Samsung Gear S InDepth Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Samsung Gear S Overview

The Samsung Gear S, announced in August 2014 and released in October of the same year, marked a significant step in the evolution of wearable technology. As a smartwatch launched by Samsung, it aimed to bridge the gap between smartphones and wearables, offering connectivity and functionality on the go. Though now discontinued, the Gear S was notable for its features and the technology it introduced at the time.

Body and Design

The Samsung Gear S featured dimensions of 58.1 x 39.9 x 12.5 mm and weighed a mere 67 grams, making it a lightweight and comfortable wear on the wrist. Its sleek and futuristic design was available in two colors – Charcoal Black and Frost White – ensuring it matched various styles and preferences. The smartwatch required a Nano-SIM for full connectivity, emphasizing its function as a standalone device capable of handling tasks without a paired smartphone.

Display

One of the cornerstone features of the Gear S was its 2.0-inch Super AMOLED display. With a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 300 ppi, it delivered crisp and vibrant visuals, facilitating easy readability of texts and enhanced user experience for app interactions. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offered adequate protection against scratches and minor impacts, crucial for a device meant for active daily use.

Platform and Performance

The smartwatch operated on Tizen OS, Samsung’s proprietary operating system tailored for wearables. It ran on the Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 chipset with a Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, and utilized the Adreno 305 GPU for graphics processing. Although these specifications may seem modest compared to today's standards, they were fairly robust for wearables of that period, allowing smooth operation for most lightweight tasks.

The internal memory of 4GB, accompanied by 512MB RAM, meant users had limited storage space. Unfortunately, the lack of an expandable card slot was a downside, limiting the device's capacity to store data, apps, and media.

Network and Connectivity

The Gear S was equipped with GSM and HSPA technology, enabling it to support 2G and 3G bands for phone capabilities. Although it did not support 4G LTE, its HSPA connectivity facilitated decent data transfer speeds for tasks like receiving notifications and using smartwatch apps. Connectivity features included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for internet access, Bluetooth 4.1 for pairing with other devices, and GPS with GLONASS for location tracking – particularly useful for fitness and navigation apps.

However, it lacked NFC capabilities and a 3.5mm audio jack, which limited direct media interactions and payment functionalities that were budding in popularity around that time.

Features and Sensors

The Gear S was packed with a variety of sensors, making it a versatile device for health and fitness enthusiasts. It included an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, heart rate monitor, barometer, and even a UV light sensor. This array of sensors allowed for comprehensive fitness tracking, measuring steps, heart rate, atmospheric conditions, and exposure to UV rays, promoting wellness and safety for users.

Battery Life

The smartwatch featured a non-removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 300 mAh. While this may seem small, the battery was optimized to handle the smartwatch’s operations efficiently, providing adequate usage time between charges, given the limited demands of its time. However, compared to current standards, regular recharging was required, especially during intensive usage.

Sound and Audio

The Samsung Gear S included a loudspeaker but did not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning audio interactions had to be conducted via Bluetooth headphones or on the device's speaker. This design choice emphasized its focus on wireless connectivity, pushing forward the market standards at that time.

Legacy and Impact

The Samsung Gear S played a significant role in shaping the future of smartwatches. By prioritizing standalone device capabilities, it pushed the boundaries of what smartwatches could accomplish independently from smartphones. Despite its discontinuation, it laid a foundation for subsequent smartwatch innovations, blending technology with daily life convenience effectively.