By 
The Samsung Gear S — their first smart watch that can work independently of a smartphone internet connection — is perhaps Samsung’s best work yet in this arena. Many of you here in the United States (particularly folks on CDMA networks) curbed excitement when realizing there was a chance that the smart watch wouldn’t make its way to your carrier of choice. Thankfully Samsung has erased all mystery as the company has announced availability on all 4 major carriers in the US.
Samsung’s press announcement was literally one sentence, so we don’t get much more information than that. Thankfully we do know everything we need to know about the Samsung Gear S already. Aside from its aforementioned status as a standalone smart watch, it’s going to be rocking the following specs:
- 2-inch Super AMOLED display at 480 x 360
- dual-core 1GHz processor
- 512MB of RAM
- 4GB of storage
- WiFi N, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS w/GLONASS
- 300mAh battery
Despite its 3G radios, there will be one unfortunate requirement — the Gear S will still require a one-time connection to a compatible Galaxy smartphone. Don’t run out and buy one of these if you don’t already have something from Samsung’s camp (or are planning to get the Galaxy Note 4 at some point down the line). Let us know if you’ll be picking one up once they arrive.
Samsung requiring a connection to a “Galaxy smartphone” is an absolute deal-breaker. Samsung is now the same as Apple in my mind. I will never buy this or any other Galaxy/Gear device again. They are free to do as they please, but they have lost a customer.
You sound like a iPhone user wanting the best of both worlds. I see your pain.
I have never used an Apple product in my adult life and never will.
That’s good to know, me also.
Hey man…you make me feel bad. I have and still own my iPod shuffle lol, but I rarely use it, it’s a pain always having to update music on iTunes to get what I need, M8 user here btw
How do you figure? If it’s a standalone watch, why should it need to ever connect to a Galaxy smartphone? Standalone should mean just that, standalone. No other device required for use. Wanting the best of both worlds shouldn’t mean having to buy two units to use one as a standalone device. That’s like buying a smartphone and finding out you then need to buy another device for a one time pairing so you could use it.
I agree, samsung has its reasons, and an eye on related sales. This is a great marketing strategy and I think most would go with it.
For me the Moto watch has first place right now, but let’s see the new offers comming.
It’s great for Samsung to be sure, but this reminds me of things like extended warranty and rustproofing for cars, except this would be mandatory. I’ve had a Samsung smartphone, and once was enough for me. Until they make their stuff available for all OEMS (and make Touchwiz more efficient on their phones), it’s a non starter for me.
You know TouchWiz isn’t too bad, but I have been running Google launcher on my note three which basically turns into a nexus. I enjoy Google now and I still can use the TouchWiz stuff that I choose. This is actually cool, the way my note is running now. I hope there is this kind of interchangeability with the watch.
The best of both worlds? In what regard?
The best watch world for an apple guy. Personally I think we have a couple years till we see a great watch, maybe when they get over the iron man workout stuff.
I’m guessing you could accomplish the one-time connection w/a store demo phone.
I did as much w/the GEAR2 & FIT when they 1st came out.
Not necessary anymore,however,I get the sentiment.
I’m interested in this,but,not enough to be an opening day adopter,too many unknowns for the investment.
Then what’s the point of that requirement if they can do an end run around it so easily?
A hook to separate you from even more of your money.
Too early & not enough definitive information,just speculating based on prior experience w/the GEAR lineup.
That’s why I’m taking a wait & see this time around.
Ditto for the NOTE EDGE,too many X factors & almost certainly a hefty price tag to purchase sight unseen/pre-order.
Being on T-MO makes it a snap to jump to the note 4, and finally a stand alone watch, dude, no-brainer way to go Samsung. Now give me a watch with a 4G LTE radio then we’ll be bumpen.
4g would be pointless on current smart watch processors you wouldn’t be able too process data quick enough. Plus it would have worse battery life than an HTC thunderbolt, even with 3g that thing is going to run toasty if you actually use it standalone
4G will kill battery life. I look forward to this so I can leave my phone at home some times.
It won’t happen but what I really wish for is a tap and go phone transfer. Dummy phone until you tap you smartphone to it and confirm that you route all phone calls to this device. Its not possible but that would be awesome for running or hiking.
Something should be addressed? Data plan Yes or No? Do we have a option not to activate the radios? Will It will still run with out this stand-alone option as a smart watch?
Will this be like the gear live with Google wear along with the 3g radios?
Nope. The Gear S runs a completely different operating system (Tizen).
I knew one of the watches was suppose to be running that eventually. Guess I’ll stick with getting the live when I get the edge
Gear 2 was actually the 1st device running Tizen and the Gear 1 was already updated to Tizen (w/ exception to those that rooted the device and never took the update). I managed to avoid that update for a long time, until I had to get a replacement phone and the update was forced onto my Gear 1. That’s when I sold it and got me a Moto 360. Anything running Samsung’s in house OS, I’m not convinced they’ve learned from the past (w/ the Instinct failure).
Nope, it’s going to run Tizen