The Samsung Galaxy Gear It's one of those products that raises as many expectations as doubts. I'm sure that the day it's launched, I'll be the first to love it, and the first to want to own it, but right now, the new Samsung Galaxy Gear leaves me with some reservations. It's not quite the star device which could be and, to top it off, leaked photos of its design show a rather simple approach.
Saying it will be a simple device is a good thing, saying it will be simple is a really bad thing. A smartwatch should complete many actions as quickly and naturally as possible. This doesn't seem to be the case with the Galaxy Gear, but at least we could expect a beautiful and elegant watch. However, according to the images, the appearance is somewhat flat, with plenty of details and a strap reminiscent of basic sports models.
It might not be the Samsung Galaxy Gear
First of all, it's worth noting that this isn't an official photo released by Samsung, so it might not be the Samsung Galaxy Gear that actually ends up being released. Whatever the watch turns out to be, it's possible that it'll ultimately be a beautiful watch and at least be a stylish accessory to wear. However, if it is as it appears in the photoClearly not. For starters, the gray color is a very poor choice for a device that's supposed to look modern and even futuristic. And to top it all off, it's too bulky for what one should expect. It's not about condensing all the elements of a smartphone into a smaller size and putting a strap on it, but rather about being able to camouflage an entire smartphone in a watch.
With everything, Leaks are usually partialBased on an in-depth analysis of the competition, the Galaxy Gear features a metal body with four visible screws that reinforce a technological and industrial aesthetic, and a strap integrated with the camera. It's a design language that conveys robustness, although it won't be a fashion icon for everyone.
Samsung has rushed
We can continue along the same lines we were saying the other day. Samsung rushed to launch a smartwatch when it didn't even have a smartwatch ready, but rather something they think they can sell. And the truth is, the company works like that, launching things they can sell, not things people actually want to buy. Again, we emphasize that the image may not be real, but certainly, if it is, they still have a lot to work on. A thick watch is seen and difficult to carry on the wrist. Rather than a device that can make us look technologically advanced, it's a device that can make us laugh at carrying a whole brick strapped to our hand.
Now, looking at the consolidated technical data, the Galaxy Gear It is not an improvised prototype: It features a Super AMOLED display, a built-in camera, and a solid set of sensors and connectivity. The issue isn't so much the spec list as the balance between user experience, battery life, and compatibility.
Other specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Gear
To what we already know about the Samsung Galaxy Gear from the photograph, we should add the details already known about the watch and its technical specifications. The screen, which will be the protagonist in this case, It was said that it would be 2,5 inches, But finally it is 1,63 inches (Super AMOLED) with a 320 x 320 pixel resolution. This density, in such a compact panel, offers remarkable sharpness and vivid colors.
The body of the clock has dimensions of around 56,6 x 36,8 x 11,1 mm and a weight of around 73,8 grams, figures that place it in the range of large watches. The battery is 315 mAhIn connectivity we find Bluetooth 4.0 y NFC integrated into the base charging, with a microUSB connection located in the same proprietary charging case. The memory is 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of storage.
In the photographic section, the integrated camera is 1,9 megapixels with autofocus and allows you to record video at 720p/30fps. This corrects the initial rumors that spoke of 4 MP. In terms of performance, the Gear has a 800 MHz single-core Exynos processor oriented towards low consumption, enough to run the interface and compatible apps, although far from a current smartphone.
Resistance is another point to consider: the device complies with IP55 certification, which provides protection against dust and light splashes, but it is not submersible. Extreme caution should be taken in the shower, pool, or beach.
Design, ergonomics and materials
The first thing that catches your eye about the Samsung watch is its size. It's a large, eye-catching device, longer than it is wide, with four visible screws on the front and metallic edges that reinforce its technological positioning. The steel contributes to that feeling of a robust product, while the plastic strap, Available in various colors, integrates the camera and is not replaceable by a generic one.
On thin wrists, it can feel disproportionate, and the thickness is noticeable under a narrow sleeve. On wider wrists, it feels comfortable and feels solid. It is not a discreet watch; its futuristic aesthetic polarizes opinions, something relevant in a category that coexists with fashion.
Display and control
The 1,63-inch Super AMOLED display offers great contrast and colorViewing photos or watch faces is enjoyable, although in bright outdoor light, reflections appear that make reading difficult, and sometimes a bit more maximum brightness is missed.
To save battery life, the screen remains off by default and is activated by pressing the side button or turning your wrist. This gesture is configurable, but not always right: Approximately one in twenty cases, the screen doesn't turn on the first time, requiring you to repeat the movement or press the button. Even when it works, there's a slight delay of a few tenths of a second.
Autonomy and charging
With normal use and synchronized with the mobile, the Galaxy Gear offers approximately one day of autonomyIt can last until the evening without any problems, but it's advisable to charge it every day to avoid being left without a watch the next day. By limiting notifications and optimizing gestures, it's possible to stretch it a bit further, although far from traditional watches.
Charging is done by means of a proprietary casing It acts as a base and adds a microUSB and NFC connection. The connection is firm, although it may feel awkward at first. Charging is fast and predictable, but it means carrying an additional accessory when traveling.
Smart features, calls and voice
The Galaxy Gear aims to be more than just a notification window. It incorporates microphone and speaker to accept, reject, and make calls from your wrist. Samsung's recommended gesture is to hold the watch to your ear with your wrist facing inward; this may look awkward in public, but audio quality surprising for such a small device.
For voice control, use S Voice. You can perform basic commands like “call…” or “send a message to…”, although your natural language processing is limited compared to what anyone would want on a daily basis. Yet, it solves simple use cases without taking out your phone.
Notifications and app ecosystem
The watch displays notifications from multiple apps, with special integration into native apps (calls, SMS, Samsung email). However, there are limitations with third-party apps: in some cases, it displays generic notifications without content (for example, subject and sender in Gmail, mentions on Twitter) or they do not even reach the wrist (like certain versions of WhatsApp), forcing us to open the phone.
On the plus side, the Galaxy Gear includes pedometer and quantification apps; it integrates with Evernote to capture ideas by voice or video directly from the watch; and it has apps like Line, RunKeeper, and Pocket, which extend its real-world utility without having to constantly rely on your phone.
Camera: fast, curious and with limits
The 1,9 MP camera with autofocus allows you to take HD photos and video very quickly from the wrist, useful for spontaneous captures. However, the shutter release emits an audible sound by default, and framing requires practice. For video, 720p/30fps is fine, but the 4GB storage invites you to moderate the length of the recordings.
Compatibility and price
The Galaxy Gear is designed to function as smartphone accessory And, to start with, it's more compatible with Samsung's high-end models (Galaxy and Note). Paired, you get the most out of notifications, S Voice, and the watch's app store.
In positioning, the clock was placed with a price of EUR 299 at its launch, competing at the top of the segment, although could be loweredIf you're considering a purchase, it's best to try it on in a store to see how the size fits and to see if the fit fits with your daily routine.
Information is missing
I've been heavily critical of the Samsung Galaxy Gear. But the truth is, for me it's one of the most anticipated releases, even more so than other products with a secondary role. Only the iPhone, given how important it would be for Apple and the Android universe, seems to have more relevance than a device that could become a new paradigm. That said, I must admit that the criticism is based on a lack of information, and that later, official data The watch's design could lead me to completely change my opinion. In fact, it's likely that Samsung, while not having made a perfect watch, will launch an interesting smartwatch, and even will stop using Android, so you'll have to keep a close eye on its presentation. By the way, you can follow it live on Android Help.
The Galaxy Gear makes its virtues clear —Live screen, calls from the wrist, robustness, the resolving chamber—and also its pending obligations—autonomy of only one day, Improved third-party notifications, dependence on a proprietary charger, and a large design that doesn't fit every wrist. If Samsung refines the software and expands compatibility, it has the foundation to become a benchmark in the category.
