Samsung’s Gear S2 Classic 3G and 4G Smartwatches with eSIM to Hit the Market in March
by Anton Shilov on February 23, 2016 10:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartwatch
- Samsung
- Tizen
- Gear S2
- Gear S2 Classic 3G
Samsung has revealed that its Gear S2 Classic 3G and 4G smartwatches, which were formally introduced last September, will be available in the U.S. on March 11, 2016. The new wearable gadget will be able to connect to the Internet without a smartphone nearby and will no longer be just an addition for handsets, but a completely autonomous device. It will also be one of the first devices to feature eSIM (embedded SIM) compatible with multiple operators.
The US versions of Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G/4G with eSIM are using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC, and although there are many variants of the Snapdragon 400, it would seem this one is a dual-core Krait 200, although we are still waiting for confirmation on the matter. Known specifications show the device running at 1 GHz, coupled with Adreno 305 graphics and integrated baseband capabilities. The smartwatch is equipped with 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB NAND flash storage, 300 mAh battery as well as 3G/4G, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC wireless technologies. The wearable gadget sports accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate, ambient light and barometer sensors to enable various health/fitness tracking applications. The Gear S2 Classic features 1.2-inch circular display with 360x360 resolution (302 ppi density). Like the rest members of the Gear family, the S2 Classic 3G runs Samsung’s proprietary Tizen operating system. The 4G variant is identical to the 3G variant, but for US markets only, and so it's still just HSPA+ rather than LTE.
Unlike Samsung’s contemporary smartwatches without eSIM functionality, the Samsung Gear S2 Classic with eSIM models feature a speaker in addition to two microphones. The new wearable will be able to make calls, send text messages and emails as well as receive notifications without connectivity to any smartphone. While using the phone function of the smartwatch may not be very convenient (besides, a person talking to their watch seems a little weird), quick email bylines and responses on the wrist make a lot of sense. Moreover, the integration of eSIM into a watch is another step towards integration of certain smartphone functionality into wearable devices.
The eSIM is a GSMA-approved standard for embedded SIM cards that cannot be removed from a device and which are compatible with multiple operators. In theory users can choose their preferred carriers, although in this case the standard only supports one carrier at a time and it's not clear if users will be able to change the one originally stored. The Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G in the U.S. will be compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. In other countries, there will be different operators: Samsung has worked with M1 Limited, Orange, Singtel, StarHub, Telefónica, TeliaSonera and Vodafone Group, so, the new Gear S2 Classic 3G will be available in multiple countries. The 4G variant will be available only in the US.
Samsung has not yet announced an official MSRP for its flagship smartwatch, however Verizon has started taking pre-orders for the watch, pricing it at $399 off-contract, which amounts to a $50 premium over the regular Gear S2 Classic.
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Images by Samsung and Stolen Girlfriends Club/Lucire.com
Source: Samsung (via The Verge)
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LiviuTM - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
I would be surprised if Samsung didn't worked also with Deutsche Telekom Group, parent company of T-Mobile, for other countries.zeeBomb - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
Damnnn samsung. Nice watchesKPOM - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
When will a mainstream or flagship phone ship with an eSIM?Notmyusualid - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
As an owner of a Gear, and a Gear S...eSim is a deal breaker.
I roam far too much to embrace this wildly unknown standard.
Holliday75 - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
I thought that is the whole purpose of the eSIM? Makes changing between multiple carriers easier. Looks like more vendors are jumping on board with this which hopefully forces carriers ahem Verizon to play ball and allow our devices to be more versatile.name99 - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
The question is- how many "SIMs" can it contain?
- what provisions are there for adding new SIMs to it?
In other words, when I fly to Indonesia and want to buy a $5 SIM on the street, how do I get the information from the SIM that I have just bought into my watch (or other eSIM device)? Is there ANY provision for entering some sort of code number, scanning a bar code, or otherwise entering a new SIM after the initial purchase of the device?
Samus - Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - link
eSIM is basically modeled after CDMA's activation sequence, except all carriers that support eSIM all have access to the manufactures catalog of eSIM devices. If you travel to Indonesia, all that is required is you contact a carrier there that supports eSIM, or travel using a carrier that has coverage there.You contact the carrier and give them your eSIM "ESN" which like a regular SIM cannot be changed. The carrier looks up if it is registered with another carrier, and if it isn't they can activate it in their network. If it is registered, you either need to release it from your previous carrier, or perhaps the new carrier can release it for you by verifying some security information like the SIM lock code.
Overall it's way better then dumping $5 on SIMs constantly, and eventually, if not immediately, you will be able to manage all of this through a carrier web portal.
Traditional SIM technology has nothing to do with this. It's basically ESN for GSM. They just call it eSIM because it's catchy.
GruntboyX - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
Very nice looking watches. Subtle. Doesn't invoke the CASIO calculator watch nostalgia. Doesn't scream I have a gadget problem.Holliday75 - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
That's exactly what I thought. I never considered one before due to the looks and how obvious it was. I like the idea of it looking like a nice watch that people wouldn't even take a second look at for the most part until you start using it.BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - link
Not a bad look for an accessory. It's far less gaudy than other designs and approaches the point where you could imagine someone wearing one without earning snickers from others when they pull up their sleeve to look at the time.