Another great review. Thanks. I use mine strictly with Bluetooth and WiFi and use it for phone calls all the time and love it, especially when I'm driving. Since I use mainly for notifications, so I don't have to pull my phone out of pocket, and I turn off at night, I get 2 to 3 days of a battery. Also, the battery charger module has its own battery in it, so you can take that along with you for occasional charges to the watch.
I purchased my Gear S today, Happy Birthday to me. Most of the time you'll be connected to Bluetooth , you're not using data but you do have to get the plan. They get us one way or another. It's a fun little device.
That is totally not true my friend. If you buy it full price you don't have to get a plan. That is only if you finance it. You can literally just use it with Bluetooth and wifi. Don't let people at carriers talk you into getting a plan because they are just trying to get sales.
David You are correct. You can use the Gear S with WiFi only but I wanted it for all the features especially call forwarding. Had a great workout today with the Gear only. Was able to leave my Note 4 at home and still be connected.
Skyscraper J13 I've been wanting to see some reviews of this watch in its workout capacity. I like that it has GPS and a heart monitor, so my question is can the Gear S beat other devices like fitbit, Garmin, Tomtom watches? Do you use Nike+ ?
Thank you for reviewing new product as soon as they come out or in some cases before they come out to the public. I love Samsung products i have the note 4 and im getting this watch to upgrade from the gear 2.
I have had the Gear S now for three weeks and here are my thoughts. It is actually a very nice watch with the brown gold or blue clock face and it is very comfortable. What I have found most beneficial is that while I have a Note 4 I keep in a holster case on my belt, the watch has been great to quickly see incoming messages, incoming texts and breaking news. It's right there, sort of in your face. So for that it has been excellent. The screen is fantastic and crisp and I have been getting 1 1/2 to 2 days of battery but I do charge it every night as a practical way to keep it fully charged. The call feature is fun and could be useful if you forget your phone or if you are at the gym and want music and a phone. Bluetooth earphones work great, I use Jaybird. From a practical point of view, you still would use your normal phone when you have it but this little marvel of engineering does work as a phone anywhere when and if you need it. I think a lot of tech reviews are too critical and if you like technology it is a lot of fun and excellent quality for what it does and what it is. Bot for $199 at ATT and $10 a month data plan.
Great review. I really like on how you detailed the gear information of the watch itself and the procedure on how to connect into a smartphone. I have my Samsung Gear S for a year now. Actually I really like it, although there is some disadvantage, it is still quite fashionable and techy look for me. I love it. It doesn't also bother me when I wear it that I almost forgot that its in my hands. I like your review by the way. Thanks for the information you given. God speed!
I want too get this watch as a paired device for my Note 4 as a health care motivation unit.. Monitor box when cycling, walking the dog each, messages, time- forget games, music. As a utility item I think it will be very useful, Moore than a gimmick.
Im usually open to all opinions towards this watch. But its annoying when it gets criticism from people who don't "own" the watch itself. As a Gear S Owner, I must say this watch is pretty spectacular. With my note edge usually tucked in my inside chest pocket on my coat. Having my watch makes it easy for quick replies, or making quick phone calls. Not saying this watch is a "necessity" because it really isn't. I find this watch as more of a convenience gadget. The keyboard is surprisingly accurate, ESPECIALLY the SWIPE function. I find myself writing sentences pretty fast on this watch. If you are skeptical, then try it out for 14 days. As for battery life. Its 7:30pm right now, Ive had it on since 5:45am. And mainly used it for Texting and Phone calls on the go, (oh and this makes a nice alarm too). I am currently at 43%, My note edge is currently at 56%, So I would say for phone calls and texting, This watch can take a beating. The battery is not something I would worry about if you are using it in a work/school setting, but it will die on you if all you do is sit at home and play with the apps.
I wanted to wait to write a review ~ I purchased the Gear S with simcard about 2 weeks ago and have found it to be very useful ~ with my management position I am on call 24X7 and it's nice going for a bike ride or the gym without lugging along the Galaxy 5S in-tow. Also, in meetings or elsewhere I can quickly look at my wrist and see my updates without drawing too much attention vs. pulling out the G5S and coming off as a bit rude. It functions very well and it is what it is... I really like the pedometer... so far the battery life is excellent. I turnoff the phone and charge it at night... I actually get two business days out of the batteries and carry the small back-up battery/charger just in-case. For myself this phone was a good investment... I believe today's trend are big note/pads but the future will be little devices like the Gear S.
Hi Lisa, great review, as always!! I was wondering if the watch does have a video player built-in without you being aware of it? The reason I say that is because I have the Gear 2 Neo, which is also a Tizen watch and it does not have a "selectable" Video player app as such, but if I drag a video onto the watch from my PC it appears in the Photo Gallery has a play button on it. When I click on it - it plays the movie!!
Getting this tomorrow. At first I didn't like the idea of paying the additional $5 a month for its own access but if I'm at the park or running I don't need my phone. Got 14 days to try it out. Verizon has it for $349.99 w/ a 2-year contract (no) so I paid the extra $50 for the non-contract access.
Think it really depends on what you are looking for in a smartwatch streetz180.....if u want just the notifications aspect and something that looks very much like a watch the best bets are 1)HP Chronowing 2)Asus Smart Watch 3) Motor 360.....that's the order I rank them in. Now if you are looking for a smart watch that doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone's fashion sense but can actually be used as a second phone and hold a Sim card.....the choice is clear. Samsung Gear s
Smartwatches are such a mess right now. IMO Only Pebble has it right, it doesn't try to to do too much. The Apple Watch has got the design down, it looks amazing. And the ability to reply to messages and use Siri right on the Watch is awesome. I really don't think a smartwatch needs to do all the stuff the Gear S does. The Apple Watch does a lot of stuff that probably isn't too necessary either, but I like the fact that you can reply to messages on the watch, unlike the pebble.
You can reply to messages and access S-Voice with the Gear as well. There's even a keyboard apparently you can use to type out a text message. I think Samsung will have it just about right in terms of features in another generation or two. Right now they're just experimenting and seeing what people like and use on a device like this.
Nice review. It seem short sided in that Samsung should have offered a 3G model as well as a WiFi only version. WiFi only would mean that you could buy it from any Brick and Mortar store and would not need to concern yourself with carrier devices or data plans.
Hmmm I was under the impression that you had to sign a two year carrier contract and add the watch to a data plan for an additional $10/month. With a WiFi only version this would not be required. Am I wrong?
Got mine three days ago. I'm loving it. i've got this one chiefly because of the gps and here navigator. But i'm really surprised with all the things it does, specially concerning health.
I like your all reviews. I bought iPad Air 2 after watching your review. Now I need your advice....I bought Sony smartwatch 3 from amazon but returned coz battery drained fast in just 3 hrs. Shall I go with gear s in 2016.?
Hello, Very nice review! I got mine recently and I really like it! However, I have not been able to use the weather function as it does not want to update and I can't find the widget. Could you please let me know what weather app you're using and what your location settings are set to? Thank you
Features I love; Always On Screen, Long Battery Life considering Apple Watch will only last less than a day, Stand Alone Calling via own Tel #, Integrated Health/pulse/Music/Milk/S-Voice/etc Features for active users who don't want to carry around their smartphone everywhere you go. I use a Galaxy Note 3 Phablet.... and it's always been a pain to carry it for Jogging and going to the gym. Where it's also hard to stop and setup music streaming. (btw... Gear S can sync to friend's iphone too) I've also left it in the gym by accident. Which although not a problem, because all they do is call me now, that they know it mine. But then I have to go pick it up. With Gear S 3G even if I walk off a ways from my phone it alerts me. But I now rarely carry my Galaxy Note to the gym and because they have a steel roof I can't get calls inside anyway. If I get a parking space up front, I leave my phone in the car and remarkably the Gear S 3G stays connected better than my phone inside. I can stream the music on my phone, from Google Music or Samsung's Milk Music or play music loaded to the Gear S. Jogging is now pure freedom and with Nike Running App, Music and check pulse reading and pedometer outdoors in the fresh air around the lake where I live. Here Maps App is great and I can even map out a route anywhere else besides just the 5.5mi around my local lake. Galaxy Gear S is turning out to so much more than I anticipated compared to my Pebble Watch. Which now just sits in drawer with all my other watches. I can't imagine leaving the house without it and I'm getting a solid day and a half of use (sometimes two)! .....and being a avid ebay shopper the ebay app allows me to bid on auctions even on a jog around the lake or in the gym, make those calls home to find out what's for dinner or what's needed from the store without my cell phone with me!!!
Hi Lisa, Gr8 review...I have a question...will I be able to make/receive calls directly from the gear S without a SIM card on it when paired to a Samsung phone...thanks in advance...cheers
I think it would be awesome if there was a smart arm band. This would have a 7"x3" screen, and it would go on your non-dominate forearm. Then you could just look at your arm and have everything easily monitored.
Great review :) is it only Gear S that can se the HERE maps ? I have the Gear 2 neo, and I cant seem to find HERE maps for it. I could have figure it maybe need internal GPS for the maps to work, but if you say you cant use the map without the phone connected, that is strange!? and if you must use your phone, why not on the Gear 2.
You said that navigation won't work unless the watch is connected to the phone, but what about for Nike Plus or s health, did the phone need to be connected?
Samsung is heading to the right direction...just needs some more polishing like lowering the price. It would be great for the gym or those quick outies that u dont need to carry ur phone.
So, the speaker is on the left side, not on the right side? If you use the watch on the left hand and wear long sleeves, the sound should be little muted. Any thoughts? I haven' t got a chance to test it, but samsung designers should've put some thought on it.
Wearing a phone on your wrist, bad idea! Because i live in China, iPhone and Apple Watch are my only choice. Nexus and Android Wear device will be a dream to me, since we don't have any Google services in China.
Hi there. What about th Whatsapp notifications? Did you have some notice if it's possible to see/receive notifications on S Gear? Thanks for the help...
I make and receive calls from my Samsung Gear S, without pairing it with the smartphone. The watch has its own phone number. I have it paired with a Bluetooth headset, and my car, which really makes it convenient. Now-a-days, I only take my smartphone out of my bag when I need to charge it, and to add an app to the watch. Once paired with the smartphone, the watch can receive calls from both numbers. It may not be for everyone, but I really like it.
great job ..i know everything i need just called a store and asked the price .. its not cheap but i really like it ..ty wish ur foot is great by now :)
Best watch Samsung ever made. But sadly they are going for round watches now, which means the store is getting less and less apps that's compatible for this square design. And its the only Samsung smartwatch that supports physical sim, which is important as you can just buy some cheap prepaid cards and put in there just for emergencies. It makes no sense to pay monthly for a watch phone bill, lol. Anyway, just like how I hate they removed the removable battery feature from the phones, I am not happy with the way Samsung is focusing on for their product design.
Hey i have 5 brief questions. First, can I answer my watch and speak directly to the watch while my phone is in my pocket using only bluetooth? Second, can I send a text in the watch using only bluetooth while my phone is in my pocket? Third, I have an LG G3, can I download the gear s software to my phone from the Samsung app store even though my phone is not Samsung brand? When I answer the watch when someone calls me, will the watch have a built in speaker for me to hear and a microphone for me to talke?? Can I listen to music on the watch using its built-in speakers?
Soo... I'm supposed to use a 2 inch screen to browse the web, read news, play games, and browse pictures... INSTEAD of my 5.7 inch smartphone screen. Why? Oh yeah, and I wouldn't imagine the tiny watch battery would hold up under all that heavy usage much better than my smartphone's battery either. I still don't understand the purpose of smartwatches in the first place. If it's supposed to relieve you from having to use your smartphone, why did you buy the smartphone in the first place just to not use it?
3165dwayne but then, if you didn't use those features, what else would you use the watch for? The phone tells time. At some point you'll have to interact with your phone's notifications ON your phone anyway, so why the midde man? Why would one need a "remote" for a device that already never leaves your side? It's not like your phone should ever be halfway across a room and out of reach, like say, a tv (which phones can now BE a remote for). Who's really THAT pressed for time that they can't spend 2 seconds to pull their phone out of their pocket? I don't know. I just don't understand the necessity for a smartwatch's existence. Its basically just a cool little fashion accessory to show off to other people, but doesn't have any groundbreaking features that separate it from the phone you already carry with you. Its just a mini me, essentially. And another thing you have to charge at night. Phone, tablet, watch.
***** oh yeah? Well I have a Note 3, so I don't have to worry about my phone dying midway through the day like other phones I've had (S3, HTC G2). Battery life is one of the things I like best about the Note. I've routinely taken my phone to the gym and was never once in danger of cracking my screen. I keep it in my pocket while listening to music, so unless the weights come crashing down, for whatever reason, with enough force to break my leg in the process, I'm good. If your boss is standing right next to you, you should probably be working, or at least pretending that you're working until he/she leaves your visual vicinity. Fiddling around with your watch for any longer than the length of a half second glance at the time isn't exactly a "normal" course of action. No notification is important enough to risk getting fired. I'm usually not scared to pull my phone out unless I'm either in an exceptionally high place (and I get paranoid) or if I'm around the kinda people whom I'd prefer they didn't know I had an expensive, top of the line smartphone on me. Other than that, I'll use it just about anywhere. I've used it while taking tests at school or to play music at a job where I wasn't "supposed" to have my phone on me at all. Its not what you do, but how you do it.
It's not mean't to be a replacement for your phone. It's there in those cases where you don't have your phone handy. The features are there if you need them. I have a Note 4 but I find use my Gear S a lot.
+Logan Hall Some features won't function without pairing with a Samsung smartphone, however, I personally enjoy using it for standalone voice calls, text messages or minor utility apps such as a calculator, time, and alarm. It's still useful to me, especially if you want to go light and don't have to worry much about loosing it with it attached to your wrist. Some rate plans are fairly affordable. T-Mobile has a rate plan starting at $15/mo or $5/mo if you have a qualifying voice plan to pair with it.
The Samsung Gear S, as you mentioned, only requires a smartphone for Bluetooth services. The smartwatch can perform many functions such as calls, text messages, browser and other data functions without the need of a smartphone.
