Samsung Gear S - standalone smartwatch?

[runamuck83]

I'm thinking about getting the Gear S when it comes out. The main attraction for me to this smartwatch is it seems like it can exist without a phone - I think?

I like the idea of being able to go out for a run or to a movie with just my watch but still have connectivity to text and receive calls.

Can anyone confirm you don't need a Samsung phone to use this watch? I have a Lumia 1520

 

[ChrisZA]

Bump...I'm also a 1520 user who would love a smart watch that works WITH a windows phone. Anyone know what's possible for us WP users?

 

[DavidinCT]

Bump...I'm also a 1520 user who would love a smart watch that works WITH a windows phone. Anyone know what's possible for us WP users?

Read some of the other threads on here. The Microsoft band fully works as a native watch(with Cortana). With sidloading a app, you can get the Pebble watch working with Windows Phone... This will provide notifications from your phone.

 

[cocoparkjacky]

Can anyone confirm you don't need a Samsung phone to use this watch? I have a LG G4

 

[xandros9]

Can anyone confirm you don't need a Samsung phone to use this watch? I have a LG G4

I think it's best you hop on over to AndroidCentral instead.

 

[Greywolf1967]

Read some of the other threads on here. The Microsoft band fully works as a native watch(with Cortana). With sidloading a app, you can get the Pebble watch working with Windows Phone... This will provide notifications from your phone.

Not to put to fine a point on things, but The Band is not a Smart Watch, it's a fitness tracker with the ability to tell time and work with Windows Phone.

The OP like myself wants a Smart Watch....to offer up a Band is very much like offering a person who wants a Mustang, a Ford Escort. Yes they are both Ford but they fit 2 different needs.

The Band for all it's lovely apps and wonderful things it does, still can not do the first and most basic of Smart Watch functions, display a Watch Face.
Some have no interest in heart rate, sleep tracking, step count. If the OP like me has a thing for Watches then anything Fitbit like is useless to us with no Watch face.

 

[DavidinCT]

Not to put to fine a point on things, but The Band is not a Smart Watch, it's a fitness tracker with the ability to tell time and work with Windows Phone.

The OP like myself wants a Smart Watch....to offer up a Band is very much like offering a person who wants a Mustang, a Ford Escort. Yes they are both Ford but they fit 2 different needs.

The Band for all it's lovely apps and wonderful things it does, still can not do the first and most basic of Smart Watch functions, display a Watch Face.
Some have no interest in heart rate, sleep tracking, step count. If the OP like me has a thing for Watches then anything Fitbit like is useless to us with no Watch face.

I agree with you, look over my past posts if you don't believe me. I don't think a Band is a smart watch but, a fitness band. Although, it IS the only product for Windows Phone that fully works with the OS.

I personally use a older Pebble (301bl) and I get all notifications with all apps. This works great even with Cortana notifications. In the store there is a Pebble Notifications app that needs to be side loaded. This would work with the Pebble and Pebble Steel (Not the Pebble Time at this point).

The older Pebble is a great option for notifications, It's cheap (Paid $65 for mine new from Best Buy), It's almost water proof (you can go swimming or take a shower with it), the battery lasts really long (I get 7-10 days before needing a re-charge) and it always shows the time with changeable Watch faces.

Although I would love a nice option, with a color display, long battery life and better styling (is it impossible to create a smartwatch that is stylish like a regular watch?) this will do for now.

Your options are pretty slim if your a Windows Phone fan, as for iOS or Android, pretty much everything is open game.

 

[Big Papa Smurf]

Why not just buy a watch if all you want is the stand alone watch and watch face? I have a regular $30 watch I wear so I'm not always checking my phone to see the time... Till j get a band/2

 

[tgp]

Yes the Samsung Gear S is a standalone smartwatch, meaning that it has a SIM card (not the Verizon and Sprint models) and can be used as a phone. Here are a couple links that may interest you:

Gear S Forums on AndroidCentral

Brief review on using the Gear S

 

[Polychrome]

The Gear S is a standalone device. I've joked with customers about it being a "**** Tracey" watch. It does have some extra features if you *do* have a Samsung, but it can be used alone. It is capable of calls, texts, and data.

Edit: Since the above got censored, just think of old comic characters that spoke into watch phones...

 

[Greywolf1967]

Why not just buy a watch if all you want is the stand alone watch and watch face? I have a regular $30 watch I wear so I'm not always checking my phone to see the time... Till j get a band/2

I have a few Watches...all old school and all worth money. However not things I would wear every day. I would never take the last watch from my parents Jewellery Store to work, just for dress. So a Windows enabled Smart Watch would be nice for everyday wear, and help keep my phone in my pocket at work.
Control of my music from my wrist would be an added bonus, as the switch on the stock ear buds only allow play/pause and skip to next.

I have seen some nice everyday face watches at Walmart for around the $20 mark, but none that can control a phone.

So I guess this is what all the Snap Chat fans feel with Windows Phone, whats worse and more heart breaking is there is a fully supported Windows Phone Smart Watch out in the world.....it's just locked up in the Microsoft idea closet to be left to gather dust.

 

[Big Papa Smurf]

After rereading the thread, I apologize. I misinterpreted what you were saying.
A watch that functions AS a phone, not a stand alone "smartwatch". That does sound neat. I guess I've finally fallen so behind on technology I may as well go back to cassette tapes! Haha
As for the watch vs band: To each his own. If I could get a MS Band to replace my digital watch I would. The Samsung watch looks nice, but id be afraid of break the screen on it. At least the band seems to have a smaller screen, maybe I wont break it day one.

 

[Daytona X]

The Gorilla Glass on the Samsung Gear S is very tough. I have seen a person fall onto concrete, hitting the watch face, and there are NO SCRATCHES OR SCUFFS. I watched someone swipe a steak knife across one and it glided over the surface with no damage.

I originally changed over to Windows phone to have it integrated with my home eco system of Xbox 360, Xbox One, Surface Pro, and a variety of Windows computers. But the only thing it has really done for me is sync my Outlook stuff, and I did that before with my Galaxy Note. Although, I must admit that Windows Phone is a lot more fun than the Android.

Now, I have two Windows phones. I needed an emergency phone, so now I have a Virgin Mobile pre-paid Lumina 645. So, I think I will go back to the Galaxy Note on my main phone and get the Gear S watch. Actually, I was going to get the watch regardless.

 

[dov1978]

It's standalone to a point. It still has to be paired up and set up using a Samsung Galaxy or Note phone. After that you can leave your phone at home etc and still recieve notifications from your phone or if you prefer just to and from the Gear S sim number.

 

[FarStrider2001]

Was look into this as well since astoria was announced its tempting since bb has it on sale

 

[FarStrider2001]

Decided to list the app on http://wishapplist.com

http://wishapplist.com/en/applications/view/3504-samsung-gear
figured what hell its worth a try

 

[smartwatchman]

my gorilla glass is not so tough, since have some scratches, but love that watch, it's very powerful, and actually the only one among giants that it is also a phone, and audio quality is absolutely unbeatable