It was about time Samsung launched a new Galaxy Watch. During the Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung finally took the wraps off the Galaxy Watch 3 and there’s plenty of new features that could earn it pride of place on your wrist.
At first glance, the Galaxy Watch 3 looks very similar to its predecessor with this refreshed wearable keeping the same app-switching rotating bezel and interchangeable leather straps. However, Samsung says it has slimmed things down and given users more space on the Super AMOLED screen to interact with messages, health data and more.
And you’re probably going to need that extra screen real estate as this new wearable is capable of revealing a lot about your life. As well as showing all the usual incoming text messages and calls, there’s also an improved fitness mode with automatic workout detection and a running coach designed to help keep you motivated on your morning jog.
Sleep tracking will check how much shut-eye you get overnight and there’s also the ability for women to monitor their monthly cycles. Samsung has also brought Fall Detection to the device, which will ring a contact if you take a tumble and fail to get moving again. This is something the rival Apple Watch has had for quite a while now, but it’s a nice upgrade from Samsung that could actually save your life.
Gesture controls have also been added so you can stop the device ringing in the middle of a meeting by placing your hand over the screen, which should prove handy. Of course, many of the original features are included with the watch featuring LTE compatibility so you can use it without your phone.
It can store music to listen to on-the-move with wireless earbuds, can be worn in the pool, and includes an always-on display (so you can subtly check the time in meetings without looking rude). The Galaxy Watch also has a two-day battery life, which should mean you can head away for the weekend without needing a charger. Of course, if you do fall into the red without a plug to hand, you can always charge your smartwatch from your Galaxy smartphone thanks to the reverse wireless charging feature built-in.
The Galaxy Watch 3 comes in two sizes including smaller 41mm and bigger 45mm models and there’s three colours to choose from with Mystic Bronze and Mystic Silver available at launch and a Mystic Grey possibly coming to the UK at a later date.
It all sounds impressive but fans will be expected to pay a high price for wearing one. The 41mm model start from £399 and the 45mm £419 – you can buy the current 46mm Galaxy Watch for £279 so it’s quite a hike.
The new Galaxy Watch isn’t the only new product from Samsung with the firm also revealing its latest update to its Note range. The Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra get a faster processor and improved S Pen with the Ultra also receiving a 120Hz display and quad-rear camera with 50x Space Zoom. If you want some new earbuds, the South Korean company has also announced its new Buds Live, which finally bring noise cancellation to its wireless earbud range. And Samsung also unveiled an iPad Pro competitor – the Tab S7 – that has speeds the Apple tablet can’t dream of.