Smart watch galaxy gear. Samsung Galaxy Gear Review - Smart Sports Watch

Pebble watches are open when it comes to software and settings. Galaxy Gear, in turn, no.

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The branded bracelet in which the camera is mounted cannot be replaced. To make matters worse, this watch is only compatible with a handful of original devices Samsung company. In other words, not everyone will be able to get on board the Galaxy Gear. And that's totally fine, because there are plenty of devices on the market for everyone else who isn't interested in buying a compatible device and a Galaxy Gear unless they own the latter.

Our review will help identify positive and negative characteristics Samsung devices Galaxy Gear.

Review

The Galaxy Gear watch has a pretty nice design. I can honestly say that the images, even in high resolution, cannot compensate for the shortcomings of this device. The square-shaped metal dial and strap look attractive, to say the least.

The watch fits quite nicely and firmly, but we'll get to that a little later in the Assembly section. Samsung has the upper hand when it comes to displays. They make good screens for TVs, outstanding displays for smartphones, and if the Galaxy Gear is any indication, the company will be heading toward Smart Watch models of the present and future.

The Galaxy Gear is showcased with a 1.63-inch (41.4 mm) AMOLED display with a resolution of 320*320, which is fantastic for a Smart Watch. Another plus, besides the display, is that the watch sits comfortably on the wrist. Already in the introduction it became clear that the most big problem With watch Gear are their limitations. For most people, including Galaxy fans, this won't be a problem. If the Galaxy Gear were compatible with more devices, I would have noted this above.

Bottom Line: 3 out of 5 – The Galaxy Gear is an excellent Smartwatch and is exactly what you'd expect, but there are a few serious issues that keep it from being truly great.

Assembly

The device feels great sitting on your hand. Stainless steel frame suggests it can withstand heavy loads, but although the case is indestructible, it may have abrasions and scratches. The display was made of Corning Gorilla Glass, so there is no need to worry here.

You can take a look at this smartwatch here:

This last feature is very important because you would be surprised if you accidentally hit the watch while twisting your wrist. There is no need to worry about the durability of the rubberized wristband of this device because it can withstand heavy loads. It has built-in things like a conversation device and a camera sensor, so, as practice shows, the device is unlikely to work properly without a bracelet.

It is clear that Samsung designed and manufactured the Gear watch as a single unit, from the dial to the strap, to the clasp. It is not as durable as the steel bracelet on Pebble watches, but, of course, much better than the plastic bracelet from the same company.

You can see different variations of Pebble watches here:

The Galaxy Gear is much more attractive than the original Pebble watch, and, according to at least, more durable when it comes to the stainless steel dial.

The Gear is waterproof, which means you can't take it in the shower, but if you spill a little water, spill beer, or drool on it, it won't matter - it will work great. This is also good because the device will be much easier to clean, especially the screen and the parts that are most prone to getting dirty.

If you want a virtually indestructible device, then you'll certainly have to look elsewhere.

Build: 4 out of 5 – Overall build quality is fantastic, but there are some questionable elements, such as the rubberized (and branded) bracelet.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Gear device has arrived in the market to be one of the most stylish Smart Watch options, at least until a new device on the platform arrives Android Wear. The dial and watch case are made of stainless steel. From the contoured shape of the device, you can tell that it fits comfortably on the wrist, and the bracelet is appropriate. The touch screen is protected by Corning Garilla Glass, which means fewer scratches and visible damage.

Samsung Review Galaxy Gear. Gadgetarium (video):

This is especially great because the 1.63-inch (41.4 millimeter) screen with a resolution of 320*320 looks quite beautiful, although without HD. What's really important about this screen is that you can see a clear picture in sunny weather, which is important for the time of use of the device. On the sides of the frame you will find a lock button and a microphone, and at the bottom there is a charging socket. There is a camera on the top of the bracelet.

In addition, on the bracelet, next to the clasp, you will find a speaker. These positional features indicate that the bracelet is an indivisible part of the device and cannot be detached or modified. This is such a nuisance, because the device would actually look good with a replaced leather strap. The biggest problem is the camera, but it's not that it doesn't work properly, it's that it's simply not needed.

To measure the shooting angle on the Smart Watch, Samsung placed a sensor on the bracelet. If the watch face is located on the top of your wrist and you are looking at it, then the camera is “facing” forward. In fact, taking photos with the camera will not be difficult. And it's more convenient than many might think.

The real problem is that the bulge detracts from the impression of stylish design devices. As for the dial, what catches your eye is the unsightly arrangement of four bolts. I wouldn't say that this is the thing that makes the device look ugly, but it is nonetheless an aesthetic element that could have been avoided or implemented better.

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Design: 4 out of 5 - Only minor issues with the Gear, it's actually one of the best Smartwatches on the market, but it also depends on what color you choose (some of the band styles are just awful).

Settings

Galaxy Gear watches work on special version Android platforms with Samsung TouchWiz. In the tech world, it is called a forked version of the Android platform because it has essentially been tampered with by the manufacturer. In this case, this is justified because the Android platform is not designed for devices with small screens, type Gear.

Strictly speaking, the Samsung device also became more difficult to set up than something simpler like the Pebble. So what can you configure? You can install apps, personalize gestures and control functions, change font size, and even create custom watch faces through third-party apps.

For the most part, however, what you see when you turn on the machine for the first time is what you get.

You can purchase the Gear watch in several color options, which means that you will actually receive a different color bracelet. Unfortunately, the band itself cannot be detached or modified because it is an integral part of the device and has things like a speaker and camera built into it.

When everything comes together, there's little you can do to personalize the device and make it yours. It's not necessarily a big deal for most people, but it's what you need to get the hang of it.

Customization: 3 out of 5 – Most personal data changes are software based, but you have the ability to see one third of the apps to create custom watch faces, what you see is what you get.

Functionality

Concerning additional equipment, the Gear comes with a micro-USB cable, which is the only way recharging the device. Specifications include an 800 MHz processor coupled with 512 MB of RAM. The device has 4 GB of memory, Bluetooth and several other components, such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

Take a look at other fitness watch models:

Using the NFC (non-contact communication) function, you can easily and quickly connect your device to a compatible Samsung smartphone. It is worth noting that a meager 315 mAh will last for less than a day. So you will be charging the device quite often. After the device has been connected to compatible device You will need to do everything necessary through an application called Gear Manager.

This is the Holy Grail of the Gear - the ability to customize settings, install and uninstall apps, and more.

When it comes to the user experience, the device may seem confusing at first, but after a while you will get used to it. In fact, the watch interface is quite large and this is one of the main points.

Of course, the device is not perfect and there are some shortcomings, but the reality is that the device is quite affordable. If a clock appears on the home screen while you have an app open, then the inactivity timeout has expired.

On the home screen, you can swipe to access a module or make a call, swipe down to access the camera, left and right to access apps. Tapping and holding the screen with two fingers will open full list app, while double tapping with two fingers will show the battery percentage and simple settings. In short, the device seems easy to use, which is important.

When it comes to added functionality, the Gear pairs with your compatible Samsung device so you can receive notifications and make calls from it. There is no other way to say it than “this is exactly what you expected from a Smart Watch.”

Functionality: 4.5 out of 5 – the device functions as you would expect, no more, but no less.

Compatibility

The device is not compatible with a large number of devices, to be precise, only with Samsung devices. Moreover, it is not compatible with a wide range of mobile phones Samsung, only with some of them.

By all rights, the Galaxy Gear watch should be considered one of the most exclusive devices of the year - VIP members only. As they say, Samsung has the majority of the market share when it comes to owners. mobile devices. If you own a Samsung watch-compatible device, the Gear will work great, otherwise you're just out of luck. You can check the device compatibility with the official and current list by clicking here.

Compatibility: 2 out of 5 – The Samsung Galaxy Gear is only compatible with select Samsung devices and that's the problem.

Conclusion

While the Galaxy Gear is one of the best Smart Watches on the market, there is one glaring problem - it's only compatible with a small number of Samsung phones. This means that if you're shopping for one of Samsung's latest and greatest devices, you'll have to look elsewhere.

The design is attractive, the build quality is excellent, and all the potential is there. There are even some fairly standard options for entering personal information if you want to make the Gear truly yours. Of course, there are some shortcomings, but overall, if you can actually use it, then this is a great device.

You will need a smartphone paired with the Gear watch to get over it full advantage, so don't choose Samsung Galaxy Gear if you think you can use this device without a smartphone. The device costs about $249, which seems like a good way to spend money. We hope you enjoy our review of the Galaxy Gear and find it useful in your search for the right Smart Watch. Stay tuned for Galaxy Gear 2 coverage!

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Despite the fact that Samsung was supposed to update its line of smartwatches to the Gear S4 in the middle of this year, the manufacturer released the Samsung Gear Sport sports watch. So, instead of a new watch, we got a slightly simplified sports version of the Gear S3.

Thus, users now have a good choice between two watches: classic and sports, not to mention the new cool fitness bracelet Gear Fit2 Pro at a lower price. But what about the Samsung Gear S4? What will the watch look like, what functions will it receive, and most importantly, when should we expect it? The Galagram publication has collected all the available information about this gadget in this article.

Samsung Gear S4 release date

The last announcement of wearable gadgets from Samsung was at the end of August 2017. And in November, the new items officially went on sale in Russia and Ukraine. Given the trend, we likely won't see the Gear S4 until IFA 2018 at the end of August.

It is also possible that Samsung will present its flagship watch, as usual, in February 2018. We really hope that the presentation will take place at the beginning of 2018 and fans will not have to wait another half a year until IFA 2018. After all, during this time, users tired of waiting may look towards the Apple Watch or more affordable Xiaomi watch(Huami).

Specifications

Gear 4 will continue to feature a round touch display with high resolution. In 2017, Samsung announced its new Exynos 7 Dual 7270 processor, most likely it will become the heart of the new smartwatch. This chipset is powerful and does not consume a lot of power - perfect for wearable electronics. In addition to all this, it is equipped with a 4G LTE modem, which you will not find in the Gear S3 Sport.

Among other characteristics of the Samsung Gear S4, you should expect protection from moisture and dust, physical keys on the body and, as usual, excellent design and stylish appearance.

Features of Gear S4

The Gear S3 already has so many features available that, according to statistics, regular user does not include about 70% of them in Everyday life. Good news for geeks: the Gear S4 will have even more such functions.

Edge display

If it works on the Galaxy, why not do the same trick with the Gear S4? So, we've seen phones with curved screens, but will such a display be used in watches? One of Samsung's patents suggests that such an outcome is very likely.

On the side of the screen, the Gear S4 will offer quick notifications with basic information such as date, time and weather. The display will also only rotate 90 degrees and is divided into top and bottom sections, although it's not clear from this patent why.

Charging via smartphone

It is possible that one of the main features of the Samsung Gear S4 will be the ability to charge directly from your smartphone. Today, almost all flagships and mid-range devices have large batteries (hello iPhone). Such devices can not only hold a charge all day, but also recharge external devices.

The same Xiaomi Mi Max 2 with a 5400 mAh battery can act as an external battery. In fact, the Samsung Gear S4 watch can be charged using a smartphone by simply connecting it via a USB Type-C port.

The Apple Watch 2 dominates the smartwatch market, but it's only compatible with iOS devices. Samsung is known for its Android smartphones, and the company has launched a compatible smartwatch, the Samsung Gear S3. But are they superior to competitors, including Android Wear?

Smartwatch Samsung Gear S3 - Reviews

Samsung Gear S3 - a smartwatch with a classic style

There are two models of the Samsung Gear S3 - Classic and Frontier. The Gear S3 Frontier has a sportier design, is 5 grams heavier, and comes with a more durable silicone band. Frontier also has a 3G/LTE module, so we chose this version for testing.

Both models are reminiscent of the Gear S2 Classic smartwatch, but with the screen increased to 46mm wide, they seem too large on small wrists. Round form and the classic design makes the S3 look like a regular watch. Compared to them, the Apple Watch looks like a watch from the future, although the Gear S3 seems more solid.

There are several preset watch faces to choose from, and a companion app lets you choose additional options registration

The build quality is excellent, the Frontier version really looks like a 22,000 ruble watch. They are made of stainless steel, like the Gear S2, and have the same degree of protection - IP68. With this smart watch you can not only get caught in the rain, but also swim underwater at a depth of up to a meter.

Samsung uses Gorilla Glass SR+ - latest version protective glass from Corning, now even more resistant to damage and scratches.

The watch has a good and comfortable strap, but it gets dirty quickly. If this does not suit you, it can be easily replaced with another one, 22 mm long.

There are two buttons on the right side of the S3, but they are textured and don't stand out enough from the body. The top one is “Back”, the bottom one is “Home”.

The display on the Samsung Gear S3 is Super AMOLED, similar to the one on the Gear S2, and has the same 360x360 pixel resolution. The Gear S3 has more, so there are fewer pixels per inch, but this does not affect the image quality, all colors are quite clear and deep.

There is also the “Always On Display” function, which has been transferred from Samsung smartphones to smart watches. With it, the device screen is always slightly lit, the dial is visible, but little energy is wasted. If you bring the watch to your face, it will automatically work at full brightness (the mode can be turned off).

The Gear S3 largely follows the traditions of the series, so we have a beautiful and practical smartwatch.

There is a rotating bezel, but no gesture support

The rotating bezel on the Gear S3 is similar to the one on the Gear S2 Classic, in the tradition of regular watches. When turned, it sounds like a combination lock with a dial. The bezel allows you to scroll through the interface and switch between screens, but you have to be careful, it's easy to make a mistake and scroll too far.

The bezel of the Samsung Gear S3 cannot be used with one hand, in this it is inferior to the functions of other smartwatches.

Voice control is supported through “S Voice” - with it you can set reminders, make calls, open applications and much more, but then all the similarities of the Gear S3 with regular watch will become a minus if the user is in public place will begin to “communicate” with them.

Tizen - fast OS

Tizen runs very smoothly, faster than Android Wear. The Gear S3's interface remains simple and changes little from the S2. By rotating the bezel or swiping your finger across the display, you can scroll through screens with widgets. The S3 is compatible with some Android apps, but mostly only works with Tizen apps.

There are problems synchronizing notifications between the watch and the smartphone, especially if the latter is not from Samsung. For example, when using Google Pixel with Gear S3, we noticed that deleting emails after hours it leaves them in place, and read notifications continue to be marked as unread.

But there are no such problems on the Galaxy S7 Edge, probably because it is a Samsung smartphone. The annoying thing is that although the watch is technically compatible with any Android phone, Samsung has made it a priority on its gadgets.

Notifications generally look good, but if you use the S3 in conjunction with a non-Samsung smartphone, you will encounter bugs and synchronization errors. However, with Samsung there may be problems and the need to adapt some applications. In any case, we expected more from a watch for 22,000 rubles.

Leave your phone at home

Thanks to the LTE module, having a Samsung Gear S3 you can practically abandon your smartphone and use all its functions on your watch. 4 GB internal memory should be enough to download a lot of songs. You can also make calls, text messages and use GPS. Thanks to Wi-Fi, you can connect your gadget to the Internet.

Even at maximum volume, the sound and call quality remain normal. This is enough for communication, but for listening to music a pair of Bluetooth headphones is more suitable.

Gear S3 is the first smartwatch to support Samsung Pay with NFC and MST standards. This means that you can use these hours to pay at terminal cash desks. There is no need to constantly use your smartphone with Samsung Pay and store information, you can complete 10 transactions before you need to pair again. To use Samsung Pay, you need a PIN code, so you don't have to worry about security.

Mobile payments work the same way as on the Apple Watch, but Samsung Pay is more common. Using your watch to pay may be unusual, but it's a really useful feature of the S3.

Battery

The Gear S3 Classic and Frontier have a 380mAh battery, and Samsung claims it will last up to four days on a single charge. Using Always On Display mode, Wi-Fi, LTE, GPS and high brightness, the time will decrease to 1.5-2 days.

In any case, S3 has a longer time battery life than most smartwatches, and they drain very slowly in standby mode.

Wireless charging kit included. It is equipped with an LED indicator, which shows when the gadget is charging and when it is already fully charged.

Fitness features in Samsung Gear S3

Samsung itself offers to install “S Health” - an application for tracking physical activity. On the Samsung Gear S3, it can be used to measure water intake, steps, heart rate, sleep quality, and more.

During testing, the number of steps on the stairs was accurately determined, and with the pulse there was an error of only 3 beats. You can also automatically track specific activities: walking, running, cycling, swimming, and so on. Overall, the app performed well on the Gear S3, and the measurement results were consistent with other apps on the smartphone.

The Gear S3 can also be used as a fitness watch; it is suitable for sports enthusiasts, but for more professional workouts you need special fitness trackers.

Guarantee

Samsung offers a standard one-year limited warranty on the Gear S3 Classic and Frontier that doesn't cover accidental damage or normal wear and tear.

Bottom line

The Samsung Gear S3 watch cannot be called a revolutionary gadget; those who did not need other smart watches are unlikely to change their minds about them. But, with the Gear S3 you will have access to notifications, calls and other functions, although this watch still cannot completely replace a smartphone - only complement it.

Thanks to its waterproof and protective glass, you can expect that the device will last you at least 2 years; after this period, the smart watch will in any case be considered obsolete.

The Apple Watch is overall better than the Samsung Gear S3, but it's not compatible with different OSes. If you have an Android smartphone (especially from Samsung) and are willing to spend 22,000 rubles on a smartwatch, the Gear S3 will be the best choice.

Advantages

• Simple interface;
• Easily replaceable 22mm straps;
• 2-4 days of battery life;
• Waterproof;
• Samsung Pay support.

Flaws

• Too big for small wrists;
• Lacks support for third-party applications;
• The connection to the smartphone is sometimes interrupted.

Smart watch Samsung Gear S3 – video

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Smart watches from Samsung called Gear S is the third generation of wearable devices. The second version was a kind of correction of errors made when creating the first model, and Live version— an analogue of the second model only on Google’s OS. The main difference is that this is a completely independent device: the model supports a SIM card and can work without a connection with a smartphone or tablet. The Samsung Gear S review will tell you more about this feature and other characteristics.

Early models from Samsung were smartwatches that needed to be connected to a smartphone or tablet. First version of the watch Samsung Galaxy was the most imperfect in this regard. The device only worked with Note line phones, and a little later support for other models appeared. Second Gear learned to work with any models from the Korean brand, but there was no simultaneous connection to two devices. This also caused some dissatisfaction on the part of buyers.

Smart Watch Gear S is another step towards full autonomy. Now the device can be connected not only to other devices, but also work completely autonomously. Built-in communication module allows you to make calls and write SMS from your phone. This is a bold step from the Koreans, because there were very few such devices at the time of the device’s release. First of all, the model is aimed at enthusiasts of this trend, since the vast majority of users still understand smart watches as a companion to their smartphone or tablet.

Characteristics

The presence of a SIM card slot is not the only difference between the Samsung Gear S watch and the brand’s earlier devices. Yes, in them there is no camera. In addition, the model received a number of changes in characteristics. All of them are listed below:

• display size – 2 inches;
• resolution – 360*480 pixels;
• display technology – OLED;
• Battery – 300 mAh (rated for 2 days of operation);
• OS – Tyzen;
• color – white or black;
• safety – IP67;
• memory – 512 MB/4 GB;
• bluetooth, Wi-Fi, microUSB, miscroSIM;
• processor – 2 cores of 1 GHz.

In addition to the watch, the package includes instructions and a charger.

Design

The device body is made of plastic, the display is rectangular in shape. The model is quite large, but at the same time thin, which makes the watch not too bulky. The body itself has a convex shape. This is done in order to repeat the contour of the hand. It also makes it easier to insert and remove the device from the strap.

The belt is produced made of silicone, regardless of the color of the device itself, it is white. It can be changed, but at the time of release no additional colors were announced. Like the Gear 2 model, the belt does not have electronics inside, which increases the durability of the device compared to the brand’s first model. The belt fastening has changed; now it is a simple but reliable fastener. The length of the strap allows you to wear the watch on both small and large hands.

Screen technology - OLED, this provides good color rendition, and due to sufficient high resolution the picture looks very nice.

Important! Due to its curved shape, the Smart Gear display has a bit of glare, but reviews say that this does not create any inconvenience.

back side Samsung Gear S has a heart rate scanner, a SIM card slot and contacts for connecting a charger. The speaker is also located here. In order to insert a SIM card, you will need to open the cover; the device turns off automatically. Once the card is in place and the lid is closed, the device will turn on again.

On the front panel there is the only one physical button , as well as an infrared radiation and light sensor. All these elements are below the display.

Autonomy

The characteristics specified by the manufacturer state that the model can work up to two days without having to charge them. Many reviews agree that this is an average value, since autonomy can either increase or decrease depending on the usage pattern.

1. If the Samsung Galaxy Gear S watch works with a SIM card, and is connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and is actively used, then the actual operating time will be reduced to 1.5 days.
2. If you do not install the card or disable it in the settings, then the device can withstand three days.

Another difference was charging base. It is a kind of 350 mAh battery. You can charge it and then take it with you. The base is attached to the body and charges it. Everything is accompanied by an indication.

Important! Charging takes 3 hours, and this is a serious drawback of the device.

The solution to turn the power supply into an external battery is interesting idea, however, for everyday use this is an unnecessary measure. Most users simply charge the watch at night, but do not charge the device during the day. Perhaps this use of the block relevant for long trips and on hikes.

Sensors and compatibility

Smart watches with a curved screen from Samsung have several options to notify the user about a message or call - sound, indication, vibration. Most the best option of all - the last. On the street you may not hear the sound, but you can really notice the indication only if you specifically look at the watch. The vibration is quite noticeable, and even during rush hour you can feel it.

Thanks to gyroscope and acceleration sensor the model implements the function automatic backlight display if the user raises his hand to look at the display. This does not happen instantly, but the delay is not so great as to cause hostility or cause inconvenience.

Important! Compatibility of Watch Samsung Gear S is achieved via Bluetooth connection. At the same time, the company returned to the earlier scheme - the device works exclusively with Note 4 or the Edge version, support for other models appeared later.

As before, the device cannot synchronize with several pieces of equipment at the same time. The company did not eliminate this disadvantage, and for now we can only come to terms with this decision, but the good news is that all settings can be archived and simply retrieved upon a new connection.

Gear program for settings, interface, capabilities

To start using the device, you need to synchronize it with your phone. To do this, from the branded application store you need download gear manager. After installation, you need to run the program and do everything it requires. In general, setup takes little time and is quite easy.

Gear Manager is designed for flexible clock settings, and thanks clear interface it's very easy to do.

1. Here you can choose which applications notifications will come from, download software to the watch memory, set the application that will open when double click on the button below the screen.
2. Customizable main screen hours, variations in notification output and much more. The main screen shows the time, weather, date. If desired, you can specify a dial with arrows, then no additional information will not be output. By default, the display is backlit for 7 seconds, this parameter can be changed. Various movements across the screen from top to bottom and vice versa switch displays.
3. Already in the watch settings itself you can change font and icon size. In this case it can be changed as common font, and separately in messages.

It was said above that the watch supports a SIM card. You can use them to make calls, read and respond to SMS. There are voice notes, S Voice support, player control, notifications from instant messengers, social networks, and mail. Device supports games.

A new function in the device is navigation Here. It works as follows: the user sets a destination, the watch plots the route. A list of turns and the distance to them will appear on the screen; you can simply look at the display to understand where to go and when to turn.

Important! It is worth noting that to use the function you will need to install the application. This navigator works quite slowly and it is easier to use proven Google or Yandex maps.

The watch can also count steps, pulse, and show the user’s activity. All this happens through the S Health program. An interesting feature was the appearance UV counter. It was no coincidence that a sensor was built into the device; now the watch calculates how much time the user spent in the sun and what dose of radiation he received. The sleep monitoring function is also retained.

Conclusion

Gear S is a new device that is less like a smartwatch and more like a smartphone in a watch case. The device is completely autonomous and can periodically replace a smartphone. Obviously, not all users will want to buy such a device, but it is impossible to say that the device turned out to be useless or uninteresting. The Gear S watch itself is a well-built device with a number of useful features, which work quite adequately. It is impossible to find significant disadvantages in the model, therefore general impression extremely positive. IN currently price – 20 thousand rubles.

Date: 12/27/2017 Time: 21:45 75324

Samsung smartwatch users at the beginning of 2017 strongly assumed that the release date of the Samsung Gear S4, or as the new name became known, would fall at the event dedicated to the annual IFA consumer electronics show on August 31 in Berlin, Germany.

However, the Korean manufacturer has announced various wearables that include the Fit 2 Pro and Sport, and has retained the S3 as its flagship model. And while these wearables are top-notch and attractive, many are eagerly awaiting the next generation of Gear S.

When will the Samsung Gear S4 smartwatch be released in Russia? What is the presentation date of the device and what will be its price? We offer you an overview of all the information regarding the long-awaited new smart watches from Samsung.

News and rumors

At the beginning of 2017, the company announced its readiness to begin mass production of the Exynos 7 Dual 7270 processor, which will be the most likely candidate to power the next generation of smartwatches. This processor is faster than its predecessor and includes a smaller 4G LTE modem. This shows that the Korean giant still cares about keeping the S line alive and ready for a new batch in 2018.

Peculiarities

It is hoped that Samsung will continue to improve the software running the smartwatch as part of its update. Many agree with the fact that although current smartwatches are quite bulky, they are still stylish and feature-rich. But future software improvements should fix some problems, such as inaccurate GPS tracking or questionable heart rate monitor readings. In parallel with the changes in the new version of the watch, the company should also bring improvements to the Gear S3 software.

Charging from a smartphone?

On December 7, 2016, Samsung filed a patent for “Wireless Accessory Charger,” which states that “a mobile or wearable device can be charged via a dongle or wireless charging station when battery power is low or insufficient.”

The illustrations offered in the document showed the company's smartwatch positioned above a Galaxy smartphone, which is encased in a special case that serves as a docking station.

According to the patent description, the accessory case includes a magnetic coil that allows you to charge the device wirelessly. As we already know, a patent application does not necessarily lead to actual implementation, but it does confirm that companies are looking to solve serious problems such as electromagnetic waves and heat.

Voice assistant?

There are prerequisites that the fourth generation S watch may use Samsung's Bixby digital voice assistant, which is included in Galaxy smartphones S8 and S8 Plus.

It's likely that Bixby will take the place of S Voice, as a company representative said that this assistant has been implemented in both the TV and the refrigerator; so why not build it into the watch?

Android Wear?

There are doubts that the South Korean manufacturer will switch to operating Android system Wear from Google, but somehow the upcoming new Gear Watch requires a much larger selection of apps.

And it looks like the company is set to use its own Tizen OS, which recently overtook Android Wear in popularity for the first time, according to a report from Strategy Analytics. During the first quarter of 2017, Tizen had 19% of the overall smartwatch market, compared to Google's platform's 18% (Apple's watchOS held 57% of the market).

So it is obvious that the newcomer to the S series will be equipped with the latest Tizen 3.0 operating system. Let's remember that Tizen 3.0 provided 64-bit compatibility, as well as support for 4K Ultra HD graphics and image and speech recognition, which is great for smartwatches.

What users expect from the new product

The most common question was what the new wearable device would look like. Images of fourth-generation smartwatches appeared on the Internet every now and then. But these were just guesses and assumptions. Let's look at some of them.

Curved Edge screen?

One of the company's patents, provided to Patently Mobile, hints that the watch may have a curved display similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone. The patent shows a smartwatch with a touch-sensitive strip along the edge of the case. The Gear S3 is known to have a rotating bezel around the watch face, and a patented touch bezel could also become a reality someday.

Flexible display?

The 3Dnews resource published information about a patent that talks about smart watch with optical zoom built into the middle of the dial. The document also highlights the presence of a strap with a screen that holds app shortcuts. This will allow users to use them on the bracelet without having to search through the tiny watch screen.

The Korean giant has been working on flexible and curved screens for a long time, so it is not surprising that the company will extend this idea to a watch strap. However, let's not forget that a patent often does not go beyond the scope of the idea.

Slim form factor?

Currently, many believe that the watch will have a lot in common with its predecessor S3, but in a thinner body thanks to the new processor. Like the S3, you can expect multiple versions with different bands to suit users' needs in both style and function.

Buyers want the S4 on their wrist to be smaller and slimmer, lighter and sleeker. Even if such an opportunity is available in at least one of the models in this line.

Functions

The S4 is expected to come with a 1.5-inch variant for people with larger wrist sizes. Users are also looking forward to an updated sleep monitoring system that will automatically calculate and recommend rest hours based on the number of calories burned and health data.

Health and Fitness

It is known that the manufacturer has focused on fitness and sports with its Gear Sport watches and, most likely, this emphasis will be present in the Samsung Gear S4 2018 generation.

In one of the interviews for the American satellite TV channel CNBC business news at the beginning of the 17th year, the head of Samsung Mobile DJ Koh reported that “if the company can properly develop a smart watch to monitor health and provide necessary information, then the market will grow.”

These words should correspond to the rebranding of S Health and even the release of new sensors or additional accessories for a wearable device. For example, the S-Patch 3 health patch, which was presented as a concept in January 2016 at CES, and recently appeared on the FCC list, indicating the company's readiness to launch S-Patch 3 to the masses.

Accurate activity tracking

We're already familiar with the Gear S3, which is packed with fitness tracking features including:

• heart rate monitor
• automatic workout recognition

However, according to user reviews, the device suffers from inaccurate data when tracking exercises. Similarly, it became unreliable GPS function, disappointing with its inaccuracy. The same goes for the heart rate monitor.

Fans expect to see improvements to all of these features in the next model.

Other applications

One of the disadvantages of using your own operating system Tizen is the absence available applications, so users are waiting for a counter step from the company to be able to use more apps working with a clock.

Lower price

The third generation watch has become one of the most attractive watches, offering reasonable price, competing with the Apple Watch 2. There is concern that the successor will be expensive.

Demanding new additional functions along with improvements and bug fixes from previous models, users still want the product to be affordable. And if Samsung wants the watch to fly off the shelves in serious numbers, then a lower price would really help with that.

Battery

The Gear S3's battery life is generally quite impressive, but not when using the Always On Display. This is a feature that allows the screen to remain illuminated at all times so you can see the time.

It is very important for users to have a device that is optimized for long-term operation. They hope that the new S4 smartwatch will not only be thinner and lighter, but also offer excellent battery life.

Characteristics

Let's list the possible features, functions and specifications in the upcoming smartwatch.

Display	1.3/1.5" Infinity Display, Always On Display
Case and display protection	IP68: dustproof and waterproof; rotating bezel protection; Corning Gorilla Glass 5
operating system	Tizen OS for smartwatches
CPU	1.2 GHz Exynos 7 SoC
Memory	1.5 GB RAM, 4/8 GB storage
Peculiarities	A-GPS NFC smart alarm clock wireless charger viewing photos file sharing Email
Sensors	message sensors GPS based speedometer gyroscope SpO2 heart rate monitor barometer pedometer altimeter accelerometer
Battery	400mAh Li-ion battery, fast charging
Variations	Classic Frontier

Release date in Russia and price

So far, there is no clear answer to the question of when the wearable device will be released. Following the company's chronology, the last two watches were announced at the end of August before going on sale in November 2017. Most likely, the new product can be expected at the opening of IFA 2018 in late August - early September. It can also be assumed that the presentation of the next flagship will be along with the announcement of the next flagship Samsung smartphone in February 2018.

Approximate Samsung price Gear S4 will be around $600.

Update - 2018.06.27

The upcoming announcement of the Gear S4 may be evidenced by the appearance of a Samsung device on the EEC (Eurasian Economic Commission) website in the Regulatory and Reference Information database in the “Unified Register of Notifications on the characteristics of encryption (cryptographic) means and goods containing them.” And this means that the company is preparing its new device for release.

However, no detailed information There is no information about the gadget, only the name of the product in the form of 4 model brand names: SM-R800, SM-R805, SM-R810 and SM-R815. Probably, all these models in the line will differ in the presence or absence of some components, such as NFC, LTE, or other characteristics: sizes, materials, straps, color, etc.

Interestingly, the code name SM-R800 has previously appeared in a number of rumors from some news publications.

Update - 2018.07.10

New name for Galaxy Watch (Update 07/10/2018)

An authoritative blogger under the nickname Ice Universe posted on his Twitter page the latest information about the upcoming smart Samsung watch Gear S4. The leaker noted that there is a possibility that the device will be called Galaxy Watch.

The tweet lists a number of characteristics of the new product, including a 470 mAh battery, the device’s ability to measure blood pressure and interact with the user in a new way. It is also noted that the watch will work on Android based Wear, when, like all current wearable gadgets from the company, they use Tizen OS.

Whether the information from Ice Universe will be confirmed remains to be seen.

Another confirmation that the next watch will have this name is the fact that the Department Intellectual property Republic of Korea (KIPO) On June 20 this year, the company registered the “Samsung Galaxy Watch” logo.

But the document has the status “Pending Examination”, that is, the trademark application has been accepted by the Office (meets the minimum requirements for filing applications) and has not yet been transferred to the experts.

Bixby virtual assistant

According to Sammobile's website, the Gear S4 (Galaxy Watch) will come with Bixby support. This digital assistant has already been used in all flagship smartphones Galaxy, starting with S8, but it hasn’t gotten to wearable devices yet. Owners who were lucky enough to interact with voice control, I was impressed by Bixby's ability to do almost everything with just one touch. It is worth noting that the voice assistant functions on this moment not available in Russia.

The source claims that Bixby will indeed be present on Samsung's upcoming smartwatch. However, innovation should not add additional button in the device, unlike the company's flagship phones. Essentially, Bixby will replace S Voice as your primary virtual assistant on the Gear S4, so it's likely that the home button on the watch will be used to access Bixby. And, of course, you can activate the assistant using voice command"Hi, Bixby."

Bixby 2.0 will offer faster response times and will be aimed at "expanding the industry's own ecosystem," Samsung Mobile Division chief DJ Koh said last year.

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