Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch - pros and cons

The well-known consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung at the exhibition in Germany IFA 2016 presented to consumers two models of smart watches developed by the company's engineers: the budget version - Gear S3 Classic and the flagship model Gear S3 Frontier. The manufacturer has included in the design of the devices all innovative developments that expand the functionality and performance of the devices. Currently, sales of these gadgets have started in Russia.

It should be noted that the differences between these models are in the presence of an e-SIM module in the flagship Gear S3 Frontier model and a higher degree of protection against shocks, temperature changes, and aggressive external environment. All other characteristics of the devices are almost identical. This review is devoted to describing the more advanced Gear S3 Frontier, which is currently the company's flagship product.

The main parameters of the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier model

Packing the device and completing it

A sports watch from the South Korean firm Samsung is housed in a small, black plastic cylinder and held magnetically to the charger case. In the next compartment, the boxes under the plastic cover are placed:

• comfortable silicone strap;
• a small manual for using the device in English;
• warranty booklet;
• charger (voltage 5 V, maximum current 0.7 A) with Micro-USB output.

Samsung strives to meet the needs of different customers, therefore, in addition to the main one, there is a strap of a different size in the package. The manufacturer refused to include a spare strap, the same as the main one.

On a positive note for the user, the Gear S3 mounts allow you to attach straps from different manufacturers.

The charger is provided with a magnet that holds the smartwatch while charging and is compact. The design and functionality of the charger practically do not differ from the previous model.

Smartwatch appearance

The company's engineers have created a device design that meets the standards of Swiss brands. Samsung sports watches no longer look bulky and ridiculous on the wrist. Now the appearance of the device resembles that of one of the Tag Heuer models. The company's specialists have realized the wishes of fans of Samsung devices and made a device that looks no different from ordinary chronometers.

The look of the watch will emphasize the brutality and masculinity of a man. The round display of the device is devoid of dead zones, the body is made of solid steel and has a gray color. The device is controlled using a special bezel (bezel) or through a monitor sensor. For people with thinner wrists, the Classic is more suitable as it is thinner.

The rotating bezel gives a sports watch a unique look and makes it easy to operate. The touch screen has good sensitivity and allows easy manipulation of the software menu.

On the right side of the case, there are two function buttons. The upper key, after lightly pressing, returns to the previous menu item, and the lower one opens the home page tab.
At the bottom of the case, under the bottom key, there is a hole that makes it easier for sound to enter the microphone. On the left side of the chronometer, there are three holes that provide hands-free mode with the speaker.

Chronometer display

The touchscreen monitor of the stylish Samsung Gear S3 Frontier sports chronometer is protected by a special mirror-smooth scratch-resistant glass. The grease-repellent coating of the display protects the screen from fingerprints much better than the Google Nexus 7 2013. Although it is slightly inferior in anti-glare properties to this model.

The display has a photo rage value of 131, which is 18 units higher than the Nexus 7, but reflections from bright objects on the screen create a faint bluish border that extends towards the wrist. There is no air between the protective layers of the display surface, so ghosting is practically not visible. At the maximum value of the display brightness (manual control, scale value of 10 units), the light emission is approximately 600 cd / m2, and at one division it is approximately 10 cd / m2.

The device has an illumination sensor that automatically changes the brightness of the screen depending on the ambient light. Tests have shown that when the brightness levels are set on a scale of 1,6,10, the brightness is automatically reduced in absolute darkness down to 10, 20, 130 cd / m2. The first two readings obtained are normal. With office lighting (about 550 Lx), the luminous flux from the screen is 10, 130, 300 cd / m2, only the average value corresponds to the norm.

The test results showed that the automatic adjustment of the screen illumination functions quite adequately, and the user can choose the most comfortable screen brightness mode for himself. The automation system ensures that the brightness of the monitor is reduced only when it comes out of inactive mode. With an ambient light of 20,000 Lx and above, even with the automatic adjustment of the display brightness disabled, the monitor raises its illumination to 950 cd / m2. This brightness value will allow the user to see the image on the screen under any circumstance.

The use of an innovative active LED matrix by the company's engineers allows you to get a clear color image. The pixel of the matrix consists of 3 parts, which provide display of the primary colors: red, green and blue. The brightness level of each subpixel ensures that colors are obtained in all shades.

Black display on the monitor from any viewing angle is excellent, color balance is above average. When viewed from a 90 degree angle, the white uniformity is remarkable. The image clarity is high enough even at very small viewing angles.Analysis of the set of indicators makes it possible to make a conclusion about the high quality of displaying images on the screen.

Control system and functionality

Samsung is investing heavily in developing its own operating system, Tizen. All sports electronic devices manufactured by this company operate under the control of this software shell. At the time of writing this review, the smartwatch used the Tizen 2.3.2 system. and ensured their efficient operation.

The classic menu of the software shell developed by Samsung programmers consists of:

Other software products can be optionally installed using the Galaxy Apps store. Traditional applications from Google or Yandex-Maps cannot be installed, but it will be possible to call a taxi through the Yandex-Transport application.

Sports chronometers come with 14 different dials, if you don't have a suitable one, you can purchase your favorite dial in the Galaxy Apps store.

South Korean Samsung is making great efforts to develop its Internet platform Galaxy Apps, but, unfortunately, today it loses in the competition with the same store from Apple.

Synchronization with a smartphone

The company's employees strive to create electronic devices that work with smartphones from different manufacturers and are able to maintain a connection with different software shells. The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier successfully syncs with devices that also run the iOS software platform.

When the watch is paired with Galaxy devices, including syncing with the flagship Galaxy S7 Edge, the pre-installed Samsung Gear app launches, which allows you to control and customize the device, as well as process data received from the chronograph. Synchronization with the LG G4s smartphone running on the Android software platform took quite a long time and required the installation of several special applications.

You only need to install one Samsung Gear S app to connect your smartwatch to an iPhone running iOS. Once installed on your iPhone, it allows you to effectively control your sports watch. The smart chronometer does not support other devices on the iOS operating system.

When driving a car, the watch allows you to receive and send calls, unfortunately, the e-SIM module is not supported by cellular companies in Russia, therefore, synchronization with a smartphone is required to ensure communication.

Positive and negative aspects of the gadget

It is rare to find a device that is ideal for any user and without flaws.

• friendly and intuitive control;
• long enough straps that can be easily changed;
• long battery life without recharge (up to 4 days);
• serious protection against moisture and dust;
• convenient Samsung Pay application.

• inability to use applications not developed by Samsung;
• large dimensions that will not allow you to look beautiful on a hand with a thin wrist;
• problems with the connection to the smartphone and with the stability of the connection.

The presence of shortcomings does not imply the merits of smart watches from Samsung. It is an excellent and reliable device with many useful features.

Conclusion

The developers of the South Korean company have created an excellent device that incorporates all the best from previous models of smartwatches and many useful, innovative solutions. The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier has passed all tests. It is perfect for people leading an active life, because it has successfully confirmed the certificates for protection against small particles and water (index IP68) and vibration, shock resistance (index MIL-810G). This device is not afraid of either high temperatures or severe cold.
If a person is already using the previous version of the model from the line of smart chronometers: Gear S2 or Gear S, then the Gear S watch released 3 years ago has simply become obsolete and should be replaced with new ones. They have a shorter battery life, they don't support 4G, they don't have the best charger design.

The Gear S2 model is still manufactured at the company's factories and engineers continue to improve it, now it belongs to the more budget segment of the sports gadgets market. The Gear S2 has almost the same features as the next Gear S3 and is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones. Therefore, a person who loves new items and is not constrained financially needs to replace his gadget with a more productive one, and from a practical point of view, the Gear S2 is a worthy and relevant model.

The development of compact, electronic devices facilitates and makes human life better, but, unfortunately, these useful devices cannot fully replace a smartphone and are only their addition.