▲ Photo copyright: Regents of the University of Michigan. Eric Bronson/Michigan Photography.

Samsung Electronics, together with the University of Michigan, today announced that the University of Michigan Human Performance & Sport Science Center (HPSSC) — renowned for its integrated and comprehensive sport, exercise, and human performance-related research and education — has validated the high accuracy of Samsung Galaxy Watch’s fitness tracking features.

HPSSC’s Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR) found a significant correlation between Galaxy Watch and the clinical and sport science reference devices’ measurement of heart rate, sweat loss, VO₂ max and body fat percentage measurements, validating the reliability of Galaxy Watch’s monitoring capabilities. This partnership demonstrates how the collaboration between the two organizations makes advanced and precise fitness solutions to more people.

The MiPR studies verified the accuracy of Galaxy Watch’s fitness tracking features by monitoring key metrics from elite runners, including:

• Heart rate: As the most commonly checked health metric during workouts, heart rate measures how hard the heart works during physical activity. Findings show an excellent 90% correlation with electrocardiogram equipment while running, the gold standard in heart rate measurement.
• Sweat loss: Sweat loss estimates the amount of fluid lost during physical activity and helps guide proper hydration after workouts. The study found a 95% correlation for Galaxy Watch in assessing sweat loss over varying distances ranging from 2.5 km to 20 km.
• VO₂ max: Understanding how much oxygen the body absorbs during a workout helps individuals assess their fitness levels and set optimal goals and limits. The study demonstrated an 82% correlation, indicating acceptable alignment between Galaxy Watch and clinical-grade diagnostic equipment.
• Body fat percentage: Measuring a person’s body fat percentage allows for a better understanding of physical health and fitness than tracking body weight alone. Galaxy Watch readings showed a 95% correlation with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) results, the standard diagnostic test for body composition using low-dose X-rays.

“We’re proud to be recognized by the renowned Michigan Performance Research Laboratory — their skilled researchers and expertise in wearable technology give us confidence in the accuracy of the Galaxy Watch’s fitness tracking capabilities,” said Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to delivering precise and insightful fitness tracking experiences through strategic partnerships and advanced research.”

“Our partnership with Samsung exemplifies the power of combining industry-leading expertise with pioneering independent research at the academic level,” said Co-PIs Adam Lepley, MiPR director and associate director of HPSSC research. “Together, we can advance scientific discovery and provide information back to consumers that will enhance the use of Samsung’s technology. This synergy underscores the power of uniting academic excellence with industrial innovation, and we are grateful for this collaboration.”

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Samsung to ensure that innovations in wearable technology are accessible and accurate across all segments of the population,” said Kenneth Kozloff, HPSSC co-director. “HPSSC and MiPR are eager to unveil these outstanding outcomes that solidify our commitment to enhancing heart rate and health monitoring and are look forward to future collaborations.”

The following tips can enhance your fitness journey with the Galaxy Watch series, from setting personal goals to post-workout recovery:

• Body composition¹: Get a comprehensive snapshot of your body, including body fat percentage, body water content and skeletal muscle mass. Set personalized goals based on your current body status and track your progress.
• Personalized heart rate zone: Creating a personalized heart rate zone tailored to your activities allows you to align your health and wellness objectives, and train at optimal intensity levels according to your physical capabilities.
• VO₂ max²: Gain deeper insight into your fitness levels by analyzing how much oxygen your body uses during physical activity. VO₂ max is widely regarded as the best indicator of cardiovascular endurance.
• Sweat loss: After a run, measure your sweat loss and re-hydrate appropriately after each workout based on data​ for improved recovery.

About HPSSC and MiPR.

The Human Performance & Sport Science Center supports and grows integrated and comprehensive sport, exercise, and human performance-related research and education across the University of Michigan. Through innovative and cross-disciplinary projects, HPSSC seeks to translate sport and exercise research discoveries into communities of all types, ages, and abilities. HPSSC’s Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR) helps elite athletes and everyday exercisers achieve their personal best. The MiPR team investigates the biomechanics and physiology of human movement to optimize function, enhance injury resiliency, and ensure lifelong health. Learn more at hpssc.umich.edu and hpssc.umich.edu/performance-lab.

¹ Body Composition is only supported in Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series and later released Galaxy Watch models. Body Composition should not be used if you have an implanted pacemaker or other implanted medical devices, or if you are pregnant. Any health-related information accessed through the device and application should not be treated as medical advice. Measurement results may not be accurate if you are under 20 years old. The measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.
² Accurate VO2 max reading requires running outdoors for at least 20 minutes with GPS on; consult user manual before use.

The launch of Galaxy Watch Active2 4G is a reflection of Samsung’s commitment to create an ecosystem of products that allows consumers to switch between work and play, seamlessly. Earlier this year, Samsung had announced the launch of Galaxy Watch 4G, the company’s first 4G smartwatch in India. With Watch Active2 4G, Samsung has become the only brand in India to offer multiple 4G smartwatches options to its consumers.

“At Samsung, we understand the needs of the consumers. The Galaxy ecosystem has been created to ensure that the latest innovations and technologies are accessible to all. With the launch of Galaxy Watch Active2 4G, Samsung now has the widest range of 4G enabled smartwatches in India spanning 2 unique design templates, 3 sizes and 6 colour finishes. The fresh design language and all new digital bezel UI in combination with seamless 4G connectivity makes the Watch Active2 an essential product for those seeking a blend of style and functionality. to The mantra “Do What You Can’t” has always been the driving force behind such meaningful innovations that help us enrich the lives of our consumers,” said Aditya Babbar, Director, Mobile Business, Samsung India.

Purposeful Design, Tailored to Suit Your Life

Galaxy Watch Active2 4G offers various customizations to match your personality and style. The masterfully designed 44mm Galaxy Watch Active2 4G comes in a premium, solid stainless-steel case with a leather band. The light weight, slim and ergonomic design makes it the perfect fit for any occasion. You can choose from 3 different finishes in the steel case – Gold, Black & Silver. The Super AMOLED Display covers the screen edge to edge and comes with a touch bezel, giving consumer an all-new experience while navigating through apps on the Galaxy Watch Active2 4G.

Achieve Your Wellness Goals

Galaxy Watch Active2 4G aims to enable users improve their fitness levels, by guiding users on wellness goals. The Galaxy Watch Active2 4G comes equipped with advanced sensors that accurately track up to 39 distinct activities with auto tracking for popular activities such as walking, running, cycling, rowing, Elliptical Trainer, dynamic workouts and swimming.

The smartwatch comes with an updated ‘Running Coach’ that provides access to seven different running programs and lets users monitor their running pace in real time. Galaxy Watch Active2 4G accounts for an advanced health sensor offering faster readings and detailed user insights that also maps stress levels.

Galaxy Active2 4G provides access to guided meditation programs through an integration with the popular sleep and meditation app, ‘Calm’, enabling consumers to have access to enhanced sleep analysis.

Seamless Connected Lifestyle

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 4G comes with e-sim connectivity helping consumers stay connected and allows them to make and take calls freely from the watch itself without having to keep their phone around. Users can access social media apps with just the tap of a finger even while they are away from their smartphone. Sharing a social media post or watching a short video clip right from your wrist, Galaxy Watch Active2 4G makes it all easy and simple. The new watch makes it even easier to stay connected through Samsung’s partnership with Spotify. It allows users to easily browse through their music, podcasts on Spotify and enjoy an uninterrupted listening experience. Galaxy Watch Active2 4G will be supported by the country’s leading telecom operators Airtel and Jio. Simply set-up and pair your smartwatch with your smartphone and be a part of the connected world.

Integral Part of the Galaxy Ecosystem

Galaxy Watch Active2 brings the best of Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem to your smartwatch. The Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem is designed for power users who want to do it all, on the go. Once connected to your phone, Galaxy Watch Active2 4G allows users to easily take photos, start recording a video, preview video clips, switch between front and rear lenses, set a timer and then check the final photo or video — all from the wrist. Users can also charge their Galaxy Watch Active2 4G in an easy and intuitive way using Wireless PowerShare on their Galaxy smartphones.

Price and offers

Galaxy Watch Active2 4G comes with a 44mm steel dial in silver, black and gold finishes at INR 35,990.

Galaxy Watch 4G comes in both 46mm and 42mm variants at INR 30,990 and INR 28,490 respectively.

Galaxy Watch 4G and Watch Active2 4G are available across offline channels, Samsung Opera House, Samsung e-shop and leading online portals.

Q. When it came to product planning, what were your priorities and which features were focused on to optimize the Gear IconX’s usability and functions?

Park: This is the second generation of the Gear IconX, and as such we took the time to really listen to user feedback to help us improve upon our first design.

A significant priority was to ensure that the Gear IconX is the best companion to smartphones it can be. We wanted to make sure that a smartphone paired to a Gear IconX would be able to provide better and more features and functions than it can with wired headphones.

For example, the earbuds can store and play tracks without being connected to a smartphone. We also designed the Standalone Running Coach with voice guide, which tracks your workout, coaches you by providing real-time updates on exercise and is seamlessly integrated into the Samsung Health app. In addition, holding a button will trigger voice command and those who have Samsung smartphones are able to directly transfer their songs to their Gear IconX while connected to Bluetooth.

Battery life was another key consideration for cord-free earbuds with lots of features. The Gear IconX can achieve up to five hours of music streaming via Bluetooth and seven hours of stand-alone music play. But even if users do run out of battery, the Gear IconX’s charging case is able to recharge the earbuds, so they can keep on going wherever the user takes them throughout the day. There’s also a Quick Charge function to provide that extra boost when needed.

Q. Were there any difficulties in achieving the ideal balance between form and function?

Park: There definitely needs to be a careful balance between form and function. We wanted to fulfill all user needs and the most difficult hurdle was overcoming the basic limitation of size. We worked hard to figure out how to provide a long battery life, without taking away from the design and size, as well as finding the optimum balance among various features.

Choi: Not having a display was another challenge. The product had to be intuitive and easy to use so that users wouldn’t have any trouble using and adjusting the settings and functions. There were months of discussions and refinements involved.

Q. In terms of design, how important was overall comfort?

Park: Well, everyone’s ears are shaped differently, but the design had to suit as many people as possible and a lot of effort was put in to ensure this. We conducted a lot of studies and sought out the most ergonomic design. Our chief concerns were about angles, ear-comfort, stability and fixedness even during high impact movement, and of course size. Since the IconX can now be used for longer than ever, we wanted to ensure that users had complete comfort throughout.

Q. What are the advantages of using a touchpad? Can you elaborate further about the process of designing one?

Park: Pressing keys requires a degree of force, which is quite uncomfortable for users while they are wearing earbuds. A touchpad eliminates the need for keys and suits the Gear IconX’s minimalist design.

Inputting through keys had to be limited in order to deliver all the functions and features that we wanted to provide.

Choi: Our designers call it the invisible UX – there’s no screen and it can’t be seen. UI feature designers often got together to discuss basic interactions and how to ensure users would intuitively understand how to use the UX. It was important to know how much users can remember and internalize, and how quickly they could adapt to the newly applied touch and hold features.

An additional challenge was posed in optimizing the sensitivity of the touchpad.

When we say “swipe up”, everyone has a different idea of what “up” is. They go sideways, diagonal and straight up. We went through every possible scenario and gathered information through trial and error. We had to enlist the help of hundreds of internal staff in the trials.

Q. How was the sound quality of the Gear IconX achieved?

Park: The kernel design of the Gear IconX optimizes sound insulation and helps to block out any noises surrounding the user. Our greatest efforts were put into making sound output seamless. Since the earbuds are cord-free, and connected to a device via Bluetooth, sound must not be staggered or cut off. We wanted to minimize disturbances in the connection, particularly in underground spaces such as subway stations, where a cord-free product encounter lots of interference.

To achieve this, the Gear IconX’s sound output is stabilized with Samsung’s Scalable Codec, which continuously analyzes interference from WiFi and other Bluetooth signals and adjusts to minimize the impact on audio performance. The Scalable Codec decreases bit rate whenever the Gear IconX senses that the signal transfer is being disturbed, ensuring seamless music playback.

Q. When do users want to wear the Gear IconX the most?

Park: Gear IconX can be used whenever people want to listen comfortably and cordlessly – while they’re commuting or relaxing at home, for example.

Users can really focus on getting the most out of their exercise. The Gear IconX has many features which make it suitable for wearing while working out. Because the earbuds can store tracks and playlists, they can function independent of a smartphone, so users aren’t distracted by a screen. It’s sweat-resistant, ergonomically designed and features the Standalone Running Coach to help users maintain their pace. In addition, auto run/walk tracking give up-to-the-moment information about distance and speed. People often listen to music while exercising, and Gear IconX’s fitness features have been positively received by users.

Q. What has the consumer reaction to the Gear IconX been like?

Park: In the days since the launch, the early reactions from users have been pleasing to us as planners and designers, who worked hard to achieve them. Tech reviews have been shared widely, piquing the interest of the general public and consumers.

Tech-savvy users have also provided insightful commentary on how to use the Gear IconX. Since this Gear IconX is new to the market, their considerations are a useful resource for both consumers and Samsung.

Read on to learn more about the new fitness band’s ergonomic design, robust fitness tracking capabilities and premium partnerships that help users get the most out of their workouts.

Stylishly Designed with Lifestyle in Mind

Featuring a lightweight, ergonomic design with an enhanced watch-style clasp, the Gear Fit2 Pro provides a comfortable fit during exercise sessions and other everyday activities. The fitness band’s Super AMOLED curved 1.5-inch display with a high-resolution color touchscreen adds to the user experience by making messages easier to type and notifications easier to read.

But the device’s design isn’t all about functionality. Available in Black and Red, and featuring linear and geometric band patterns, respectively, its polished, sleek aesthetic also makes it a stylish accessory that blends seamlessly with both workwear and activewear.

Ideal for Swimmers with 5 ATM Water Resistance and Speedo On

A water resistance rating of 5 ATM (50 meters) enables advanced swim tracking and monitoring directly from the Gear Fit2 Pro to allow users to measure their key swim metrics for better results. Furthermore, when users begin tracking their swimming session, the device automatically activates the Water Lock Mode, which prevents its screen from being accidentally triggered when touched by water.

With Speedo’s latest swimming training app – Speedo On – Gear Fit2 Pro allow you to easily track key swim metrics including lap count, lap time, stroke type and more.

GPS and Precise Tracking Features to Improve Well-Being

With a variety of intuitive fitness tracking features, the Gear Fit2 Pro gives users more control over their fitness routines and general well-being.

Its built-in GPS offers precise tracking¹ of users’ swimming, running, cycling and hiking data, including distance traveled, speed and calories burned, allowing users to accurately monitor their progress throughout their workout directly from the device itself.

Automatic activity detection also recognizes users’ movements and automatically tracks activities including running, walking, cycling, elliptical and rowing machine, as well as other dynamic activities such as dancing and tennis after the user has been exercising for more than 10 minutes. Moreover, users can manually select up to 17 workout categories to track additional activities based on their needs.

Similarly, real-time, continuous heart rate monitoring with improved accuracy tracks every second of the user’s heart rate and provides them with detailed feedback. The device measures maximum heart rate² and breaks it down into three zones (moderate, vigorous and maximum) so users can stay informed and motivated throughout the day, whether they’re enjoying a stress-free snooze or an invigorating cycling class.

Because the Gear Fit2 Pro tracks the user’s activity for 24 hours a day, the user is able to not only monitor their exercise, but can also view information about the quality of their sleep as well as the number of calories that they burn throughout the day.

Premium Partnerships for a More Connected Life

Adding to the Gear Fit2 Pro’s robust tracking capabilities are an assortment of unique partnerships with industry-leading brands such as Under Armour and, as previously mentioned, Speedo that help to deliver premium fitness experiences.

Samsung’s Under Armour partnership provides users with access to the brand’s popular fitness apps that offer a connected experience via exclusive features including activity, nutrition and social functions.

¹ GPS accuracy may be affected by factors such as weather conditions, trees, buildings/structures and satellite interference.

^{2 MHR (Maximum Heart Rate) = 220 – Age, Moderate: 50~70% of MHR / Vigorous: 70~90% of MHR / Maximum: 90~100% of MHR}

Mr. Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President, Samsung India putting at the launch of Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro wearable devices

Country’s biggest and most trusted consumer electronics brand, Samsung India launched two new devices in the wearable segment today. Gear Sport, a sleek and versatile smartwatch and Gear Fit2 Pro, a GPS sports band with smart features. Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro will go on sale in December and will be priced at INR 22,990 and INR 13,590 respectively.

Samsung’s new Gear devices have been designed to help users make the most of their day.

With the launch of these two models along with the successful Gear S3, Samsung has augmented its wearable line up considerably. Understanding consumer behaviour that spans different levels of seriousness and activity, Samsung’s current lineup of wearables ensures availability of a complete fitness feature set for all basic users. This also scales up for advanced usage like GPS enabled run tracking or swim tracking along with 50m water resistance.

The devices have revolutionary form factors that offer an uncompromised array of features – Gear Sport is a stylish sports watch made out of premium steel with the acclaimed rotating bezel User Interface. Whereas, Gear Fit2 Pro is a state-of-the-art fitness band with an ergonomic curved super AMOLED display.

Operating beyond conventional definitions of fitness, Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro support a diverse range of user lifestyle and activity levels. The devices mould around a user’s lifestyle with all 24 hours in the day accounted for – this includes activity, sleep and exercise being tracked in auto mode. Driving further specialisation in activity tracking is a selection of in house and third party apps. On Gear Sport, further connecting these moments are utilities and services that range from nutrition management to gameplay analytics for games like tennis to even calling an Uber right from the wrist.

“At Samsung, we celebrate the everyday athlete. With the launch of Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro, we continue to build on our wearables heritage of offering diverse choices to enhance consumers’ unique lifestyles. We have introduced new smart capabilities, easy-to-use features and partnered with leading names in tech and fitness to help consumers go beyond fitness and live an active, balanced and fulfilling life,” said Aditya Babbar, General Manager, Samsung India.

Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro are packed with new and innovative features to support balanced lifestyle:

Cutting Edge Fitness Features

• Industry-Leading Water Resistance and Swim Tracking: An ideal companion for any swim – from laps to playing in the pool – these devices are 5 ATM certified for water resistance. Now, with Speedo’s latest swimming training app – Speedo On – Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro allow you to easily track key swim metrics including lap count, lap time, stroke type and more.
• Top-of-the-line Heart Rate Monitoring: With improved accuracy, the devices offer advanced real-time heart rate monitoring. They help you continuously monitor your heart activity – whether it’s enjoying a stress-free nap or an invigorating cycling class.
• Auto Activity Detection: Automatic activity detection built into the devices is in tune with your body and can recognize the following categories of activities: walking, running, cycling and performing dynamic activities that could include dancing to basketball. Moreover, the devices give you inputs on the whole day when they auto track moments of inactivity like sitting at the laptop and sleeping/napping by poking you into some stretching exercises and giving you sleep quality analytics respectively.
• Premium Partnerships: Daily activities can be supplemented with updated Under Armour partnerships. Both devices provide access to Under Armour’s fitness apps including Under Armour Record, MyFitnessPal®, MapMyRun® and Endomondo for activity, nutrition, sleep and fitness tracking functions – these apps provide users with a holistic picture of their health and fitness.

Gear Sport: A sleek and versatile smartwatch to support balanced lifestyle

Gear Sport comes with AMOLED 1.2-inch display and the acclaimed rotating bezel UI that makes it easy to view information, even when on-the-go. With Gear Sport, users can work to achieve health and wellness goals, and receive nutrition management alerts and activity recommendations even if they are offline.

Designed with military-level durability, it can handle a wide-range of environments. It is perfect wearable device for any occasion so you can effortlessly transition from the gym to a night out with friends. Gear Sport will be available in Blue and Black.

Gear Fit2 Pro: GPS enabled fitness band with smart features

Gear Fit2 Pro features built-in GPS tracking to capture your run or ride with accuracy. Fit2 Pro’s Super AMOLED curved 1.5-inch display and a high-resolution colour touchscreen make real-time updates and notifications easier to read. Drawing from Samsung’s smartwatch capabilities, the screen also doubles up as an effective secondary screen to the phone capable of displaying complex information like maps, activity stats and archives as well as responding to messages with preset replies and an emoticon library. Available in Black and Red, its versatile design also makes it a stylish accessory.

Senior Designer Seounghyun Son (left) and Engineer Sunghan Park

Q. How did you approach the Gear IconX’s design?

Seounghyun Son: For the Gear IconX, we needed a design that would be iconic as both a wearable and an audio product, and would reflect the company’s innovative identity.

When it comes to crafting wearables, too much focus solely on design can be a detriment, and can even cause a product to be uncomfortable to wear. For the Gear IconX, we focused on achieving a balance, so it wouldn’t become too complex, nor too simple. The smooth triangular shape of the earbud is modern and intense, and we shaped it just right in order to evoke the sophisticated aesthetic that Samsung pursues.

Q. How did you select the three colors?

Seounghyun Son: The Gear IconX was designed for fitness as well as everyday wear, meaning it had to be wearable not only when exercising, but in daily life, too. That’s why we selected an understated black, white and blue.

To be clear, the variations are black and lime, white and silver, and blue and cyan. The main body of the earbud was given a muted color treatment and accented with aluminum highlights. When decorating the Gear IconX, we deliberated on which combination of colors would yield distinct character. The combination of black and lime, for instance, is sporty, trendy and enduring.

Q. What efforts were made to achieve an optimal fit?

Seounghyun Son: We measured the ears of numerous people, and they all differed in size and shape. So we focused on setting a range and finding a secure balance with the eartips and wingtips. There was no other way to test their fit but to try them out, one by one.

We adjusted the angle of the tip that goes inside the ear by 0.5-degree increments until we found the optimal slant. When it was decided, we altered the sizes of the eartips and wingtips and calculated an adequate range. In order to improve the fit, we conducted various internal tests, as well as satisfaction surveys with approximately 200 people who used the product during exercise.

Sunghan Park: There were a lot of factors to consider, as the Gear IconX is a small wearable device. For the wingtips, it was difficult to choose the three standard sizes, and we also put a lot of effort into honing the shape and choosing an ideal material.

The rubber wingtips wrap around the main body of the earbud, but they are thin and have holes, and can tear easily after being taken off several times. While a soft material would fit nicely, it would also tear easily. A harder material would be durable, but might hurt when worn.

In order to satisfy fit and durability requirements, the wingtips were given different intensities so that the part that directly touched the ear would feel soft and secure. It was also important to develop the product in a way that would allow it to remain pristine during use.

Q. What were some of the challenges in developing such a small product?

Seounghyun Son: It was nice to be in a position to set new rules—designing a new and completely cord-free product. But it was also challenging, as a lot of functions needed to be packaged in such a small frame.

Normally, sound quality improves with bigger drivers. However, we developed a new, smaller driver that could be loaded into the Gear IconX in order to facilitate both premium sound quality and a small frame. We also had to create enough room for an adequate touch area, and needed to consider how best to apply the aluminum detailing in order to achieve the premium-design aesthetic we were after.

Sunghan Park: The challenge was to create a structure that could fulfill various functions while maintaining a small profile. Structurally, the earbuds are divided into upper and lower parts, but these can become separated when subjected to external shocks, because secure connections are generally harder to achieve in small products. Also, if a user drops the Gear IconX, it will fall from a greater height than other earbuds. We therefore put a lot of effort into ensuring that the product would be stable and able to withstand falls.

Q. How did you incorporate the Gear IconX’s heart rate sensor?

Sunghan Park: The Gear IconX’s heart rate sensor slightly protrudes, because the function works better the closer it is to the skin. Finding the optimal angle and degree of that protrusion required several attempts.

We also carefully considered the design of the window covering the sensor. This process was more difficult than expected, because a change in the window’s shape would require modification of the left and right wingtips and the case design as well.

Q. Which factors did you focus on when making the charging case?

Sunghan Park: We were able to create a slim charging case by modeling its design after glasses cases, with a lid that could be closed after placing the earbuds inside. The lid’s design also required detailed consideration. The case needed to be able to be closed firmly for charging, but if it were too tight, the opening “click” would not feel right. So we found a nice balance.

The case matches the earbuds’ color, and we use a machine called a jig to hold and paint it. However, it was difficult to hold the case with the jig because it has a curved design and its inside also has curves corresponding to the shape of the earbuds. So finding a method to paint it evenly took some deliberation.

The Samsung Design America team collaborated to create the Gear IconX. From left to right: Adam Smith-Kipnis, Sameer Bhalla, James Lee, Alejandro Vallejo, Dennis Miloseski, Seounghyun Son, Rhys Bonahoom and Howard Nuk.

Featuring automatic activity detection and support for a variety of exercises, the Gear Fit2 GPS sports band keeps track of vital fitness data without breaking a sweat. But how exactly does it work, and how can it help you reach your personal health goals? Here are a few common questions and answers to help you get better acquainted with the versatile fitness tool.

Q. What kinds of exercises can the Gear Fit2 track?

Experts advise taking a well-rounded approach to personal fitness, which is why the Gear Fit2 was designed to be game for a wide range of sports and activities.

Automatic activity detection means that the Gear Fit2 can automatically sense a number of aerobic exercises as soon as the user engages in active movements for 10 minutes—the minimum amount of time for these exercises to be effective. The Gear Fit2 can sense up to five cardio exercises, ranging from running, walking, cycling as well as workouts on the rowing machine and the elliptical trainer.

As for anaerobic exercises such as crunches, lunges, and squats, users can manually set the Gear Fit2 to count the number of reps on behalf of the user.

Q. I’m trying out a regular exercise routine for the first time. Can the Gear Fit2 help me get started on the right foot?

The Gear Fit2 was designed for both fitness enthusiasts and casual exercisers alike. The Super AMOLED display allows you to check your performance, track reps and monitor your progress toward fitness targets while also providing feedback to help you better understand what that data means in terms of your overall health.

The curved, hi-resolution screen also serves as a highly effective visual aid, displaying, for certain exercises, handy animations illustrating proper technique to help you master their form and exercise more efficiently.

Q. How does the HR monitor help me exercise smarter?

As you exercise, or simply carry on with your day, the Gear Fit2’s heart-rate monitor automatically measures your heart rate at regular intervals, providing insight into your daily patterns of exertion.

During workouts, such monitoring allows you to keep track of how strenuously you’re exercising so you can adjust accordingly. The Gear Fit2 displays your current heart rate and helps guide you to reach your vigorous-intensity zone—your body’s optimal heart rate range for effective exercise— keeping you focused and motivated by ensuring maximum efficiency in your workout.

Q. What else does the Gear Fit2 monitor?

While your personal fitness is the Gear Fit2’s main focus, its function extends beyond the scope of gyms and morning runs.

The Gear Fit2 also boasts sleep tracking capability, automatically analyzing your sleep status whenever you doze for an hour or more and displaying relevant data on screen.

Additionally, the Gear Fit2 is capable of displaying your friends’ daily step status. Syncing the device with the S Health app allows users to engage in friendly step challenges with rivals. Graphs of both parties’ daily step progress can be displayed on screen, keeping you up to date on how far ahead—or behind—you may be, and adding healthy motivation to your daily exercise routine.

Q. How accurate is the GPS?

With built-in accelerometer and GPS sensors, the Gear Fit2 allows you to keep track of both how far you travel and at what speed, completely independent of a mobile phone.

GPS operates on satellite signals, and connections are sometimes obstructed by environmental variables such as an abundance of buildings in an area or particularly cloudy skies. The Gear Fit2, however, benefits from updated software that streamlines your GPS connection during outdoor exercise.

Q. Can the Gear Fit2 store my music as well?

Absolutely. The Gear Fit2 offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly navigate your phone’s music library as you power through your workout. But it also features a standalone music player and 4GB of internal storage, if you’d rather leave your phone at home.

And with the Samsung Gear app you can even transfer songs between your smartphone and your Gear Fit2. Just go to the Gear Fit2’s Music Player app, change the setting to Gear Music mode, choose the playlists or songs that best suit your exercise, and you’re good to go.

Q. Which strap is best for me?

The Gear Fit2’s strap comes in two sizes: small and large. For those with rather thin wrists, measuring anywhere from 125 to 170 mm, the small strap will suit you just fine. For bigger wrists, measuring anywhere from 155 to 210 mm, go with the large strap.

Both are light and easy to wear, completing a sleek and unobtrusive aesthetic that’s suitable for both the gym and everyday use.

Q. What makes Gear IconX different from other wireless earbuds?

First, Gear IconX is completely, 100-percent cord-free, offering you more freedom to comfortably listen to music or take a phone call on the go than would be possible with wired or otherwise tethered earphones.

Beyond that freedom of movement, Gear IconX also works as a standalone fitness tracker and music player. The earbuds come with 4GB of built-in storage and are equipped with an accelerometer and heartrate monitor (HRM) sensor, allowing you to both listen to music and accurately track workouts while leaving your phone at home.

Q. What kind of information does Gear IconX gather from my ears?

Gear IconX cuts cords, not corners. So whenever you walk or run these earbuds will accurately track the duration of your workout, as well as your speed, distance, calories burned and heartrate, and efficiently relay the information to your ear via motivating notifications recorded by real people.

You’ll also be notified when you reach your vigorous-intensity zone—your optimal heart rate range for effective exercise—keeping you focused and motivated by ensuring maximum efficiency in your workout.

Of course, all of Gear IconX’s accumulated health information syncs seamlessly with the S Health app, helping users attain a more complete picture of their health.

Q. My workouts can get pretty intense. What keeps the earbuds from falling out?

Gear IconX’s inner eartips are molded to fit your ear’s internal acoustic canals, while the outer wingtips ensure a secure grip during even your toughest workouts.

Both the ear- and wingtips come in three sizes—large, medium and small—allowing you to mix and match to find the most comfortable combination for your ears. They’ll fit snugly, so you can run, jump and carry on with life worry free. They aren’t going anywhere.

Q. If the earbuds are button-less, how do I control them?

Gear IconX’s earbuds utilize built-in HRM sensors to detect when you’re wearing them and automatically power on.

From there, an intuitive design aided by voice prompts allows you to control volume, play, pause and skip tracks, manage calls and toggle additional functions simply by tapping, swiping or pressing and holding the earbuds’ touch-sensitive surface.

Q. How’s the sound quality?

While it is true that many manufacturers concentrate more on convenience than sound quality in their wireless earphone designs, as we’ve outlined here, Gear IconX are no ordinary earbuds.

Gear IconX is distinguished by its standalone capability, which allows users to listen to music saved in the each earbud’s built-in storage, independent of a smartphone. Because it’s capable of playing music directly into users’ ears, the listening experience doesn’t suffer from the loss of sound quality due to compression that’s typical when using more traditional wireless earphones.

In short, Gear IconX delivers the level of sound quality expected of wired earbuds, just without the wires.

Q. How often will I need to charge them?

When fully charged, Gear IconX will last for 3.8 hours in standalone mode and 1.6 hours in audio streaming mode. You can easily extend your use, however, with the included charging case, which allows you to store and recharge the earbuds whenever you’re not using them.

So with a single charge of the case and earbuds, and factoring in the two additional charges the case provides when you’re out and about, Gear IconX will be good to go for up to 11 hours of standalone play.

In 2014, Samsung Electronics introduced the Gear Fit, the industry’s first wearable device with a Flexible AMOLED display. Yet, with the release of the Gear Fit2, the company has brought some improvements to its display to better fit your wrist—and your workout experience.

Above the Curve

One of the improvements of the new device is its design. The curvature of the Curved Super AMOLED display applied on the Gear Fit2 is 47.65R, while that of the previous model was 57.45R. The “R” is the measure of how curved a curve really is; a smaller number indicates a bigger curve.

By decreasing the curvature on the Gear Fit2, Samsung was able to realize a more compact and slim design for comfortable everyday use.

“Production processes, such as the lamination of the panel and window, become more complex when the curvature of a flexible display is smaller,” explained Gyubong Jung, Principal Engineer of Samsung Display. “But we were able to overcome this challenge through continuous research and development in flexible display technology.”

Crisp and Clear

The Curved Super AMOLED display of the Gear Fit2 also boasts a screen that is clear and sharp, indoors and out.

The size of the screen of the Gear Fit2 was reduced to 1.5 inches from the previous 1.8 inches, but the resolution was enhanced to 216 × 432 pixels from 128 × 432 pixels. A clearer image quality was attained by improving the pixels per inch (ppi)—a number that indicates the density of display pixels—to 311ppi from 245ppi. Furthermore, the maximum luminance of display, a factor that strongly influences the level of display visibility under bright natural light, has been enhanced by 50 percent from 400nit to 600nit.

These enhancements were achieved by applying the same organic material used in the latest Samsung flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, to the display of the Gear Fit2. As a result, fitness-related information such as heart rate, workout time and calories burned can be quickly and conveniently checked while exercising in the sun.

Thinner and Lighter

It’s no question that AMOLED display is the most suitable display for both smartphones and wearables. Because it does not require color filters or a backlight to illuminate the screen, the devices that utilize this technology can be thinner and lighter.

Flexible AMOLED displays in particular, like the one utilized by the Gear Fit2, can achieve pixels on a polyimide (PI) board made of a plastic material similar to thin cellophane. Thus, they can significantly reduce the weight and thickness of the product compared to ordinary AMOLED displays that use glass boards.

The Gear Fit2 Curved Super AMOLED panel itself is only 0.12mm thick. Even when assembled with the device’s other components, such as its Polaroid film, driver integrated circuit(IC) and window, it is still only 1.6mm thick and weighs 3.4g—a weight even lighter than a sheet of A4 paper.

But what if your earbuds not only kept the rhythm flowing, but also offered real-time, in-ear feedback of your performance and let you take calls, all the while being completely cord-free?

Samsung Electronics’ all-new Gear IconX aims to do all of the above. The two earbuds provide all of your fitness tracking and music needs, ensuring that no awkward devices weigh down your pockets and no cords keep you from achieving your fitness goals.

A Reinvented Design—Music to Your Ears

At first glance, it’s clear that Samsung’s Gear IconX is no ordinary set of earbuds.

By reinventing traditional earbuds through an ergonomic design, the Gear IconX maximizes comfort, whether you’re engaging in fitness activities or simply listening to music during your daily commute.

Featuring three sizes of eartips and wingtips, the earbuds comfortably fit your ears, while three color options—black, blue and white—ensure that they also fit your style. And for those that prefer a bit more subtlety, the Gear IconX’s small design discreetly conceals your earbuds whether you’re at the gym or on the go.

Spice up your fitness routine with your favorite workout tunes by transferring music from a Samsung smartphone or a PC to the Gear IconX, or accessing music through Bluetooth connectivity.

With up to 4GB of internal storage (which can play up to 1,000 songs), users can enjoy a seamless and fully standalone music listening experience, easily controlled by a user-friendly interface. Play or pause music, adjust volume or switch tracks by simply tapping or swiping the Gear IconX earbuds.

For those times that you are on the go, the convenient charging case of the Gear IconX not only keeps your earbuds safe, but also allows for up to two additional charges that begin automatically when the earbuds are placed inside.

An In-Ear Fitness Tracker and More

The Gear IconX is optimized to complement your personal fitness level, whether you’re training, jogging or taking a morning stroll through the neighborhood.

To activate the device, simply place the Gear IconX in your ears. With a tap and hold of the touchpad located on the earbud, you can launch activity tracking and receive real-time status updates.

The earbuds provide data such as heart rate, distance, speed, duration and calories burned through the Voice Guide, even without a smartphone. In addition, utilizing its built-in heart rate monitor, the Gear IconX’s standalone voice guide helps you stay in the Vigorous Intensity Zone for a more effective workout.

After your workout, you can transfer and manage recorded data on your smartphone with seamless integration with the S Health application. Through Bluetooth connectivity, Gear IconX also provides real-time heart rate data transfer to select third-party applications.

Additionally, if you’re training in areas where you need to be more aware of your surroundings, Gear IconX supports ambient sound mode for your safety.

* 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.