The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch was a big hit with us last year, with its sleek design and innovative rotating bezel. Now Samsung is back with the Gear S3, which comes in two versions – the Classic and the Frontier.
Design and display
The Gear S3 Classic is a traditional looking watch that wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of a smart professional. The Gear S3 Frontier, meanwhile, has a more rugged looking design suited to more sporty and active types. Both are compatible with conventional 22mm watch-straps, so you can change them to suit your exact style.
Samsung hasn’t said that the Gear S3 is a 'man’s watch', but the size and design of both the Classic and Frontier models are definitely on the masculine side. Forget about the Gear S2’s sleek understated design, these watches are all about making a bold statement. If you like the look and feel of prestige watches, you’ll be right at home with a Gear S3 on your wrist.
Both models have the same 1.3-inch circular Super AMOLED screen, with a 360 x 360 resolution. The display is always-on, so you don’t have to lift your arm or flick your wrist to view the time.
Smart features
To help you navigate between apps and features, the Gear S3 has the same rotating bezel as the Gear S2. Twist the bezel right to get to your widgets and carry out useful functions, like controlling your music or viewing your step count. While twisting the bezel left takes you to a list of apps that you can quickly scroll through to find the one you’re looking for.
There’s also a potentially life-saving feature called SOS mode, which lets you press a button to alert others to your location if you’re in trouble.
And the good news for music lovers is that you can download songs straight onto the Galaxy S3. There’s 4GB of available storage - enough for literally hundreds of your favourite tunes.
Behind the face
The Gear S3 is an incredibly powerful smartwatch, with a dual-core 1GHz processor and 768MB RAM. It comes with wireless charging, and the 380mAh battery typically lasts 3-5 days before needing to recharge.
The Gear S3 also has inbuilt GPS, so you can take it out for a run and leave your smartphone at home.
Plus, it’s water and dust-resistant, with an IP68 rating. That means you don’t have to worry about getting caught in a downpour, or even accidentally dropping it in the sink.
Our verdict
The Gear S3 is a huge step up from its predecessor, the Gear S2. It has a longer battery life, inbuilt GPS, and that bold new design. Yes, it’s a big watch, but it fits around the wrist nicely and is really comfortable to wear.
If you’re interested in getting a Gear S3 for yourself (or someone else), both models are available at Carphone Warehouse. You can buy the traditionally styled Gear S3 Classic here, and buy the rugged Gear S3 Frontier here.