EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SAMSUNG GEAR S3
September is nearly upon us, which means it’s probably about time for a Samsung Gear S3 launch. Here’s all we know about the Samsung Gear S3 release date, specs, features, and more.
Samsung Mobile has no qualms about dispensing new wearables at an alarming rate. The next entrant to the series is expected to be the Samsung Gear S3, and is sure to be a thorn in the side of rivals like the Apple Watch and Asus ZenWatch.
We’re expecting to see software and hardware upgrades, and probably a design refresh. There’s also plenty of talk of new, spin-off models, and a pricey luxury edition.
Here’s what we think we know so far...
1. IFA 2016 LAUNCH
The best proof of the Samsung Gear S3’s existence is Samsung’s own IFA 2016 invitation. The South Korean tech giant has confirmed that a ‘Gear’ event is taking place on August 31, at Berlin’s Tempodrom – the fun starts at 18:00 CET (17:00 BST/12:00 EST).
This falls just before IFA 2016 begins proper, which seems about right. After all, the Samsung Gear S2 was unveiled during IFA 2015, and the original Gear S was revealed on August 28, 2014.
The caveat to all this is that you probably won’t be able to get your hands (or wrists, rather) on the Gear S2 straight away. Last year’s Gear S2 was released on October 2, while the Gear S landed in stores on November 7, 2014. So expect to wait a little while.
2. CODENAME: SOLIS
The Samsung Gear S3 is reportedly being developed under the codename Solis, at least according to specialist blog Sammobile. That gels with the Gear S2’s codename, which was Orbis.
Unfortunately, Solis doesn’t tell us much; it means ‘sun’ in Spanish, if that helps.
Related: Best Fitness Tracker 2016
3. SMARTWATCHES EVERYWHERE!
Back in April, luxury jeweller de Grisogono confirmed to the Korea Herald that it was collaborating with Samsung to “develop its next-generation smartwatch”. The fruits of this collaboration are expected to take the shape of a Gear S3 luxury edition.
After all, the firms already partnered up earlier this year for the ‘Gear S2 with de Grisogono’, which boasted a diamond-studded chassis. Only 100 units are built, or rather handcrafted, every month, and a single watch will set you back $15,000. Expect more of the same with the Gear S3.
Then in July, a Sammobile report revealed that Samsung had filed a trademark for “Gear S3 Frontier” in South Korea. Meanwhile, just a few weeks later, an Italian journalist called Antonio Monaco teased a possible “Gear S3 Explorer” device.
With these leaks in mind, there’s a chance we could see as many as four different Gear S3 variants. Samsung has never been afraid to launch wearables in abundance, so we’d almost be surprised if IFA 2016 didn’t host multiple Samsung Gear S3 devices.
4. IT’S STILL ROUND, AND IT’S STILL SPINNING
Most of the leaks we’ve seen so far seem to suggest that the device will still be round, just like previous models. Reviewers have generally approved of this design in the past, so we’d be surprised if Samsung changed it. It’s also a good differentiating factor that sets it apart from its square-faced rival, the Apple Watch.
It’s also highly likely – and heavily rumoured – that Samsung plans to retain the spinning bezel, which is used to supplement the touchscreen as an additional control mechanism.
5. MORE SENSORS, BIGGER SCREEN
Sammobile reckons we’ll see a bunch of sensors built into the Gear S3, including an altimeter, a barometer, and even a GPS-based speedometer. The wearable will reportedly be able to show altitude in real-time on the display, and plot this against time on a graph.
It’s also been suggested that the display diameter could rise above the current 1.2-inches, purportedly to improve the ergonomics of the screen. Apparently, Samsung wants to make the touchscreen a little easier to use.
6. TIZEN? ALMOST DEFINITELY
Until now, Samsung’s Gear S line-up has been powered by the company's own custom-built operating system: Tizen. This OS already features on a number of other Samsung devices too, including smartphones and televisions. Sammobile reckons the Gear S3 will follow suit, and considering the precedent set so far, we're inclined to agree. Sorry, Android Wear fans.
Thanks for reading.
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