LONDON: Samsung has revealed the first details of the smartwatch it hopes could take on Apple.
Called the Gear S2, it has a round face, and will come in several versions – including one with its own SIM card to make calls without the need for a phone.
It will run Samsung’s own Tizen software, and the firm is expected to reveal a host of apps it will run when it is unveiled at the IFA trade show in Berlin on Thursday.
The main Gear S2 will ship with a dark gray body and a black silicon band or a silver body and a white silicon band.
The Gear S2 can last for up to two to three days of continuous wear, and will be able to charge wirelessly with the included watch dock. Based on what we know of it so far, though, the Gear S2 is an nicely-designed smartwatch, and I’m really interesting in seeing how the rotating bezel feels and if it makes navigating through the UI better than simply touching and flicking.
Samsung is juicing up its smartwatch with a circular face and more battery life than the Apple Watch, but it’s unknown how many apps will be available for it. The limited selection of apps is one of the main challenges facing Samsung’s smartwatches.
Samsung on Monday announced the Gear S2 smartwatch, the company’s follow-up to last year’s Gear S.
The Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic will be showcased at the annual IFA trade show in Berlin on 3 September. Connectivity options include NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.1. With NFC, it will, according to Samsung, function as a standalone mobile payment devices, just like the Apple Watch.
