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Samsung Galaxy Gear
65
Engadget Review
The Galaxy Gear is a fine smartwatch, but it's just like any other first-generation Samsung device: it's a good concept, but it needs more TLC, device compatibility and third-party support.
Brad MolenOctober 01, 2013
Pros
- Smooth and responsive
- Comfortable
Cons
- New ecosystem and limited compatibility
- No touchless controls
- S Voice is hit and miss
- Notifications are a mess
View All Critic & User Reviews
Samsung Galaxy Gear
- Critic Reviews (28)
- User Reviews (8)
- 59AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE28 ReviewsAllThingsD70With Samsung Galaxy Gear, the Watch of the FutureAnd when I put it in its cradle to rest and recharge, I didn’t exactly miss it.Ars Technica60Death by incompatibility: A Samsung Galaxy Gear reDo not buy this device expecting apps to show up and save the day. Taking a serious stab at ecosystem building is one thing, but the limited device compatibility means the only "developer" that will initially be supporting this watch is Samsung itself.New York Times60A Watch That Sinks Under Its FeaturesNobody will buy this watch, and nobody should. But there’s something here under all the rubble.Gizmodo60Galaxy Gear Smartwatch Review: A Pain in the WristShould You Buy It? Only if $300 means nothing to you. If you can drop that kind of money to satisfy a vague curiosity, then sure. ... Let us save you some money, though: It doesn't do enough, well enough, to be worth it.PC Mag50Samsung Galaxy GearThe Samsung Galaxy Gear advances the smartwatch concept, but it's too expensive, limited, and difficult to use in its current form.Engadget70Samsung Galaxy Gear review MobileThe Galaxy Gear is a fine smartwatch, but it's just like any other first-generation Samsung device: it's a good concept, but it needs more TLC, device compatibility and third-party support.Laptop Magazine60Samsung Galaxy Gear ReviewIf you're an early adopter who can afford to spend $299 for a device and platform that will get better over time, the Gear is worth the premium. But for everyone else, we'd recommend biding your time before purchasing this smartwatch.Wired40Samsung Galaxy GearStop, WatchIt’s an admirable push in mobile technology for sure, but the execution — both on the hardware and software side — isn’t enough to justify the $300 price tag. And in many ways, the smartwatch ends up being more of a nuisance than a convenience.AnandTech70Samsung Galaxy Gear ReviewUltimately the Galaxy Gear isn't the perfect solution to wearable computing, but rather a first attempt. It's more a proof of concept that you can own.GizmodoNot RatedGalaxy Gear Hands On: More Watch Than You'll EverOverall, Galaxy Gear feels kind of awkward both to wear (it's chunky) and to use (it's unnatural, although that's to be expected since it's a new type of input).PC MagNot RatedHands On: Samsung's Galaxy Gear Smartwatcht's a nifty little gadget, but I don't know that the average consumer necessarily needs a Galaxy Gear at this point.Laptop MagazineNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch Hands-on: Voice CalThe interface is intuitive, the design is attractive, and it offers just enough functionality without feeling overwhelming. We don’t see ourselves speaking into our wrists much for calls, but it’s nice to know that the option is there, and we do like the idea of using S Voice on the go.GigaOMNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear impressions: Not bad if you haSo has Samsung cracked the smartwatch market with its Galaxy Gear? It’s too early to tell, but the device is promising with useful hardware and software features. Unfortunately, you’ll need a Galaxy device to use the $299 smartwatch.Ars TechnicaNot RatedHands-on with the Samsung Galaxy GearI have serious concerns about all the Samsung lock-in that this requires. You'd have to use all of Samsung's apps to make any use of it at all, so this watch living or dying will depend totally on Samsung's software prowess, which hasn't been spectacular in the past.CNETNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear: Android-powered smartwatch arWhether buying another gadget is the answer to reducing your dependence on an earlier gadget is a philosophical question for another time, but the Galaxy Gear has the potential to cut down on the amount your mobile shouts for your attention.EngadgetNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch hands-on (video)The prototype devices we used were noticeably sluggish and occasionally unresponsive, S Voice is not entirely hands-free, and battery life has been pegged at a full day, at best. Perhaps the biggest setback, however, is that the Galaxy Gear is only compatible with the Note 3 and the new Note 10.1.ABC News50Galaxy Gear Review: The Next Big Thing Is Not HereIt turns out that the Galaxy Gear isn't a very smart watch. Sure, it might do more than the watch you are wearing right now -- at least on paper -- but your everyday watch can tell time faster than the Gear, and is certainly more comfortable and attractive.Pocket-Lint70Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewTo those considering the Gear, we don't think you'll be disappointed, particularly if you're buying it with a Note 3. Get in early and you'll be happy, but give it six months, and loads more apps, and we have a feeling that we'll be looking at an incredible device.Washington Post60Samsung Galaxy Gear, Galaxy Note 3: ReviewFor true tech enthusiasts who want to be in on the first step of a long path of wearable device adoption, the Gear is a solid device. But for the average person, it’s probably worth waiting for the next generation.SlashGear80Samsung Galaxy Gear ReviewAlone, the Galaxy Gear for $300 is a rather interesting – if not downright fair – price for such a machine in today’s smart device market.Mashable70Samsung Galaxy Gear Is Not Ready for PrimetimeThere are a lot of good ideas with the Samsung Galaxy Gear, but the execution feels unfinished and the overall experience is searching for purpose.CNET UK50Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewSamsung's first smart watch looks really classy and has potential, but it lacks some really basic features. Its battery life isn't good enough either, and it only works with the Galaxy Note 3 right now. Definitely not worth £300.TechHive40Samsung Galaxy Gear review: Meet the smartwatch thHobbled by frustrating features from top to bottom, the Galaxy Gear demonstrates that the smartwatch dream is a work in progress.TechHiveNot RatedHands on with the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatchWhile it will show details of emails received by the smartphone’s Samsung message app, for others it will only provide a notification that a message has been received, forcing the user to pull out their phone for more. That’s something that Samsung needs to fix.Pocket-LintNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear hands-on: Time with the new smIf you're considering joining the wearable tech movement, you like to go on runs, and find yourself without free hands to type, this is for you. It seems like a small thing but the convenience of not taking your phone out of your pocket shouldn't be underestimated.MashableNot RatedHands On With the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smart WatchAs far as the Gear's functionality goes, let's set one thing straight: It's not a replacement for your cellphone. It's a companion that connects to the phone via Bluetooth, extending its functionality and, ideally, making it less necessary to reach into your pocket for your phone.Wired UKNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch revealed, we go hanThe 1.63-inch Super Amoled screen has a 320x320-pixel resolution and is surrounded by a stainless steel bezel with screws inset in each of the four corners. This gives it a slightly industrial edge, which is likely to put off anyone with a fondness for dainty fashion.SlashGearNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch hands-onNonetheless, we’re quietly impressed by what Samsung has achieved.PC World AustraliaNot RatedHands on Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatchThe device -- a Samsung representative said they're not calling it a smartwatch, just the Galaxy Gear -- is a little bigger than those calculator watches that were popular in the eighties but its 1.6-inch OLED screen and bright color make it a lot prettier.Los Angeles Times70Review: Galaxy Gear is fun, cool but not worth buyThe Galaxy Gear is a nifty toy that's awesome to play with, but if you're a typical consumer and don't want to throw around your money, hold off. Wait until other devices become compatible with the Galaxy Gear or wait until the second generation of the smartwatch comes out.GottaBeMobile70Samsung Galaxy Gear ReviewAt this time, the Gear is an elegantly appointed smartwatch, but one that doesn’t add much more value than the $150 Pebble. You get similar alerts for notifications while you gain a camera and speakerphone capabilities, but the value proposition isn’t there just yet.TechRadar40Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewThe Galaxy Gear doesn't do anything terribly, it just fails to impress at nearly every turn. We're not sure what Samsung is up to here, as it's basically given Apple an open goal to aim at with the iWatch.T340Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch reviewIt's a brave move from Samsung, to be one of the first to unveil a smart watch but the Samsung Galaxy Gear is more a case of testing the water than the product to beat.phoneArena70Samsung Galaxy Gear ReviewWhen it comes down to it, the Samsung Galaxy Gear is simply trying to do so much in such a short period of time. We’ll mention that it’s a good starting point, but it’s still very far from being perfect.Huffington PostNot RatedSamsung's Galaxy Gear Smartwatch Leaves Door OpenIn the end, it's difficult to justify spending $300 on a first-generation smartwatch that doesn't work very well … yet. Save the money and wait for the next model, or even something from another manufacturer.ExtremeTechNot RatedGalaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear: Release date, specsAs you have probably surmised just by looking at it, the Gear is not a very comfortable wristwatch. It also goes without saying that, once you’re out of Bluetooth range of your Note 3 or Galaxy S4, you can no longer make calls, send texts, use S Voice.The Telegraph70Samsung Galaxy Gear review: my first dayThe design of the Gear is chunky but not outlandish but charging your watch over night in an unattractive charging cradle will just be one of the many features that, for now, makes this feel like a first generation product that is for early adopters only.UbergizmoNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear: Hands-On Review : http://www.The Samsung Galaxy Gear delivers a great user experience packaged in a stylish wearable device that may change the way people use their smartphone.T3Not RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch Review: hands-onFrom what we’ve seen so far the Gear has enough tools to sway us. The camera is genuinely innovative and fun while the potential for more apps is an appetite whetter. As ever what will make or break it will be the price.ForbesNot RatedHands-On Samsung's New 'Galaxy Gear' SmartwatchAt 1.44 by 2.2 by .44 inches, weighing 2.6 ounces (1.6 inch diagonal screen), it’s not the most demure watch on the planet but it is about as stylish as you can get for a watch with a glass and metal case and a plastic band.TechRadarNot RatedHands on: Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewSamsung could still turn this one around, but there needs to be a big step forward to make the Galaxy Gear worth anywhere near the money that's likely to be asked.Android CentralNot RatedHands-on with the Samsung Galaxy GearSamsung tells us the Gear should last for around a 24 hours of heavy use, which potentially means you’ll have yet another thing to plug in at the end of the day.The VergeNot RatedSamsung's Galaxy Gear isn't really a smartwatchA smartwatch is, quite literally, a smart wristwatch. It's a timepiece with a brain, capable of processing and displaying information above and beyond what you'd expect of an ordinary clock. But there are fundamental tenets of the term "wristwatch" that the Galaxy Gear violates.DroidLife60Review: Samsung Galaxy Gear SmartwatchIf you enjoy adopting first-gen hardware, and companies’ attempts at being first-to-market with devices, then go for it. I have to say, if you pay full retail for this device, you will inevitably end up disappointed with your purchase.Android Police60Samsung Galaxy Gear Review: What Am I Supposed ToBuying the Gear is throwing your money at an experiment, and as consumer product experiments go, it's just not a very exciting or ambitious one. Maybe the Gear 2 will wow us, but for now, Samsung's competitors have little to fear.IT Pro Portal50Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewAt the moment, there are few smartwatch alternatives as powerful as the Samsung Galaxy Gear, but most are easier to work with ... The Galaxy Gear is definitely cooler than I expected, but it's not worth buying yet.TrustedReviews40Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewThe Gear is under supported, overpriced and feels like a rushed effort, made to beat the competition and rumoured competition, that has failed to achieve its potential.DroidLifeNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear Hands-on and OverviewThe display is quite lovely, offering up some great colors and viewing angles, although we wish its built-in wake sensor was more sensitive for when we want the device to turn on with a simple wrist lift.Stuff60Samsung Galaxy Gear reviewThe Galaxy Gear is a well-made, comfortable smartwatch that offers decent (if not perfect) functionality as a secondary device to compliment the smartphone resting in your pocket. But it's not without flaws.The Inquirer60Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch reviewThe Samsung Galaxy Gear is a wonderfully built smartwatch. It feels very high end, has a great display and brings some exciting features right to your wrist. However, it is limited in more ways than we'd like, which as a consumer would put us off buying one.TrustedReviewsNot RatedSamsung Galaxy GearSo the specs are impressive and it looks better than we could have hoped, but how is the Samsung Galaxy Gear going to change our lives?Techno BuffaloNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch Hands-On!The user experience reminds us of an old Zelda dungeon, which is to say there’s a lot of movement to the top, bottom, left and right to get to what you want.Android PoliceNot RatedHands-On (And Video) With The Galaxy Gear At IFA 2Could I see it being a useful second (or third, or fourth) screen for notifications, step tracking, and remote control of some phone apps? Sure, if you've got a Galaxy phone and some spare cash. It won't be replacing my watch any time soon, though.Android CommunityNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear: Hands-on with the Note 3′sThe Galaxy Gear is arriving as a companion to the Galaxy Note 3 and will be sporting a 1.63-inch display with a resolution of 320 x 320. And with what may be a surprise for some, Samsung has packed a 1.9 megapixel auto-focus camera into the watch.BGRNot RatedSamsung Galaxy Gear preview: Smartwatch wars startThe problem at the heart of the Galaxy Gear, for me, is that it doesn’t add anything important to the equation. It lets the user access and control plenty of functions on a connected Samsung smartphone, but the user can also access all of these functions on… you know… the Samsung smartphone.
- 76AVERAGE USER SCORE8 ReviewsEngadget Reader40March 4, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Bought the Gear watch when I purchased the Galaxy Note3. It worked for awhile. I hadn't used it for a few months. It would not charge. Completely dead. I even left it in its charger for 2 days. Thinking because it had idle for so long. Perhaps it needed time to charge up. Still zip.zip. was not impressed with it any more.Engadget Reader100October 16, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!We all know that the battery is not as good as we want it but after a few updates it's a big improvment. When the battery technology improves these smart watches will become more popular. The features are okay. This is an outdated product but still does well. I wont be getting another one until I see a huge improvement. I love the meda music player which I use all the time. Phone in pocket with all my music and the Gear controls the player. Someday these smart watches will be as powerful as the current top dog smart phones. They will be our health monitors to the likes that we can not even imagine and the 1st gen Gear is the begaining of what's to become...Engadget Reader80June 23, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader70June 15, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Ive enjoyed it so far, Good and sturdy build quality. The watch works as it should, S voice works pretty, especially if your driving, easy to reply to a text. Overall good wearable tech, the only downside was the Battery life, switching to tizen os did however help that using kies software by samsung.Engadget Reader60May 22, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Scratches easy. Invest in a screen protector early. Battery life kinda sucks unless you leave bluetooth off, but at that point you might as well have a normal watch that you don't have to charge every 12 hours. Speaker phone works great in the car. Hope they come out with more apps for it. Unless you wanna have a fun toy to play around with, I'd suggest saving your money.Engadget Reader90March 29, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I have had the Gear for about two months now, having waited until the prices came down a bit. I could have waited for the Gear 2 but wanted the pedometer to help my training for an event. I really love it... I work in IT so liking gadgets does rather go with the territory though! Having read the reviews I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I could do with it - somewhere I read that you couldn't sync GMail, but you can...and like other eMail you can see the start of the message. When I'm out of the office, that's enough to know if I need to worry or not! I also find for quick phone calls of the "I'm on the train, could you pick me up?" variety, it's fine - the speaker is quiet enough not to have too wide a range of audibility but you don't actually have to hold your wrist to your ear! And I really like the style...I have it in the rose gold and it looks really good, as lots of other people have told me, which after all is the acid test! It brought out a case of envy in a significant number of fellow attendees at a recent IT conference and at least two other women were plotting to buy one :) I should say that I have the Note 3 too, clearly having the right partner device is a pre-requisite.Engadget Reader100March 13, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I have been love with the device ever since i have owned it. Looks great feels great and have been a welcome addition into my everyday life. Works great with my note 3 although could be still better. there's nothing to hate really except the price is a bit steep but once you cross that barrier its definitely been worth every second i have had it on my wrist. In my opinion an amazing device. So glad i bought it.Engadget Reader70October 29, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This is a great watch but I wish it could do a little more and for the price it should. With some updates I believe this will only get better. Well let's see what Samsung is gonna do to make it better but for now it's just a very good watch and Ok smart watch
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Key Specs
FORM FACTOR
Other
OPERATING SYSTEM
Other
SCREEN SIZE
1.6322
STORAGE TYPE
Internal storage
CAMERA (INTEGRATED)
Yes
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