We all are aware that Samsung released six different smartwatches before Apple even launched one. Chunky designs, slow performance, and limited software have all been things that have plagued Samsung's smartwatch efforts since they began in 2013. That all may be changing, however, as the recently announced Gear S2 is the most promising smartwatch we've seen from Samsung. The Samsung Gear S2, the Korean giant’s latest smartwatch, has been officially announced at IFA 2015 in Berlin following a sneak tease at Note 5 event last month. The high-end Tizen OS wearable device with rotating bezel and IP68 rating will be on display during IFA in two different variants - Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic.
The Gear S2 Classic’s act is a jarringly intuitive blend of old-school analog controls and new-school communication tools. The look and feel, in terms of size, weight, and materials, is that of a premium, round men’s watch. Ultimately, it adds up to a wearable computer that wants to be a watch first. It appeals to a traditional aesthetic, with a gunmetal stainless-steel case, a rotating ceramic bezel, and a black leather strap. It looks timeless, ironically, and it’s where smartwatch design should be heading.
The feature that immediately separates the Gear S2 from the current crop of high-profile smartwatches is the rotating bezel that's used to navigate through menus and apps. Anyone who's fiddled with a traditional diving watch will be familiar with this spinning dial, which because it surround the entire screen -- is very comfortable to spin, and to my mind is less fiddly than the digital crown on the Apple Watch, which performs the same functions but requires a more precise grip.
Compared to its earlier smartwatch efforts, Samsung has done a great job on the Gear S2. And to give the device its best possible chance to succeed, it will work with all Android smartphones that run Android 4.4 or later, and have 1.5GB or more of onboard RAM, rather than just Samsung smartphones. Remember when the original Galaxy Gear launched and only worked with one single Samsung smartphone model? Apparently, Samsung has learned from that mistake.
Tizen on the Gear S2 is sleek and reasonably smooth, though not as responsive as Apple’s WatchOS. Its user interface looks terrific on the Gear S2’s round AMOLED display, which measures 1.2 inches diagonally and sports 320 x 320 resolution. On such a small panel, that works out to a pixel density of 302 ppi.
The Gear S2 also includes Samsung Pay, but only NFC payments are supported as the device does not feature the technology Samsung gained through its acquisition of LoopPay.
Connectivity options for the smartwatch include Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, and NFC. A variant with 3G network connectivity and e-SIM will also be available.
Physical measures of Samsung Gear S2 are 42.3 × 49.8 × 11.4mm, while its weight tips the scale at 47 grams. The classic model is a tad more elegant with measures of 39.9 × 43.6 × 11.4mm and a weight of 42 grams. A 250mAh battery will power both devices - it is rated to last for 2-3 days of regular usage.
The 3G variant of the smartwatch will pack a larger 300mAh battery, which will last for two days of regular use. The measures of this particular variant are 44.0 x 51.8 x 13.4mm, while its weight comes in at 51 grams.
The watch comes with all the features you'd expect from a smartwatch. Fitness tracking is of course central to the device (the circular progress bars are familiar to say the least). The watch has a number of fitness-based watch faces to choose from, including a cute little sparkling face that twinkles the more you work out.
Speaking of watch faces, the Gear S2 ships with a bunch of well-designed faces to choose from, and Samsung are opening up the watch to third party watch faces. Another point of difference from Apple the company was happy to underline.
The Gear S2 is due to launch in October. No price has been announced.
The Gear S2 Classic’s act is a jarringly intuitive blend of old-school analog controls and new-school communication tools. The look and feel, in terms of size, weight, and materials, is that of a premium, round men’s watch. Ultimately, it adds up to a wearable computer that wants to be a watch first. It appeals to a traditional aesthetic, with a gunmetal stainless-steel case, a rotating ceramic bezel, and a black leather strap. It looks timeless, ironically, and it’s where smartwatch design should be heading.
The feature that immediately separates the Gear S2 from the current crop of high-profile smartwatches is the rotating bezel that's used to navigate through menus and apps. Anyone who's fiddled with a traditional diving watch will be familiar with this spinning dial, which because it surround the entire screen -- is very comfortable to spin, and to my mind is less fiddly than the digital crown on the Apple Watch, which performs the same functions but requires a more precise grip.
Compared to its earlier smartwatch efforts, Samsung has done a great job on the Gear S2. And to give the device its best possible chance to succeed, it will work with all Android smartphones that run Android 4.4 or later, and have 1.5GB or more of onboard RAM, rather than just Samsung smartphones. Remember when the original Galaxy Gear launched and only worked with one single Samsung smartphone model? Apparently, Samsung has learned from that mistake.
Tizen on the Gear S2 is sleek and reasonably smooth, though not as responsive as Apple’s WatchOS. Its user interface looks terrific on the Gear S2’s round AMOLED display, which measures 1.2 inches diagonally and sports 320 x 320 resolution. On such a small panel, that works out to a pixel density of 302 ppi.
The Gear S2 also includes Samsung Pay, but only NFC payments are supported as the device does not feature the technology Samsung gained through its acquisition of LoopPay.
Connectivity options for the smartwatch include Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, and NFC. A variant with 3G network connectivity and e-SIM will also be available.
Physical measures of Samsung Gear S2 are 42.3 × 49.8 × 11.4mm, while its weight tips the scale at 47 grams. The classic model is a tad more elegant with measures of 39.9 × 43.6 × 11.4mm and a weight of 42 grams. A 250mAh battery will power both devices - it is rated to last for 2-3 days of regular usage.
The 3G variant of the smartwatch will pack a larger 300mAh battery, which will last for two days of regular use. The measures of this particular variant are 44.0 x 51.8 x 13.4mm, while its weight comes in at 51 grams.
The watch comes with all the features you'd expect from a smartwatch. Fitness tracking is of course central to the device (the circular progress bars are familiar to say the least). The watch has a number of fitness-based watch faces to choose from, including a cute little sparkling face that twinkles the more you work out.
Speaking of watch faces, the Gear S2 ships with a bunch of well-designed faces to choose from, and Samsung are opening up the watch to third party watch faces. Another point of difference from Apple the company was happy to underline.
The Gear S2 is due to launch in October. No price has been announced.
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