NEW YORK – AUGUST 31, 2016 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today unveiled the Gear S3, a striking and innovative smartwatch that further expands Samsung’s diverse wearables portfolio. With the new Gear S3 joining Gear Fit2 and Gear S2, Samsung will continue to meet the varying needs of consumers. Inspired by traditional timepieces and the art of watchmaking, the Gear S3 combines timeless design with the latest in mobile technology, including LTE and Bluetooth connectivity, mobile payments, IP68 water resistance, and built-in GPS.
“With the Gear S3, we continue to build on our wearables heritage of offering diverse choices to enhance consumers’ unique lifestyles,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung Gear S2 achieved meaningful progress in the smartwatch category with a personalized watch face and a versatile rotating bezel that provided an intuitive smartwatch experience. Now with the new Gear S3, we expand our Gear collection and introduce not only a great smartwatch, but a great watch. With smart capabilities and sophisticated, elegant design, the Gear S3 marks a significant addition to our smartwatch portfolio.”
Gear S3 frontier and Gear S3 classic: Timeless Design
The Gear S3 draws inspiration from the world’s great watchmakers and evokes the contours of traditional timepieces, from buckle to bezel. It is available in two brilliantly bold designs to suit any lifestyle: frontier and classic.
The Gear S3 frontier evokes an active, sporty look with an enduring style that blends form and function – perfect for business or leisure. The Gear S3 classic features the minimal, elegant style of many iconic timepieces. The classic model was designed meticulously to attain the same consistency and balance of a well-crafted luxury watch. Both Gear S3 wearables fuse design with cutting-edge technology. With a full-color, Always On Display, the Gear S3 tells time at a glance just like a traditional watch.
With both Gear S3 frontier and classic, users can customize the Always On circular UX to complement their personal style. The Gear S3 is compatible with standard 22mm watchbands, so consumers can easily make a switch to match any outfit or special occasion. Samsung will also introduce unique and artistic watch faces and band designs through a special partnership with renowned artist and industrial designer Arik Levy.
Unprecedented Standalone Connectivity
The Gear S3 frontier with LTE further establishes Samsung’s leadership in connected smartwatches. Untethered from their smartphones, users can receive and answer calls in HD, send messages, and use connected apps on the go1.
With built-in GPS functionality on both the frontier and classic, users can accurately monitor their daily fitness activities, while the Alti/barometer and Speedometer allow users to track everything from distance traveled to sudden changes in weather. The Gear S3’s built-in speaker activates voice messaging and the ability listen to music on the go.
Enhanced User Experience
With the Gear S3, Samsung continues the UI innovation that defines its wearables portfolio. With just one rotation of the bezel, Gear S3 users can answer or reject calls and access other key functions. By writing or drawing on the display, messages automatically convert to texts and emojis. Users can also create short reminders and to-do lists to manage even the most hectic schedules with the Reminders application.
Everyday Ready—And Everywhere Ready
The Gear S3 combines the stylish design of a luxury watch with rugged construction. In addition to its sleek look, the Gear S3 meets IP68 standards for water and dust resistance2 so consumers can get through their day, regardless of weather conditions. For the first time on the Gear series, the Gear S3 features Corning® Gorilla® Glass SR+, which is specifically designed for wearable devices to provide a tough, scratch resistant and crisp display.
Smart and Secure Payments from Your Wrist
Gear S3 delivers unprecedented mobile payment integration. Users will be able to make a purchase almost anywhere they can swipe or tap a card with Samsung Pay for the Gear S3. With Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) support, Gear S3 users will be able to make a purchase with Samsung Pay at over 90 percent of the top 250 merchants across the U.S.3
Samsung Pay for the Gear S3 also delivers the enhanced security of the industry-leading Samsung Knox platform so users should feel safe and secure knowing that their credit and debit information will remain safe.
Samsung App Ecosystem
Consumers can access a diverse range of apps, including fitness, music, news, sports and travel apps—all optimized for the Gear lineup of devices, including the Gear S2 and Gear S3. Through an open collaboration with developers and partners, Samsung continues to enrich its wearable app ecosystem and provide users with a unique smartwatch experience.
For the first time ever on a smartwatch, the Samsung Knox Tizen Wearable SDK will be available to third parties, enabling the development of customized applications for Samsung’s wearable ecosystem.
U.S. Availability
The Gear S3 will be available later this year at major retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, Macy’s and Samsung.com, as well as wireless providers. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon will carry the LTE connected version of the Gear S3 frontier. Wireless providers will announce availability and pricing.
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