Samsung Gear S Review: Release Date, Specs, Latest Rumors - A Phone Inside a Watch
Samsung is coming out late October with the world's first smartwatch that allows users to make phone calls from their wrists.
The Korean tech giant has branded its Samsung Gear S, previously called Samsung Gear Solo, as a phone inside a watch, supporting both data transfer and voice calling.
The smartwatch is targeted at outdoor and sporting enthusiasts who want to remain connected but don't want to carry a phone everywhere.
Although it is compatible with wireless headphones and Bluetooth devices, the Samsung Gear S does not have to be paired with a smartphone to be able to operate. It comes with GPS, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.1 in addition to 2G and 3G and wireless connectivity.
While the 2G connectivity of Samsung Gear S is over the 900/1800MHz or 850/1900MHz frequencies, the 3G connectivity of the smartwatch is over the 850/1900MHz or 900/2100 MHz frequencies.
Needless to say, the Samsung Gear S is multi-functional. It includes a barometer, a gyroscope, a compass, and a built-in accelerome. It also incorporates Nike+Running and Samsung's S Health platforms, which come with weather and news apps as well.
The smartwatch can also be used as a music player.
Reviewers say the smartwatch's display is big and rectangular -- not sleek and circular as other smartwatches. But Samsung is reportedly also working on one with a rounded version.
Its 2-inch Super AMOLED display allows for brighter colors.
Instead of running on Android or another predictable operating system, the Gear S watch runs with its own OS called Tizen, which already has 1,000 apps lined up prior to the product launching.
Another amazing feature of the Gear S is that it is able to hear what you say and you will also be able to hear what it says, thanks to a built-in microphone and pair of speakers.
A 300 mAh battery powers the Gear S that should last for at least a day with normal use, maybe even two, before needing to be re-charged.
The device, according to PC Advisor, will feature a turn-by-turn navigation which is powered by the pre-installed HERE Maps from Nokia.
The Samsung Gear S, which is water and dust resistant, will also have a UV sensor and comes with an IP67 certification as well as S Voice.
Its price tag, according to Mashable, is a little over $400.
The smartwatch will have 4GB internal memory, 512MB of RAM and a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor.
Samsung has announced that the watch will be available before November this year.
In making the announcement, Samsung Electronics (IT and Mobile Communications) CEO and head, JK Shin cited Samsung for "leading this exciting and rapidly developing wearable category through progressive innovation."
"The Samsung Gear S redefines the idea of the smart wearable and the culture of mobile communication. It will let consumers live a truly connected life anywhere, anytime," he said.