Samsung shows off its new Galaxy Watch (first look from New York)

Samsung has moved from its Gear moniker to Galaxy Watch. And it is fitting given this can have full 3G/4G/LTE and/or Bluetooth connections.

Val Quinn reports from New York.

I have seen the watch first-hand, and it is beautiful. A lot more streamlined than the Gear S3 and available in 42 and 46mm versions. That should broaden the appeal for those with smaller wrists or women who found the Gear S3 just too big.

The LTE option is great but requires an extra Telco account. You should be able to get family data sharing, so it should reduce the plan cost.

What I like is that the watch works with any Android device (5.0 or later) and Apple iOS 9 or later. That is going to appeal to iPhone users.

Finally, that rotating bezel is just brilliant. It is by far and away the best smartwatch interface offering so many more on-watch features and flexibility than a traditional ‘swipe’ interface.

Garry McGregor, Vice President of Samsung Australia’s Mobile Division, summarised

• The Galaxy Watch is a beautifully crafted timepiece that delivers on both style and functionality.
• The cellular network connectivity option gives people the freedom to leave both their phone and wallet at home. You have voice, data, and the benefits of Samsung Pay.
• Samsung Pay is the first mobile wallet in Australia to integrate with all of the ‘Big Four’ banks. Galaxy Watch users can tap and pay transactions on-the-go.
• The cellular model provides a true e-SIM experience so customers can also use their Galaxy Watch when roaming overseas. We believe this sets our smartwatch apart from our competitors.

Yes, the Galaxy Watch is a fitness tracker too

Its link to the acclaimed Samsung Health app means it measures exercise, heart rate, floor count and much more. Samsung Health is one of the easiest and yet fully featured health apps for typical consumers.

Highlights include

• A new stress management feature
• 21 new indoor exercises
• A total of 39 workouts
• Intuitive calorie tracking for meals using Bixby Vision a companion Galaxy device

Design

Galaxy Watch caters to more sizes and styles with a silver, 46mm version and 42mm option in black or rose gold.

• Customize Galaxy Watch even more with a selection of watch faces and straps including options from Braloba, a manufacturer of high-quality watch straps.
• It carries on the Gear S3 tradition with the intuitive trademark circular, rotating bezel
• Always On Display and improved daylight readability
• For the first time, Galaxy Watch features analogue watch ticks and hourly chimes, and a depth effect that casts shadows defining every detail on the watch face for a traditional look and feel.
• Certified military-level durability with Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ and water resistance with a 5 ATM rating

Galaxy Watch Australian Availability

From 14 September.

The Galaxy Watch will be available in Midnight Black, Silver and Rose Gold, in two watch face sizes (46mm and 42mm). The cellular model will be priced from $649 (RRP) and the Bluetooth model from $549 (RRP).

Galaxy Watch Specifications
Model	46mm Silver	42mm Midnight Black 42mm Rose Gold
Display	1.3” (33mm) Circular Super AMOLED (360 x 360) Full Colour Always-On-Display Corning Gorilla DX+	1.2” (30mm) Circular Super AMOLED (360 x 360) Full Colour Always-On-Display Corning® Gorilla® DX+
Size	46 x 49 x 13 63g (without strap)	41.9 x 45.7 x 12.7 49g (without strap)
Strap	22mm (Interchangeable) Option Colour: Onyx Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Basalt Grey	20mm (Interchangeable) Option Colour: Onyx Black, Lunar Grey, Terracotta Red, Lime Yellow, Cosmo Purple, Pink Beige, Cloud Grey, Natural Brown
Battery	472mAh	270mAh
AP	Exynos 9110 Dual core 1.15GHz
OS	Tizen Based Wearable OS 4.0
Memory	LTE/BT version: 1.5GB RAM + 4GB Internal Memory Bluetooth only version  : 768MB RAM + 4GB Internal Memory
Connectivity	3G/LTE Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n, NFC, A-GPS/Glonass
Sensor	Accelerometer, Gyro, Barometer, HRM, Ambient Light
Charge	WPC based wireless charging
Durability	5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810G
Compatibility	Samsung: Android 5.0 or later Other: Android 5.0 or later iPhone 5 and above, iOS 9.0 or above Activation feature for Mobile Network of Galaxy watch with Non-Samsung smartphones may not be available in some countries

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

Valens Quinn attended the Unpacked 2018 event in New York as a guest of Samsung Australia.