Last year, I went from never wearing a watch to wearing one all the time. Samsung managed to make me do that when it launched the Gear S2 classic. I was never really interested in wearing watches – you always have your smartphone with you for checking the time, an excuse probably used by every non-watch wearer. From the time of the original Galaxy Gear, I was never satisfied with what Samsung made. I didn’t find the Galaxy Gear 1 and the Gear 2 special, and the Gear S – while futuristic in its design – was way too big. Like many others, I had wondered why Samsung hasn’t made a smartwatch that looks like a watch.
Then, Samsung released the Gear S2 classic, and the company persuaded me to wear a watch. A smartwatch was more useful than I thought it would be – not just for being able to check the time in a jiffy, but for filtering notifications that weren’t important enough to warrant taking out your phone. However, even though I wear the Gear S2 classic with great pleasure, I thought the watch was too small in size (as do a lot of other people), especially when I got a BOSS watch for Christmas. This was just one size larger than the Gear S2, and thankfully, Samsung decided to increase the size of the Gear S3.
I’m wearing the Gear S3 Frontier, and I have to say: Finally! Finally a smartwatch that isn’t too small but is just the perfect size to emulate a traditional watch. Yes, I’m personally more of a Classic user, but nothing stops me from using the Frontier. The looks of the Frontier version are just perfect. The finish is better and more beautiful than the Gear S2, and the S3 is a worthy successor. In my opinion, the best thing about the Gear S3 is that the glass lies slightly deeper than the bezel ring. Speaking of the bezel ring, you should take a minute and have a close look. The engravings are extremely nice and complete the design of the watch. Samsung has also thought about the buttons this time – they are all the same size and also have a texture that makes them feel better.
Is there criticism I would level at the Gear S3 Frontier? Certainly. The engraved second digits on the bezel ring? They are beautiful to see, yet when you use a digital watch face, they become useless. Personally I would rather not have them on the watch (on any smartwatch, actually). I don’t think a sporty smartwatch like the Gear S3 Frontier needs these second dashes or digits, but a whole lot of great sporty watch faces. In fact, if Samsung has to use them, it should do so on the Classic model, which is expected to look more like a traditional watch.
I’m also happy that Samsung has brought back an important feature that went missing on the Gear S2: hands-free calling. Nothing is more convenient than taking a call on your watch. Is your phone not nearby? Are your hands filled with groceries at the supermarket? A simple turn of the bezel ring and you can quickly take a call through the watch’s speaker.
All in all, Samsung has a winner on the wrist with the Gear S3. The Frontier version will go especially well with the younger crowd, while the Classic will be more for the business market and the ladies. Our full review will follow later this month, so stay tuned to SamMobile! Do take a look at our hands-on from the announcement of the Gear S3 to see how the Frontier and Classic versions of the watch compare.
