Samsung Gear S3

A PERFECT MIX OF SPORT AND SMARTS.

HERE’S A SMARTWATCH that actually looks like a watch rather than a mini computer strapped to your wrist. Samsung’s handsome unit adopts the core elements of full-blown sports watches, even though it’s primarily made to compliment and communicate with your Android or iPhone. Thankfully, it also runs on its own accord when disconnected from your phone. The Gear S3 health app has a wealth of inbuilt sports and activities — running, cycling, elipitcal trainer, rower and body weights — and gives feedback on your sleep metrics and heart-rate with the optical sensor. It’s pretty intelligent, too, automatically recognising the activity you’re doing, and provides feedback and encouragement as you’re doing it. More apps from third parties can also map your sports, if you want more data. The heart-rate sensor is welcome, and while it only measures your heart rate periodically when you’re not exercising, it was accurate during our tests, in line with every other device using the technology. Because Samsung has developed this as a watch, it’s compatible with any 22mm watch strap. Snapshots of your data can be viewed from the watch, and the Samsung Health app gives more of a clear story about how active you are, and how much rest you’ve logged. One huge positive here is that you can log how much water you’ve had throughout the day from the watch, as well as cups of coffee. It also has 4GB of storage, enough to squeeze some MP3 on there. Downsides? Well, it needs charging every 24–48 hours depending on how active you are, and needs a special dock to do so. Plus, it’s only water resistant, rather than waterproof, so swimming is a no-go.