Samsung Gear S3 First Look

The Samsung Gear S3: A Powerful and Feature-Rich Smartwatch

The Samsung Gear S3 is the latest iteration in the company's flagship smartwatch line, offering a range of new features and improvements over its predecessor, the Gear S2. One of the most noticeable changes is the watch's design, which has been refined to resemble the classic fashion metal watches of yesteryear. The Gear S3 Classic has a sleek and sophisticated look, while the Gear S3 Frontier takes a more ruggedized approach, with a matted finish and flat buttons on the side.

The bezel that rotates and has a very Audible and very tactile click to it is still really nice to use, but it can also be used for a number of different other functions. When calls come into the watch, users can take and make calls simply by rotating the bezel clockwise or counterclockwise. The same can be said for other notifications and different parts of the watch where you need to action upon them. This feature adds a new level of convenience to the watch, making it easy to stay connected on-the-go.

The 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display that wraps around the bezel is scratch-resistant using Gorilla Glass sr+, which is a significant improvement over the Gear S2. The screen is also one of the largest available in any smartwatch, making it perfect for those who want to stay informed without having to constantly check their phone. However, this larger size means that the watch itself is bulkier than previous models, which may be a concern for some users.

The body of the Gear S3 is IP certified for water and dust resistance, with extra military-grade protection to give it an added boost in ruggedness. The watch's durability was put to the test during our demonstration, where it was exposed to severely cold and severely hot temperatures without showing any signs of strain. This level of protection makes the Gear S3 a great option for those who want a smartwatch that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

One of the most significant upgrades in the Gear S3 is its LTE connectivity, which allows users to receive notifications directly on the watch and make calls using the speaker and microphone combo built-in. This feature makes the watch even more versatile than before, allowing users to stay connected without needing to constantly check their phone. The addition of GPS and other fitness tracking sensors also makes the Gear S3 a great option for those who want to track their activity levels.

Music streaming is another feature that's been carried over from the Gear Fit 2, which allows users to stream music directly from their watch using Wi-Fi or LTE connections. This feature can be especially useful for commuters who need to listen to music during their daily commute without having to carry a separate device. Additionally, users can store local files on the watch, allowing them to have access to their favorite tunes at all times.

The Gear S3 also supports Samsung Pay, which allows users to make contactless payments using their smartwatch. To set up Samsung Pay on the Gear S3, simply hold the back button and select a card. The MST or magstripe reader can then be used to authenticate transactions. With wide support for Samsung Pay across many retailers, this feature makes the Gear S3 an even more appealing option for those who want to make contactless payments.

In summary, the Samsung Gear S3 offers a range of new features and improvements over its predecessor, including LTE connectivity, Samsung Pay, and a ruggedized design. While it's bulkier than some other smartwatches on the market, the watch's large display and durable construction make it a great option for those who want a reliable and feature-rich smartwatch.