Smart watch Samsung Gear S3 - advantages and disadvantages

The well-known consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung at the IFA 2016 exhibition in Germany 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. In the design of devices, the manufacturer has included all the innovative developments that expand the functionality and performance of devices. Currently, sales of these gadgets have started in Russia.

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

Key parameters of the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

Packing the device and its acquisition

Sports watches from the South Korean company Samsung are placed in a small, black plastic cylinder and are held on the charger case with a magnet. In the next section of the box under a 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, so in addition to the main one, there is a strap of a different size in the package. The manufacturer refused to equip with a spare strap, the same as the main one.

On a positive note for the user, the Gear S3 mount allows you to install straps from different manufacturers.

The charger is provided with a magnet that holds the smart watch while charging and has a compact size. The design and functionality of the charger are practically the same as the previous model.

Appearance of smart watch

The company's engineers have created a device design that meets the standards of Swiss brands. Sports watches from Samsung no longer look bulky and ridiculous on the hand. Now the appearance of the device resembles the appearance of one of the Tag Heuer models. The company's specialists realized the wishes of fans of Samsung devices and made a device, the appearance of which does not differ from ordinary chronometers.

The appearance of the watch will emphasize the brutality and masculinity of a man. The round display of the device is devoid of dead zones, the case is made of durable steel and has a gray color. The device is controlled using a special rim (lunette) or through the monitor sensor. For people with thin wrists, the Classic model is more suitable, as it has a smaller thickness.

The rotating lunette (bezel) gives the look of the sports watch a unique touch and makes it easier to control the device. The touch screen has good sensitivity and makes it easy to manipulate the program menu.

On the right side of the device, there are two function buttons.The upper key, after a light press, 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 using the speaker.

Chronometer Display

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

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 fringing that stretches out towards the wrist. There is no air between the protective layers of the display surface, so ghosting is almost invisible. At the maximum brightness of the display (manual control, scale value 10 units), the light emission is approximately 600 cd/m2, and in one division about 10 cd/m2.

The design of the device provides a light sensor that allows you to automatically change the brightness of the screen, depending on the ambient light. Tests have shown that when the brightness levels of 1,6,10 are set on the tuning scale, the brightness is automatically reduced in absolute darkness up 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 indicator 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 provides a decrease in the brightness of the monitor only after the exit from the inactive mode. With an ambient light of 20,000 lx and above, even with the automatic display brightness adjustment function turned off, 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 circumstances.

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

The display of black on the monitor from any viewing angle is excellent, the color balance is above average. When viewing the screen at a 90-degree angle, white uniformity is excellent. Image clarity is quite high even at very small viewing angles. Analysis of the totality of indicators makes it possible to draw a conclusion about the high quality of displaying images on the screen.

Control system and functionality

Samsung is putting a lot of effort into developing its own Tizen operating system. All sports electronic devices produced by this company are running this software shell.At the time of writing this review, the smartwatch was running Tizen 2.3.2. and ensure their efficient operation.

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

Other software products can be additionally installed using the Galaxy Apps store. Traditional applications from Google or Yandex Maps cannot be installed, but calling a taxi through the Yandex Transport application will work.

Sports chronometers are equipped with 14 different watch faces, in the absence of a suitable one, you can purchase your favorite watch face in the Galaxy Apps store.

South Korean Samsung is making great efforts to develop its online platform Galaxy Apps, but, unfortunately, today it is losing in 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 connecting the watch to devices released for the Galaxy line, including when synchronizing with the flagship model Galaxy S7 Edge, the pre-installed Samsung Gear application is launched, which allows you to control and configure 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 app, Samsung Gear S, to connect your smart timer to an iPhone running iOS. Once installed on your iPhone, it allows you to effectively control your sports watch. Other devices on the iOS operating system are not supported by the smart chronometer.

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

Positive and negative sides of the gadget

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

• friendly and intuitive operation;
• long enough straps that can be easily changed;
• long battery life without recharging (up to 4 days);
• serious protection against moisture and dust;
• handy Samsung Pay app.

• 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 connecting to a smartphone and with connection stability.

The presence of shortcomings does not beg the dignity of smart watches from Samsung. This is an excellent and reliable device with a large set of useful features.

Conclusion

The developers of the South Korean company have created an excellent device that incorporates all the best from previous smartwatch models and many useful, innovative solutions. Model Samsung Gear S3 Frontier has successfully passed all the tests.It is perfect for people leading an active life, because it has successfully confirmed certificates for protection against small particles and water (IP68 index) and vibration, shock resistance (MIL-810G index). This device is not afraid of high temperatures or severe cold.
If a person already uses 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 shorter battery life, they don't support 4G, they don't have the best charging block design.

The Gear S2 model is still manufactured at the company's factories and engineers continue to improve it, now it belongs to a 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 both Android and iOS smartphones. Therefore, a person who loves new items and is not financially constrained 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 makes life easier and better, but, unfortunately, these useful devices cannot fully replace a smartphone and are only their addition.