Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch: What’s the story so far?

It’s almost time for Samsung to introduce a successor to the Gear S2.

The company unveiled that smartwatch last November, but because we live in a high-tech age of annual product life cycles and never-ending consumerism, we’re sure Samsung has been diligently working on yet another wearable for you to buy. Although the Korea-based electronics manufacturer hasn’t confirmed anything yet, there has been several rumours and leaks popping up over the last few months.

Here’s everything we know so far…

Samsung Gear S3: What’s up with that codename?

Samsung’s Gear S3 will officially be called Samsung Gear S3 (we’re assuming, anyway, based on previous generations). However, according to SamMobile, the Gear S3 currently has a development codename at Samsung: Solis. Solis translates to “sun” in Spanish. We can’t help but wonder if that means the upcoming device will definitely sport a circular/round display with a rotating bezel – just like its predecessor.

Samsung Gear S3: What might it feature?

Tizen Cafe (Twitter)

Design

Overexposed images posted to Twitter (and spotted by SamMobile) have given us a first look at the Gear S2. It’s hard to tell if they’re real; all we can see is a round smartwatch with a Rolex-like design, including a metal bracelet and fluted bezel. The images are also stamped with the brand “Gear S3”. These could be fakes or bad Photoshop jobs, but either way, it’s safe to assume Samsung is developing a Gear S3.

It’s also been stipulated that the 1.2-inch display of the Gear S2 might get a size upgrade in order to help make touch interactions – where the bezel control isn’t used – a little easier for users. No other specs in regards to the hardware or design have been revealed.

Software

Details on the Samsung Gear S3 leaked out in early June, along with model numbers and OS details. According to sources of SamMobile, the next Samsung watch will launch running the Tizen operating system instead of Android. It will also have an updated interface that’ll likely take advantage of the same rotating bezel control system that the Gear S2 offers. No other specs in regards to the software were revealed.

Samsung Gear S3: Will there be different models?

SamMobile claimed the Gear S3 will come in a variety of unlocked models. Three of them have been identified with the model numbers SM-R760, SM-R765, and SM-R770. There will also likely be two carrier variants with the model numbers SM-R765V and SM-R765S.

Samsung Gear S3: What about that luxury edition?

Pocket-lint

Luxury jewellers de Grisogono already revealed that it is working with Samsung to co-create a high-end version of the Gear S3. The Korea Herald claimed that it will be officially released later this year: “We are currently collaborating with Samung to develop its next-generation smartwatch,” a de Grisogono official told the newspaper, while emphasising Samsung wants to enter the luxury accessories market.

Keep in mind Samsung already makes a diamond-studded version of the Gear S2 with de Grisogono. It was unveiled at Baselworld 2016. Only 100 units are handcrafted each month, and each watch costs $15,000. We expect the luxury-edition Samsung Gear S3 device to be priced similarly.

Samsung Gear S3: When will it be released?

It’s safe to assume that Samsung is developing a Gear S3 and might even launch the watch at IFA 2016 in Berlin. That show will kick off in early September. We’ve assumed the Gear S3 will make an appearance then because Samsung launched the S2 at last year’s IFA.

Want to know more?

Stay tuned to Pocket-lint’s Samsung Gear S3 hub for all the latest news.