New Samsung Level U Headset, lessons learned from Gear Circle

[Daniel Bright]

I was about to pull the trigger and get a Gear Circle today but then I stumbled upon this:

Samsung Level U (I can't post links yet, I'm too new...)

From preliminary reviews I'm finding online, it looks like Samsung learned from the mistakes it made with the Circle (earbuds falling out, having to use a neck piece to keep it from falling off.) Thought I'd share, I've already placed my order, looks like it's on back-order until 7/15.

 

[kieso]

I just got done chatting with samsung and it will not pair with the gear s and won't read text messages to you like the gear circle does. I'm surprised because I thought all of those options were done by the phone or watch

 

[Daniel Bright]

If that's true I'll be very disappointed, as from what I'm reading about the Circle, it has a hard time staying in peoples ears, and it looks goofy when not in use (the ear buds make it poke out in the front.) I understand why Samsung went with Tizen for the OS, but I wish they had gone with Android Wear, in a battle for developers making newer and cooler things for a platform, Android is always going to come before something like Tizen (just look at Blackberry,) and I feel that things like this could be fixed by software updates that are always fast coming from Google, but slow from Samsung... I'll bide my time until the reviews come out before I decide if I'll buy the Level U, I also can't wait until Spotify comes to the Gear S, give me those 2 things and I'm all set!

 

[Deucesjack]

Just my humble opinion but I love my pair of Gear circle. I think they look great and the functionality is awesome. My work place frowns on cell phone use. I walk around with my Gear S and Circle and no one knows I have full phone capability. Kind of sneaky but hey it works for me. Lmao. For the record I have taken them on bike rides, runs, and walks and I have never had an issue with them falling out. My biggest concern is that there are no replacement ear buds or neck guards available so when they do eventually wear out I'm screwed but hey thats typical Samsung for you great products, no support.

 

[mountainbikermark]

I can see where others got their complaints from but I was able to resolve mine. A couple of little hair bows behind the rear buds solved the movement and the neck piece stretches a little over time so one that was too snug at first is just right now. As far as poking out when not in use they tuck very easily inside a shirt and stay put.

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[BarryH_GEG]

Just my humble opinion but I love my pair of Gear circle.

Me too. Level U isn't a "Gear" product so you'd expect the level of integration with the Gear S to be different (EG: control the Circle along with its extra features via Gear Manager). I wear the Circle pretty much all the time connected to both my Note 4 and Gear S. The part I like best is how well the Circle can tell which device it should use under which circumstances (EG: Gear S when off BT with call forwarding on). The only BT connection issue I ever detected was when both devices and the Circle are connected it freaks my BT car connection out. So I have to turn the Circle off to use either the Gear or Phone to connect to the car (Voice & Media).

 

[kieso]

I like my circle alot! Just the advantages in the car alone make it worth it to me. Listening to texts and answering them while driving and never picking up my phone is a big plus.

 

[kieso]

I did some more research and it looks like the level u supports s voice. I found the official app on the play store but none on the gear store

 

[kieso]

Ok you all talked me into it! I'll be the guinea pig and buy it and let you know how it is

 

[kieso]

Ok I got my level u today and the rep I chatted with was a 100% wrong. I still get all the texts and notifications read to me and it does pair with the gear s. I actually like this Better then the circle. There's pack of ear gels that has this wing thing that helps secure it in the ears better. Getting the Bluetooth paired is a little tricky with the s. Toy must shut Bluetooth off on your phone if your by it, go to gear s settings, Bluetooth, make visible, then tap bt headset then hold on play/pause button on headset you'll see the light blinking then the gear s should see it

 

[Daniel Bright]

Thanks kieso! I'm ordering mine today!

 

[kieso]

You'll like it. The ear bud design is much Beyer better

 

[BarryH_GEG]

I guess how enthused you are between one vs. the other depends on what's important to you. Here's what's available "feature" wise via the Level app...



I'll venture S Voice support's probably the same on both as it's pretty generically supported across all Samsung's headphones; even the cheap ones.

Does the Level U support this degree of notification control? If so, that's a draw too.



Here's why (at least for me) I'd pick the Circle over the U.







The thing that most impresses me about the Circle is how well it manages multi-point across the Gear and my Note 4. Same thing for letting me choose which device takes priority for playback and voice input which can sometimes change depending on my day. Being able to answer and end calls by placing the magnets together is also pretty slick.

I don't use my Circle for sports; purely as a BT headset. Not having the hard plastic neck brace attached allows the Circle to be folded up in a ball when not being used. I pretty much wear it full time in the office as I use my mobile number as my primary office contact. I can't imagine the looks I'd get with either the U or the LG line that have those fixed space invader looking neck braces on them. To each their own.

 

[kieso]

I'll have to look into the last playback option

 

[Daniel Bright]

I hear you about the Circle, there's 2 things that make it a no sale for me though:

1. Having to use the plastic "neck guard" to keep it in place.
2. The fact that each time I've tried them on, the earbuds fall out way to easily, not good for excercising...

kieso, how is the sound quality when paired to the Gear S? My goal for this is to be able to use it on runs or bike rides without having to carry my phone but play mp3's on my Gear S (and then Spotify whenever that gets ported to Gear S.)

 

[kieso]

The sound quality is good. I'm no audio expert but I dont hear any issues. When you put the gel covers on the buds with the wing the buds don't move at all. I haven't had a chance to go for a jog with them yet though because I've been working 70 hours a week. I have been using then while at work though paired with my s using milk and it does sound good.

 

[Deucesjack]

I wear the Gear circle everyday. I'm not allowed to have a cell phone at work but I pair it with my Gear S and wallah I am connected and no one is the wiser. The neck guard does not bother me and actually is quite comfortable. Most of the time I don't even feel it. Never had a problem with the ear buds staying in with any type of activity.

 

[Carole Tarpley]

Can you buy smaller ear bud covers anywhere? I love the sound but they will not fit in my ear, they continually fall out. I am so frustrated.

 

[kieso]

Did you try the ones with the wing to hold it in place? I use them and they never fall out

 

[Barry Pink]

HI,

I got a new set of Level U but it came with Standard gels only (eBay from SKorea)

Anyone know of a spare or aftermarket source of gels with the wings?

Tks