Samsung Frontier S3 Watch

[Doug Moffat]

I would like to purchase the Samsung Frontier S3 Watch in the next couple of days to pair with S8+.

I understand I can get the LTE version and not need the phone on me. Or pair with Bluetooth and have the phone in the vicinity.

Any problems w/S8 compatibility?Advantages/disadvantages re LTE versus Bluetooth?
Any better watch for the S8+?

All opinions welcomed.

 

[Lepa79]

I have my S8 Plus paired with my Huawei watch. Love the secure lock as phone always unlocked when paired with watch.

Frontier is a great watch. LTE costs $10 a month for the line on AT&T. for me, I would rather keep my money. Don't need to be connected ALL the time. That being said, LTE will give you the freedom to go for a run or a bike and not having to bring your phone with you. Other than that, not sure what else you would need LTE for. My phone is honestly glued to my butt 24/7.

 

[TylerLV76]

I bought the wifi version Sunday and didn't see a need for the LTE version. You can also use wifi to keep it connected.

I returned mine Monday since I didn't really see a point to it. My phone is on me every minute of the day and the watch just served as a secondary notification device.

Good looking watch though.

 

[MikeLW1984]

the gear S3 is a fantastic watch. I got one as a fathers day gift and love it. you can use Samsung pay even not paired to the phone and if u care about S health it sinks with your s8.

 

[racedog]

I bought the LTE version but now I keep lte turned off. I always have my phone and if you're in a weak signal area the S3 LTE will drain your battery alive trying to stay connected. The Bluetooth only version would have been just fine.

 

[bassjo]

I've had the WiFi version of the S3 since I got my S8+ a and it's a really great watch. The only issue I've experienced is when I connect my S8+ to my Silverado to use the Android Auto functionality, (to be able to see on my in dash screen a basic version of what's on my phone) if I shut off the truck with the phone still connected then unplug the phone, the watch will be disconnected... It's a known issue and doesn't have anything really to do with the watch itself, just an annoying thing. One other gripe I have is being that both my phone and my watch are connected via Bluetooth and wifi yet if I leave the phone in one room and walk a few rooms away even though they should still be connected Via wifi the watch disconnects. (I still have a iPhone 7 plus and a Apple Watch Series 1 and they basically connect in the same manner yet as long as they are both on the same wifi they stay connected) weird! Otherwise I have nothing but great things to say about it.

 

[Ev C]

I already carry two phones, one for work and one for play (S8+). getting the wifi version just made sense to me. I previously owned the1st gen Moto 360, which I felt was garbage and the gear fit 2 which I got for free with my Note 7. I swore I would never get another smartwatch. I figured since the Frontier was on sale at Best Buy, and that it was Father's day that I would try it out and possibly return it. I have been blown away by this watch. I love it. It looks great, I have already purchased multiple bands for it, the battery life is close to 4 days, it's functional, and the call quality over Bluetooth as well as the speaker for music is fantastic. I found myself in my back porch without my phone the other day and wanted to listen to music so I just played the stupid Over the Horizon Samsung theme which is built in and it was so loud I couldn't believe it. gear S3 frontier in my opinion is a definite buy and compliments my S8 + nicely. I like Tizen way better than Android Wear. the only thing that is absolutely horrible is SVoice. it's useless out of the box.

 

[Doug Moffat]

The Bluetooth model it will be. Thanks.

 

[Thomasrope]

I own two S3's... A Frontier for my outdoor work and a Classic for in the office and home. I love them. I easily get 4 days on one charge. My wife's iwatch won't even last a day.

 

[Ca_lvn]

I average 2 1/2 days on a charge down to about 30/35% battery

 

[anon(9918034)]

I have the LTE S3. It works perfectly with the s8+. The issue with the LTE is battery life especially if you want to utilize the LTE to say stream Spotify. It is nice to run to the store real quick and just leave the phone at home. As far as leaving your phone at home for a day and just using the watch, not recommended. Using it with straight Bluetooth is not an issue and my preferred method. I get on average 3.5 days on a single charge.

 

[johnmcc0710]

I have the S3 Frontier LTE and love it. if I take the dog out and leave my phone and I don't miss calls or texts. I am with Verizon and for $5 a month it's worth it to me.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I have the S3 Frontier LTE and love it. if I take the dog out and leave my phone and I don't miss calls or texts. I am with Verizon and for $5 a month it's worth it to me.

I'm the same way. I can leave my phone in the kitchen, move around, go outside and if any calls or texts come it gets delivered to my watch. It's nice not having to be tied to the phone if your expecting a text or call. And IMO, the Bluetooth range isn't very good on the S8 or S7, no more losing connection in a different room, watch just converts to stand alone. With non LTE, the phone has to be close by, the LTE gives a little freedom, worth every penny of that $5 month.

 

[Doug Moffat]

Bought the LTE version today. Bluetooth not available at Verizon. Probably for the best.

Certainly a toy which will consume much time learning the protocol.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Bought the LTE version today. Bluetooth not available at Verizon. Probably for the best.

Certainly a toy which will consume much time learning the protocol.

I got mine at Verizon also. Verizon sent me a $100 off coupon for the S3, so I bought it.

 

[dglock]

How big is the gear s3 looks really big ?

 

[alexcapone]

I like Tizen way better than Android Wear. the only thing that is absolutely horrible is SVoice. it's useless out of the box.

Thanks for your review. This comment is what really puts me on the fence. I am a big user of google assistant so the fact that I will never get this feature on tizen makes me hesitant. But at the same time android wear does not support samsung pay which works virtually everywhere. It's a bummer that we can't get the best of both worlds in one watch.

 

[Doug Moffat]

How big is the gear s3 looks really big ?

Big but not bigger than most fashion watches today.

You need screen real estate to manipulate controls, e.g, text messages.

A myriad of features. Makes my LG Urbane look like a child's toy. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Doug Moffat]

I got mine at Verizon also. Verizon sent me a $100 off coupon for the S3, so I bought it.

Verizon never sends me anything. But when I go to Best Buy for Verizon stuff they always seem to have some type of incentive.

 

[Doug Moffat]

I got mine at Verizon also. Verizon sent me a $100 off coupon for the S3, so I bought it.

Verizon never sends me anything. But when I go to Best Buy for Verizon stuff they always seem to have some type of incentive.