Samsung Gear S Review | 126 Data compared

The Samsung Gear S is highlighted by MobileTechReview as a unique, standalone wearable featuring a 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display with 360 x 480 resolution. It operates via 3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS, offering true independence from a smartphone for calls and notifications,, while also including comprehensive sensors like heart rate and a barometer. Despite its advanced features, the device is criticized for a very large, bulky design that may not suit all, alongside a restrictive Tizen OS that often requires a Samsung phone. The review notes that the, "chunky" footprint can be uncomfortable for some users, limiting its appeal as an everyday, all-day accessory. Performance-wise, the Gear S offers a mixed experience with roughly one-day battery life, which can be mitigated by the included spare battery pack in the charging cradle. While it is a capable, feature-rich, and innovative device, potential users should consider the high cost and the necessity of a separate, additional data plan for 3G functionality.

Arj Wright’s review on Medium positions the Samsung Gear S as an ambitious, standalone smartwatch featuring a striking 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and built-in 3G/Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for calls and texts without a phone. Key pros include this true independence and the high-quality screen, though the device relies heavily on a Samsung Galaxy phone for initial setup. Cons center on inconsistent performance, particularly with GPS accuracy and a pedometer that fails to track steps accurately, undermining its fitness capabilities. Furthermore, the Tizen operating system offers a weak app ecosystem, and the device's physically bulky, curved design may not suit all users. Described as a "concept car" for the wrist, the Gear S offers a glimpse into a phone-free future, yet it remains an unpolished, niche product. While innovative with built-in sensors, its reliance on specific hardware and limited app support keep it from being a mainstream success.

The Samsung Gear S is a highly functional yet flawed smartwatch featuring a 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display, a built-in nano-SIM slot for 3G, and a sturdy, albeit large, design. It boasts a 1 GHz dual-core processor, a useful QWERTY keyboard, and a versatile charging cradle. Key disadvantages include its uncomfortable size for smaller wrists, high price point, limited third-party apps in the Tizen ecosystem, and the absolute requirement of a Samsung phone for initial setup.

The PCWorld review describes the Samsung Gear S as a large, uncomfortable "monstrosity" that fails to deliver on its promise of a smartphone-like experience. While praised for its sharp 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and decent two-day battery life, the design is considered far too bulky for daily wear. Despite featuring standalone cellular connectivity, the Tizen-based software is described as "not fully baked," forcing reliance on inferior proprietary apps and non-actionable notifications. Ultimately, the review labels the watch an "over-engineered failure" with a frustrating keyboard and high costs, concluding it is a "non-starter" for most consumers.

The TechRadar review describes the Samsung Gear S as a "leap forward" for its 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and independent 3G connectivity, allowing calls without a phone. Despite these features, the device is criticized for being bulky and uncomfortable, with a stiff strap that restricts movement. Furthermore, the review notes that the watch still requires a Samsung smartphone for setup, limiting its independence and making it difficult to recommend.

The SmartCompany review describes the Samsung Gear S as an ambitious "smartphone on your wrist," featuring standalone 3G connectivity via a nano-SIM slot, allowing for phone-free calls and texts. Key highlights include a 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and built-in S Health sensors for tracking heart rate and UV exposure. However, the device is criticized for its massive, clunky design and the frustrating requirement of a paired Samsung smartphone for initial setup and app installation. Furthermore, the small on-screen keyboard makes typing difficult, and the voice recognition system often struggles with accuracy. Ultimately, due to the limited Tizen app ecosystem and high price, the review suggests it is a novelty device best suited for early adopters rather than a true smartphone replacement.

The Samsung Gear S (SM-R750B) is characterized by GadgetGuy as an ambitious "wearable concept car," featuring a vibrant 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and 3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS connectivity for true standalone phone functionality. Pros include the ability to make calls, send texts, and use navigation without a phone, supported by a unique charging cradle that acts as a 350mAh portable battery pack. However, the device is criticized for its massive, uncomfortable size and restrictive requirement to be tethered to a Samsung smartphone for setup and full app functionality. Additional drawbacks include poor standalone software performance, a difficult on-screen keyboard, and rapid battery drain during heavy 3G usage.

The Samsung Gear S features a large, curved 2-inch Super AMOLED screen and standalone 3G connectivity, allowing for calls and web browsing without a phone. It includes practical features like built-in GPS, a heart rate sensor, and an intuitive Tizen OS interface, along with a specialized battery pack for charging on the go. However, the device is characterized by its bulky, large design and a high price point. Significant drawbacks include the requirement of a Samsung smartphone for setup, which limits its independence, and a limited app ecosystem compared to Android Wear. While the screen is sharp and vibrant, the overall design may feel too "techy" and uncomfortable for some users. Despite these, it remains a pioneering device for its time.

The Android Central review describes the Samsung Gear S as an ambitious, albeit flawed, attempt to create a standalone, Tizen-powered smartwatch, highlighting its massive 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display as a major visual pro. Key advantages include its 3G/Wi-Fi independence, a useful UV sensor, and two-day battery life, although these are balanced by a clunky design and a sluggish, sometimes stuttering interface. Major drawbacks identified include a weak app ecosystem, a required, frustrating, and tiny on-screen keyboard, and the necessity of owning a Samsung phone for setup. Ultimately, the review deems the device too expensive and niche for most, despite its impressive technical capabilities.

The Samsung Gear S features a sharp, 2-inch curved AMOLED display, user-friendly Tizen OS, and built-in 3G/GPS for standalone calls and navigation. Despite these, it fails to fully replace a smartphone, remaining "hobbled" by a reliance on a Samsung phone for setup and a bulky design that is awkward on smaller wrists. While offering solid daily battery life, the device is considered a limited, "average" smartwatch requiring a separate data plan, best suited as a companion device rather than a standalone phone.

The CNET review of the Samsung Gear S highlights its,{" "}2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and independent functionality, including built-in 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a bonus charging battery pack. Despite these impressive hardware features, the device requires a Samsung phone for setup and is hampered by a limited, Tizen-based app ecosystem. The, "gigantic," design and difficult, tiny QWERTY keyboard are significant usability drawbacks. Ultimately, the, "wearable concept car," is considered an ambitious, but unpolished, niche product with mixed heart-rate sensor accuracy and high, dedicated data costs.

The Samsung Gear S features a large, curved 2.0-inch Super AMOLED display and a fast, responsive interface driven by a Snapdragon 400 chipset and Tizen OS. It acts as a versatile standalone device with built-in 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, and health tracking tools like a heart rate monitor and sleep tracker. Key advantages include its vibrant display and extensive connectivity, while major drawbacks include limited compatibility to Samsung phones and a short, one-day battery life.

In a retrospective on the Samsung Gear S, Wareable characterizes the device as a "good-looking, expensive dud" that was ambitious yet fundamentally flawed. Pros highlighted include the vibrant 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display and standalone 3G connectivity, which allowed for calls and texts without a phone. However, significant cons included a heavy reliance on a companion Samsung smartphone for setup and core functions, alongside a finicky Tizen OS experience. The review notes that the $349 price point was too high for the limited, sometimes inaccurate S Health fitness tracking and the clunky, uncomfortable metal clasp. While conceptually ahead of its time, the device failed to provide a truly independent experience for users. Ultimately, the Gear S is described as a "wearable concept car" that paved the way for future LTE devices, though it lacked the necessary polish for a successful consumer release.

The Gizmodo review of the Samsung Gear S characterizes the device as a "tiny phone on your wrist" that struggles with practical usability despite its standalone 3G connectivity, which allows for phone-free calls and notifications. While praised for its exceptional two-day battery life, the smartwatch is heavily criticized for its massive, awkward design and a 2-inch curved screen deemed "big and ugly". Performance is noted for a smooth Tizen interface, but the experience is hindered by a weak app ecosystem and unreliable, inconsistent heart rate monitoring. The, "Dick Tracy" style of wrist-calling is described as embarrassing, and the device is strictly limited by its exclusive, required connection to Samsung phones and an extra data plan. Concluding that the device is not worth buying, the review frames the Gear S as an ambitious but impractical "concept car" of wearables that fails to justify its existence for most users. It advises that a standard Android Wear watch is a superior investment compared to this expensive, dependent, and uncomfortable Samsung, model.