Samsung unveils bigger Gear S3 smartwatches

Samsung Electro-Mechanics

31/08/2016 21:10

By Harro Ten Wolde and Peter Maushagen 
    BERLIN, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics  009150.KS  
unveiled two new smartwatches on Wednesday which boast a range 
of digital features while also promising up to four days of 
battery life, seeking to outshine the Apple Watch  AAPL.O . 
    The world's biggest maker of consumer electronic products 
introduced its new line of Gear S3 watches ahead of this week's 
opening in Berlin of the IFA, Europe's biggest annual trade fair 
for consumer electronics and domestic appliances. 
    The new Gear S3 Frontier model has a rugged outdoor look, 
while the Gear S3 Classic has a more refined appearance, but 
both watches feature large faces that are likely to appeal 
mainly to male consumers. 
    The Frontier model has its own cellular radio chip to 
connect to high speed 4G mobile networks so it does not need to 
be "tethered" to the wearer's smartphone in order to make calls 
or send and receive data, unlike Apple watches, which require an 
iPhone to remain nearby for their connections. 
    Apple, the current market leader in smartwatches, is 
expected to introduce its new Apple Watch 2 line-up a week from 
now, on September 7, along with new phones and computers.        
   
    Gadget news sites have reported that Apple is considering 
introducing smartwatches with their own cellular radio in 2017, 
but won't offer such a feature in its upcoming models fearing it 
would further drain their batteries, which typically last around 
24 hours in current models before needing to be recharged. 
    The latest Samsung smartwatches offer always-on colour 
dislays, dust and water resistance features, a built-in speaker 
and GPS location-finding technology. They also enable users to 
make mobile payments in countries where Samsung Pay is 
available. 
    Pricing was not disclosed for the new Gear S3 watches, which 
are due to go on sale before the end of the year. 
    Samsung's existing line of Gear S2 watches retail at major 
online sites for around $250 to $300, comparable to pricing for 
the most basic sports version of the Apple Watch. 
 
 (Additional reporting and writing by Eric Auchard; Editing by 
Greg Mahlich) 
 ((harro.tenwolde@thomsonreuters.com; +49 69 7565 1271; Reuters 
Messaging: harro.tenwolde.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: TECH IFA/SAMSUNG