[In-Depth Look] The Parts and Pieces that Make the Gear S3 Tick

Bringing together the art of analog watchmaking and mobile innovation, the Gear S3 is a device that has a premium design, standalone connectivity and a slew of life proof features.

To incorporate these functions and features, designers and engineers had to embed numerous pieces and parts into the elegant 46mm x 49mm x 12.9mm body of the Gear S3. Here’s a closer look at some of the major components that make Samsung’s latest smartwatch “tick”.

1) Bezel and Front Case

• To navigate the Gear S3’s circular UX, users manipulate its two-way rotating bezel. This component consists of a bezel guide—located between the bezel and the front case—as well as ceramic balls and springs that enable its 24 detent bezel interface.

• Stainless steel 316L, the most commonly used material for analog watches, was selected as a primary material for the Gear S3. Simple modification molding and tempering finishes enhance the device’s ruggedness and reliability, while the front case’s accentuated Home and Back keys facilitate access and control of the Gear S3’s features.

• The entire front case of the Gear S3 functions as a radio frequency (RF) antenna, a component necessary for standalone 3G/LTE connectivity.*

2) Display

• The Gear S3 is the first model of the Gear S collection to feature Corning® Gorilla® Glass SR+, a material specifically designed for wearable devices to provide a tougher, more scratch-resistant display.

• The device’s 3-inch circular Super AMOLED display has a resolution of 360 x 360. Its 16 million colors, full color Always On Watch continuously shows the time rather than fading to black. The ambient light sensor helps to adjust the brightness of displayed information and works to automatically disable the Always On Watch when users can’t see the screen, such as when the watch is in a pocket or a bag. Users can opt to personalize their Always On Watch with customizable, interactive watch faces.

• Embedded Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology, which uses “magnetic” signals to establish a connection between the Gear S3 and a payment terminal, lets users make mobile payments through Samsung Pay.

3) Bracket

• The bracket, which protects the Gear S3’s components from shocks and impacts, contains a built-in speaker. This, along with the microphone on the mainboard, allows users to make calls, activate voice messaging and listen to their favorite music without earphones.

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies allow for multiple connectivity options to make it easier for users to listen to music, transfer health data or sync to other devices

• Equipped with a linear motor, the Gear S3 is capable of producing a variety of patterns and rhythms of vibrations for ultimate mobile customization.

4) Mainboard

• The Gear S3’s mainboard houses a number of sensors that enable the device’s fitness features. The built-in GPS permits users to accurately monitor their daily fitness activities while the barometer sensor allows them to measure altitude and atmospheric pressure, and detect sudden changes in weather. The heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor, meanwhile, ensures that users stay at their target rate for an optimized workout.

• The GPS also enables the device’s SOS feature. Once SOS is triggered, the Gear S3 sends a call to the user’s pre-programmed contact. Location tracking functionality then lets responders pinpoint the user’s position in real time.

• Standalone 3G/LTE connectivity, which allows users to make a call or stream music directly from the Gear S3, requires SIM card support. With the device’s One Number Service, the call recipient always sees the same phone number, whether the call is made from the Gear S3 or the user’s smartphone.*

• In addition to MST compatibility, the Gear S3 also supports Near Field Communication (NFC). Together, MST and NFC technologies allow consumers to make mobile payments simply and virtually anywhere.

• The Gear S3 is equipped with a dual core 1.0 GHz application processor (AP). Additionally, the device features 768MB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory.

• A larger, longer-lasting 380mAh Li-ion battery, which has a typical usage of three to four days on a single charge, ensures that the Gear S3 works whenever users need it to. And, when it does need a battery boost, a 15-minute charge in its wireless charging cradle is all it takes to get around ten hours of wear time.**

5) Rear Case

• Fitted with a protective, anticorrosive material, the Gear S3 offers military grade durability and has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, which means the device is protected from dust and immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

6) Band

• The Gear S3 frontier is outfitted with a silicon band while the Gear S3 classic model comes with a leather band. The Gear S3 also supports standard 22mm watch bands so that consumers can personalize their device to better fit their own style.

* Standalone 3G/LTE connectivity will be available exclusively on the Gear S3 LTE models.

** Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configuration, and device usage.

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 or obligation.