Samsung gear s3 frontier watch review. Review of smart watches Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

Samsung designers did everything to make the Gear S3 frontier difficult to distinguish from a classic watch. This particular model is reminiscent of the brutal Casio G-Shock. Many people like it, and so do I. For those who don't like this, there is the more discreet Gear S3 Classic.

There is no fault with the quality of assembly and execution. The case is made of steel, the display is protected by Gorilla Glass SR+. I didn’t pick at it with sharp objects, but I did touch the walls and iron handrails in subway cars several times for hours. Result: no chips or scratches during testing.

The watch is not afraid of dust and water - it has protection according to the IP68 standard. The gadget can be submerged to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, but do not take this as a guide to action. Waterproofing is not waterproofing. If liquid leaks inside, repairs will not be covered under warranty. The watch is also not afraid of shocks and is resistant to high (up to +70) and low (up to -40) temperatures. The latter is very relevant for Russia.

Gear S3 frontier looks great: metal, glass and maximum similarity to a regular watch.

There are problems with usability. Firstly, the watch case is very thick - it spoils the sleeves of clothes by stretching them. If the sleeves do not stretch, then the S3 frontier has to be put on clothes. Looks especially enchanting with a leather jacket.

Secondly, although the gadget looks cool, it feels bulky, and the silicone strap included in the package (along with it the S3 frontier weighs 85.3 grams) puts pressure on the hand and does not allow air to pass through - the skin sweats. But at least it’s easy to replace it - Any will do a regular watch strap with a standard width of 22 mm.

First day with S3 frontier: acceptance stage – hard and uncomfortable. Second: the stage of humility. Third: the stage of incredible relief that you feel when these handcuffs finally go out for charging.

Alexey Vedernikov

Editor of the “Smartphones” section of the website

The interface of the Gear S3 frontier is a success: it not only looks beautiful and very stylish, but also works quickly and stably. Whatever one may say, the proprietary Samsung Tizen operating system on which this watch runs is better optimized than the “mass” Android Wear from Google. It’s logical: you can do whatever you want with your own software, but Google doesn’t allow you to modify its system for wearable devices.

Tizen has the same disadvantage: third-party developers are less willing to write applications for this system than for Android Wear. But Samsung motivates them in every possible way, investing heavily in promoting Tizen. In general, there are fewer programs here, but there is equally little really useful in both Tizen and Android Wear.

It is convenient to manage the clock. You can switch between applications in the Gear S3 frontier using the rotating bezel around the screen. Plus, the display itself is touch-sensitive, and there are two buttons on the side. One confirms the action, the second cancels it.

The watch is equipped with Super AMOLED screen, and that's very cool. A whole bunch of advantages: rich colors, very deep blacks, wide viewing angles and moderate power consumption.

The AMOLED screen in the watch couldn’t come at a better time: the picture is clearly visible in bright sunlight, and there is an Always On function.

There is an “Always On Display” function. In sleep mode, it displays a dim image of the dial on the S3 frontier display. In smartphones it is better to turn it off (it eats up 15-20% of the battery per day), but in watches it looks extremely appropriate.

The screen diagonal is 1.3 inches, the resolution is 360x360 pixels, which gives a density of 278 pixels per inch. The image comes out very clear.

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Samsung positions the Gear S3 frontier as a gadget “for active users and fans of extreme sports.” Unfortunately, we cannot say that this is a watch for athletes. Rather, they are specifically for “active users” who like to collect various statistics.

The watch automatically measures speed and distance traveled - in steps, kilometers and flights of stairs. You can also choose from several dozen types of activities, from running and twisting to kitesurfing and yoga. S3 frontier, using built-in sensors, will calculate the time, the number of repetitions and build the route along which you moved if, for example, you were jogging or cycling.

There is a built-in altimeter: it tracks altitude and displays the readings in the form of a graph. This is useless in the city, but during a walk in the mountains or a hike it will come in handy. The Gear S3 frontier can also measure atmospheric pressure. Knowing its level in advance, a weather-dependent user will be able to better plan his day. If your blood pressure has dropped, it is better to go to bed early and try to be outside more. If it has increased, then it is better to minimize physical activity. These are just a couple of examples.

GPS and motion sensors work correctly, but with heart rate measurement constant problems. Even if you tighten the watch on your wrist very tightly to increase the contact of the sensor with the skin, the heart rate monitor does not always work, and the data is not particularly accurate.

The Gear S3 frontier is not suitable for professional athletes. GPS and motion sensors work well, but the heart rate monitor is disappointing.

The Gear S3 frontier has a microphone and speaker. First of all, this is necessary for the South Korean modification of the watch: there you can attach a SIM card with your number to it and go jogging lightly without a phone. The gadget will receive calls, voice the interlocutor and convey to him what you say. But in Russia this function will not work - this is official information. So, in fact, the speaker and microphone are only useful for listening to music and voice commands. You can talk on the clock only if the phone is nearby and connected via Bluetooth.

The Gear S3 frontier has all the necessary modules and technologies (NFC and MST) to pay for purchases using the payment system Samsung Pay, which recently launched in Russia. I would like to believe that the function will be added in one of the future firmwares. Official confirmation There are no such plans yet.

The Gear S3 frontier lasts for a really long time by smartwatch standards. I have it in pedometer mode without playing sports, with the Always function On, but with a bunch of notifications they extended exactly the same stated 4 days.

There is only one charging option - wireless. There are no connectors on the watch body, and this is probably for the best. The small docking station is lightweight and doesn't take up much space. True, it’s easy to accidentally forget it at home or in the office, and for some reason it is equipped with a microUSB connector that is becoming a thing of the past. S3 frontier charges from 0 to 100% in exactly 2 hours.

Gear S3 frontier at the charging station

The Gear S3 frontier can actually last 4 days, but with moderate use with Always On turned off. Active users You should aim for 2-2.5 days without recharging.

Opinion site

If you play sports seriously, then the capabilities of the Gear S3 frontier are unlikely to suit you: it is still a gadget, not a measuring device. The main disadvantage: problems with measuring pulse - the sensor does not always work and is not particularly accurate. But for simple collection Average statistics about the activity of the watch are quite suitable. Unless, of course, you are not afraid of the price: they cost as much as good smartphone– 25,000 rubles.

Page 1: Test and review: Samsung Gear S3 classic and frontier – new generation smartwatches Page 2: In operation, applications, battery, conclusion

Page 1: Test and review: Samsung Gear S3 classic and frontier – new generation smartwatches

There is a lull in the Android Wear device camp, which Samsung has not failed to take advantage of. More at IFA 2016 Korean manufacturer introduced the Gear S3 smart watch, which continues the glorious traditions of the first generations. At the same time, some weaknesses were eliminated, and the advantages, on the contrary, were strengthened. The result is a larger and heavier Smartwatch, available in two versions. Moreover, even iPhone owners may like the Gear S3.

We didn't seal it. Samsung continues to work on making the company's wearable gadgets. Samsung prepared the corresponding companion application almost a year ago, but for some reason it is delayed. Now the first quarter of 2017 has been named as a possible release date. On the other hand, Android support has not changed. The Gear S3 can work with a smartphone equipped with Android 4.4 or later and 1.5 GB of RAM.

But joining the world of Gear S3 costs more than . Samsung asked for its predecessor 349 and 379 euros (Standard/Classic), in Russia prices range from 14.2 thousand rubles and from 18.0 thousand rubles. For a new watch, regardless of the version, you will have to pay 399 euros or from 22.7 thousand rubles.

Almost classic wristwatch

The price alone of the two versions of the Gear S3 is somewhat confusing. But, as with the Gear S2, the difference is limited to the appearance and material of the bracelet. The Gear S2 is being replaced by the Gear S3 frontier, and the Gear S2 classic is giving way to the Gear S3. The frontier version is a little more elegant than its predecessor; compared to the classic version, the watch looks more sporty.

With dimensions of 46.0 x 49.0 x 12.9 mm, both versions of the Gear S3 are larger than the Gear S2 models, weighing 59 and 63 g too. The case in both cases is made of stainless steel; in the frontier it is black. In addition to the color of the case, three more external differences can be counted: the bezel has more noticeable marks, the frontier buttons are not round, but oblong, Samsung used different strap materials - leather (classic) or elastomer (frontier). Both cases are protected from dust and moisture and are IP68 certified. So the Gear S3 can withstand a drop in a sink full of water, rain, or a short session in the pool. Nose Apple Watch 2 they still cannot compete.

Externally, the watch looks high-quality and expensive, which was quite logical to expect, since Samsung attracted famous designers. The Gear S3 classic will look good with a suit, and the option frontier is better Suitable for sporty users. The bracelet of both models can be easily replaced, all 22 mm straps fit. Samsung itself offers a large number of bracelets in two lengths 110 and 130 mm. This is good, but some women or men with thin wrists will not be as comfortable. It's all about the large case; it would not hurt the manufacturer to release a Smartwatch version with a smaller case.

Otherwise, the watch is quite comfortable to wear, comparable to classic watch similar size. We had no complaints about the quality of workmanship. The bezel and buttons are quite comfortable, the resistance when turning and pressing is well chosen.

Overall, the Gear S3 has become even more like expensive watch than the previous generation. Except that some users may find them too big.

With GPS support and new SoC

The enlargement of the corps was accompanied by some changes in hardware. The display has increased from 1.2 to 1.3", it is still round and has a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. Thus, the pixel density has even decreased, but readability is still good, despite the Pentile matrix. The display brightness is quite sufficient, it can be adjusted in ten steps, with maximum brightness the dial is readable even outdoors on a sunny day. There is also an always-on display function, where information is displayed even during inactivity.

The battery received an increase of 52%. The Gear S3 has a capacity of 380 mAh, an increase that could not have come at a better time given the new sensors. In addition to the accelerometer, heart rate sensor and gyroscope, there is a barometer and GPS receiver. As you know, determining coordinates from a satellite requires a lot of energy.

	Samsung Gear S3	Samsung Gear S2
Display	1.3", 360 x 360 pixels, Super AMOLED	1.2", 360 x 360 pixels, Suiper AMOLED
Battery	380 mAh	250 mAh
Dimensions	46.0 x 49.0 x 12.9 mm	43.6 x 39.9 x 11.4 mm (classic) 49.8 x 42.3 x 11.4 mm (Standard)
Weight	59 g (classic) 63 g (frontier)	42 g (classic) 47 g (Standard)
Sensors	Accelerometer, heart rate sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, barometer	Accelerometer, heart rate sensor, light sensor, gyroscope
RAM	768 MB	512 MB
Built-in memory	4 GB	4 GB
Housing material	Stainless steel, glass	Stainless steel, glass, plastic
Bracelet material	Leather (classic) elastomer (frontier)	Leather (classic) elastomer (Standard)

The installed SoC was a serious step forward. The Exynos 3250, which was used in the Gear S2, has given way to one specifically designed for wearable devices. The "system on a chip" is equipped with two Cortex A53 cores instead of A7, the process technology is now 14 nm instead of 28 nm, but maximum frequency is still 1 GHz. The SoC contains a WLAN 802.11n module, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC and . The memory capacity has increased from 512 to 768 MB, the built-in flash memory still has a capacity of 4 GB.

The watch case contains a speaker and microphone, as well as a vibration motor. The battery is charged by induction, that is, there are no usual contacts.

There are still not enough applications for Tizen

Tizen's biggest drawback continues to be its sparse selection of apps. Samsung chose this operating system for its wearable devices, but support third party developers Compared to Android Wear and watchOS it leaves much to be desired. Of course, the range of applications is gradually increasing, but many popular programs are not available for Tizen. All this is somewhat annoying, especially considering the promises of the South Korean giant. The Spotify app was released a few days ago, but many other programs are still missing.

But even if applications appear in a timely manner, the Gear S3 smartwatch will still not be able to achieve the versatility of the Apple Watch - at least in the medium term. Even taking into account the number initially available applications at 11.000.

Samsung itself is in no hurry to expand functionality through its own applications. Even such fundamental functions as a timer are not standard - you need to install the application third party manufacturer. There are such applications, but we come to the conclusion that even basic applications have heterogeneous design and different control concepts.

Review of a pleased new smartwatch model from Samsung - Gear S3 frontier. Original, of course.

On my blog there are not many reviews of products more expensive than 100-200 bucks, only once there were yes. After all, in the case of very expensive things, you don’t really want to trust their fate to the postal services, you want to have a working guarantee... And it’s somehow psychologically difficult when a lot of money is debited from the account, and you have to wait until you receive the goods later. Mb.

And then SUDDENLY we see Samsung review Gear S3 frontier and let me add a little harshness - it was purchased closer to the release date and for a larger amount what it's worth now. Bought in Germany by my friend and therefore I will leave a link to the German Amazon - https://www.amazon.de/Samsung-Gear-Frontier-R760-grau/dp/B01N9BRTAH/

There they still cost an insane 400 euros ($425.95), but time is running further and now in Ukraine you can buy S3 frontier on the outlet for 9,999 UAH ($368.74). Perhaps it’s already available somewhere and even a little cheaper, yes. However, this is a smartwatch and it seems to me that the price is incredibly high for such a device - either 400 bucks or 300.

Among other things, I wanted a smartwatch as a headset (for conversations while driving), I wanted notifications to go to the screen on my hand and without the need to take out a “shovel”, I just wanted a beautiful smartwatch.

At one time, a person was already seriously thinking about the previous generation of smartwatches from Samsung (S2), but time goes by and if you are already seriously spending money, then with an eye on the next couple of years. And then it makes sense to buy the latest model, albeit for a lot of money.

Choosing between frontier and classic model practically did not stand due to the stable preference for a sports style of clothing and without the need for any kind of officialdom. But the difference is almost only in the coloring of the case and small details of the appearance, in the bracelet - artificial leather (similar to silicone) VS leather. The set includes two halves of the bracelet - S and L sizes. The 22mm mounting pin on the watch allows you to install any other “watch” bracelet, be it a cast steel or NATO bracelet. And you can do it yourself at home, you don’t have to go to a watchmaker.

Specifications Samsung - Gear S3 frontier

The fact of the matter is that there is practically no difference in characteristics between classic and frontier. Naturally, this is a requirement in current version Android/iOS (latest from iPhone 5 and later with iOS 9.0 and above).

Even the equipment is from the same wireless charging at 5V 0.7A is identical and only the transmitter is indispensable here, and the cable/charging unit is not particularly remarkable.

The main functionality hints more at the sports component - a pedometer/heart rate monitor/all sorts of calorie counters. There are also quite a few brains and you can even put separate toys.

The battery is not small in terms of characteristics stated up to 4 days. There is a lot of holivar on 4pda on the topic of autonomy time. Thrifty comrades write about working with Xiaomi and 2-3 days of autonomy frontier, more prosperous owners of flagships from Samsung proudly declare 4-5 days of autonomy. My friend has a top-end Samsung with a price tag of a couple of frontier price tags, but this did not add autonomy to him. That is, they are removed from charging in the morning and the next day in the evening they have 20+-% charge, and they go off for charging.

It's funny that a friend used to run using Nike+ Run Club with a smartphone and GPS turned on, but now the frontier has successfully contacted this program and after the run it leaks to it. The time is running so hard, I’m now also trying to start running - 1-2 km in mixed mode. And I saw a screenshot from a friend of a 25 km+ run O_o

We see how they have been merged from smartwatches with GPS data draw the track.

On my hand, the Samsung Gear S3 frontier looks like a very large model -

Let's watch a video about internal menu S3 frontier, how two buttons work - menu/back, how to use the bezel to move between shortcuts and tap on specific ones

It's time to end this whole thing and I asked main question comrade - did you like your choice, what is your real review about Samsung Gear S3 frontier?

And I received an almost completely positive response. Watches made of pleasant materials (watch steel, scratch-resistant glass), watches with chic, even sometimes redundant functionality for an undemanding user (you can change displays/cut custom ones on them/install toys/install third-party applications/set up NFC), and most importantly - everything works as it should. This added a little bit of butthardness to me, after many, many Chinese smartwatches.

But still, the price at this moment is colossally high, as for me, I’ll buy half of Aliexpress for this money. And the comrade himself finally joked that the only thing he lacks there is artificial intelligence, so that he could talk like with a living person. And for this money, it’s supposed to be like that =)

And, there is also a problem when the measurement is taken separately in the watch, and separately in the phone application - for 5-7 km of running, the difference in the final numbers sometimes reaches 5-10 meters. Really, it's a shame?

In this review, my traditional afterword is not very appropriate. But in each of my reviews, I finally recommend buying on Aliexpress with some discount by using EPN cashback - a cashback specialized specifically for Aliexpress and getting back about 7-15% of the money spent there. That is, for a total of 100 bucks spent on Ali on different products and different orders, the total cashback will return about 7-15 dollars. And the final price for all of them will no longer be 100, but 85-90 bucks. Here is the invitation link with all the details - https://cashback.epn.bz/?i=41c2a

If smartwatches were a popular product and were purchased out of necessity rather than just curiosity, the Gear S3 Frontier might be recommended. While Apple and Google have been stealing the spotlight in the smartwatch market, Samsung has emerged as a quiet leader, bringing innovative functionality and unique elements to wrist-worn devices. Of course, she also had her mistakes, like the camera in the strap Galaxy watch Gear. However, with each new model, Samsung improves the quality of its watches, becoming a benchmark for other manufacturers.

The culmination of this strategy is . They're not perfect, but after years of experimenting with different concepts and features, the South Korean manufacturer has finally come up with a strong device. If Apple and Google don't pay attention to it, they could lose market share.

Big size

At first, the size of the S3 watch attracts attention - it is really large. The screen diagonal is 1.3 inches, while in the previous model the size was 1.2 inches, while the new one is 1.5 mm thicker and 10 g heavier. It's clear that Samsung isn't trying to please all users at once. However high price At $349, it's not just the size.

The watch cannot be called the most stylish, but it cannot be called unattractive either. Despite their massive size, they are not uncomfortable. The classic round shape adds appeal, and the traditional silicone band doesn't pinch or scratch the skin like Apple watch bands. However, last year's S2 looks sleeker and it's surprising that Samsung hasn't offered a smaller version for slimmer wrists.

A version of the Frontier watch was tested, which has a bright big screen stands out against the dark background metal case. The large knurled buttons on the edges of the frame give the watch a rugged appearance, making it reminiscent of the top-of-the-line Casio G-Shock model. Many of the skins here are skeomorphic, showing Samsung's main strategy with the S3: it looks like a watch because it is a watch. Samsung also offers a slightly less robust Gear S3 Classic model.

Good appearance

Samsung uses 22mm straps with pin attachments, giving them more flexibility stylish look. Just like Apple watches, the official bands are easily swapped between each other using a tiny switch on the inside strap that quickly disconnects the contacts from the mount.

It's not as easy to install regular watch straps, requiring a special tool or something long and sharp and a fair amount of patience, but Samsung sells enough official straps that you won't have any problems installing. Additionally, the Frontier's silicone strap has a nice pattern and looks like it's made from carbon fiber.

Samsung is once again relying on its patented rotating bezel around the edges of the screen, which is designed to enhance visual appeal while also providing functionality. This watch has a beveled bezel that makes it look like a dive watch, although the IP68 water resistance rating will keep you from going too deep. The frame also protects the screen.

Face to face

Naturally, the main attention in a watch is drawn to the screen, and not only due to its size. It uses a Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels with protective coating Gorilla Glass. Resolution remains unchanged from the S2, but the screen size has grown, so the pixel density has decreased. However, bright, saturated colors are perfectly visible even in the sun, so reducing the density by 24 pixels per inch does not have much of an impact.

As with the S2, there's an Always-on screen option hidden in Settings under Style, and when activated, it makes the smartwatch look like a regular watch. Unfortunately, even with automatic brightness turned on, the screen has a significant impact on battery drain. It lasts all day, but at night you need to charge the watch, otherwise on the second day the 380 mAh battery will not be enough (the S2 has a capacity of 250 mAh). If you were expecting the watch to last for several days without recharging, you will be disappointed.

If you don’t keep the screen constantly on, the watch will work for two days, but even then it’s better to lower the brightness and turn off automatic heartbeat monitoring. However, even after this the hours will not last three days. Samsung uses wireless charging here.

Changes for the better

While the Gear S3 may look different from many other smartwatches, the functionality is the same. It uses a 64-bit 2-core processor with a frequency of 1 GHz with ARM Cortex-A53 cores, the amount of RAM is 768 MB. Operating room in use Tizen system OS instead of Android Wear, but this does not seem to be a disadvantage. The system isn't as polished as Apple's watchOS, but Samsung's product beats the competition in some ways, offering simple, intuitive navigation. Even when you first get acquainted with a watch, you usually understand what needs to be done.

The rotating frame helps with this, eliminating the need to touch the screen again. Working with it is more precise and natural than with a button Digital Crown on the Apple Watch, it allows you to quickly manage applications and different screens. Scrolling through menus and text is especially easy when you rotate the frame, as it's easier than clicking on small items on the screen. Even games allow you to use the frame as a control, so this watch is better suited for gaming than others.

Samsung has built other functionality into the frame, allowing you to rotate it to answer calls or silence notifications, so you can be sure that this element will remain a key element in the company's future watches. The same can be said about others distinctive features of this watch, built-in GPS support and 4G LTE communication standard.

What else

Thanks to cellular support, the S3 Frontier becomes a real smartphone on the wrist, which is what many of its owners want. To stay connected, you will have to purchase an additional SIM card.

If you forget or deliberately leave your smartphone at home, you will still be in touch. Almost the only thing the watch can't do is take pictures. You will be able to make and receive calls, receive notifications, send text messages, find out the results of sports competitions and everything else that can be done on a smartphone, if there is an application for this. Of course, the Gear S3 isn't the first watch to support LTE, but it does more than just read emails, messages, and make calls. Samsung gives you the opportunity to explore the world around you with your watch.

To do this, the developers have expanded the capabilities of the watch and turned it into a companion for outdoor activities, offering sensors and applications for tracking movements. The altimeter and barometer measure elevation and sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, the speedometer shows maximum speed and the distance traveled on the bike. As a result, even non-fitness and sports enthusiasts can feel motivated to improve their results.

Pay while playing

In addition to outdoor activities, Samsung makes the watch compatible with Samsung Pay. This was achieved thanks to the support of terminals with NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) standards. This means you can use your watch where you would normally swipe your credit card.

Payments worked without problems during testing, but naturally they cannot be used in those terminals where the card must be inserted inside. Note that payment system Samsung Pay is already supported in Russia. To work with it you do not need to be the owner of the latest Samsung smartphones. IN Google store Play Store there is a Gear application that simulates working on Galaxy smartphone S7, allowing you to save and use credit cards. In addition to the Galaxy S7, the Frontier watch was tested with a Google Pixel smartphone, the result was almost the same, apart from a few problems with determining the location and receiving notifications.

Non-standard App-titude

Samsung is clearly not averse to creating its own large application store to compete with Google, so the Gear application is only the first sign. However, how to lure third-party developers to the store is the main question.

To force developers to support the S3, Samsung has made the frame interface available, but the store is not yet full. There are apps from some big brands like ESPN, Uber, and Spotify, but not the much sought after apps like Facebook, Twitter, Nike, or Strava. There are a number of interesting exclusives and excellent watch shells, but many users will find the selection in the store meager.

Samsung says there are approximately 10 thousand apps in the store, but their quality is mostly poor. And there is doubt that it will ever grow.

Should you buy the Samsung Gear S3?

It's hard not to recommend the Samsung Gear S3, but it's weak side is the size. For people with thin wrists, mainly women, the watch will be too big. Samsung still sells a smaller S2 model, but the $249 price tag seems steep for last year's technology.

However, the uncertainty of the future of the Android Wear platform makes the S3 an even more attractive choice among smartwatch lovers. It's been over a year since the last significant Android Wear watch came out, and there's no telling when the next one will arrive. Android version Wear 2.0 was delayed for several months and large manufacturers They are in no hurry to release new models. Samsung offers a lot of functionality and it's hard to imagine the company like or being able to top these offerings.

Samsung was the first to promise to bring full smartphone functionality to the wrist and delivered on the promise with the Gear S3. Even with the lack of apps, the Frontier watch is a full-fledged product with extensive capabilities that works independently of smartphones, as well as excellent optimization operating system. Someday all watches will be as independent, from luxury ones with diamonds and gold to the cheapest options.

Until those days come, the Gear S3 is the best option.

Pros of the Gear S3

1. The bezel around the edges of the screen looks great and works great
2. Built-in LTE communication standard makes the watch independent
3. Samsung Pay payment system works with MST terminals

Cons of the Gear S3

1. Big size
2. Lack of apps
3. Short battery life

There are more and more “smart” watches, almost all major manufacturers already have one or two or three models in their assortment, and in the vast expanses of China there are an incredible number of them, mostly from “no-name” manufacturers. Well, okay with China, they have every right. That's not what we're talking about today. Samsung presented at IFA 2016 the third generation of its Gear S3 watch. The previous S2s turned out to be very successful and functionally rich. The third generation watches are even more advanced (which is natural) and are available in two versions: Samsung Gear S3 Classic and Frontier. We are reviewing the Frontier model, which is designed for more active users.

What is it and how is it different from the Gear S2?

Samsung Gear S3 – samsung smart watch on Tizen, compatible with Android smartphones running at least 4.4 OS with at least 1.5 GB of RAM (like the previous generation), there are rumors that compatibility with iOS will also appear. The watch is equipped with a round SuperAMOLED display with a diagonal of 1.3 inches and a resolution of 360x360 and automatic backlight adjustment (the previous generation was equipped with 1.2-inch screens). Instead of Gorilla Glass 3, Gorilla Glass SR+ is used to protect the screen, which is created specifically for wearable electronics. There are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth modules for pairing with smartphones and headsets, NFC, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, sensor heart rate, lighting, and now also its own GPS, which makes the watch more independent. In addition, an external speaker has appeared, the watch can be used for conversations. Samsung Gear S3 is also protected from dust, dirt and water according to the IP68 standard, which allows you to stay at a depth of up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes. That is, it is still not worth fully swimming in them. The Frontier model is additionally protected in accordance with military standards MIL-STD-810G (protection from vibration, shock and temperatures from -40 to +70 ° C). Of course, there is more powerful hardware inside, and the battery capacity has increased from 250 to 380 mAh

What do they look like?

The Gear S3 has become even more like a “regular” watch. In the previous line, the Classic model could boast of this, while the “basic” one looked more futuristic (though I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing). Both versions of the Gear S3 really look a lot like a regular wristwatch. The Classic version is more suitable for a suit, while the Frontier looks more brutal and aggressive. Of course, I liked this option better. The watch case is made of 316L stainless steel. Still used as controls touch screen, a rotating bezel with small teeth around the perimeter and two physical buttons on the side (Home and “back”). In the Frontier model they are large, with a texture for more comfortable use, for example, with gloves, in the Classic they are small and round. In addition to Gorilla Glass SR+, there is one more precaution: the screen is located in a recess and the likelihood of accidentally breaking it is reduced:

The Classic comes with a leather strap, the Frontier comes with a more wear-resistant and practical silicone strap that can be changed, Samsung produces a bunch of options from different materials, different colors and with a variety of patterns, so there is plenty to choose from:

The set includes an absolutely neutral black strap; at IFA 2016 you could see a bunch of other options, including bright red ones. The mount is standard, 22 mm, so you can use not only branded options. The strap can be removed very easily using small latches on the inside:

The strap clasp has a classic shape that has been proven over the years. There are branded straps different sizes: S, M and L. The watch arrived at our editorial office with a strap of size L, which was just right for me, although I have a thin hand:

On the back of the watch there is all sorts of technical information, the model name, 316L steel markings and an optical heart rate sensor, which the company claims is improved over the Gear S2. I played with the previous generation for literally a couple of days, so comparing the accuracy and speed of work objective reasons I won't. On the side, near one of the mechanical buttons, a small hole is visible. This is a built-in microphone.

Unlike the Gear S2, the new model is equipped with a microphone and speaker, so you can now talk directly through the Gear S3 Frontier. The speaker holes are on the left side. Of course, the function works when connected Bluetooth smartphone. A version of the watch with eSIM and LTE support is available abroad, which actually makes the Gear S3 Frontier a completely independent device.

The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier is quite large, significantly larger than the Gear S2. This also applies to the Classic version, which is actually similar to the Frontier in size, and only slightly lighter (59 g versus 63 g). For a fragile girl, the watch will be too big and heavy, so it’s better to try it on, maybe the Gear S2 will fit better. Moreover, the Gear S3 is not a replacement, but a more advanced and expensive addition to the line. Hours of the second Samsung generation is not going to be discontinued and the models will be sold parallel to each other.

From a man's point of view, appearance The Gear S3 Frontier turned out to be as attractive as possible. Maximum visual proximity to a regular wristwatch plus an aggressive sporty design did the trick. Of course, the watch is perfectly assembled from high-quality materials, and there is a steel case. For the fair sex they may seem too big/rough, for such cases there is the Gear S2.

What about the screen and hardware?

Samsung Gear S3 is equipped with a high-quality 1.3-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen display with a round shape, without any cut off pieces like MOTO. The resolution is the same as the previous generation: 360x360, but the pixel density has decreased due to the increase in screen size: 278 versus 302 ppi, although in this case this is absolutely not significant. The screen is very bright, with rich colors and (of course) maximum viewing angles. Always On Display is supported so the watch face can be displayed at all times. Of course, the battery will run out faster, but it will look even more impressive. In inactive mode, the current dial is displayed with reduced brightness, but it is enough to see the current time on the street:

Another useful thing is the increased screen sensitivity mode. It really works great and the watch interacts with gloves in winter without any problems.

Hardware in similar devices not as critical as in smartphones. Moreover, Tizen is a lightweight and very well optimized OS, including thanks to the very a small number devices on it. However, Samsung has installed updated hardware: it uses a dual-core 14nm Exynos processor 7270 with a frequency of 1 GHz (FinFET) instead of Exynos 3250, inside 768 MB of RAM (in the previous line there was 512 MB). The amount of built-in memory remains the same: 4 GB, about 1.5 GB is available to the user, which is quite enough for installation additional applications and a small selection of music for jogging.

From all kinds of sensors and wireless modules there is an accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, heart rate sensor, light sensor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC and GPS/Glonass. According to subjective feelings, it all works accurately, properly, without any problems. Although for users who are seriously involved in running/cycling and so on, it is still worth getting a more accurate chest heart rate monitor.

What about charging and battery?

Like previous Gear S2s, the current model charges from a wireless charging pad, which is very convenient. Much more convenient than all sorts of clamps with contacts, although the charging speed suffers. The stand has a magnet for faster and correct installation of the watch. There is an LED indicator at the bottom that lights up red while charging and green when charging is complete.

The charger is connected to a power source (for example a PC) using absolutely standard cable MicroUSB, so if you lose the included special problems will not be.

The increased size and weight are partly due to significantly more capacious battery: Instead of 250 mAh, a 380 mAh battery is used. They promise 3-4 days of battery life. In real conditions, with the Always On Display function enabled, a constant connection via Bluetooth and constant notifications from absolutely all applications on the smartphone (plus automatic regular heart rate measurement), a pedometer, and so on, the watch lasts for 2 days, which is very good with such a filling. Without Always On Display you can easily get 3 days. I haven’t done any races without a smartphone and memorizing the route using the Gears S3’s own GPS module. There is a suspicion that such a use case will significantly reduce battery life.

What about the software?

There are more and more “smart” watches, platforms for them have also proliferated, the situation is reminiscent of “smart” TVs: most manufacturers are promoting own solution. Apple continues to release its square “Tamagotchis” on watchOS, Pebble use their own PebbleOS (more precisely, they used it, judging by the recent news), a number of manufacturers have settled on Android Wear, which is an attempt at at least some unification, but is not very convenient yet, and numerous Chinese manufacturers are even experimenting with stripped-down versions of “full-fledged” Android or their own creations. Samsung continues to promote its own Tizen both in TVs and smart watches, and it is worth saying that it is really convenient, but software developers are very sluggish in releasing new applications (although there are some, including really useful ones) local types Privat24, Uklon, Uber, Eda.ua, Tickets.ua and so on). Samsung Gear S3 runs on Tizen Based Wearable Platform OS version 2.3.2. In general, the organization and logic of the interface is very similar to a typical smartphone.

There is a main screen (essentially a selected watch face), which, depending on the type, displays all sorts of useful information and controls:

There are enough of them pre-installed, plus there are some in the store great amount different third party options, both paid and free, ranging from classic options to animated ones in the style of “Terminator” or Pip-Boy from Fallout. Some of the dials support customization (choice of colors):

By turning the bezel counterclockwise (or swiping across the screen from left to right), the notifications section opens. In it you can read incoming messages, reply (there are certain templates), view missed calls, open a message in the corresponding application on your smartphone, and so on. They can be removed by swiping from bottom to top:

Scrolling clockwise switches between some sort of widgets with S Health information (steps, floors, heart rate), calendar, alarm clock, and so on. They can be sorted in the same way as transferring widgets to Android: hold your finger on it and move it to the desired location. Last tab reserved for adding new widgets:

The application menu is organized as in previous version, with icons in a circle. You can scroll through them either with the bezel or with your finger. The first in the menu is the application manager, like in a smartphone:

In the settings section, you can change the dial, screen brightness (10 gradations), screen timeout, turn on (or turn off) Always On Display, adjust the sound volume (or turn it off), vibration intensity, function double click Home buttons and so on:

For full-fledged work You need to install 4 applications at once: Gear S Plugin, Samsung Accessory Service, Samsung Gear, S Health. The first two are service ones, the second two are for direct work with the Gear S3 Frontier. Samsung Gear allows you to view the current state of the watch (battery and memory), go to the application store, customize watch faces, notifications, manage applications, transfer music and pictures to the watch, configure emergency calls and messages, check for new firmware. There is a function for searching and blocking watches (the opposite is also available on the S3 Frontier itself):

All data on physical activity is transferred to S Health: the number of steps taken, floors, see the dynamics over the entire time, readings from the heart rate monitor (you can set the frequency of changes or start it from the watch when needed), track the amount and quality of sleep. There is also a competitive aspect. You can make virtual friends in S Health and compare achievements. “Achievements” are awarded for some personal achievements:

You can also install quick widgets for different exercises. Some of them are tracked for hours in automatic mode and automatically starts recording. Strength, for obvious reasons, is not tracked and when you launch the widget, you can simply start the timer, so, for example, with the bench press, the native application will help little. For more advanced features in the gym, a third-party Workout Trainer application is supported:

What can they do?

“Smart watches” are increasing their functionality, this also applies to the Samsung Gear S3/S3 Frontier, although they still cannot be called mass-produced due to the impressive cost and the fact that the average user is completely satisfied with the functionality of a cheap fitness tracker, of which there are a huge number on the market . For now, smartwatches remain a more geeky device.

Among the usual features, the watch can count the distance traveled, measure the speed of movement, remind you that it’s time to warm up, automatically determine the type of physical activity (applies to cardio exercises, of course), count calories burned, eat separate mode"Walk". Of course, before starting a workout, you can manually start the corresponding mode on the watch. Gear S3 Frontier can measure heart rate, both automatically and manually. Of course, there is a function for tracking sleep (both its quantity and quality depending on the time of restless and sensitive sleep). It is possible to manually add data on the amount of water and coffee you drink to S Health. Among the more unusual and useful functions is a baro-altimeter, which shows the current pressure and altitude above sea level.

Everyday features include notifications from your smartphone and information about an incoming call; you can reject a call, send a message, or answer directly from your watch (speaker and microphone allow). Notifications can be read in full and a number of messages can be responded to immediately from the Gear S3, for this there is S Voice, templates/emoticons and an on-screen keyboard. It is possible to control the smartphone camera, it music player. Or upload music to internal memory hours and use a Bluetooth headset to listen. Eat pre-installed applications for weather forecast, notes, calculator, news aggregator, calendar and stopwatch. There is already a decent amount third party applications to expand functionality, starting with ordering a taxi and pizza, navigation HERE, Navitel, ordering tickets, Privat24 and ending with simple toys (this is for those who know a lot about perversions).

Bottom line

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier has become even more functional and technologically advanced than the previous generation. They look even more stylish and are really very similar to regular watches. They are equipped with the current maximum range of different sensors, sensors and wireless modules (with the exception of support for mobile networks in versions for our market, although a version with LTE exists and, in fact, makes the Gear S3 a completely autonomous device). Branded software has already become truly useful and functional. At the moment, Gear S3/S3 Frontier are the most technologically advanced on the market. Plus they are made of very high quality from appropriate materials and look great. The main disadvantage has not changed since the previous generation: it is a high price, for which the user receives a very technologically advanced device, but limited in functionality/use.

5 reasons to buy Samsung Gear S3 Frontier:

• Chic design, materials and build quality;
• the maximum number of various sensors, sensors and wireless interfaces;
• convenient control and Tizen interface;
• functional and convenient S Health and Samsung Gear software;
• an ever-increasing amount of useful software, including local software.

1 reason not to buy Samsung Gear S3 Frontier:

• high price tag.

Specifications Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
Display	1.3 inches, 360x360, Super AMOLED, Gorilla Glass SR+
Dimensions	49x46x12.9 mm
Weight	63 g
operating system	Tizen Based Wearable Platform 2.3.2
CPU	Dual-core 14nm (FinFET) Exynos 7270 processor @ 1GHz
RAM	768 MB
Built-in memory	4 GB
Heart rate monitor	optic
Communications	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, Glonass
Protection	IP68, MIL-STD-810G (protection from vibration, shock and temperatures from -40 to +70 °C)
Additionally	Always On Display
Battery	380 mAh