Got an S3 Frontier, VERY confused at lack of functionality.

[mpbowyer]

I bought an S3 frontier from Best Buy. I have a few questions.

It doesn't appear my watch has LTE. I don't need it right now, but if the watch doesn't have the functionality, why is it the same price? I've only seen one price $350 for the watch. How do I confirm mine is not an LTE version?

Why is there no map app on the watch? There is literally no way to use the GPS.

I bought the watch in stead of a Garmin for backcountry hunting and hiking trips. I can't find a single GPS app that isn't for street directions. What does Frontier mean to Samsung?

Where is the "app store" for this thing? I can only find watch faces and a few apps in the Galaxy Apps on my Galaxy S7 Edge. Is this it? If so I'm going to return this thing. Within the Galaxy Apps, I see a GEAR tab, but there are no categories within that other than "watch faces" "featured" and "top". If I search for GPS there is no general backcountry TOPO map app that would let one get waypoints to POI or even leave a breadcrumb trail.

Where is spotify etc? How am I supposed to use the bluetooth to connect to my car to play songs using my phone's internet connection?

This thing is being billed as a rugged outdoor "frontier" wearable device for people who get out there. I hope I just don't understand it but I'm about ready to return it for lack of usefulness.

 

[mpbowyer]

Just got off a chat with samsung on their website. They confirmed there is no basically no mapping functionality. Only at the end of an activity tracker cycle it shows you a map. Nice. Anyone want to buy it?

 

[CHRISALLEN3285]

If you want the LTE version you bought the wrong one. You'll have to go to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. As I understand it Best Buy doesn't sell the LTE version. If you want all of the standalone features the Gear S3 Frontier is the one you want. Just a heads up though....you might want to wait awhile to get it. I pre-ordered the Gear S3 Frontier on November 7th and I'm still waiting for it while you have people who didn't pre-order it and are walking into the store and getting it before the people who did pre-order it. I've called one or two AT&T stores and neither one have the Gear S3 available. Good luck!!!!!

 

[comiskeybum]

You failed to educate yourself before purchase, plain and simple. LTE can only be purchased at carrier stores.

 

[ehosey2]

At least for AT&T they were smart enough to price it the same as the non-LTE versions you can purchase at Best Buy, etc. since we have to pay a monthly fee for the LTE service. And yes there was some confusion with the Frontier's connectivity but Best Buy SHOULD at least know the difference. This is not all Samsung's fault.

 

[ehosey2]

Just got off a chat with samsung on their website. They confirmed there is no basically no mapping functionality. Only at the end of an activity tracker cycle it shows you a map. Nice. Anyone want to buy it?

There is some mapping functionality. It is Here maps.

 

[mpbowyer]

The mapping functionality is good for citygoers, but I'm pretty sure the "frontier" is going to belong to Garmin. I'm returning it today and buying a Fenix 3. I can get the HR for within $30 of what I have into this thing.

No thanks.

As far as "educating myself", I've read hundreds of pieces of info, and I'm on the line right now as to whether I thing Samsung was negligent or deceptive with their marketing and specifications with this thing.

Spotify app in marketing material, but does not exist.
No clear definition of where the LTE versions were available. Information may have been available somewhere, but definitely not clearly.
$50 cheaper price available literally on day TWO.
"Frontier" name and marketing with no off-road GPS functionality even available.
Unbelievably limited app marketplace, a search for GPS yields about 11 results, none of which are helpful.

 

[jsk0703]

Garmin is definitely the best for your use case. They practically own the market for that segment.

I'm sure someone will develop an app that does what you are looking for.

 

[mpbowyer]

I hope so, but not sure why Samsung would release this product this way. It seems like a cosmetic upgrade only billed as a whole new product.

 

[afblangley]

The S3 is an incremental upgrade over the S2. But you shouldn't expect a general purpose smartwatch to be able to meet the needs of diehard fitness enthusiasts as well as a product that caters to that segment specifically. For me, it's cycling and I don't expect the S3 to perform as well as my dedicated cycle computer and HR chest strap.

Another limiting factor is battery life. As improved as it may be, I wouldn't expect the S3 to be able to have LTE, GPS, music streaming, and fitness tracking on during anything except the most modest run and still have sufficient battery life to get through the rest of the day. But I'm just guessing, we should have some first hand reports soon.

 

[comiskeybum]

It's a huge upgrade in terms of look.

 

[p1eric]

Spotify app in marketing material, but does not exist.

Yeah, this is crap. I'm looking at it plain as day on their website right now but the app isn't pre-installed and isn't available in their (crappy) app store. Also, why isn't there a smartthings app available? Samsung bought smartthings at least a year ago.

 

[tntsniper#CB]

Yeah, this is crap. I'm looking at it plain as day on their website right now but the app isn't pre-installed and isn't available in their (crappy) app store. Also, why isn't there a smartthings app available? Samsung bought smartthings at least a year ago.

Ohh the Smartthings Fiasco, what a mess. They actually developed an app for Tizen, promised everyone they would have it done, even started taking names for beta test. They uploaded a video showing it working and then bam, they ignored everyone on the forums. They literally went silent and nothing has been heard from them since.

 

[jsk0703]

Ohh the Smartthings Fiasco, what a mess. They actually developed an app for Tizen, promised everyone they would have it done, even started taking names for beta test. They uploaded a video showing it working and then bam, they ignored everyone on the forums. They literally went silent and nothing has been heard from them since.

I would be happy with basic functionality such as arrival sensor and arm/disarm. Even if it required the app on my phone.

 

[scorpiodsu]

For me it's not worth the upgrade over the s2 classic at that price when you can get a new classic for ~$200. I just won't use it for more than the s2 classic. It's intriguing and maybe something I'll be interested in next year. I'm hoping Samsung gives some good deals or promos when the S8 hits to reward loyal customers and attract new and those that left.

 

[p1eric]

For me it's not worth the upgrade over the s2 classic at that price when you can get a new classic for ~$200.

Is there a Spotify app for the S2?

 

[dejanh]

I bought an S3 frontier from Best Buy. I have a few questions.

It doesn't appear my watch has LTE. I don't need it right now, but if the watch doesn't have the functionality, why is it the same price? I've only seen one price $350 for the watch. How do I confirm mine is not an LTE version?

Why is there no map app on the watch? There is literally no way to use the GPS.

I bought the watch in stead of a Garmin for backcountry hunting and hiking trips. I can't find a single GPS app that isn't for street directions. What does Frontier mean to Samsung?

Where is the "app store" for this thing? I can only find watch faces and a few apps in the Galaxy Apps on my Galaxy S7 Edge. Is this it? If so I'm going to return this thing. Within the Galaxy Apps, I see a GEAR tab, but there are no categories within that other than "watch faces" "featured" and "top". If I search for GPS there is no general backcountry TOPO map app that would let one get waypoints to POI or even leave a breadcrumb trail.

Where is spotify etc? How am I supposed to use the bluetooth to connect to my car to play songs using my phone's internet connection?

This thing is being billed as a rugged outdoor "frontier" wearable device for people who get out there. I hope I just don't understand it but I'm about ready to return it for lack of usefulness.

This is not a good watch for back-country. Stick with Garmin. This is basically an urban watch, like the Apple Watch, and with some limitations at that. Doesn't it have HERE Maps by the way?

 

[PookiePrancer]

Just read a review on T-Mobile site that confirms Spotify is MIA. So is Samsung Pay, which is specifically noted as being available on the watch. Weird.

I was going to buy one, but early reviews are giving me pause.

 

[buzzy3970]

Just read a review on T-Mobile site that confirms Spotify is MIA. So is Samsung Pay, which is specifically noted as being available on the watch. Weird.

I was going to buy one, but early reviews are giving me pause.

Whoever wrote the review clearly doesn't have an s3. While Spotify isn't available on the s3 Samsung pay most definitely is and comes pre-installed. Use it yesterday and it works very well even while disconnected from the phone.

 

[afblangley]

Samsung Pay has been available for a while. That's not newsworthy. What folks are waiting for is the ability to use SPay without the currently requisite Samsung phone. And that's apparently MIA.

You're an S3 owner, if I'm misspeaking please correct me.