The Gear S3 is bigger, and it looks more like a larger-case men's sports watch. But it was hamstrung by a weak selection of apps from Samsung's own apps store, because the watch runs its own distinct software apart from Google. It worked with many Android phones, not just Samsung's. The watch faces, and Samsung's own fitness app, were well executed. Its clever rotating bezel acted like a giant scroll wheel.

It had a round display like Google's many Android Wear watches, but it also had a much more interesting design and better software. Samsung impressively revamped its smartwatch last year with the Gear S2. And you can't use the Apple Watch with Android phones, so consider the Gear S3 an alternative to Android Wear watches instead, strictly for Android phone owners. In short, instead of big changes in software, Samsung went for lots of tweaks to hardware.įirst of all, by the way, you can't use the Gear S3 with an iPhone. My review is still in progress, but I wanted to give you a heads-up on what to expect. Should you buy one? And what can it offer next to the Apple Watch? You might see it advertised in holiday sales, or in stores. It just went on sale last Friday, and it's on my wrist right now.

One of the late arrivals to the 2016 parade of ho-hum smartwatches is the Samsung Gear S3, announced back in the late summer.

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