Samsung Gear S3 Frontier LTE Review | 126 Data compared

The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier LTE features a rugged, 316L stainless steel design with MIL-STD-810G durability and a highly functional rotating bezel for navigation. Its Super AMOLED display offers excellent outdoor visibility, while the inclusion of MST technology allows for versatile mobile payments. The LTE variant provides independent connectivity via eSIM, though the Tizen app ecosystem is limited, lacking many popular third-party apps. While generally durable, its 46mm size is quite large, and the battery usually lasts two to three days, dropping to one day with heavy LTE or Always-On Display usage.

The Pickr review highlights the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier as a rugged, "life-resistant" smartwatch, praising its MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability, IP68 rating, and intuitive rotating control bezel. Key strengths include a stylish design that resembles a traditional watch, alongside solid battery life lasting up to three days. However, the device is criticized for a limited third-party app ecosystem within Tizen OS compared to competitors, along with a bulky design that may feel heavy on smaller wrists. Furthermore, the review notes potential issues with Samsung Pay support at the time and a specific bug where the watch might unexpectedly intercept Bluetooth phone calls. Ultimately, the Gear S3 Frontier is considered a top choice for users prioritizing a durable, stylish, and cross-platform compatible device over an extensive app library.

The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier features a rugged, 316L stainless steel design with an excellent, high-visibility 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display, improving upon the Gear S2 with a larger footprint and better durability. The intuitive, rotating bezel allows for precise navigation, although it may occasionally catch on clothing. Key features include integrated GPS, heart rate monitoring, and NFC/MST for Samsung Pay, though the device is generally better suited for, and more comfortable on, larger wrists. The Tizen OS is responsive, although the app ecosystem is more limited compared to competitors. Battery life is a strong point, comfortably offering two to three days of usage, but the wireless charging process is slow, often taking over two hours for a full charge. Additionally, the built-in loudspeaker, while capable of taking calls, lacks high-fidelity sound. Despite having an IP68 rating, the watch is not recommended for swimming, notes the review.

The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier is presented as a durable, rugged, and "better all-rounder" smartwatch featuring a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display and a functional rotating bezel. Key advantages include its 2–4 day battery life, built-in GPS and NFC, and a fast, intuitive Tizen OS interface. However, the device is criticized for its bulky 46mm size, a limited app ecosystem, and the absence of Samsung Pay support in Malaysia at the time of review.

The Tech Advisor review highlights the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier as a rugged, feature-packed smartwatch with a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display and a tactile, intuitive rotating bezel. The device is praised for its high-quality construction, built-in GPS, IP68 water resistance, and robust battery life, which can last up to four days [1,2]. Pros include the stunning always-on display, smooth performance, and MST technology for versatile Samsung Pay functionality [1,4]. However, the review notes a, "bulky 46mm size," which may feel heavy on smaller wrists, alongside limited third-party app support within the Tizen OS ecosystem [1,3]. Furthermore, non-Samsung smartphone users experience reduced functionality, such as limited native email and text capabilities.

The Samsung Gear S3 frontier is a rugged, feature-rich smartwatch featuring a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass SR+ and a highly intuitive, rotating bezel for navigating the Tizen-based interface. Key strengths include a long-lasting battery, IP68 water and dust resistance, built-in GPS, Samsung Pay support, and a standard 22mm strap for customization. Conversely, limitations include a limited third-party app ecosystem, inconsistent advanced fitness tracking, restricted compatibility with some non-Samsung devices, and a slow, two-hour charge time.

The Tom’s Guide review highlights the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier as a rugged, feature-rich smartwatch featuring a 1.3-inch AMOLED display, MIL-STD-810G durability, and an intuitive rotating bezel for navigation. Key advantages include built-in GPS, optional LTE for untethered functionality, Samsung Pay, and a reliable heart-rate monitor. However, the device is limited by a sparse Tizen app ecosystem lacking major apps, a heavy 46mm design unsuitable for smaller wrists, and inconsistent battery life, which can drain in less than a day when using LTE or GPS.

CNET’s review characterizes the Samsung Gear S3 as a feature-packed, "super-sized" smartwatch with a high-end stainless steel design, praised for its intuitive, rotating bezel interface. Key pros include the addition of GPS, a built-in speakerphone for calls, and Samsung Pay's MST technology, allowing for transactions at almost any credit card terminal. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, primarily centered on its massive 46mm, bulky footprint that may not suit all users. Furthermore, the Tizen-based OS suffers from limited third-party app support compared to competitors, alongside buggy iOS compatibility and a lack of "killer apps" for its LTE services. Ultimately deemed a "phone-on-a-wrist" experiment, the Gear S3 succeeds in hardware but offers only moderate software improvements, though it boasts solid 2-to-4-day battery life and robust S Health tracking. Despite its bulk, it remains a top choice for Android users over the older Gear S2, according to the review.

The PCMag review highlights the Samsung Gear S3 as a feature-rich, Android-compatible smartwatch, lauded for its intuitive, tactile rotating bezel and superior, sharp AMOLED interface. Key capabilities include independent GPS tracking, support for Samsung Pay (working on both NFC and magnetic stripe readers), and direct voice calling, making it a powerful tool for on-the-go functionality. Despite these features, the watch is criticized for its bulky, large design, which may not suit all users. Furthermore, the $349.99 price point is high for its time, and the Tizen operating system suffers from a limited selection of third-party fitness apps, along with a restrictive requirement for a PIN to use Samsung Pay. Ultimately, the Gear S3 is described as a high-powered, feature-heavy device that functions almost like a phone on the wrist, rather than a slim fitness tracker. While it offers excellent performance, potential buyers are advised to consider the bulky, uncomfortable design and the limited app ecosystem.

The Samsung Gear S3 is characterized by its high-end, rugged design featuring a brilliant 1.3-inch AMOLED display and an intuitive, signature rotating bezel for navigation. A major pro is the impressive battery life, which typically lasts three to four days, alongside a robust feature set including GPS, heart rate monitoring, and versatile Samsung Pay capability. However, key cons include its large, heavy 46mm size, which can be unwieldy, and a relatively thin third-party app ecosystem for the Tizen OS compared to competitors.

The Samsung Gear S3 is praised by Pocket-lint as a premium, rugged smartwatch featuring a standout design with a highly functional, tactile rotating bezel. Key strengths include a bright 1.3-inch Super AMOLED screen, impressive four-day battery life, and robust, durable construction. Pocket-lintHowever, the review notes the device is quite large and "chunky," potentially unsuitable for smaller wrists. Furthermore, the Tizen operating system suffers from limited third-party app support compared to competitors, and functionality is restricted when paired with iPhones. Ultimately, the Gear S3 is described as a strong, feature-packed contender that brings traditional watch styling to the wearable market. It is considered a top choice for Android users, provided the large size is not an issue. Pocket-lint