Apple Watch vs Samsung Gear S
When it comes to smartphones (and, to a lesser degree, tablets), Samsung and Apple are fierce rivals. But will that rivalry carry over to the budding smartwatch space? If it does, then we couldn't see two more dramatically different approaches. Let's compare the recently-announced Apple Watch to the upcoming Gear S.
Standalone wireless
We're still a bit fuzzy about just how dependent the Gear S will be on a paired smartphone. On one hand, it uses a SIM card for standalone 3G service – no phone required. But on the other hand, Samsung reps I chatted with at the launch event made it clear that the Gear S is still a companion device.
The best answer we can give you right now is that the Gear S won't replace your smartphone, but it will probably do more without a phone than any of its major competitors do.
Stay tuned. As we move towards the Gear S' launch, the murky parts should start clearing up.
Smartphone compatibility
To use the Apple Watch, you'll need an iPhone (5 or later) to sync up with it.
Since it looks like the Gear S will be less than 100 percent independent, you'll need a Samsung Galaxy phone (running Android 4.3 or higher) to pair with it.
Software
Apple is branding its iOS-derived Apple Watch software as Watch OS. The Gear S runs a newer (more robust) version of the Tizen software that you'll find on older Gear watches.
Size
Apple has only listed the heights of the Apple Watches, so we're estimating width based on the company's official press images.
The Gear S is anything but subtle, with its huge curved screen dominating the front of your wrist. Its main body measures 38 percent taller than the larger Apple Watch – and 53 percent taller than the 38 mm Apple Watch.
Build (main body)
The Apple Watch's build will vary depending on which edition you buy. The standard Apple Watch has a stainless steel body, the Sport version uses anodized aluminum in its place, while the Edition line is pimped out in 18-karat gold.
It's possible there's some metal on the Gear S' body, but when I handled it at Samsung's launch event, I saw mostly glass on the front (again, that huge screen) and plastic on the back.
Band material
It looks like Apple is going to offer a wide variety of customization with the Apple Watch, but all of the bands appear to be made of leather, stainless steel or fluoroelastomer (synthetic rubber).
Colors
It's too early to say exactly how many color combinations Apple will offer with the Apple Watch. But, with three different lines and many color options within each line, it's going to be many more than the Gear S' two.
Display (size)
Apple hasn't listed the display sizes of the two different Apple Watch sizes, but these are (again) our rough estimates. Our ballpark figures have them giving you either 62 or 46 percent as much area as the Gear S' huge display.
The upside of the Apple Watch's smaller screens is that they're a bit easier to pull of fashion-wise. The obvious upside of the Gear's large screen is that you can use it a bit more like you'd use a smartphone.
Display (shape)
Its futuristic design might be a stretch for many shoppers, but the Gear S' curved display is a lot of fun to use. If you've ever used the Gear Fit, then the Gear S is like its bigger, more powerful and more versatile cousin.
Display (resolution)
We only know that the Apple Watch has a "Retina Display." All that really tells us is that Apple thinks it's sharp and of high quality.
The Gear S has a crisp 300 pixels per inch screen. In person, I thought it looked terrific.
Display (type)
There have been unconfirmed murmurs that the Apple Watch has an AMOLED display. We know for a fact that the Gear S uses one.
Display materials
The standard and Edition lines of the Apple Watch will have ultra-durable sapphire displays. The Sport line uses Ion-X glass in its place.
We're waiting to confirm with Samsung, but we believe the Gear S uses Gorilla Glass.
Pressure-sensitive display
One of the more surprising bits from Apple's reveal was the watch's pressure-sensitive display. It will be able to differentiate a light tap from a full press – and respond accordingly.
Always-on display
It looks like the Apple Watch is going to leave its screen off until you raise your arm (like all the old Samsung Gear watches did).
The Gear S will give you the option of waking it with a gesture or – for the first time in a Tizen watch – have an always-on clock face.
Input
Both watches have touch screens and built-in voice control. But Apple is adding another dimension with its "Digital Crown" winder.
While winders on old-school watches kept them ticking and adjusted the time, the Apple Watch's version lets you zoom in and out. The idea is that pinch/zoom gestures aren't a good fit for such a tiny screen, so it fills that hole.
The Gear S doesn't have a winder, but its screen is big enough that finger pinching and spreading gestures should work just fine.
Voice control
Speaking of voice control, we're looking at Siri vs. S Voice. Siri is much faster in iOS 8, and I imagine it will have the advantage here – possibly by a wide margin. But during my brief hands-on time at Samsung's event, the Gear S' S Voice did appear to be improved over the version that you'll find in older Gears.
Physical buttons
We're looking at two buttons on the side of the Apple Watch (the winder doubles as a second button) and a lone home/power button on the front of the Gear S.
Water resistance
The Apple Watch is reportedly only protected against splashes (or perhaps some rain). The Gear S' IP67 rating means it can soak in 1 m (3.3 ft) of water for 30 minutes, and live to tell the tale.
Phone calls
Both watches let you take and make calls on your watch.
The Gear S I played with in Samsung's demo area also let you make calls directly from the watch's SIM card, but Samsung says that this may or may not be a feature in the shipping version. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those details varied from carrier to carrier.
Virtual keyboard
If the Apple Watch is trying to be the iPhone of smartwatches, then the Gear S is more like the wearable Galaxy Note. Much like Samsung's phablet, the Gear S' huge screen could have some drawbacks (mostly on a fashion level) – but also some advantages.
One of the biggest advantages is its virtual keyboard, which lets you quickly rap out text messages and emails. A 2-in screen makes for a relatively small keyboard, but I found its auto-correct to make typing quick and easy.
The Gear S will also support third-party keyboards.
NFC payments
The Apple Watch is going to work with Apple Pay terminals, which will start popping up later this year. Though Android phones have supported NFC payment services for years (none of which have been very successful), the Gear S doesn't support any of them.
Heart rate sensor
Both watches have built-in heart rate sensors. Apple's also has a feature that lets you "send" your heartbeat to a friend or loved one. It might end up being gimmicky, but I could also see it helping to create a sense of intimacy – even if your partner is on the other side of the world.
"Digital Touch"
Similar to the heartbeat-sharing feature, the Apple Watch lets you send little taps to friends, family or loved ones that are also wearing Apple Watches. Tap your display, and your partner will feel it on his or her Apple Watch.
Digital Touch also includes things like drawing on your screen, creating emojis or using your Apple Watch as a walkie-talkie.
Fitness tracking
Both watches have built-in fitness tracking. Apple's is baked into Watch OS, showing your daily stats in the form of three rings (movement, exercise and standing).
The Gear S ships with a Nike+ running app.
Battery
Samsung reps weren't saying anything about battery life during my hands-on time, but the press release mentions a two-day estimate with typical use.
Apple has been mum on the Apple Watch's uptimes and battery capacity.
Camera
The Galaxy Gear and Gear 2 both had cameras, but the Gear S doesn't.
Navigation
The Apple Watch will display navigation from your paired iPhone, including different vibrations to indicate different turning directions.
The Gear S has its own GPS radio (no need to leech that from your smartphone), using Nokia's Here for directions. The GPS also integrates into the Gear's Nike+ workout app, for tracking your routes.
Standalone music player
If you leave your phone behind for a workout, both watches let you store some music on the watch – and listen via paired Bluetooth headphones.
Release date
The Apple Watch won't launch until "early 2015." The Gear's press materials say it will start shipping globally in October. Samsung also announced that the four major US carriers will start selling it sometime this (Northern) Fall.
Starting price
The minimum that the Apple Watch will set you back is US$350. Though the company hasn't broken down pricing beyond that, I think it's a safe bet that the 18-kt gold Edition watch will cost significantly more than that.
Samsung hasn't announced any pricing for the Gear S, but I get the impression that its standalone wireless and curved display will have it costing more than previous Gear watches (they maxed out at $300). We could very well see carriers subsidize its price with contracts or equipment installment plans.
courtesy
by gizmag
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