which is expected due to the larger screen diagonal). Both generations of docks fit both new and old watches.

Competitors

The main competitor of the Gear S3 Frontier is the Samsung Gear S2: the earlier model almost completely replicates the functionality of the Gear S3, while being suitable for more people due to its compactness. In addition, their cost is lower than the new one - 6999 UAH. They don’t look so cool, you won’t be able to make a call, the straps have a proprietary fastening, and the battery life of the device is worse, but the main features (showing notifications, Always On Display) work perfectly.

LG Watch Sport and Huawei Watch are also competitors. The first watch is notable for being developed in conjunction with Google and using Android Wear 2.0, but there are problems: they cost $349 in the US excluding taxes, and are also not available in domestic retail. Huawei Watch is still available in official stores, its cost is 8500-9000 UAH. This watch will receive Android Wear 2.0 soon. Buying an Android Wear watch instead of a Gear makes sense in two cases: you're hoping to save money, or you want a more feature-rich system (Wear 2.0). The latter, however, will be of little use in the coming months, since developers will have to release programs that support new features.

Apple Watch Series 2 can hardly be called a direct competitor to the Gear S3, since some do not work with anything other than an iPhone, and although the second has learned to interact with Apple smartphones, it is not yet possible to fully use this combination (we’ll talk more about this in comparison). However, the two competing camps are largely equal, but the Gear S3 performs much better as a regular watch, while the Apple Watch is much closer to the term “multifunctional computer.” You can choose between Gear S3 and Apple Watch only based on the OS on which the smartphone runs - this is the only parameter that matters in this case.

Conclusion

The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier looks great: chunky but neat, smart but classic. A standard strap holder and an always-on display make the device closer to analogue solutions in terms of convenience. The smart component is also pleasing, especially with regard to the fitness functions and the convenience of the headband for interacting with the interface. The device can safely be called the best product in this category in principle.

The Gear S3 Frontier still doesn't get the point across why the masses should buy a smartwatch, but within existing devices it looks like one of the most attractive options. Great popularity will only be prevented by the cost of 9999 UAH, which is not high for everything that the device provides, but prohibitively high for those who buy a much more necessary device for less money - a smartphone.

The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier makes a great gift for any owner (with a medium to large wrist) of a flagship Android smartphone, and technology enthusiasts will also rejoice at this purchase. Other users can only wait until smartwatches reach a critical mass of usefulness and become significantly cheaper.

3 reasons to buy Samsung Gear S3:

• excellent appearance, protection according to IP68 and MIL-810G standards
• always active display
• the most convenient mechanism for working with the OS

3 reasons not to buy Samsung Gear S3:

• Not everyone needs a smart watch
• the potential owner has a small wrist
• you are not mentally ready to spend 10 thousand UAH on a smartphone companion

Gear S3 classic is a modern classic on your wrist, a combination of vintage design and modern technology. The marks on the bezel are applied using a laser. The pushers, made in the style of classic crowns, harmoniously complement the design of the case. The Gear S3 classic is built using 316L stainless steel alloy for a high level of protection. The Gear S3 classic is designed to last for days without needing to be recharged or connected to your smartphone.
The Gear S3 classic gives you freedom.

Innovation in a rugged package

The Gear S3 classic combines the best of traditional watches with innovative devices. One glance is enough to appreciate their stunning design. A comfortable strap, a unique rotating bezel, a clear dial and a powerful battery make the smart watch so easy to use and allow you to use it for up to 4 days without recharging.

Always active screen

The updated full-color always-on screen is virtually indistinguishable from the classic watch face. Choose the interface that suits you. The watch comes pre-loaded with 15 screen designs, and you'll find even more in Galaxy Apps!
Make your watch truly unique!

Control with one movement!

Enjoy the ease of use of the Gear S3 classic. Manage notifications, adjust volume, answer calls by simply rotating the bezel left or right. You can easily operate your watch even with wet hands or gloves.

Change your style
changing straps!

Find a strap that's right for you. The Gear S3 classic features a universal mount that's standard on traditional watches. Samsung replacement bands are durable and elegant. Emphasize your unique style!

Dark blue leather strap

Call from
smart watch!

Let the Gear S3 classic be your smartphone. The built-in speaker and microphone let you make and receive calls without your smartphone and listen to voice messages and reminders*. In addition, you can enjoy your favorite tracks thanks to the built-in music player.

Built-in GPS

With the Gear S3 classic, you'll never go astray again, even without your smartphone. Thanks to the built-in GPS, you can build walking routes, calculate the distance to your destination, and even find the best cafes and restaurants nearby.

*GPS navigation without a smartphone or Wi-Fi connection will require downloading apps or maps,
do not require an Internet connection and may incur a download fee.

Tracks for the road

Connect your Bluetooth headphones and listen to your favorite tracks during workouts and trips!
4 GB of internal memory in the Gear S3 classic allows you to take your favorite music with you, even without a smartphone.

* Listening to music from online resources is possible if Wi-Fi is available.

Built-in sensors

Gear S3 classic features a barometer and constantly monitors your pressure, keeping you informed of any unexpected or expected changes in as much detail as needed to help you plot a new route. An altimeter and speedometer help you track your speed and show your current altitude.
Smart watches allow you to always be one step ahead.

4 days without recharging!

Thanks to the capacious battery, you can go without charging for up to 4 days!

*Battery charge time may vary depending on usage and settings.

SOS messages quickly and easily

Simply press the Home key three times to instantly send your location to your selected contacts. They will be able to track your movements in real time.

* The service is provided by the Glympse platform. Available services may vary by country and region.

SOS messages

Press the Home key three times to send your location to selected contacts.

Water protection
and dust

Wear the Gear S3 classic in any weather, in any situation. IP68 water and dust resistance allows the watch to withstand immersion in fresh water to a depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

*Not suitable for diving or swimming.

More than 10,000 applications

You don't need a smartphone to download apps for the Gear S3 classic. Just go to Galaxy Apps from the Gear S3 classic screen and download the apps you trust, the ones you can't live without, or the ones you've always wanted to try!
Easier than ever!

• Compact version of Translator for smart watches. Say something in Russian, English, Ukrainian or Turkish - and the application will show the translation on the screen. You can translate into any of the 85 languages ​​known to the Translator. Among them are English, French, Spanish, German, Turkish, Tatar. The application works on its own, without a smartphone - as long as there is Internet.
• The navigator determines where you are and helps you quickly assess traffic congestion in the city. The main screen of the application shows the current traffic score, and on the others - the forecast for the next 5 hours. Add Traffic Jams to the widget panel so that your current score is always visible.
• Compact version of Transport for watches on the Tizen platform. The application selects the five stops closest to you and shows when and what kind of transport will arrive at them. For example, this way you can find out if a suitable bus stops nearby. Or check whether it is worth walking to the next stop or whether it is better to wait for the bus here.
• A taxi makes it easy and quick to place an order - you don’t need to call anywhere to call a car. The application will tell you when and what kind of car will arrive at your location. The built-in map will tell you where the driver is waiting for you.

Which I really liked then. Which was quite strange, because previous attempts by Koreans to make watches caused slight bewilderment.

Over the past year, my opinion about watches has not changed, but on the contrary, it has improved. For two reasons.

Firstly, after the review was published, they pointed out an inaccuracy to me: it turned out that the Gear S2 still knew how to keep the display on and show the time constantly. It’s just that this function was hidden quite deep into the watch itself. But initially everything was limited to a monochrome picture (white on black), which looked rather boring against the backdrop of the colored dials of watches with Android Wear. But Samsung updated the firmware, after which color dials appeared in abundance. Let me emphasize that we are talking about color in standby mode. In active mode, the picture is full color, there is an excellent Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 360x360 pixels.

Secondly, there was just a gigantic amount of watch faces for Gear 2. Tizen, let's say, is not the most widespread platform, and I never expected such diversity. And here there are both free and paid ones - you’ll get tired of choosing. My heart finally sank when dials appeared for the Gear S2 that copied the design of the “Commander” watch. This is probably not very good from the point of view of compliance with copyrights, but wearing smart “Commander” cards on your hand, and even constantly changing the design, is cool.

For me personally, the Gear S2 and the second-generation Moto 360 are quite equivalent. Both from the point of view of functionality and from the point of view of convenience. Samsung makes it very convenient to control using a rotating bezel, but Android Wear is not a hassle at all. The hardware of the watches is almost the same, and therefore they probably consume the same battery. By evening I usually had about 60% charge left. I don’t like survival experiments; I always put the watch on the docking station at night.

At the end of summer, Samsung announced a new model, the Gear S3. Any day now they will be sold in Russia, but I’ve already been wearing them for a week and am impressed.

What's the difference?

I’ll say right away that I studied the Gear S3 Classic, not the Gear S3 Frontier. The latter is distinguished by the presence of a SIM card inside and a radically black body color. I also need a SIM card in a watch, but the black case looks much better than the steel one. I hope that one day it will migrate to Classic.

It's immediately noticeable that the Gear S3 is much larger and thicker. In numbers, the difference does not look very significant - the screen diagonal has increased from 1.2 inches to 1.3 (at the same resolution), and the thickness from 11.4 to 12.9 mm. The weight has grown from 47 grams to 59 (excluding the strap). Everyone likes watches in different sizes. Personally, the dimensions of the younger Moto 360 and Gear S2 seem optimal to me, but there are many men who prefer something more substantial. The Gear S3 is designed specifically for them. They are not huge, but really large, and you can see them from afar.

There are only two major hardware changes compared to Gear2.

The first is the appearance of a built-in speaker, so now you can talk for hours without a phone in hands-free mode. Motorists will definitely love this.

The second is a GPS receiver (also called GLONASS). Now with Samsung watches, like the new Apple Watch, you can run without your phone, and they will record everything.

The remaining changes would be more accurately called cosmetic. The amount of RAM has increased - from 512 megabytes to 768. It’s hard to feel it. The volume of onboard flash remains the same, 4 GB. Instead of the Exynos 3250 SoC there is a new Exynos 7270, but there are the same number of cores (2) and the same operating frequency (1 GHz). Most likely, the advantage is only in power consumption, because the clocks are the same in operating speed. Still, the Tizen platform is in full control of Samsung, and it would be a sin not to optimize it for its own hardware.

The battery capacity has increased from 250 mAh to 380 mAh. By smartphone standards this is nothing, but by watch standards it’s a big step forward. Samsung promises up to four days of operation without recharging. My watch is new, the battery has not yet been trained, so it’s too early to judge the battery life. It happens that you use up 18% of the charge in a day, and sometimes you use up 35%. So I can only guarantee two days without recharging. The rest depends on the load, the watch face you're using, and your need to keep the screen lit all the time.

Everything else about the Gear S3 is the same as the Gear S2. IP68 water resistance, accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, barometer, light sensor... If you like the idea of ​​paying by the hour, it is also present in the S3, and if in the S2 Samsung Pay only worked with contactless terminals, then in the S3 they also added magnetic stripe emulation .

Personal impressions

I understand why Samsung decided to keep the screen resolution the same on larger (and more expensive) watches. For compatibility. Running after developers and persuading them to make new versions of watch faces and applications is quite troublesome (and expensive).

But still I cannot support this decision. Highly detailed watch faces that look like they've been painted on the Gear S2 show a bit of grain on the S3. No, it's okay. And, probably, if I had not walked with S2 for a long time before this, I would not have noticed anything at all. But, given the circumstances, I notice.

The bezel has grown along with the watch, becoming heavier and more difficult to turn. Perhaps it’s also the fact that on S2 the finger touches the teeth on the sides, which enhances grip, but here the finger slides along a wide strip of steel. Another small thing. And again - I notice.

In general, I rather like the increased dimensions. I don't have any strict preferences. In my huge collection of analog watches there are both very small and huge pieces, and there was something to suit everyone’s mood. Perhaps (perhaps) the watch should have been thinner by about 0.5 mm. But, rest assured, there will be those who would like to add half a centimeter on the contrary.

The Gear S3 will keep a very close eye on you by default. “Wow, you’ve walked so many steps!”, “Hey, you’ve climbed five floors!”, “Hey, why did you sit too long, come on, go walk!” This can be turned off, or you can leave it - as you like. The radius within which the watch works with a smartphone via Bluetooth remains the same, and if you go beyond it, the watch will switch to Wi-Fi and continue sending notifications.

The main impression from the Gear S3 is that they are big. From a user experience point of view, everything is very, very similar. However, watches on Android Wear can do the same thing.

Yes, it’s worth clarifying that the watch works with almost any Android device (from version 4.4) and is partially compatible with the iPhone. That is, at the level of warnings about calls and messages. Full support for iOS is promised in the first quarter of 2017, but there is a small nuance: they started promising it back at the end of 2015...

Price and selection

I don’t yet know the official price of the Gear S3 Classic in Russia. In the States they cost $299 excluding sales tax, which in our money means about 21 thousand rubles. I can assume that a copy from the official supply will cost 24,990 rubles. The version with a SIM card (Frontier) costs the same.

At the same time, the official price of the Gear S2 Classic in Russia is 19,990 rubles, but can easily be found for 16-17 thousand. There are no plans to discontinue the previous generation yet.

Which option should I choose? If you need hands-free calling by the clock, take the Gear S3. It’s the same story if you run a lot and it’s important to overlay routes on the map.

Otherwise, everything depends only on size. If you want something bigger and more impressive, we take the S3. Do you prefer the compact version – S2. In any case, you won't be able to save much. If you are just trying out whether you need a smartwatch in principle, the cheapest and most decent ticket to this world is.

We constantly hear that smart watches “didn’t work” and that they are not needed. But myself, being a watch lover with considerable experience, I can only look at ordinary watches from the point of view of a collector. And only smart people can wear it.

Samsung Gear S3, despite significant changes in design, represents a smooth evolutionary development of ideas from S2, without turning its predecessors into archaism. You can choose calmly. Choice is wonderful.

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With some changes and improvements, both in terms of design, functions and autonomy. In this comparison of the Galaxy Watch and Gear S3, you'll find out what exactly has changed, and how the new version is better than its predecessor.

Samsung Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Design

Although the two models are very similar in appearance, in our opinion the Galaxy Watch looks more sophisticated and elegant than the Gear S3. But again, this depends on personal preference. For those unaware, the Gear S3 comes in two variants: Classic and Frontier. As the name suggests, the former looks more classic, while the latter looks more sporty. Both versions have a case diameter of 46 mm.

The Galaxy Watch comes in one design, but with two case sizes: 42 and 46 mm, with the 46 mm version only available in a silver case with a black bezel around the screen, and the 42 mm version in black or rose gold, which should appeal to girls and women.

One of the features of the new watch model is a realistic dial with hour hands and an imitation of the sound of a mechanical watch, thanks to which the gadget can easily be mistaken for a classic analog watch.

Galaxy Watch and Gear S3 features

In terms of functions related to activity tracking, Samsung devices have always been inferior to gadgets from such companies as Fitbit, Garmin or Polar. But with the Galaxy Watch, Samsung takes the experience to the next level by adding several new features.

The watch can automatically detect the start of a workout and can control up to 39 sports modes. To obtain more accurate data, the watch is equipped with a GPS module, so during training you can get data on speed, trajectory and route.

Another new feature is the stress management system. Combined with data from a heart rate sensor, this system can determine the user's stress level and recommend breathing exercises and meditation to reduce it. Galaxy Watch also received advanced sleep monitoring, with automatic detection of sleep depth and phases.

Another watch will help you control your calorie and water consumption, which was not the case in the previous model. The Gear S3 had some of these features, but it can't detect stress levels and can't track as many sports modes.

As for other functions, the Galaxy Watch is also equipped with an NFC module for contactless payments via Samsung Pay, but without MST, which we, unfortunately, do not support. The watch also supports the use of the Bixby voice assistant and control of other Samsung gadgets from the watch using the SmartThings application. Otherwise, with the exception of minor differences, the functionality of these two models is identical.

Samsung Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Specifications and Software

Like the Gear S3, the Galaxy Watch runs on the Tizen operating system (version 4.0). To pair with a smartphone, an updated application (formerly Samsung Gear) is used.

The 46mm version of the Galaxy Watch uses the exact same screen as the Gear S3. This is a Super AMOLED panel with a diameter of 1.3 inches with a resolution of 360*360 pixels. The 42 mm version has a screen with the same resolution of 360*360 pixels, but with a smaller diameter - 1.2 inches. Using protective glass, the Galaxy Watch screens are better protected from bumps and scratches than the Gear S3 with Gorilla Glass SR+.

Another change affected the processor. The performance of the Galaxy Watch is powered by a new Exynos 9110 processor with a frequency of 1.15 GHz, while the previous model runs on an Exynos 7270 chip with a frequency of 1.0 GHz. Memory in both cases: 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory. The LTE version of the Galaxy Watch will receive 1.5 GB of RAM, but it will not be available in our market.

Samsung Galaxy Watch and Gear S3: waterproof and battery life

The autonomy of the new watch model has improved significantly. If the Gear S3 could last a maximum of 4 days without charging, then for the Galaxy Watch this time changed to 7 days, thanks to a 472 mAh battery. But this only applies to the 46 mm version. The 42 mm watch has the same autonomy as the previous model.

In terms of water resistance, the Gear S3 is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand short periods of submersion in water. The new model has a water resistance level of 5 ATM, which means they can withstand swimming and even diving to shallow depths.

Let's sum it up

The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a clear improvement over the Gear S3, but probably not enough to make you want to sell your Gear S3 and buy the new version right now. Evolution, of course, is obvious, but this is precisely evolution, and not a revolutionary leap forward.

It's been a while since we've had a review! Last time, the Oukitel A58 came into the laboratory, and if it was a watch, it was definitely not the smartest one.

Today our guest is a more prominent product in the industry - the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. This is already the third generation of wearable gadgets from the Korean manufacturer, and we managed to look at these models at the exhibition, which we described in a separate article.

In it, my colleague called the new product “an improved and modified version of the Gear S2,” however, in my opinion, there are fundamental differences between the models that can easily push users to change their predecessor to the new version.

And Samsung itself highlights new products by slightly changing the naming; the classic version remains “Classic”, and the eccentric modification received the Frontier label. Let's see what has changed in terms of technical characteristics.

Specifications Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

The most important change concerned the SoC. The outdated and completely inappropriate cores of the Cortex-A7 architecture were replaced with more energy-efficient Cortex-A53. Their number has not changed, but this is for the better. Coupled with a more refined technical process, this should significantly improve the level of autonomy of the watch.

The manufacturer has added a GPS module that can work with the watch without a smartphone, recording user actions. This will be useful, for example, when jogging - you don’t need to take your smartphone with you every time to measure the distance traveled. The noticeably “fat” battery is also pleasing, which should further affect the autonomy of the device. True, the mass has increased significantly.

Packaging and equipment Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

Alas, the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier came to us without packaging, but judging by the information from the network, the package consists of the following accessories:

• Documentation;
• Charger (dock);
• Power unit;
• MicroUSB cable.

Overall, this is a typical setup for most smartwatches.

The docking station is quite compact, it is equipped with a weighting material, so it should not fall off the table due to a draft.

The watch can be installed on it in any direction; there are no latches - the case is magnetized to the surface. The docking station is equipped with an LED charging progress indicator that changes color as the process progresses.

The charger in our case has a non-removable wire. Connection to the docking station occurs via the MicroUSB port. Output current: 0.7 A at 5 V.