Did you know that Samsung at one time launched seven wrist-worn wearables in a year? Two years after launching so many smartwatches, I thought that Samsung's ambitions for smartwatches had subsided somewhat. But in fact it is not. On Wednesday, Samsung unveiled not one, but two versions of the Gear S3 smartwatch, and the wearable arms race resumed.


Two new products based on Tizen OS will compete with the Gear S2 smartwatch and Gear Fit2 fitness tracker in Samsung's product line. Last week I had the opportunity to touch the new S3 model. Let's take a look at what it has to offer to future smartwatch buyers.

If you like big watches


The Gear S3 comes in two variants: the Gear S3 Classic, which features a silver bezel, and the Gear S3 Frontier, with a black bezel that looks sportier and supports direct calls from the wrist. Both smartwatches have a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz Exynos 7270 processor, 768MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, and a 380mAh battery (battery life to be determined).


Both models are compatible with standard 22mm watch straps and are IP68 certified, so you can swim without worrying about wearing the watch. In addition, Samsung said it is robust enough to withstand sudden pressure and temperature changes. Skydiving is also possible if you wish.

Tizen OS 2.3.1 has undergone a few updates. Like its predecessor, it has a widget and a rotating dock, and the Uber app, which is not found in Android Wear, is also installed, so you can call a car right from your wrist.


Like the Gear S2, the interface was navigated with a physical dial that rotates 360 degrees. Of course, you can also touch around the screen.

On the side, like the Samsung Galaxy series, there is a back button and a home button. Although the buttons are convenient, the design also gives the impression of being a bit cumbersome. The buttons on the Gear S3 Classic are traditionally round, while the buttons on the Frontier model are rectangular and look a little more "strategic".


With a diameter of 46mm, the Gear S3 is the largest Android-compatible smartwatch in existence. Although the Gear S2 was 'only' 42mm in diameter, it mostly looked too big.

When I put it on, I thought it would be similar to the thick and heavy Polar M600, but it was actually surprisingly light. Replacing the wristband was also very easy, but personally, I felt that the easier the replacement method, the more useful it was because Samsung's own band felt too stiff. Aside from the possibility that it will soften over time, you can swap it out for any third-party band you want anyway.





The most interesting feature of the Gear S3 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier is its extensive wireless payment support. Both watches have built-in NFC and MST chips, making them compatible with both old and new payment terminals. When you walk to a large mart that supports wireless payment, NFC support is activated, and MST payment is convenient when you simply purchase a bottle of water at a grocery store on the street.

For LTE, choose Gear S3 Frontier


Since the Gear S3 Frontier is meant for an active lifestyle, an LTE-connected model has been released that allows you to make calls right from your wrist. A speaker is mounted on the side of the Frontier. Samsung has yet to reveal which US carriers will offer cellular service for the S3.

The Gear S3 Frontier's phone calling feature definitely has a futuristic appeal. I'm not the type to use this function in my daily life, but in some extreme environments or emergency situations, it seems convenient to ask for the safety of a loved one or make an emergency call. In fact, the S3 Frontier includes SOS functionality. By tapping the screen three times, you can report at risk to the emergency contact of your choice.

Gear S2 continues to sell


The Gear S3 is a niche product. It's not for male users looking for a main smartwatch, and it's definitely not aimed at female users in terms of style. It's too big for most wrists. Fortunately, Samsung will continue to sell the Gear S2 without discontinuing it for those looking for a smaller wearable device. Even the Gear Fit 2, which offers fitness features, is a great product.

Selling four wearables is a lucrative strategy for Samsung. It may be too much to release 7 new products a year, but if there are 4 different products for each use, it will be possible to open up various types of markets while preventing user confusion.