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I ordered a Gear S2 for my wife and a Classic version for myself through the refurb deal on Best Buy. Both watches were in like new condition. I currently own and love my LG Urbane 2 LTE so i was cautiously optimistic about the gear watches based on various opinions. I can say after using the Classic for a couple days the software is pretty outstanding with caveats. I am pairing it with a Nexus 6p. It's been a seamless experience thus far. I'm going to list some of my observations below.
1. The general navigation is without a doubt the best implementation thus far on a smartwatch. Being able to use the bezel, touchscreen and buttons would seem like overkill but in real use it's not at all.
2. The ambient light sensor is outstanding and my favorite part. I did not expect this. Its dim when it needs to and shuts the face down instantly when you aren't looking at it. I had a moto 360 sport and it sucked compared to how this one works.
3. Battery life is excellent. There is no question that Tizen is better optimized for a smartwatch at this point.
4. I don't see the limited apps as being a negative. Everything you could expect a watch to do within reason is available even if it's not perfected at this point. The way you can see messages and notications is great. Frankly it kinda stinks on androidwear but that may change a bit in 2.0
Negatives
1. The watch faces are limited compared to apps like watchmaker on Androidwear and the lack of a true full ambient mode for the regular non techie person is a bummer.
2. The look. Compared to some android wear watches such as the urbane 2 and huawei watch i still think Samsung lags behind. In typical Samsung fashion they seem to be one step behind to save a buck or two. A good example of this is the glued bands on the standard S2 that arent the most durable.
3. They still haven't nailed the software on a non Samsung device. S-Health sucks. Maps and S-Voice are not great either. Why not allow sycing with google fit if you already designed the software to run on non Samsung devices.
4. Bloatware. We get that you want to promote what the watch can do but apps like Bloomberg and Flipboard should not be there stock. If you want to promote them do it on the Galaxy store and stick to the basics. 3 pages (circles) of apps is way to much out of the box on a smartwatch.
Overall quite frankly i am glad i have both. Both have their positive and negatives. I definately feel that androidwear does and will have more going for it in the looks and practicality department but Tizen definately is more refined and at this point more reliable. I do believe that depending on usage having 2 separate operating systems is a good thing as one makes the other better. I think so far Samsung has come a long ways and did a great job. Again i'm surprised at how much i enjoy it as based on what i read i didnt expect the experience to be as good as it was.
1. well i think for the ambient light sensor part i dont think it's the sensor cause the auto dim but it's the gyroscope do the job
2. as an users comes from AW as well, no doubt s-voice are sucker compare google now, however the s-health & HERE maps actually works good comparable to Endomondo & google maps respectively
3. style wise personally i do favor gear s2 classic more than any other aw devices
4. watchface can try on watchland
Great comparison! Been looking at a gear s2 for awhile now. Kinda just waiting for gear s3 at this point but haven't heard anything.
My question is, can you respond to texts via voice on the gear s2 if you're using google messenger? On my Sony sw3 I can respond to texts easily(of course) and I can even view the conversation. Is this possible on the gear s2? That's my main concern. I don't do too many voice searches so svoice wouldn't be a deal breaker. But I do respond to texts with my voice a lot.
With the latest round of smart watches launching now or coming soon, I am curious as to what type of people are buying the latest products. Since this is in the Samsung Gear S3 forum, I would imagine most, if not all of you, are interested in Samsung's latest offering. So my question is are you upgrading to this watch or would this be your first smart watch?
I currently have the first gen Moto 360. What drew me to the Moto 360 is the fact that it had a circular screen and Android Wear intrigued me. I've been happy with the Moto 360, but it is starting to show its age. I didn't think I would consider the Samsung Gear S3, but the looks and 3-4 days battery life definitely peaked my interest. I am not 100% sold on the Tizen OS yet, but from what I have seem so far there is a very good chance this will be my next smart watch.
Please post your response in the poll and share your thoughts below including your current smart watch.
3 or 4 days battery life but with screen Off like all other wear watch no ?
I have also the Gear S (first) it say also 3 or 4 day but in reality more one day than ..... or more if you do not use the watch
I get a full day with Screen always on with my S2. The S3 should give a few hours beyond that.
Upgrading from LG Watch R to Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
ttown said:
With the latest round of smart watches launching now or coming soon, I am curious as to what type of people are buying the latest products. Since this is in the Samsung Gear S3 forum, I would imagine most, if not all of you, are interested in Samsung's latest offering. So my question is are you upgrading to this watch or would this be your first smart watch?
I currently have the first gen Moto 360. What drew me to the Moto 360 is the fact that it had a circular screen and Android Wear intrigued me. I've been happy with the Moto 360, but it is starting to show its age. I didn't think I would consider the Samsung Gear S3, but the looks and 3-4 days battery life definitely peaked my interest. I am not 100% sold on the Tizen OS yet, but from what I have seem so far there is a very good chance this will be my next smart watch.
Please post your response in the poll and share your thoughts below including your current smart watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be upgrading from a Gear S2 3G. I like the Gear S3's design better and its improvements to AOD. Also, the inclusion of Samsung Pay MST.
With Always-on activated from 6 am to 11 pm, I finish the day with about 35% battery left. The Gear S3 should be even better.
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
My Huawei watch is at 50-60% by the time I put it on the charger about midnight each night. I wear it from 7am until midnight. So pretty darn good battery. I am interested in the GS3 because it seems to be more on the premium level finally. I had bought the S2 a couple months after having the Huawei, but returned it. The reason I didn't like the S2 was the cheap feel of it compared to the Huawei and I couldn't use other apps for text/email other than stock Samsung apps. Definitely interested to gety hands on the S3. My biggest reason for wanting Samsung is the e-sim. Not having to have a phone along could be a really nice option at times.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
I've stopped wearing my Moto 360 afer not seeing any benefit wearing it. Oh and the menu was also very laggy.
But I'm very interested in a new smartwatch which could replace my phone during sports with GPS and a heartrate sensor, so hardware wise the S3 seems like a good fit but the software was holding back the previous Samsung watches in the past from what I've read.
I'll probably wait for the first reviews / sofware updates and then decide if it's worth another try....or wait for the Gear Fit 3
I've been in the market for a smart watch since the first iWatch. So much so, I've debated jumping ship just to get a half-decent smart watch. I just simply couldn't justify locking myself down into a cookie cutter phone, no matter how stable and fluid it is, just for a watch. So, I've been trolling here, other sites, and all developments of wearables. When I found out the S3 is featuring MST, and that it doesn't depend on the phone to have it (Looking at you S2), I just knew I had to have it. Then with the later reported music streaming apps, a true map app for the wearable, and how sleek and casual, yet classy, the S3 is, I just KNEW I had to get it. I didn't even hesitate.
On 24 hours now with it and besides the lack of music streaming apps (December can't come fast enough. I hate spotify, but hey, streaming is streaming) and FULL support for Google Messenger (stock texting sucks ass, even more so for group messaging) i absolutely LOVE this watch. I've tried Samsung Pay, it works. It's amazing. I think it's silly you can only do 5 transactions when in standalone mode, but I can kind of understand the reasoning behind it, to a degree even though it is still silly in my eyes (security issues).
If you've thought about getting this watch for ANY reason, stop thinking about it and go get it. You will love it. I'm SO glad I waited for the s3 and didn't rush into any other wearable.
Upgrading from the Gear S
Sent from my SM-N930T using XDA-Developers mobile app
I was interested in the Gear S2 when I read it had Samsung Pay, but found out it was not MST capable so I decided against it. Then I stumbled upon the Gear S3 details and anxiously awaited until its release. Now I feel safer using it to pay because I don't have to pull out my phone or my wallet.
Naturesretard said:
I've tried Samsung Pay, it works. It's amazing. I think it's silly you can only do 5 transactions when in standalone mode, but I can kind of understand the reasoning behind it, to a degree even though it is still silly in my eyes (security issues).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you actually triggered the 5 transaction limit? What does it say when it happens?
First smart watch and will probably return it next week for a refund as:
1. Basically it does not work as a watch as the turn on gesture is not sensitive enough. I do not want AOD as that will kill the battery and lessen the screen life / burn in.
Looking at a blank screen instead of the time is frustrating I suspect this is true for all smartwatches though with wake up gesture not just the S3.
2. Notifications are too unreliable.
3. Samsung Pay is not available in the UK - I knew this before I purchased but Samsung will not state when it will be available if ever.
This will be my third. Had a galaxy gear and currently wearing the gear 2. Still 1 week to wait here in the Netherlands.
I enjoy the notifications on my watch and don't really expect much else. So I'm easy to please
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G928F met Tapatalk
This will my 4th upgrade. I missed 2 things from the Gear S2: a speaker to let people know I'm fumbling to get my phone out; and Samsung Pay. I love how strong the vibration setting is on the S2 and hope it will be just as great on the S3.
Now what REALLY bothers me though is that this watch is completely geared for males. I don't mind the size - but goodness gracious Samsung - do we just count for nothing???? I will not rock the robust look of the Frontier. So I'm just left with a silver Classic Bluetooth only version and very masculine bands with the original order. I have the S2 in Rose Gold and a white leather band and LOVE the look!
afblangley said:
Have you actually triggered the 5 transaction limit? What does it say when it happens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not, I was merely reporting documentation I've come across.
"Make at least 5 payments on your Gear S3 without a Galaxy smartphone nearby after initial setup. Number of transactions varies by card network and bank. Reload payment capability by connecting to a Galaxy Smartphone via Bluetooth. Only compatible with select cards, carriers and Android smartphones; see the Samsung Pay Support page at www.samsung.com/us/ support/owners/app/samsung-pay#compatibility for compatibility information." Found at the bottom of this link denoted by the 2.
What this means is after you setup Samsung pay to the Gear s3, you can then depending on bank, make up to 5 or more* transactions without needing to sync your phone via bluetooth to the watch. After that, you apparently will be unable to make any more payments until the S3 is then resycned to the phone.
* denotes bank and card limitations, defaults to 5.
Naturesretard said:
I've been in the market for a smart watch since the first iWatch. So much so, I've debated jumping ship just to get a half-decent smart watch. I just simply couldn't justify locking myself down into a cookie cutter phone, no matter how stable and fluid it is, just for a watch. So, I've been trolling here, other sites, and all developments of wearables. When I found out the S3 is featuring MST, and that it doesn't depend on the phone to have it (Looking at you S2), I just knew I had to have it. Then with the later reported music streaming apps, a true map app for the wearable, and how sleek and casual, yet classy, the S3 is, I just KNEW I had to get it. I didn't even hesitate.
On 24 hours now with it and besides the lack of music streaming apps (December can't come fast enough. I hate spotify, but hey, streaming is streaming) and FULL support for Google Messenger (stock texting sucks ass, even more so for group messaging) i absolutely LOVE this watch. I've tried Samsung Pay, it works. It's amazing. I think it's silly you can only do 5 transactions when in standalone mode, but I can kind of understand the reasoning behind it, to a degree even though it is still silly in my eyes (security issues).
If you've thought about getting this watch for ANY reason, stop thinking about it and go get it. You will love it. I'm SO glad I waited for the s3 and didn't rush into any other wearable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for the only being able to do 5 transactions with the s3 on standalone. With the phone if you have no service I believe you can only do 10 transactions. Because it stores tokens to use with s-pay, and once those are used you have to replenish them
---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 PM ----------
I upgraded from the Huawei watch, to the s3. The Huawei looks plain and boring compared to it.
Started with pebble from Kickstarter, then pebble steel, then pebble time then pebble time steel.
Moved to Apple watch when I was issued an iPhone for work.
Also played with most of the FitBit range with a fit bit on one writs and either a pebble or apple watch on the other.
Recently trialling a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge phone for work and have now move the the Gear S3 Frontier as a companion
So I've had a Huawei watch since the end of June, and I love it. I just picked up a Gear S3 Classic yesterday, mainly because I was able to get it for $249. Despite the slightly smaller screen and lower resolution, i love how vivid the Gear S3 screen is.
I keep hearing people complain about the lack of apps for the Gear S3, and how it didn't really live up to their expectations as a whole. If you had the option, would you keep the Gear S3, or stick with the Huawei?
I have the Huawei watch and just ordered a Gear S3 Frontier. For me.... I am keeping both since both have different looks. One is more formal and the other more active (I also have the original gear S if I want to do some serious working out). Anyways for your case between the Huawei vs Classic is very subjective but for ME if I had to choose between them I would say the Classic. Its semi formal so can be used in different scenarios, plus Tizen is a solid system (altho not as customization as android). Tizen its got all you need and nothing more. Think of how many apps do you actually use on your huawei.
ISperfection said:
I have the Huawei watch and just ordered a Gear S3 Frontier. For me.... I am keeping both since both have different looks. One is more formal and the other more active (I also have the original gear S if I want to do some serious working out). Anyways for your case between the Huawei vs Classic is very subjective but for ME if I had to choose between them I would say the Classic. Its semi formal so can be used in different scenarios, plus Tizen is a solid system (altho not as customization as android). Tizen its got all you need and nothing more. Think of how many apps do you actually use on your huawei.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't use many apps. I'm just sort of bummed i can't use Watchmaker Premium for faces anymore.
I also own the Huawei watch and I'm very pleased with it.
But I've also ordered the Frontier (different design to the Huawei...), because of the rotating bezel and to test Tizen
Unfortunately, I can't get it work with my Huawei MediaPad X2, so I returned it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=69870240&postcount=2
it seems, that other people/phones have the same problem
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-s3/help/setup-gear-s3-frontier-htc-10-t3505529
Maybe, it's possible to fix that by manipulating the build.prop, or similar in the phone, but I don't know, which parameters will be checked by Samsung GearApp for that
I have a Black Huawei since ordering it upon release last year. Walked to a TMo store and got a Frontier the weekend it released. Haven't worn the Huatch since.
I've owned 3 android wear watches, the original square Samsung, the 1st gen 360 and the Huatch. Android wear has not evolved much, and from the 2.0 bits we've seen so far it may not really. It's mostly been meh for me. I've owned all Pebbles and had 5 SPOT smartwatches (anyone remember those?). The Gear S3 wins hands down for me, in usability and watch-iness.
The bezel interaction is the best way to handle things (pun intended).Seriously, Samsung nailed it with this one. No swipe swipe or friggin 'digital crown' silliness.
Just a useable, great and practical UI. Don't care too much about lots of Apps. But Samsung Pay with MST paired with a non-Samsung V20, is the icing on the cake for me.
Sent from a TMo V20
Hello,
I'm very interesting by your feedback because i actually got the Huawei classic for 200€ and Monday I will be able to have the Gear S3 for 300€ + a free band.
The main point is : I have an iPhone 6S.
And actually it's impossible to use the standalone mode on the Huawei Classic (no apps available if you have an iPhone). So I want to get refund for the Huawei and buy the Samsung Gear S3 classic since it looks more beautiful and samsung is investing in iPhone App more than Android with AW2.0 and it's look more compatible.
Do you think it's a good idea ? Or should i abandon and wait for a good price for the Apple watch ?
Thanks,
Regards,
I had the original gear S I Liked it, then I went from that to the Huawei Watch, I liked it but didn't care to much fro android wear. I now have the Gear S3 and I am loving it.
Slash8915 said:
So I've had a Huawei watch since the end of June, and I love it. I just picked up a Gear S3 Classic yesterday, mainly because I was able to get it for $249. Despite the slightly smaller screen and lower resolution, i love how vivid the Gear S3 screen is.
I keep hearing people complain about the lack of apps for the Gear S3, and how it didn't really live up to their expectations as a whole. If you had the option, would you keep the Gear S3, or stick with the Huawei?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a personal choice that no one else can make for you.. I learned 50 years ago when I got into watches you should buy what 'speaks' to you. In the world of horology their are millions of variations. Not so many smart watches but there is a choice. I didn't think I would like Tizen but after owning the S2 I would never return to Android nor Apple OS
I am sure you will enjoy whatever you purchase but be aware that nothing is perfect, there are always trade offs
Ryland
I own both. Love the Huawei watch for all its features and that I can choose any apps to be my default email and text, plus a lot more as the watch is the best Androidwear IMO. However, since I bought the Gear S3 I've only worn my Huawei once... And that was whole the S3 was charging. I like them both. If I could combine the two of them I would have all the features I'm looking for.
Now that I've experienced Samsung Pay on the Gear S3, I don't think I'll ever consider any other watch brands. The Gear S3 has been the perfect smartwatch for me. Great looks & design along with the cool rotating bezel, all the apps I need from a watch (voice reminders, calculator, weather, timer, notes, phone, messaging, music control), switchable bands, & Samsung Pay. Definite home run from Samsung!
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
optimummind said:
Now that I've experienced Samsung Pay on the Gear S3, I don't think I'll ever consider any other watch brands. The Gear S3 has been the perfect smartwatch for me. Great looks & design along with the cool rotating bezel, all the apps I need from a watch (voice reminders, calculator, weather, timer, notes, phone, messaging, music control), switchable bands, & Samsung Pay. Definite home run from Samsung!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I remember you from the old Nexus forums.
Are you using yours with a Nexus or Pixel? I'm planning on picking it up today and pairing with my Pixel. Just wondering what the experience is.
mjs2011 said:
I think I remember you from the old Nexus forums.
Are you using yours with a Nexus or Pixel? I'm planning on picking it up today and pairing with my Pixel. Just wondering what the experience is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good memory! But I no longer have any Nexus phones. Sold them already & I skipped the Pixel. I'm down to just one phone ATM, the GS7E.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Owned a Gear s2 until last week I got the Huawei watch. So far loving how AW handles WhatsApp notifications that I use a lot; that was kinda messy on the s2. Miss the rotating bezel but so far I like the Huawei watch better. More customization; better battery life and while it's subjective; for me at least better looks
Enviado desde mi Nexus 6P mediante Tapatalk
So I bought a Huawei Watch used and cheap. Used it for about an hour and ran back to the Gear S3 so fast.
As annoyed as I am at the lack of continuity when pairing it with the Pixel XL it's just simply a superior product, and Tizen is much better than the mess that is Android Wear. The S8 suddenly looks enticing in a couple months.
AdrianR2016 said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL "we make a compare"
"three-hundred and eighty million powers"
Trying to decide between these two smartwatches and I'm leaning more towards the S3 for the samsung pay ability and was wondering what others chose or if there were any problems with said devices.
I currently have a Gear S3 with a Nexus 6p, and love the combo. It works flawlessly with everything out of the box, with the possible exception of marking messages as read on your phone when you read them on your watch. Otherwise, the Gear S3 is amazing. I had a Moto 360 (i.e. Android Wear) before this and the OS was awful compared to Tizen.
picking up the s3 today had a moto 360 also thnx
I would also recommend the Gear S3 over any Android Wear watch at the moment. Nothing comes close to the Gear S3 with anything using Android Wear.
So Android Wear 2.0 on the LG Watch Sport is a big improvement over Wear 1.5, it has a slick interface that appears to perform very well. The darker color scheme, new icons, dedicated play store on the watch, better fitness tracking and the ability to run apps from the watch (untethered) are just some of the improvements.
How do you think Tizen (on the S3) stacks up against Android Wear 2.0?
Are you planning to switch?
I just bought my Gear S3 Frontier BT a couple of weeks ago. Looking at the new LG Watch Sport, I think perhaps I should have waited a bit longer. (Buyers remorse?)
I like the overall design of LG's new sports watch. I like the fact that it has a larger, higher resolution display and the embedded sim with unlocked modem for use on any carrier. I also like the improvements to the Android Wear 2.0 user interface and the fact that there is a much larger app ecosystem. (Well at least as developers update their apps for Wear 2.0 compatiblity)
Finally, I like that all features of the watch will work across different brands of Android phones. (unlike Samsung where some features only work on Samsung phones.)
I will keep my S3 for a while longer to see whether Samsung releases some decent updates but if nothing much from Samsung, I may well jump ship in a couple of months when the LG Watch Sport is more widely available.
The S3 is clearly more capable than the current crop of AW watches. I bought my S3 before the new LG watches were announced. The LG Style is less capable than the S3, perhaps it will compete with the S2. I think the LG Sport will be a serious threat to the Frontier LTE.
The LG uses a physical SIM instead of an eSIM, allowing greater flexibility in carrier selection. There will be more 3rd party apps available. It will have better integration with Android phones for notifications like email and Hangouts. It appears to be less dependent on a companion phone, but we'll have to see how much functionally it actually has when untethered.
The S3 has some advantages over the LG. It looks better, like a regular analog watch, and has the ability to be customized with any standard watch band. The UI is better, a rotating bezel is superior to a rotating crown. Samsung Pay has MST, making it usable in vastly more POS terminals. Lastly, it's likely to have better battery life.
I don't plan on switching anytime soon, the S3 is handling my use case scenario just fine. But I want Android Wear watches to sell well because we consumers benefit from the competition. The Apple watch is the 800 pound gorilla. I hope the smartwatch segment is large enough to support Tizen, AW, and the upcoming FitBit smartwatches.
Byte_76 said:
So Android Wear 2.0 on the LG Watch Sport is a big improvement over Wear 1.5, it has a slick interface that appears to perform very well. The darker color scheme, new icons, dedicated play store on the watch, better fitness tracking and the ability to run apps from the watch (untethered) are just some of the improvements.
How do you think Tizen (on the S3) stacks up against Android Wear 2.0?
Are you planning to switch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Style version has nothing, not even HRM. It is like a pebble and if the reviews are correct, Sport version's battery life barely even make it a day. At this point I happy with my frontier
When I heard about Android Pay on the watch will also NOT work if you have an unlocked bootloader, the Gear S3 wins by a mile in my book.
I am really on the fence between the Gear S3 Frontier and LG Sport. Had an original moto 360 in 2014 but didn't stick with it long (originally with a Note 2 then with a Note 4). Didn't like battery life at the time so ended up with a martian Notifier (in all very satisfied with that Notifier).
Ended up getting an iPhone 6S plus when it came out so after I broke the Notifier really only had Apple Watch as a real smartwatch option, though I did try a few garmins that were mainly good for exercise with phone notifications thrown in for good measure (but great battery life). Tried an Apple watch (1st gen) and felt it was nice but just not great nor worth the price (pre OS 3). Returned it. Now I have an Apple Watch Series 1 (42") that I got for a little over $200 and with the updated processor and OS 3.x it is a better experience. I guess I am one of the lucky ones with very good recognition from Siri, and I use it a lot.
But I don't intend to stay with an iPhone so really wanted a smartwatch that wasn't married to one smartphone platform. I love the look, feel, battery life (as smartwatches go) and display on the Gear S3 F, and that it at least (now) has token iOS support. But I'd be giving up a lot by being on iOS, and even if I switched back to an Android phone I'd only have S voice for voice recognition. I do not like S Voice. Still a week or so ago I was ready to pull the trigger on the S3. Then I saw the LG Sport.
After saying all that, besides the iOS thing (which can easily be changed) is there anything that I should consider in favor of the S3 frontier?
Mike
The S3 is a better engineered watch in every way. It's shortcoming is the Tizen app library. The only advantage that the LG Sport has is that it runs AW 2. If battery life is important to you, I doubt you'll be happy with the Sport, based on reports.
I bought my S3 in December. I was anxiously looking forward to the new LG. It would be easy for me to switch since I will be selling my AT&T model and buying a model from Verizon soon. But the S3 is the best watch on the market. There are several AW watches that will be released over the next few months, LG is first but hopefully not the best to come.
Yea I am really wanting the S3. I don't even mind the apps since I'm good with S health and notifications mostly. But that danged S voice.... at least on my Samsung phones I could use Google instead. But on the watch no can do.
Does anyone here use s voice on th s3?
Mike
I have S3F, AppleWatch S1&2, Huawei,Moto360.. And S3 is/was my favorite, but with Aw2.0 things start to change tho
S3 have few things i miss, SVoice is 200% crap and even if you can use SHealth to sync with Strava it´s not 100%.
I waited for LG, but the new SPort was not a "wow" watch for me. But good part was the Lg Urbane 2 LTE did come back around here so i could get one.
Urbane 2 Lte is my favorite watch in Size,weight and design from the day 1, but could never get one where i live befor they reroll them.
ANd even did pay few bucks more for my Urbane than i did for the S3, but gues with Aw2.0 the Urbane will be very solid.
That is what I expected about svoice. Ugh. I really use Siri and even Google voice recognition a lot and it's one of those little things that for me adds to the pro side of owning a smart watch (Google Now worked well for me on my 1st gen moto 360). Just last night as I was making dinner with my hands wet and iPhone in pocket I dictated a few reminders via my Apple Watch, and added something to my grocery list. I love that stuff.
Has anyone here tried the S3 with an iPhone? I'm thinking it's not great but was hoping it gets better.
Looks like the LG sport is winning for me, even though I like the S3F's styling better. Damn.
Samsung is good on hardware, god-awful on software. Personally I wish Samsung would consider making a wear 2.0 device with the bezel control taking the place of wear 2.0 twisty-wheel navigation.
I shall continue to watch for reviews of the Gwatch Sport as well as the new Huawai Watch 2 my fear is poor battery life - I easily get 3 days from the gear S3.
My problem with my S3 is the utter dearth of any decent apps, and the fact that some of the features in the watch don't work properly. The main features that don't work are:
- Samsung pay (not available outside the US), and the MST will never work in Europe as we did away with mag strip readers eons ago in favour of chip and pin.
- The remote connection to the phone does not work properly, if I turn off bluetooth, the watch connects to wifi, but the remote connection does not work despite being enabled
- S-Voice is hit/miss usually miss - its a poor excuse for a voice assistant compared to google now or google assistant.
- Cant see old text messages - eg cant see a 'conversation' - can only see notifications (Samsung scuppered the watch for non Samsung smartphone users here).
- Cant see emails on the watch (requires a Samsung Phone to do this)
On the plus side, the battery life is great, notifications clear, and it works great making/taking calls from the watch.
Samsung needs to incentivise developers to create for the Tizen platform with major offers of £££ if they wish it to succeed longer term.
Nigel
warpgatex said:
When I heard about Android Pay on the watch will also NOT work if you have an unlocked bootloader, the Gear S3 wins by a mile in my book.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is NOT true. I have both the S3 and LG. The LG's android pay DOES work on my unlocked, rooted Pixel. Interestingly, AP on my phone (still) does not work. However, I have successfully used my LG to pay at a few places now.
soundneedle said:
This is NOT true. I have both the S3 and LG. The LG's android pay DOES work on my unlocked, rooted Pixel. Interestingly, AP on my phone (still) does not work. However, I have successfully used my LG to pay at a few places now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats really cool!
Someone needs to correct this post
https://www.xda-developers.com/andr...f-your-smartphone-has-an-unlocked-bootloader/
Tinmania said:
Yea I am really wanting the S3. I don't even mind the apps since I'm good with S health and notifications mostly. But that danged S voice.... at least on my Samsung phones I could use Google instead. But on the watch no can do.
Does anyone here use s voice on th s3?
Mike
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I use SVoice on my S3 Classic, and find it better than expected...accurate recognition of words is very good - I rarely find it makes a mistake on what I'm saying. I do hold the watch near my face and speak clearly, but it works well.
Where SVoice falls down is doing things that Google Now/Google Assistant excels at, handling random questions and searches. But that's not really what it is intended for on the watch. (I don't use SVoice on my phone - S7 Edge - at all, so I have no idea how functional SVoice is on a phone compared to Google.)
But for normal watch commands, etc., I can find little fault w/SVoice. I'd like my S3 to have Google Assistant on it, but don't expect that to happen.
soundneedle said:
This is NOT true. I have both the S3 and LG. The LG's android pay DOES work on my unlocked, rooted Pixel. Interestingly, AP on my phone (still) does not work. However, I have successfully used my LG to pay at a few places now.
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I'm having the same thing with my V20. Unlocked and custom ROM. Although, the ROM dev did make a special kernel to work with Root Switch to pass SafetyNet, and I did enable that before setting up AP on the watch. But since, I've had no issues.
Redflea said:
I use SVoice on my S3 Classic, and find it better than expected...accurate recognition of words is very good - I rarely find it makes a mistake on what I'm saying. I do hold the watch near my face and speak clearly, but it works well.
Where SVoice falls down is doing things that Google Now/Google Assistant excels at, handling random questions and searches. But that's not really what it is intended for on the watch. (I don't use SVoice on my phone - S7 Edge - at all, so I have no idea how functional SVoice is on a phone compared to Google.)
But for normal watch commands, etc., I can find little fault w/SVoice. I'd like my S3 to have Google Assistant on it, but don't expect that to happen.
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Thanks much for the feedback.
I really really wanted to like, or even tolerate, svoice on the S3 but in the end, after testing it as realistically as possible in stores, I just couldn't do it. It's a shame as I really love the amazing display and look of the S3.
I ended up using two AT&T promos to get an LG V20 for half price and an LG Watch Sport for $50 (for buying a V20). Still getting used to the watch.... so far the battery life is worse than expected. I'll see how it goes. Google Assistant works surprisingly well, and it was easy to get it to work with my Hue lighting with even needing to do anything on my phone. I do like the watch feels like it could almost be used on its own. I really don't understand why Google didn't at least make a basic Gmail app for it.
Really liking the V20!
Mike
NickWhit1992 said:
I'm having the same thing with my V20. Unlocked and custom ROM. Although, the ROM dev did make a special kernel to work with Root Switch to pass SafetyNet, and I did enable that before setting up AP on the watch. But since, I've had no issues.
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Click to collapse
Should mention I'm on stock Android and stock kernel. I'd added my cards before I ever unlocked or rooted my pixel. Maybe that's why I'm able to use it now with the LG watch. I certainly can't add any cards using AP on the Pixel.
That said. I'm returning this dreadful LG watch. Google should be embarrassed to have this as their flagship AW2. So many reasons why it sucks, but the nail in the coffin is the battery life. Such an enormous watch, and Google engineers still couldn't manage to make their code efficient. Had to turn off everything including always on. Sorry, but a watch should always have always on. Period. Biggest reasons I'm sticking with S3---battery, always on, floor/stairs counting, and superior activity tracking in general. Plus, removable band, LTE that works without killing the battery (even more)...and now, WatchMaker is available.
WatchMaker on the S3 is the game changer for me. Now, I have my Tasker integration. So happy.
soundneedle said:
Should mention I'm on stock Android and stock kernel. I'd added my cards before I ever unlocked or rooted my pixel. Maybe that's why I'm able to use it now with the LG watch. I certainly can't add any cards using AP on the Pixel.
That said. I'm returning this dreadful LG watch. Google should be embarrassed to have this as their flagship AW2. So many reasons why it sucks, but the nail in the coffin is the battery life. Such an enormous watch, and Google engineers still couldn't manage to make their code efficient. Had to turn off everything including always on. Sorry, but a watch should always have always on. Period. Biggest reasons I'm sticking with S3---battery, always on, floor/stairs counting, and superior activity tracking in general. Plus, removable band, LTE that works without killing the battery (even more)...and now, WatchMaker is available.
WatchMaker on the S3 is the game changer for me. Now, I have my Tasker integration. So happy.
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How did you get tasker integration! Let me know!!!!
Watchmaker allows me to add buttons and Tasker variables to a watch face. You need the WM app from the play store and also gear store.
soundneedle said:
Watchmaker allows me to add buttons and Tasker variables to a watch face. You need the WM app from the play store and also gear store.
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Can you share an example of doing that in the WM app?
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