South Korea’s tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. on Wednesday (local time) unveiled its latest smartwatch, the Gear S3, in Berlin in hopes that the new wearable device boasting a touch of more traditional wristwatch feel without undermining full standalone phone and data features steals the heart of not only technology-savvy consumers but also traditional watch fans.

The Gear S3 adopts the same round design as its predecessor S2 and uses stainless steel material, giving a traditional watch look. It also adds more traditional watch features. Lee Young-hee, executive vice president of global marketing at Samsung Electronics’ mobile communications business who introduced the Gear S3, said the company has tried to pursue the fundamental philosophy of a watch in its new wearable device while upgrading high-tech functions.

From the initial development stage, Samsung Electronics worked together with watch craftsman and experts as part of efforts to include unique and positive aspects of a watch to the Gear S3. Those who worked together to develop the new smartwatch include renowned watch designer Yvan Arpa, industrial designer Arik Levy, and luxury watch blogger Ariel Adams.

The oval-shaped button on the side that can be pressed to command various functions has been covered with polyurethane finishing material, while the 22-millimeter standard watch strap has been made of moisture-resistant and durable silicon material.

Samsung Electronics has also adopted the Always On Display feature to the Gear S3 that keeps its users on track of time just like an ordinary watch. Even with very little battery left, the feature that is also applied to the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones allows users to check time for more than 10 hours.

The Gear S3 also comes with upgraded specifications in terms of technology. Its dust and water resistance level is enhanced to the IP68 level that is applied to the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 7. The company has included more sensors that can increase the usability of the latest wearable gadget. The Gear S3 is embedded with an independent global positioning system (GPS) as well as an altimeter for displaying the altitude, a barometer to measure atmospheric pressure, and a speedometer for showing current and average speed during a run or cycling session.

The Gear S3 also allows its wearers to write and send short text messages using the round display and send urgent messages to family and friends in case of emergency by simply pressing the oval button on the side three times. The new smartwatch is also added with Samsung Pay’s magnetic secure transmission technology-based mobile payment solution, an upgrade from the Gear S2 that only allows mobile payment based on near field communication technology. The Gear S3 comes with an improved battery life that lasts for up to four days in a single charge.

The Korea’s leading smartphone maker hosted the Gear S3 unveiling event a week before Apple Inc.’s scheduled media event to first introduce its flagship iPhone 7 in hopes that it can repeat the success of its latest flagship smartphone Galaxy S7 and Note S7 series by launching its product ahead of its rivals’. Speculations have been rising that the U.S. smartphone giant would also present the next generation smartwatch, the Apple Watch, during the iPhone 7 media event.

The event, which was held ahead of the official opening of IFA, Europe’s largest trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances that also takes place in Germany’s capital, was live-streamed via Samsung’s official Galaxy website and the company’s online newsroom.

By Lee Seung-hoon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]