Samsung smartwatches are devices that allow you to answer calls, view messages and perform other actions without taking out your smartphone. They are convenient for athletes and other people leading an active lifestyle.

Samsung Smartwatch Design

The Korean manufacturer produces Samsung smart watches with round and square dials. They can have a classic look with arrows and Arabic numerals, dashes or without symbols. Most accessories are made in black, but there are also watches with a bright blue strap.

Functions and Features

Samsung smart watches are compatible with iOS and Android platforms. Thanks to the waterproof case, the owner can use the gadget in the rain. The Super AMOLED display has high brightness and contrast, the battery does not require recharging for 3-4 days.

The devices are equipped with a heart rate monitor, pedometer, calorie counter, and support Samsung Pay.

In the M.Video online store you can buy Samsung smartwatches, as well as products from ASUS, KREZ, Huawei, and other brands.

• Samsung smart watches are presented in a wide range of 38 models in the M.Video online store;
• Prices range from 1990.0 to 27490.0 rubles;
• Compare prices for Samsung Smart Watches, read specifications and customer reviews;
• Buy Samsung smart watches with a guarantee on favorable terms of purchase (including on credit or in installments);
• Order Samsung smart watches in the cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, Kazan online on the website or by calling 8 800 200 777 5, arrange delivery to the specified address or pickup from the store.

Greetings again to all my readers! A little surprise awaits you today. This time I will not tell you about another smartphone or tablet model, today in my post we will talk about “smart watches” from Samsung - Samsung Galaxy Gear that I will be reviewing.

For those who want to read about something interesting, I decided to dedicate this material exactly for hours. Samsung has released “smart watches” that are designed to create even more comfortable working conditions with a smartphone and tablet. Personally, I was very interested in this watch, and I want to, as they say, “feel it through.” Well, let's analyze and find the answers together.

What is Samsung Galaxy Gear?

Samsung Galaxy Gear is a watch that has a number of functionality, by means of interaction with a smartphone or tablet. To date, these watch models support only two models of Samsung gadgets: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.

The purpose of this watch is to synchronize with the gadget and speed up work with it, that is, you do not need to take your smartphone out of your pocket. Watches also help simplify life in some technical aspects.

The main display of the device contains the clock and weather information. Along with this, the watch has a camera that allows you to take photos and shoot videos, as well as a number of functionalities: voice notes, gallery, voice control, dialing, etc. The ability to install various applications has been implemented. Communication with the gadget occurs via a Bluetooth connection.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Gear v7000

To begin with, to understand what this watch is, let’s go over its parameters. Samsung Galaxy Gear includes:

Display 1.63 inches, with a resolution of 320x320 pixels;

Processor with a frequency of 800 MHz;

512 MB RAM;

4 GB of internal memory;

1.9 MP camera;

Data transfer type Bluetooth 4.0;

Battery capacity 315 mAh (enough for 25 hours).

Let's evaluate the parameters actually.

So, the 1.63-inch display, which has a resolution of 320x320 pixels, is quite good. Considering that these are watches, and a priori they should not be too large, this is quite enough. By the way, the screen has 277 PPI, which provides a fairly high-quality picture in a watch. Well, if we consider these parameters from the point of view, not of a functional gadget, but of a functional watch, then this is absolutely great.

The processor, with a frequency of 800 MHz and 512 MB of RAM, is, in principle, not too bad for a smartphone. If we consider that such components are located inside the watch, which, in fact, is an additional gadget to the smartphone, then everything is fine here too.

4 GB physical memory allow you to save a sufficient number of photos, videos and other information on the watch, and when you fill it out, you can always move the data to your smartphone, so there should be no problems. And if we consider that for most of us 4 GB is enough on the smartphone itself, then here too we can confidently give an “excellent” rating.

I was surprised by the presence of a camera in the watch strap, a kind of wrist response to the “Guglavsky” Google Glass. Camera resolution is 1.9 MP, equivalent to medium resolution front camera smartphone. I’ll talk about the benefits of having a camera in the watch a little lower, but as for the resolution, then you just have to evaluate the photographs taken with it, and you will understand everything yourself. The pictures have the quality that was in phones from 2006-2006. The resolution of photographs taken for hours at 1392×1392, let’s say, fully satisfies everyday needs for “quick photography”. As for the video, which takes hours to shoot, it is also of fairly acceptable quality, again, I repeat, for a “quick video”.

The Bluetooth transmission type is quite good, but for me, the watch lacks the ability to Wi-Fi connections. But in general, Bluetooth speed is quite enough.

But I had several complaints about the battery. The battery capacity is enough for 25 hours of operation, that is, the user will need to charge the watch every day, and if this is not possible, then he will be without a watch. If we take into account that frequent charging cycles reduce the battery capacity, and also take into account the weather conditions of our country, then within six months the battery operating time in autonomous mode will drop by 20-30% on average. It turns out that the user will have enough battery charge for the “wakeful period”, that is, from morning to evening. For many, this will be enough, but, nevertheless, it is not very convenient and, in fact, ties the watch to the outlet.

Review and analysis of watches

In general, the watch is made quite well. The watch and the strap form a single unit, this is done because there are contacts inside the strap that lead to the camera and microphone. It is worth noting that it is possible to adjust the diameter of the strap, which is necessary in order to adapt to the hand of each user. The design of the watch, to be honest, is not for everyone, but it didn’t cause any complaints from me.

Synchronization is quite simple and works very well. Speaking of synchronization, since we touched on this topic. I didn't like that the watch can only work with two devices: Note smartphone 3 and Note tablet 10.1. Thus, if you are not the proud owner of one of these Samsung creations, then there is no point in buying such a watch.

As a time and weather informer and control of some gadget functions, this watch is very good. As for the other functions, everyone may have an exclusively subjective opinion, as for me. Let's look at some of them below.

The benefits of having a camera for those who like to “catch” interesting moments from their lives will be very useful. Also, the camera will completely replace the one found in the smartphone, if you are not too picky about the quality of the pictures.

Working with voice commands in the watch is implemented, to put it mildly, rather weakly. The voice is recognized poorly, and sometimes even incorrectly. Therefore, if you want to purchase this watch as voice assistant, then this is not the best option.

If we consider the watch as a quick way to control a smartphone and tablet, then everything is very good. You can note the ability to install applications and games. Therefore, you won’t be bored with this gadget.

To summarize the review, we would like to note that the device has a number of good features and is very functional and a good addition to your gadget. But, nevertheless, if we ignore the specific advantages and evaluate the model and its necessity, then it is more of a toy than a necessary gadget in everyday life. Considering the cost of 11 thousand rubles, not everyone will be able to allocate their hard-earned money for this “gaming” device.

Specifications

• Screen 2 inches, 360x480 pixels, OLED
• Built-in Li-Pol 300 mAh battery, up to two days of operation
• Tizen OS
• Dimensions – 39.8x58.3x12.5 mm
• Silicone strap, body color white or black
• Water and dust protection IP67
• 2G (900/1800), 3G (900/2100), microSIM
• 512 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory
• BT 4.1, Wi-Fi b/g/n, USB 2.0
• Dual-core 1 GHz processor
• Navigation Here

Scope of delivery

• Charger combined with battery
• Instructions

Positioning

In the Gear line, the Gear S watch is already the third generation and the flagship among all devices. If the second generation of watches was a work on the mistakes of the first, and the same Gear Live is a copy of them, but only on Android Wear, then the current Gear S is a slightly different approach, an experiment in a different direction. Let's start with the fact that Samsung decided to equip the watch with its own microSIM card, that is, you can make calls on it without a companion phone. But they retained all the functionality of the previous watches - that is, you can use the watch as a companion to your phone or tablet, or you can make calls directly from it or enjoy all the benefits of civilization. This is a fundamental difference - the Gear S watch can be either an independent device that can be used without a phone, or a companion to the latter.

This opens up fundamentally different use cases for us. For example, you can take this watch to the pool and receive a call on it, without having to take your phone with you. The same goes for the beach and other similar places. The presence of a full-fledged communication module inside could not but affect the operating time when using it, as well as the cost of the device, which is the highest in the Gear line. Before us is the flagship among smart watch Samsung is a rather interesting device, which implements a number of new functions.

This is not only a watch for enthusiasts, but a completely mature product for the market and ordinary consumers. On the other hand, this segment still remains undeveloped, and as a result, it is impossible to expect that anyone other than enthusiasts will pay close attention to them. Let's see what they have to offer.

Design, dimensions, control elements

Plastic case, rectangular shape - the watch is quite large, but quite thin. They look good on the hand, but it all depends on whether this shape suits you or not.

The strap clasp has changed, it is just a latch, quite reliable. The size of the strap is quite sufficient even for large hands. As in the second generation of watches, there is no electronics in the strap, it is just a regular strap. The watch is offered in white and black colors.

The strap is replaceable, it is unknown whether there will be additional colors, remembering the previous models, you should not count on it. But during the announcement of this product they showed “fashionable” straps with Swarovski crystals.

For me, this is complete bad taste - the only consolation is that you definitely won’t find this “beauty” in stores, this is more an announcement of cooperation between companies than a real product that can be found in retail.

It is not difficult to put the strap on the watch case, but it will take a little work. Still, the curved shape of the body has an effect.

The OLED screen is curved to fit your hand, the diagonal is 2 inches, and the resolution is already quite decent - 360x480 pixels. Due to the curvature of the screen, it sometimes glares, but in real life this does not cause problems, the picture is visible in various conditions, it is quite comfortable.

On the inside of the watch you can see a heart rate sensor, as well as a slot for a SIM card, it is of the microSIM standard. When you open the connector, the watch will automatically turn off, insert a card, and it will turn on.

IP67 protection standard is supported, meaning you can not only wash your hands in the Gear S, but also swim with it, which is nice. Among the controls, there is only one button under the screen, under the screen there is a light indicator, it can adjust the screen backlight. Nearby is an ultraviolet radiation sensor; for obvious reasons, it was moved to the outer surface. There is no camera on this watch, which makes it different from the Gear 2.

The charging block looks the same as in Gear 2, charging time is about 3 hours! This is one of the most serious shortcomings of the watch. The charging current is 0.15A, and the charging base itself is also external battery capacity 350 mAh. That is, after charging the watch, you can take the base and, if necessary, recharge it during the day. There is an indicator on the case that shows that the base is charging the watch.

I was confused by the moment with the external battery, it seems to hint that the watch cannot work for a long time on the built-in 300 mAh Li-Pol battery. The company claims up to two days of operation, without specifically indicating in what mode and how the watch can last that long. In my case, with an installed SIM card, a connected Bluetooth phone and notifications from all programs, plus email synchronization every 15 minutes, the watch always worked for about 1.5 days. A full day is guaranteed, less is impossible, and this does not take into account the external battery.

In the settings you can disable data transfer to installed SIM card(you don’t even have to install it at all!), then the operating time increases, and noticeably - up to two days or more, while all these watches are received from a companion smartphone. You can also play with other settings - limit the number of notifications, leave only the most necessary ones, change the screen brightness, and so on. Those who wish will be able to achieve it in 2-3 days stable operation, but no more.

I would like to separately note that despite the fact that I almost always took the external unit with me, I never used it to charge the watch. There just wasn't a need. Rather, the watch was sent to charge in the evening, when I came home, at night I put it on already charged in order to control my sleep. In real life, I would not do this, since the full-fledged radio module in this watch emits, and taking such a toy to bed and leaving it on your hand is stupid. Therefore, the sleep control function is not very popular here, at least for me.

Perhaps it is necessary to say that the watch has a vibration alert and it feels great; I prefer to set it, since vibrating the watch on my hand is the best reminder. The signal may not be heard on the street, while the vibration is always felt.

There is a gyroscope and an acceleration sensor, so they are activated the moment you raise your hand to check the time. In our video you can see that this does not happen instantly, but with a slight delay. You cannot activate the watch by tapping the screen - this is done in a number of competing models.

The connection with the phone occurs via Bluetooth (version 4.1), and the watch can only work with one phone. In order to link them somewhere else, you need to reset all data. This can be considered a serious drawback, since you won’t be able to use the watch with a tablet and phone at the same time. And this is a very common scenario. Another serious disadvantage that struck me is that you can only set up the watch with a companion smartphone, despite the fact that this is a full-fledged device in all its characteristics. But initial setup can only be done on the Galaxy Note 4 (Note EDGE as an option), no other devices are supported yet, and it is unlikely that older models, even flagships, will be added to this list. We're already used to the fact that Samsung makes its smartwatches compatible only with its smartphones and tablets, but in the case of the Gear S, this compatibility is quite small. For many this will be a serious limitation.

Gear Manager on your phone - settings and applications

In order to use the watch, you need to pair it with your device (phone, tablets in the future). In the Samsung Apps application store, you need to download Gear Manager and then follow the prompts on the screen of your watch or phone.

In Gear Manager you can customize your preferences, select additional programs, which are installed on the clock. Convenient interface for settings, since this is not so simple and easy to do on a watch due to the small size of the screen.

One of the pleasant surprises is the archiving of all your settings, that is, by resetting the clock, you will automatically get all the settings again, you will not need to do this work a second time.

I won’t describe all the manager’s capabilities. It is worth choosing a program that will launch when you double-click the center key.

Clock interface - management and work with them

You raise your hand, and the watch turns on the screen for 7 seconds, which by default displays the time, date and weather, or simply the dial you have chosen. The backlight time can be changed to longer, and then the battery consumption will be greater. You can also choose different watch faces or watches with application icons or a pedometer - you need to hold your finger on the screen for different watch faces to appear.

In the settings, you can choose the font size for both menus and messages - the function allows you to customize everything to suit you, your vision.

On the main screen, just swipe up from the bottom and the main menu will appear. Moving from top to bottom goes one level higher, closing the current menu. I will describe the main features of the watch.

In contacts you can see your address book, and it is sorted alphabetically of the language selected in the menu, but then followed by a second language and the ability to quickly search. A line of favorite contacts with icons appears.

In the list of calls and SMS you can see who you spoke with, dial these numbers and talk directly from the watch, using it as a headset (there is no headphone output) - you listen to the sound from the speaker and speak into the body. If you move your watch far away, the sound for your interlocutor deteriorates.

Since the Gear S has the ability to make calls from the watch itself, I was interested in how call lists would be implemented. On the watch itself, you can choose which lists to display - by default, this is a combined list from two devices, that is, you see all calls - but calls from the watch's SIM card are not highlighted separately. This may not seem very convenient to some; after all, different SIM cards, different numbers. But considering that calling from a watch is not always convenient, at least without a wireless headset, this drawback can be forgiven.

Returning to the previous menu is carried out by moving from top to bottom, unlike the first Gear, there is no false positives and everything works fine.

S Voice - in theory, this is an excellent function for voice dialing, adding things to the calendar, sending SMS - in practice it practically does not work (recognition occurs on the watch). Even in a quiet room, S Voice is practically unusable - it doesn't work. On the street you can safely forget about its use. With a Russian interface, it also does not know how to search for English names in notebook, simply ignores them. Compared to relatives voice functions from Google, it's some kind of stone age here.

Music – control the music that is stored on your smartphone or on the watch itself, here you are free to choose what you want to control. You can use the watch as a remote control for your smartphone or tablet.

During calls, you can call them from your watch and send SMS templates, this is convenient.

I want to go into a little more detail about how you can call by the clock, because it makes your head spin. Let me start with the fact that the call you receive on your watch can also be received on your smartphone, that is, it acts as a headset. The exact opposite situation is also possible, when you can receive a call received on your smartphone’s SIM card on your watch – considering that you will have to speak publicly, this is not very convenient.

I connected the Gear Circle Bluetooth headset to the Note 4 and Gear S, it can work with several devices at the same time; this trick did not work with third-party headsets. Regardless of which device the call was received on, it was possible to receive it on the headset. It was more difficult with the last number dialed; dialing occurred from the device that you connected to the headset first, it had priority. In my opinion, using a wireless headset is a convenient way to work with such a watch-smartphone if you are going to use it for calls.

On the watch you can view notifications from any program, be it a built-in mail client or SMS or Whatsapp, Skype. You can also respond to messages here - you can dictate by voice, which is inconvenient, and the quality of recognition is terrible. Or you can type on a QWERTY keyboard; it's very small in size, but you can actually get into it even with your big sausage fingers. It is worth enabling continuous input in the keyboard settings, then typing will become noticeably easier, more accurate and faster.

Among the new features, I would like to mention navigation from Here, it works quite simply - just type or say where you want to go, and they will build a route for you. But before you can use navigation, you will have to install the Here program on your smartphone, otherwise nothing will work (download from Samsung App Store). The navigation seemed quite slow to me, unlike Google Maps. The streets are drawn slowly on the map, although the connection is fast and there are no problems with data transfer. Apparently, this is how a bunch of software works on a watch and on a smartphone. There is almost no practical benefit from navigation using a watch - it is more convenient to take out a smartphone and look at the road on it.

A new option has appeared in S Health, this is the level of ultraviolet radiation, it shows how much radiation or, more precisely, light you received per day. A non-core feature, purely additional. The pedometer now has an accelerated pace option; it is assumed that during the day you need to take at least 100 steps with high acceleration. Data synchronization with the smartphone and the application on it is fully supported. The heart rate sensor works during rest, when you move, it usually malfunctions. Interestingly, it is possible to turn on sleep mode, then they take into account how you sleep - at this moment the watch turns off all reminders. You don’t have to hold them on your hand, you can put them on a table nearby and put them on in the morning - plus or minus, your sleep will be taken into account correctly (in time).

We follow the path of innovation and experimentation

In September, at IFA 2014, Samsung presented the new flagship of its smartwatch line: Gear S. On the one hand, this model can be considered a continuation of the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo - it uses the same Tizen OS that debuted in these devices. But on the other hand, with the letter S instead of the number 3, the manufacturer emphasizes that the new product has gone quite far from its predecessors: perhaps it will even become the beginning of a new model range.

The main features of the Samsung Gear S, which distinguish it not only from previous Samsung Gears, but also from competitor watches, are support for SIM cards (that is, the watch can be used as a standalone device, without a smartphone!) and a large curved screen. Previously, we had only seen curved screens in wearable gadgets on the Samsung Gear Fit, a very successful hybrid of a fitness bracelet and smartwatch. But there the screen was relatively small in area, while the Gear S has perhaps the largest display among all competitors.

Video review

To get started, we suggest watching our video review of the Samsung Gear S smartwatch:

Now let's look at the specifications of the new product.

Specifications Samsung Gear S

• CPU @1 GHz (2 cores)
• Touch display 2.0″ Super AMOLED, 360×480, 300 ppi
• Random access memory (RAM) 512 MB, internal memory 4 GB
• Bluetooth 4.1LE
• Microphone, speaker
• Gyroscope, accelerometer, heart rate sensor
• 2G, 3G (nanoSIM support), call transfer to smartphone via Bluetooth
• Li-ion battery 300 mAh
• Tizen operating system
• Compatible with Samsung devices under Android control 4.3 and later
• Compliant with IP67 protection standard
• Dimensions 37x58x10 mm
• Weight 83g (with strap) / 35g (without strap) (measured by us)

For clarity, we decided to make a table with the characteristics of other top smartwatches (including previous version Gear), adding to it those parameters that are currently key when choosing a device of this type.

	Samsung Gear S	Samsung Gear 2	Motorola Moto 360	Sony Smartwatch 3
Screen	touch, color, curved Super AMOLED, 2.0″, 360×480 (300 ppi)	touch, color, Super AMOLED, 1.63″, 320×320 (278 ppi)	round, touch, color, IPS, 1.56″, 320×290 (277 ppi)	touch, color, transreflective, 1.6″, 320×320 (283 ppi)
Protection	yes (IP67)	yes (IP67)	yes (IP67)	yes (IP68)
Strap	removable	removable	removable	removable
SoC (CPU)	2 cores @1 GHz	2 cores @1 GHz	TI OMAP 3 (no details provided)	4 cores @1.2 GHz
Internet	3G/Wi-Fi	no (only via smartphone)	no (only via smartphone)	no (only via smartphone)
Camera	No	yes (2 MP)	No	No
Microphone, speaker	There is	There is	microphone only	microphone only
Compatibility		Samsung devices running Android 4.3 or higher		devices running Android 4.3 and higher
operating system	Tizen	Tizen	Android Wear	Android Wear
Battery capacity (mAh)	300	300	320	400
Dimensions* (mm)	39.9 × 58.1 × 12.5	37×58×10	∅46×11.5	unknown
Weight (g)	83 (with strap) / 35 (without strap)	66	59	45 (without strap)*

*according to manufacturer information

As you can see, the screen of the Samsung Gear S is simply unrivaled: both in size and resolution. On top of that, it’s Super AMOLED, and curved too (however, we’ll talk about the practical side of this quality later).

At the same time, some concern is caused by the fact that with a very high (by the standards of wearable devices) screen resolution and the presence of communication modules, the battery here is far from the most capacious - less than, for example, that of the Moto 360.

Otherwise, everything is familiar and similar to the previous Gear. Well, it’s also worth noting that the device is quite thick - more than its competitors and Gear 2. But at the same time, given the curvature of the case, thickness may not be such a big problem. But this is already worth talking about in the process of directly getting acquainted with the device.

Equipment

The watch arrived to us without a box, so there will not be a detailed story about the packaging and accessories. But we will still tell you about one element of the kit, without which the watch cannot operate. This is the charging dock attachment.

It is connected to the watch from the inside - so that the contacts on the attachment coincide with the contacts on the watch. The nozzle locks tightly with a slight click.

On the right side of the nozzle there is a Micro-USB connector, to which it is connected charger(any smartphone charger will do).

In principle, the dock attachment of the Gear S is very similar to the similar element of the Gear 2 and Gear Fit, but it is more massive, which, of course, is a minus. In addition, if six months ago this decision was perceived quite calmly, now it already looks like an anachronism. The Moto 360 and LG watches have taught us that you don't need to attach the charger - just put the watch on it.

Design

The design of the device itself evokes mixed emotions, but, in any case, it attracts attention and interests: the first thing you notice is the screen with a very strong curve.

A metal frame is visible around the screen. It not only protects the glass from possible impacts and falls, but also greatly improves its appearance. Basically, when the watch is put on your hand, you can only see the screen, the elegant edging around it and a little bit of the strap (bottom and top above the screen). It is important that the strap does not protrude from the sides of the screen. The photo below shows why.

This is the watch case, removed from the strap: as we can see, under the screen there is plastic, inside of which is all the electronic stuffing. The strap runs exactly along the entire body, as if clasping it. But thanks to the groove in the plastic part, the strap is hidden and camouflaged. In general, this cannot help but evoke an association with the Samsung Gear Fit, which had the same design principle.

Let's pay attention to one more element on the front surface: the power button. It turns on the screen when it is off, and vice versa; in addition, if we click on it when we are in some menu or application, we will see the start screen (with a clock face). And if you press and hold, you will see a menu that allows you to restart the watch, turn off the power, turn on/off communication modules or vibration.

The button is metal, oblong, very unusual to the touch (it has a very small pattern on it, beautifully reflecting in the light and felt like a slight roughness). The button is pressed with average elasticity, but you don’t have to worry about accidental pressing with the sleeve of your clothing when the watch is on your hand. To the right and left of the button are light sensors.

Now let's look at the back of the case. It is made of white plastic. And here we see several important elements at once. In the center is a heart rate monitor (all Samsung wearable devices this year have it, and competitors have begun equipping their models with it). Under the sensor are contacts for connecting the charging unit.

At the top there is a speaker. It is needed primarily for telephone conversations. The sound from it is quite audible, even when the watch is worn on the wrist. But, of course, you won’t catch the nuances of your interlocutor’s intonation, and he is completely unsuitable for music. Finally, the most interesting element: the SIM card slot.

It is closed with a lid that fits very tightly. We were unable to open it without improvised means such as a metal clip or some strong thin object. You can try to pry it with your fingernail, but there is a high risk of breaking the nail. On the one hand, this is not bad - while wearing the watch on your hand, the SIM card is guaranteed not to fall out. On the other hand, if you need to remove the SIM card outside the home (for example, to put it in a smartphone or tablet), this will be very difficult to do.

Another important point: nanoSIM cards are used here, which will also cause a lot of problems for owners Samsung smartphones(and the watch does not work with smartphones from other manufacturers). Apparently, the best option in such conditions is to use nanoSIM and carry an adapter to Micro-SIM with you. But, of course, this is not very convenient. One way or another, support for SIM cards is, in principle, a unique feature of Samsung watches (if we talk about wearable devices worldwide famous companies), so you have to make any decision.

The watch case itself is quite light, only 35 grams (for comparison, the weight of the Sony SmartWatch 3 without a strap is stated at 45 grams), but the strap is quite heavy. Its mass is primarily due to its massive metal clasp. By the way, it is quite difficult to get used to - at first it seems that it is fastened very tightly. But if you get used to it and understand that you don’t have to press on it from above, but rather move the buckle a little forward, the watch will become much easier to fasten.

The strap feels quite pleasant to the touch; it is made of silicone and does not cause irritation or chafe. The watch, worn on the wrist, looks a little bulky, but there is an element of futurism in it: you want to say “wow!” It's practically a smartphone wrapped around your wrist! Maybe a little thick, but still!

It’s hard to say how quickly it will become boring and cease to delight, since none of the competitors have announced anything like this.

Screen

It is clear that the screen plays a key role in this product. Its parameters are truly impressive: a two-inch Super AMOLED with a resolution of 360x480 and a pixel density of 300 ppi. And, of course, curvature. Let us remind you that we have previously seen a curved screen in only three mobile devices: LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy Round smartphones, as well as in the Gear Fit bracelet. Detailed testing The display was conducted by the editor of the “Projectors and TV” section, Alexey Kudryavtsev.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface curved along the cylinder, resistant to scratches. There is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating on the outer surface of the screen (effective, slightly better than the Google Nexus 7 (2013), which we use as a reference sample for screen tests), so fingerprints are removed much easier and appear less quickly. speed than in the case of ordinary glass. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are slightly better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen. However, there is a not very pronounced bluish halo from bright objects. There is no double reflection, this indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. When manually controlling the brightness and displaying the white field in full screen, the maximum brightness value was about 270 cd/m², the minimum was 8.8 cd/m². In stock automatic adjustment brightness by the light sensor (located to the left of the button on the front panel). IN automatic mode When external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases (both abruptly). In complete darkness, the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 8.8 cd/m² (in the dark during a sleep break, it’s normal to look, but in general it’s a bit dark), in an office illuminated by artificial light (approximately 400 lux) it sets it to 80 cd/m² (acceptable), in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or slightly more) increases to 370 cd/m², which is even higher than the maximum with manual adjustment. As a result, the auto-brightness function works quite adequately. Given the good anti-glare properties, on a sunny day outdoors, screen readability will remain at an acceptable level (in automatic mode), and in complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value manually, or again, entrusted to the automation. At lower brightness, some flickering is detected. In the graphs of brightness (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis), you can see that at maximum brightness, modulation with a frequency of 60 Hz has an insignificant relative amplitude, but at medium and minimum brightness, modulation with a frequency of 240 Hz and high relative amplitude appears:

In fact, everything is not so bad, since the screen flickers line by line in scanning mode along the long side. That is, there is no simultaneous flickering of the entire screen, which significantly reduces visible flicker. This screen uses an OLED matrix - active matrix organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in equal numbers, as confirmed by a fragment of a microphotograph:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

We observed a similar “structure” of the screen, for example, in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini smartphone. The spectra are typical for OLED - the primary color areas are well separated and appear as relatively narrow peaks:

Accordingly, the coverage is noticeably wider than sRGB, and there are no attempts to reduce it:

Note that on screens with a wide color gamut, without appropriate correction, the colors of regular images optimized for sRGB devices appear unnaturally saturated. The color temperature of the white and gray fields is approximately 7500 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is 8 units. Color balance is acceptable. Black is just black from any angle. So black that the contrast setting is in this case simply not applicable. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the white field is excellent. The screen has excellent viewing angles with a much smaller drop in brightness when looking at the screen at an angle. However, at large angles the white field takes on a distinct blue-green tint. The situation is aggravated by the fact that due to the strong curvature of the screen, even when viewed at a slight angle, in the direction perpendicular to the hand, one of the edges of the screen will already be at a very strong angle, darkened and with a blue-green tint to the white field.

Testing the display and normal use of the watch gave us important question: How convenient is it to use a device with such a curved display? In principle, in our opinion, the bend could have been made even a little smaller - when scrolling through the menu, for example, you have to twist the hand with which we touch the screen too much. And it’s not always possible to take in the screen with one glance (after all, when the watch is on your hand, it’s not often that your hand is turned strictly perpendicular to your gaze). For example, if the hand with the watch is slightly tilted away from the gaze, then the upper part of the screen is no longer in the field of view. On the other hand, if the screen is slightly straightened, then the body of the device will protrude more and get in the way in the sleeve of clothing. And, of course, the greater the bend, the greater the surprise and admiration of people who are not indifferent to technical achievements, the gadget causes.

Pairing with a smartphone

Like the Samsung Gear Fit, the Gear S smartwatch only works with smartphones Samsung, and only on Android based 4.3 or more new version. To get started, you need to install the Gear Manager application from the Samsung Apps catalog.

We connected our smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S5) to the watch without any problems. As for the application itself, its functionality is generally familiar to us from Gear Fit and Gear 2, except that some icons have been updated and additional customization options have been added that are specific to the Gear S.

In the "My Applications" section we see a list installed applications, and for some of them there is additional settings. In particular, by setting the Gallery application, you can send any images to your watch. Android Wear devices do not have this feature. And given that the Gear S's screen is quite large and very clear, viewing photos on it can be quite pleasant, especially in conditions where it is not possible to view the same pictures on a larger screen.

Like the Gear 2, the Gear S can install third-party apps from the Samsung Apps catalog. These applications include both free and paid ones. Moreover, according to our feelings, the latter are no less, if not more, than free ones, and sometimes they ask for a fee even for such basic things as a metro map.

An interesting question: how correctly do Gear 2 apps display on the Gear S screen, which has not only a different resolution, but also a different aspect ratio? We didn't find a setting in Samsung Apps that separates Gear 2 apps from Gear S apps, but we can assume that all the apps displayed support both devices. At least we couldn't find an app that didn't display correctly on the Gear S screen (for example, it would stretch vertically, distorting the proportions, or appear with black bars at the bottom and top). All apps work and look like they were written specifically for the Samsung Gear S.

At the same time, the set of applications is still very modest - for example, there is no such simple thing as a client for Vkontakte. But let's see what the watch can do without third-party apps!

Samsung Gear S functionality

Home and unique functional feature Samsung Gear S - the ability to work as a smartphone. You can insert a SIM card into the watch and make calls, write SMS, read news, in general - do many of those operations that in other smart watches are only possible if you have a smartphone connected to it. The Gear S is a completely autonomous device. True, to get started you will still need to connect it to your smartphone or Samsung tablet, and in the future, in the absence of a SIM card, a smartphone will be necessary to perform most operations. But, for example, if you are going for a walk or jog and are afraid of missing an important call, then you should move the SIM card from your smartphone to the Samsung Gear S and take only the watch with you.

This is the most likely scenario for using a SIM card in a watch. Other options that come to mind seem very exotic and far-fetched, since it’s really difficult to think of situations where you will use a watch instead of a smartphone. The reality is that a modern person does not part with a smartphone, and the watch in any case becomes just an addition (by the way, if you have both a watch and a smartphone with you, and a SIM card in the watch, then you can transfer a call from the watch to the smartphone and communicate with your interlocutor via smartphone). Another thing is that in the case of the Samsung Gear S, this addition is much more functional than all Android Wear devices, which are practically incapable of anything without a smartphone.

The Gear S runs on the Tizen operating system, just like the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit. Let us remember that this is the brainchild of Samsung and Intel, based on the Linux kernel and working with HTML5 applications. Tizen traces its pedigree to the MeeGo operating system, which, in turn, is rooted in Maemo (the history of these projects can be read). At Mobile World Congress 2014 we saw a large Tizen stand, where engineering samples of smartphones running on this OS were presented, and in June, a commercial sample of a smartphone with Tizen, called Samsung Z, but a month later it was launched (seemingly due to the small number of applications for Tizen). A little later Samsung budget smartphone on Tizen, and it seems like this model will be on sale in India in November. However, November is just around the corner, and there has been no news about a Tizen smartphone since then. In general, the future of Tizen in mobile devices is still a big question mark, but in smartwatches, as we see, Samsung is stubbornly relying on this OS. The manufacturer, practically undisguised, has pushed the recently released Samsung Gear Live model on Android Wear far away and has not taken any steps to promote it, confirming our assumptions that this model is nothing more than a friendly gesture towards Google. And for Samsung itself, the priority today is the Tizen line. However, compared to Android Wear, Tizen OS does have a number of advantages (although there are also disadvantages).

Let's take a look at the watch interface and the set of pre-installed applications.

The start screen is the clock itself. There are 13 options available, and each of them can be customized by setting the display of exactly the information that is required. Among the standard dials, there are three that are truly amazing. Here are photographs of two of them, which only partially convey their magnificence (in fact, they look much more beautiful).

Please note that the mini-dials here are customizable, that is, for example, on the blue version, you can display a compass at the bottom instead of the number of notifications, and on the white version, instead of the remaining battery charge, you can display the number of steps. To switch to another watch face, you simply hold your finger on the screen and select from the thumbnails that appear - just like Android Wear. And in order to exit to the main application menu, you need to swipe up on the screen.

A total of 16 applications are pre-installed: Phone, Contacts, Messages, Email, Schedule, Settings, Navigator, S Health, Running, Music, Brief News, Weather, S Voice, Alarm Clock, Gallery and Find Device. Let's comment on those that were not mentioned in the review of Gear 2 and Gear Fit, or that work differently than there.

First of all, this is, of course, the Telephone. You can dial numbers using the numeric keypad or select from a list of recent calls. You can also go to contacts. Note that searching for contacts using voice control didn’t really work for us: at first the watch could not recognize the name of the required contact for a long time (instead of “Uvarov” the watch suggested “Ufa-Ufa” and the like), and then, when it finally succeeded to recognize the last name correctly, they reported that it was not in the contact list (although it was there). In general, don't rely on voice control Phone and Contacts applications.

An interesting and very useful application is “Brief News”. Actually, from the name it is quite clear that this is a news aggregator. 10 thematic categories are supported (Business, Technology, Sports, Celebrities, etc.). You can choose all 10, or just a few. News on selected topics will be collected into feeds that can be scrolled with a vertical swipe across the screen (one screen - one news). The transition between thematic feeds is a horizontal swipe. By clicking on the headline and picture of any news, you can read the entire material. Very convenient (for example, when you are traveling on the Moscow metro during rush hour, and you have Wi-Fi, but there is no free space at least to get a smartphone). One thing is not clear: how to change the list of Internet resources with which the aggregator works.

The last application that is worth mentioning separately is “Navigator”. It's based on the Here maps and, in theory, could be quite useful. But in this case it works somehow strange. Firstly, it does not want to determine the location without a smartphone - even with Wi-Fi connected and a SIM card in the watch. Secondly, it offers to download maps to your smartphone so that you don't need an internet connection, but after downloading we didn't feel any difference. It seems that the watch does not know how to receive maps downloaded locally from a smartphone. Or does this require some special settings.

But the problems don't end there either. The program searches for the required address with ease. That is, it is not on the first try that the watch recognizes the entered information. Perhaps these problems will be solved by updating the firmware, and the watch will go on sale with a correctly working application. But even in its very idea it is very imperfect. Even when the address is found and the route is plotted, we do not see the actual map on the watch - only advice on how many meters to walk/drive in which direction. Obviously, the usefulness of this is very doubtful, especially when walking around the center of Moscow or another old city.

PC connection

The watch can be connected to a PC under Windows control. Windows treats the Gear S as a removable drive with a capacity of 2.50 GB, of which 2.24 GB are free (apparently 260 MB is the OS and hidden system files). It is curious that the Gear 2 had a slightly larger memory capacity (2.64 GB out of 2.81 GB is available to the user). I wonder what this difference is due to.

Inside we will find four folders: Downloads, Music, Images and Sounds. In fact, you can download pictures, music and ringtones into them for later playback on the watch (however, the same can be done through a smartphone with the Gear Manager application).

When connected to Mac computer the watch was much less functional (we were using an iMac running OS X 10.10). Firstly, Android File Transfer did not recognize them.

However, it would be surprising if it worked out, because this is not Android, but Tizen. The only way to “see” the watch is to install the application Samsung Kies. After installation from the Samsung website, it restarts the computer, then reports the presence of an update, after installing it again requires a reboot, and in the end it still says that only firmware updates are supported for the Gear S (which were not available at the time of testing).

In general, it makes sense for Mac users to connect the watch to the computer only for recharging (of course, this option is also available on Windows).

Autonomous operation

We have already noted more than once that to objectively evaluate the duration battery life Smartwatches are almost impossible, since everything will depend on the usage scenario: it is not yet possible to create any formalized scenarios (as, for example, when testing tablets and smartphones). It is all the more difficult to comment on the battery life of the Samsung Gear S, since there is nothing to compare it with - watches on Android Wear have completely different functionality. In this case, much depends on whether you will use the watch as a smartphone (that is, insert a SIM card into it and use it for conversations) or not. If not, you can expect the Samsung Gear S to last just as long as the Android Wear watch we tested earlier. That is, one and a half to two days is quite enough. And with minimal use - even longer. If you use the watch intensively, the battery can be discharged within a day. According to our feelings, in a similar usage scenario, the Gear S “live” on one battery charge less than the Gear 2: obviously, this is a consequence of a significantly larger screen area and resolution and the presence of Wi-Fi and 3G modules. On the other hand, we cannot say that the watch is discharged rapidly. So you don’t have to constantly sit at the charger.

Conclusions

Samsung Gear S is one of the most interesting devices of the year: both in hardware and software. They are equipped with the best (among wearable devices) and truly innovative screen, and by the end of the year no one will surpass them. And in terms of functionality, this is the most advanced smartwatch model we have ever seen. In fact, Gear S is the first Tizen smartphone, isn't it?

Unfortunately, there are still some flaws in the software (they may not be in the commercial version of the device), and the pre-installed applications do not fully reveal the potential of this device. In particular, there is a lack of a full-fledged browser (optimized for this form factor, of course). On this watch, access to mobile versions sites would be quite useful, given the screen size and resolution.

In addition, on Android Wear devices we are already accustomed to Google Now. Samsung's analogue, S Voice, is outright inferior to it and cannot yet be recommended for real use. The same applies to the Navigator application, which is unable to compete with Google Maps... In general, sometimes no, no, and the thought flashes: if we crossed Android Wear and Tizen, it would turn out different operating system for watches. In the meantime, the Tizen interface is more logical and convenient, but without Google services this OS often turns out to be even less functional than Android Wear, stripped down in all respects.

Another unclear situation is with applications. There seems to be no feeling that there are very few of them (although, probably, still less than for Android Wear). But many of them are paid, and it is obvious that with all the aggressive promotion of the Tizen line, Samsung is unlikely to be able to compete with the expansion of Google, supported by LG, Sony, Asus, Motorola and even Samsung themselves (even formally, “for show”) . Consequently, the fleet of applications for Android Wear will grow faster than for Samsung watches, even though the hardware and technology of the Gear S is now superior to all models on Android Wear that we have seen, and also to the announced ones.

And most importantly, Samsung continues to limit the circle of possible users of its Tizen devices to owners of Samsung smartphones. Obviously, this greatly reduces the range of possible users - even compared to Android Wear. Hence the slow growth in the number of applications: today, a developer, choosing between Tizen and Android Wear, will almost certainly prefer Android Wear, even if the total number of Samsung watches sold this year exceeds the sales of all three available models on Android Wear.

The result is a completely classic example of a gadget (in the original, narrow sense of the word): something amazing, technically innovative, with various cool features and standing out from similar devices, but impractical and of little use in everyday life, and not in spy thrillers. Especially if you consider the price: Samsung Gear S will be sold here for 14,990 rubles - more expensive than all other smartwatches on the market. At least until the Apple Watch comes out.

For its innovative curved display and new take on smartwatch functionality, we award Samsung our Original Design Award.

Surprise someone today smart watch almost impossible. Many manufacturers produce them, but only a few achieve truly noteworthy results. The Samsung company stands out against this background, offering users high-quality products with excellent functionality and stunning design.

Its latest developments are no exception. We are talking about the Samsung Gear S3 collection, which includes two variations of watches. These are the Frontier and Classic models. Each of them deserves attention and it’s time to get to know them in more detail.

Specifications

Appearance and features

The design of the devices is in many ways similar to the previous model. The rounded shape of the case harmoniously combines with the edging made of high-quality steel. The picture is complemented by a bezel that can be rotated to control the watch. The Classic is characterized by a slightly more graceful design, while the Frontier has a somewhat rough and masculine shape.

The control components are standard and located in familiar places. In this aspect, the manufacturer remained true to himself and did not come up with anything new. The strap has standard format 22 mm fastenings, which can be replaced with any other product if necessary. The housings have IP68 protection. It provides good protection from moisture and dust

The dimensions of the Samsung Gear S3 watch are completely identical. Width – 46 mm, height – 49 mm, thickness – 12.9 mm.

Frontier or Classic

Classic offers a design that is as close as possible to appearance regular watch models. The vintage feel is perfectly complemented by a leather strap. This combination makes the accessory almost indistinguishable from the classics beloved by many.

Frontier looks downright impressive. The contoured bezel is supplemented with special marks. This makes the device even more attractive. A stylish and modern silicone-based strap completes the picture.

The difference between the models is insignificant. Frontier offers greater ergonomic shape and improved button comfort. And the bezel looks more attractive. Classic has a more strict form factor, which practically cannot leave anyone indifferent. He is able to optimally complement the image of a business person and harmoniously fit into the style he professes.

Frontier copes well with sudden temperature changes and fluctuations. Such smartwatches weigh only a few grams more than their counterparts. The main difference lies in the hardware. Frontier has an integrated LTE module, and

Classic can only boast of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Compliance with MIL-STD 810G ensures Frontier performs productively and trouble-free even under the most extreme conditions.

Display

A high-quality 1.3-inch display is responsible for displaying data and contacting the user. It has a touch format and a round shape. SuperAMOLED allows you to get an output picture with excellent brightness, color rendition and saturation. There are no distortions, data can be read without problems even in excessive ambient light. The resolution is small and is only 360x360. But this does not affect the comfort of use at all.

Due to the easy immersion inside the case, it is possible to protect the glass from scratches and other defects. Additional protection is provided by Gorilla Glass SR+. The Always On Display option keeps the screen always on. But the brightness is minimal and energy consumption is quite insignificant.

Management and OS

In the context of control, it is the bezel that deserves special attention. Due to special engraving, it does not slip in your hands and eliminates the slightest possibility of incorrectly responding to user commands. Rotate the rim in different sides allows you to quickly get to the desired menu item and execute the required command.

There are a couple of mechanical buttons. They found a place on the right side of the gadget. Simplifies the management process even more touch screen. Just a couple of swipes are enough and the necessary information is already before the user’s eyes.

The system operates via Tizen OS. The performance is in perfect order, no errors were found in the operation. Everything is very simple, fast and with the maximum level of comfort. Seamless integration of watches with mobile devices has been implemented. This requires iOS 9 or higher and Android 4.4 or higher.

Hardware platform

The smart watch operates on the basis of a dual-core Exynos 7270 chipset. Its frequency is 1 GHz, it supports 14 nm technology and is characterized by the lowest possible power consumption during operation.

768 MB of RAM is enough for smooth interaction with various applications. The internal memory has a capacity of 4 GB, but about 1.5 GB is available to the user. For personal data and musical compositions this is quite enough.

Using the Samsung Gear S3 watch is possible not only in conjunction with mobile devices, but also in a completely independent format. This requires activation offline mode, which completely closes the gadget from third-party contacts. The Wi-Fi module is used to work with applications, and via Bluetooth it is possible to connect headphones or external speakers. This option will be appreciated by all lovers of training in peace and without an annoying smartphone nearby.

Sports opportunities

Each model has a pre-installed speedometer, GPS, altimeter, heart rate monitor and even a barometer. Such equipment provides comprehensive monitoring not only of the active phase of life. It is also very useful during sleep.

A GPS receiver and baro-altimeter make it possible to measure with maximum accuracy the number of steps taken, altitude relative to sea level, and changes in pressure that have occurred over the past 6 hours.

Viewing of all received information is available in the relevant sections of the S Health application. There you can also activate various modes functioning depending on the exercises performed and the load experienced.

Music and local applications

The Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch allows you to fully manage your music collection. Everything necessary is provided for this. Moreover, control is possible not only with those compositions that are on the smartphone, but also with stand-alone ones. You can store them on the built-in storage device, and switching tracks is done directly on the gadget screen.

I am pleased with the large number of applications that are available for integration into this device. Some of them are preinstalled before the user purchases the watch; most can be downloaded from cloud storage or specialized resources.

There are also many games that are designed specifically for these devices. They are controlled via the bezel. An interesting and rather original solution that will surely appeal to many.

Autonomy

The capacity of the built-in battery pack is 380 mAh. The indicator may not be the highest, but it is enough for the gadget to fully function for several days. With active system loading, the period may decrease to approximately 1.5-2 days. In standby mode, this period can last for days and weeks. The manufacturer has done an excellent job in this direction and undoubtedly deserves sincere praise and gratitude.

Charging is carried out via wireless technology. The corresponding module is included in the delivery kit. As a pleasant addition, there is an LED sensor that signals the charging status and battery full level.

Guarantee

Samsung offers a standard warranty for its gadget. Its duration is 12 months, and the obligations do not apply to accidental damage or natural wear and tear of the device caused by use.

Instead of a conclusion

The Samsung Gear S3 watch is a product that can hardly be called revolutionary or innovative. But it captivates users with its performance, well-implemented ergonomics and simply incredible functionality.

The high-quality design of the case and internal components allows us to count on long-term and absolutely problem-free operation of the device. The price tag of the gadget can be called moderate, and the cost itself fully corresponds to the opportunities that it opens up.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Among the main advantages, the following deserve special attention:

• Simplicity and convenience of the interface;
• Hassle-free replacement of a standard strap;
• Long period of autonomous operation;
• Protection of the housing from moisture and dust;
• Great experience with Samsung Pay.

There are also disadvantages. Although some of them can be considered subjective. Among them:

• Large dimensions that are not entirely appropriate on a small wrist;
• Possibility of losing connection with the smartphone in some situations.