Such is the brand new Samsung Gear S3 – Tek.no

Berlin / Tek.no: The Korean electronics giant Samsung announced Wednesday night the successor to its Gear S2 smart watch on a big launch event in Berlin in connection with electronics fair IFA.

Samsung Gear S3

Display 1.3 “Super AMOLED, 360×360, Corning Gorilla Glass SR +
Waterproof: Yes, IP68
Battery 380 mAh 3-4 days
Sensors: Pulse, accelerometer, gyroscope , barometer
memory 4 GB storage, 768 MB RAM
Processor: 1 GHz dual core
Operating System: Tizen 2.3.2.
Technologies: Bluetooth 4.2, wiFi (b / g / n), NFC, GPS / Glonass
Weight: 57 grams (62 Frontier)
Price: 3999, –

We were present when the new clock was unveiled, and got of course also palpable some of it afterwards.

Similar to a common clock

Samsung has emphasized that Gear S3 should resemble the ‘real’ clock, not just be a smart watch. The clock has been redesigned, and according to Samsung will withstand more and have better battery life. There is great emphasis on material selection, and the clock to “feel good,” said Samsung at the launch.

That it has received more similarities with traditional clocks are also displayed at the Gear S3 now uses a standard 22 millimeter strap. Thus, you can go to any watchmaker pick of watch straps from manufacturers other than Samsung.

Larger and thicker

The first thing we noticed when we got the watch in his hands, was that it has been a little larger than gear S2. Not only is the screen size increased from 1.2 to 1.3 inches, but the clock has also become thicker – up from 44 to 46 millimeters. It does not sound like much, but it feels noticeably bigger.

Gear S3 comes in two varieties: “Frontier” and “Classic”. Frontier version should be a more sporty variant, made of steel with black matte finish. Classic variant is in shiny steel and appeals perhaps more for those who want a classic watch. Maybe one that is in harmony with the suit?

The time has the same rotating ring as we saw in Gear S2. This is used to scroll through the various screens. The ring, however, has now gained some new features, which you can now answer or reject a call by rotating the ring.

Ability to use without mobile phone

On the inside, the two variants like, as far as we were able to ascertain. But Frontier will come with the option of esim, so you can use the clock regardless of the mobile phone.

Top is the “old” Gear S2-clockwise, the bottom is Frontier version of new gear S3. Photo: Kurt Lekanger, Tek.no

today sells Samsung one esim version of Gear S2 via OneCall, and then you will among other things be able to use certain apps on the clock without having to have your phone nearby. With Gear S3 Samsung has taken the usefulness of esim even further – now watch namely also got built-in speaker. Thus, you should also be able to answer calls directly on the clock, even if your phone is left at home.

Read our test of gear S2 with esim “

We are told by Samsung Norway that Gear S3 Frontier with esim not come into Norway with the first but that it might will come eventually. Here is Samsung dependent on getting an agreement with an operator first, but we do not see it as unlikely that OneCall will sell well this.

Built-in GPS and barometer

The matt-black Frontier version of Gear S3 looks pretty tough out. Photo: Kurt Lekanger, Tek.no

A bit of why Gear S3 has been bigger than the previous model, is presumably that the clock has got built-in GPS. In addition, the barometer / altimeter. Thus, the clock will be even more useful if you use it for training. There is also an app that lets you measure the speed – in other words a “speedometer”. Pulse Monitors are of course also built.

The time has support for NFC and Samsung Pay with Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) – to enable secure payment where it is supported (currently Norway).

There are 4 GB of storage on the clock, so you can store as music files on it. If the sound from the small built-in speaker is good enough to listen to music we ask ourselves doubtful – but for quick phone calls or to listen to voice messages, it might work. We did not get the opportunity to try this.

Better battery life, although the screen is always on

One of the really big news with Gear S3 is that the battery life has improved. With the active use of gear S2 holds the battery only one day, maybe two. Samsung promises that the battery in Gear S3 will keep going strong for 3-4 days – and if it’s true then it is a welcome novelty.

That battery life is so much better surprises us a bit, since gear S3 not only have got several functions – but also a screen that is always on. The 1.3 inch display is a Super AMOLED screen that can display up to 16 million colors, and instead of the screen after a while becomes black (like the gear S2) will always show the current time. It is a trait we also find help to do Gear S3 more like a traditional clock.

Classic version of Samsung Gear S3. Photo: Kurt Lekanger, Tek.no

the screen seems very bright , sharp and fine – and a plus for us Northerners is that it can be used with gloves. The screen resolution is 360 x 360 points, the same as the gear S2.

The time is IP68-rated, which means it can withstand both dust and water. The chassis must also withstand shock and rough treatment, according to Samsung.

Download apps directly from the clock

Photo: Kurt Lekanger, Tek.no

During the press conference boasted Samsung really the selection of apps to watch , which include fitness apps, music apps and Travel Apps. Some apps can be downloaded directly from the watch, without having to download them from the phone first. You can also download new dials directly from the clock.

The time is also based on Samsung’s Tizen operating system.

We are told by Samsung Norway that Gear S3 come to Norway later fall, at a cost of 3999 million.

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