Gear 3 to land in Q4

Samsung Electronics South Africa has announced that the Gear S3, a smartwatch it believes will further solidify leadership in the Android wearables category, will be available in this country in the last quarter of 2016.

Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics South Africa, says the new Gear S3 combines timeless traditional design with the latest in mobile technology, including IP68 water resistance as well as built-in speaker and GPS.

“Gear S3 marks a significant addition to our smartwatch portfolio and is not only a great smartwatch, but a sophisticated, elegant watch featuring a range of smart capabilities,” he says.

Samsung provided the following information:

Samsung Gear S3 is available in two options to suit different users’ lifestyles: frontier and classic. Inspired by the active explorer, the Gear S3 frontier blends form and function with a rugged outdoor look and feel. The Gear S3 classic pays homage to the minimalist, elegant style found in the most iconic luxury timepieces.

In a quest to uncover what truly defines a watch, Samsung drew inspiration from manufacturers around the globe, paying particular attention to the craftsmanship of traditional watches. Every part, from the circular bezel to the premium finishing and buckles, has been reimagined to elicit a classic timepiece. The Gear S3 is compatible with 22mm bands so consumers can easily personalise their Gear S3. 

In addition to its sleek look, it offers military-level durability and for the first time on the Gear series, the Gear S3 features Corning® Gorilla® Glass SR+, which is specifically intended for wearable devices to provide a tougher, more scratch resistant and crisp display.

The 16-megapixel full-color Always On Display (AOD) and Super AMOLED screen technology further differentiates the Gear S3 from other smartwatches. The AOD always shows the time rather than automatically fading to black, mimicking a luxury analogue watch.

The Samsung KNOX Tizen Wearable Software Development Kit (SDK) will be available to third-parties, enabling management capabilities and the development of customised applications for Samsung’s wearable ecosystem. With the Samsung KNOX security platform, the Gear S3 will empower broader enterprise business opportunities.

“Samsung continues to build on its wearables heritage of offering diverse choices to enhance consumers’ unique lifestyles. The Gear S3 puts a timeless spin on the smartwatch category by integrating advanced features and technologies with a refined design that offers convenience at the flick of the wrist. Samsung has taken smartwatches into a whole new league,” says Fleischer.

Gear S3 Product Specification