Samsung unveiled on Thursday, Sept 3, the new smartwatch that can call without the need to have a phone. The new device called Gear S2 smartwatch was presented at an invitation-only event at the IFA 2015 consumer electronics show in Berlin. According to Samsung, the smart gadget will allow users make quick voice calls without having to link to nearby smartphones.
The timepiece will be driven by the Tizen operating system. The 3G Gear S2 features a circular face with a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display that provides a resolution of 360 x 360. The device comes with support for Wi-Fi, BT4.1 and NFC (near-field communication) connectivity.
Samsung also announced that will release a non-3G Gear S2 classic for those users who prefer a "more timeless watch design."
The design of Samsung's newest smartwatch differs considerably from its previous Gear S that came out in fall of 2014. Gear S is an oversized device with a rounded-rectangular shape while Gear S2 sports a round face. The South Korean electronics giant has not yet disclosed the price tag for the new Gear S2 watches.
Earlier this month, Samsung provided a sneak preview of its new device via a video posted on its YouTube channel. According to J K Shin, CEO and head of Samsung's IT, its answer to Apple Watch reflects company's most progressive innovation.
The company is working to expand the usability of its wearable gadgets by enabling users to make smarter use of their time and get more out of every moment in their day, by making it more personal and fun, he added.
Both the Gear S2 Classic and Gear S2 will provide features like news, email, calendars and text messaging. They will also enable mobile payments via NFC technology and provide fitness-tracking.
According to Samsung, the smart watch comes with a battery that can be charged with a wireless charging dock. When fully charged, the battery will keep the device running for two to three days.
The company also announced that it is working with a number of different industry partners to streamline consumers' mobile lives in various ways and expand the usability of wearables, including residential room keys, smart car keys, and remote controls to manage a connected home.
