Samsung Galaxy Watch 2: release date, specifications, price

Facer

Facer is the perfect watch personalization app. This application is available for Tizen, Wear OS and watchOS operating systems. If your own Galaxy Watch watch face packs aren't enough for you, this is the app for you. Facer has a huge collection of watch faces (over 30,000 options) for all platforms. Facer has also developed several of its own mini-games for smartwatches, which can also be installed using the application.

Galaxy Watch 3 Photos

The images look like they were taken from the device on display at a retail store. This is hinted at in the last image, which shows the “retailer mode” switch. This hints that we might see the Galaxy Watch 3 even sooner than we expected. On the other hand, we already saw the Google Pixel 4a in stores two months ago, but it never went on sale. Perhaps this is just part of the staff training process or even a random photo and there is no hidden meaning in it, as in the messages from OnePlus executives.

In these leaked images, we see the 41mm and 45mm Galaxy Watch 3 devices. They both have an almost identical layout, with a stainless steel case, buttons on the side and chronometer markers on the edges of the displays.

Interface of the new Samsung watch.

The watch looks like the rotating bezel will be the main control. If this is true, then this is very good. For me personally, there are only two ways to control the clock, which I cannot call perversion. The first is the rotating bezel, and the second is the Digital Crown from the Apple Watch. In principle, this could also include the touch button on fitness bracelets, but this is rather an exception. The main thing is that you don’t have to block the screen with your finger and swipe on these “five square centimeters”. This is very inconvenient when there is no alternative.

PEAR Sports

Samsung Health is a cool app that most users will use on their Galaxy Watch, but it doesn't have a lot of options for workout options. The PEAR Sports app offers hundreds of workouts and training plans designed and tested by famous athletes and coaches. In PEAR Sports you can find various activities such as walking, running, cycling, stretching, etc. Overall, the app has something for both beginner athletes and more experienced ones.

Glympse

Glympse is a useful app if you need to share your location with friends and family. In addition to your location and route, your loved ones will be able to see online on a map where you are now, and even at what speed you are moving. Similarly, you can also request a friend's location by clicking the Request button.

Here WeGo Maps

Here WeGo Maps is a great navigation app for Samsung Galaxy Watch. The application can work autonomously, without connecting to smartphones. To work with the application, you need to download and install it on your watch, and download maps. After installation and activation, WeGo Maps allows you to plan routes and record data in memory for later viewing.

Top applications

Anyone who has ever tried to update the functions or appearance of the Galaxy Watch dial has been faced with a huge selection of programs. Among them there are both excellent programs and downright unsuccessful ones. We have sorted the entire list and selected the most worthwhile options for you.

Navigator Here WeGo

One of the most useful functions that can be connected to a watch is a navigator. This is a convenient addition for those who like to walk and run - in this case, using a navigator on your hand is more convenient than on a phone. The Here WeGo app allows you to plot a route on a map of any area without connecting to the network. The program shows the optimal path between points and helps calculate navigation accurate to the step.

Ubank - what is the application on the Android Samsung phone

The utility is completely free, convenient for use on both watches and smartphones. On the company's website www.wego.here.com you can see the degree of coverage of a particular area.

www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps&hl=uk

Facer

Facer is a set of watch faces for smartwatches. Just a huge selection of screen designs. There are both classic and themed color options. Includes the ability to capture color from the camera - this will allow you to match the color of the dial to the tone of your clothes.

www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jeremysteckling.facerrel&hl=uk

Pear Sports

This program is an indispensable assistant for training. It's a little personal trainer in your watch! By reading data from the heart rate sensor, the program determines the intensity of the workout and makes recommendations on the rhythm, increasing the load and rest, and Pear Sports also reminds you to exercise - with it you will not miss a single workout.

www.pearsports.com/

Calculator SRJO Calculator

A modern calculator allows you to perform not only simple calculations, but also performs more complex, multi-level operations. In addition to a wide range of functions, the application has a nice and user-friendly design.

www.galaxystore.samsung.com/geardetail/5OrP6rST1f

Audio notes

Samsung's proprietary application helps you record audio files and then transcribe them in text format. All recorded files are stored on the phone and are available for listening and reading on both a smartphone and a computer.

Stopwatch

Something that is impossible to imagine a modern watch without - a stopwatch and a timer - is missing by default on smart watches from Samsung. They will have to be additionally downloaded from the Galaxy Store. The application is periodically updated, and the developers add new features.

Flashlight White

Unlike the models of their direct competitors from Apple, Samsung developers did not add a flashlight to the functionality of the watch. An application with this function must be downloaded separately. It is free, and all its functionality consists of turning on a white screen for lighting. Interestingly, White also has a paid version with different flashlight operating modes.

www.programmy-dlya-android.ru/sistemnye/254-sverhyarkiy-fonarik.html

Samsung Soundshare - what is it?

Flipboard News briefing

Flipboard News briefing is one of the best apps for those who always want to stay up to date with the latest news. Not everyone likes to read the news on a small hour-long screen, but it's a good way to always stay up to date with all the latest events. News briefing collects the latest news from social media subscriptions and news resources. Also, with this application you can not only read, but also share interesting posts, videos or photos with readers.

Find My Car

Find My Car is a small but very useful application for motorists. It will help you find your car if you can’t remember where you parked. The app can remember where you parked and use the Galaxy Watch's built-in GPS to show you how far you are from the parked car.

In fact, this is not a complete list of applications for the Samsung Galaxy Watch, but in our opinion, these are some of the most popular and useful.

Review of smart watches Samsung Galaxy Watch3

Every August, Samsung updates its smartwatches, and this year was no exception, despite all the global cataclysms. The Galaxy Watch3 model replaced the first Galaxy Watch. And you can, of course, sneer at the fact that the manufacturer jumped over the two (apparently this is explained by the release of the Galaxy Watch Active2), but it is much more productive to simply figure out why the new product is interesting, how competitive it is and how it looks against the background of the same Active2.

First, let's restore the chronology of events. So, in the fall of 2018, the first Samsung Galaxy Watch will be released, replacing the Gear S3 Frontier. Six months later, in the spring of 2019, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active appeared, more compact and without a rotating bezel - a key feature of the flagship of the line. Another six months pass, and in the fall the manufacturer releases the second version of Active. Perhaps it would be more logical if the Galaxy Watch2 were released instead. But - that's it. And finally, just under a year later, the Galaxy Watch3 arrives.

The first Galaxy Watch remains on sale - at a price of 22.5 thousand rubles. Active2 sells for 20 thousand (and more), and for the Galaxy Watch3 you will have to pay 30 thousand or more. How justified is this and why are they better?

Let's look at the detailed technical specifications of the device, comparing the new product with the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active2, as well as with its main competitor, the Apple Watch Series 5.

As you can see, the differences between Active2 and Galaxy Watch3 are minimal. The screen, processor, communication capabilities, battery capacity - almost everything remains the same. The differences are in the case and the volume of the built-in storage (8 GB instead of the previous 4 GB). As for comparison with the first Galaxy Watch, the screen of the larger version has become larger (at the same resolution), the Bluetooth version has risen to fifth, and the built-in storage capacity has doubled.

Equipment

The appearance of the packaging has completely changed. Instead of a black cubic box there is now an oblong white pencil case.

Inside, in addition to the watch itself, there is only a USB cable with a wireless charging tablet at the end and a couple of leaflets. Let's remember that before there was also a charging unit with a detachable cable, instead of a “tablet” there was a docking station on which the watch could be conveniently installed, and in addition to the watch strap, another half was attached for a hand of a different size.

In principle, all this is not critical, but, let’s say, it’s strange when the flagship is equipped worse than all the cheaper devices in the line.

Design

The watch case has also undergone some changes compared to the 2020 Galaxy Watch, but we can’t say that they are very significant. So, the shape of the buttons has changed - they are now smaller, but protruding more strongly. The hinges have become more elegant, and the static part of the bezel (with physical numbers) has become slightly smaller.

In general, all these innovations are not bad, but they do not change the overall perception of the product. The watch looked serious and solid before; it is a respectable men's model. But what should be considered a big advantage is the presence of a leather strap instead of a silicone one. Moreover, it’s really good here: noble color, stitching, moderately elastic leather...

The only drawback of the strap is that it will not allow you to secure the watch well on a thin hand. That is, there is a clear focus specifically on a medium or large male hand. However, let’s make a reservation: during testing we had a version with a 45 mm screen. Perhaps the situation is different in the case of the 41 mm model.

Another disadvantage of a leather strap is that it is not suitable for swimming and active sports. However, the strap is removable and has a standard width of 22 mm, so there is no problem buying a silicone one instead and wearing it to the pool/training.

The buttons have the same functionality as before, they are pressed with noticeable force, so that accidental presses are practically excluded.

The rotating bezel has undergone virtually no functional changes. We have noted before that this is a great find, the main trump card of Samsung smartwatches, and now we can repeat the same thing. Indeed, this element greatly facilitates menu navigation and general interaction with the watch.

In general, the design of the Galaxy Watch3 is respectable, but we cannot say that it is fundamentally better than that of the Galaxy Watch. Except that the screen of the larger version has become even larger, and the thickness is slightly smaller.

Screen

The watch screen is round (without dead zones), flat, with a diameter of 1.4″. The resolution is 360x360, the same as all other Galaxy Watch models. Thus, of the entire line of Samsung smartwatches, the new product has the lowest dots per inch density. Which, however, is practically unnoticeable with such dimensions.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, noticeably better than that of Google Nexus 7 (2013)), so fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than in the case of regular glass. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are better than those of the Google Nexus 7 2013 screen. For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected when the screens are turned off:

The screen of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is noticeably darker (brightness according to photographs is 60 versus 107 for the Nexus 7) and does not have a pronounced tint. The reflection ghosting is weak, which indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. The settings have brightness adjustment (10 steps). When the white field was displayed in full screen, the maximum value (10 on the scale) of brightness was 610 cd/m², the minimum (1 on the scale) was 10 cd/m². This is in complete darkness or moderate light conditions. In conditions of strong illumination (a clear day outside without direct light from the sun and brighter), the screen brightness always increases to approximately 940 cd/m², which, taking into account the excellent anti-glare properties, will allow you to see what is displayed on the watch screen even in such conditions. In the settings there is a switch for automatic brightness adjustment, which, according to subjective assessment, works adequately. It is difficult to measure brightness in this mode, since the light sensor is located under the screen and is partially obscured by the spectrophotometer.

On the graphs of brightness (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis) there is a slight modulation (10+ is in conditions of strong external illumination):

However, during rapid eye movement or in the stroboscopic effect test at medium and low screen brightness, some flickering is visible; apparently, the modulation is distributed across zones, and several zones fall into the field of view of the sensor. It is unlikely that such flickering, which is difficult to see, will lead to increased fatigue, especially given the fact that there is no particular point in looking at the watch screen for a long time.

This screen uses a Super AMOLED matrix - an active matrix on organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in equal numbers, as confirmed by a fragment of a microphoto (two parts of the blue subpixel work synchronously):

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

The spectra are typical for OLED - the primary color areas are well separated and appear as relatively narrow peaks:

Accordingly, the coverage is noticeably wider than sRGB, close to DCI, and there are no attempts to reduce it:

Note that the colors of regular images optimized for devices with sRGB screens appear unnaturally saturated on screens with a wide color gamut without appropriate correction:

Pay attention to the tomatoes and the shade of the girl's face. The color temperature of the white and gray fields is approximately 6900 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is 3 units. The color balance is very good. Black is just black from any angle. It is so black that the contrast setting is simply not applicable in this case. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the white field is excellent. True, when the white color deviates even at small angles, it acquires a slight blue-green tint. The screen has excellent viewing angles with a much smaller drop in brightness when looking at the screen at an angle compared to LCD screens. In general, the quality of the screen can be considered very high.

Operating system and interaction with a smartphone

Like other Samsung watches in recent years, the Galaxy Watch3 runs on Tizen OS. Its current version is 5.5. Connecting the watch to a smartphone occurs without problems - tested on both iOS and Android. To control the device, you must have an iOS/Android app called Galaxy Watch installed.

And all fitness indicators are loaded into another application - Samsung Health.

The functionality of the watch in conjunction with iOS and Android is almost the same, but almost. Thus, Samsung Pay is only available on Android. As well as the ability to transfer screenshots from the watch. Yes, just like two years ago, you can take a screenshot, but you can’t transfer it to the iPhone, which makes this option practically useless for users of Apple devices.

In general, the gadget’s capabilities are familiar: training, automatic sleep measurement, step counting, etc. Plus, the ability to install applications from the store directly on watches connected to Wi-Fi. But this happened in the last generation. We described all this in detail in articles about other Samsung watches.

The key innovations of the Galaxy Watch3 announced by Samsung are blood pressure measurement and ECG. All this is beautifully described on the manufacturer’s Russian-language website, the first large headline looks like this: “Built-in pressure sensors, blood oxygen levels, ECG.” But - surprise - this doesn’t work in Russia yet. Moreover, when it works, you will also need a Samsung smartphone, otherwise, alas. To find out about all this, you need to read the small text at the bottom of the page in the footnotes. For example, it says:

Availability may vary depending on the watch market. (Currently available in Korea. Availability in the US and other countries will be provided after the watch is certified in those countries)

Frankly speaking, a questionable move for a large, reputable company. Not only is the new flagship product going on sale without key features, but also on the website it is described in such a way that only the most attentive user will figure out what the situation is in reality.

This doesn't mean that the watch is bad now - no, in conjunction with Samsung Health, it still remains one of the best non-specialized devices for training. However, in this regard, previous models are no worse.

Autonomous operation

The new product has a smaller battery capacity than the previous generation model. Therefore, one of the key questions is how quickly the device discharges and how long it takes to recharge.

So, the watch worked for us for about two and a half days in the following mode: notifications turned on (and quite actively receiving them), cycling training with GPS turned on for a total duration of less than an hour, heart rate tracking by default. Probably, without training, the gadget would have lasted up to three days. However, compared to its main competitor, the result is not bad: it is slightly more than the Apple Watch Series 5.

As for the charging duration, the watch charges from zero to 100% in about two and a half hours. Quite a lot.

conclusions

Samsung Galaxy Watch3 is the strangest update to the South Korean manufacturer's line of smartwatches. And the point is not in the serial number, which “jumped” over two, but in the fact that there are practically no real innovations available to the Russian user at the start of sales. The screen in the larger version is slightly larger (in the smaller version it is the same as two years ago), instead of a silicone strap there is a leather one (although no one bothers you to buy the required strap separately). That's probably all.

At the same time, on the website the manufacturer beautifully talks about really interesting features: blood pressure measurement and ECG. But they are not yet represented outside of Korea. Therefore, buying a Samsung Galaxy Watch3 today is a kind of investment in the future. Which may come, or maybe not. For example, the Apple Watch has not yet activated the ability to measure ECG in Russia, although it has been available in the USA for a long time.

On the other hand, the price difference between the 2018 and 2020 models is 7,500 rubles. A leather strap costs almost 6 thousand. Therefore, if you add its cost to the first Samsung Galaxy Watch, it won’t be much less. So if you don't yet have a smartwatch and want a model with a round screen and a rotating bezel, it might be worth buying the Galaxy Watch3 even without major innovations - provided that you like the updated design better than the old one.

However, if you already have the first Samsung Galaxy Watch, there is no point in buying the Watch3. At least until pressure measurement and ECG appear in them.