Huawei Watch 2 preview: Fitness first for smartwatch sequel

When Huawei launched its original Watch in the UK it was in association with GQ, the men’s lifestyle brand. The Chinese maker’s desire to push its fashion-forward smartwatch to an image conscious crowd was clear. Thing is, the Watch, despite its glitzy image from afar, simply felt too chunky to wear and lacked all the mod cons when it came to features.

It’s no surprise that Huawei is back for round two with the Huawei Watch 2, but the approach has changed: the new wearable comes in Classic and Sport varieties, with the focus being a little more fitness-forward than before.

We got the briefly handle both versions of the Watch 2 ahead of the official unveil at the Huawei conference at Mobile World Congress 2017 to see if they’re the Android Wear 2.0 devices to desire.

Huawei Watch 2 review: Design and features

• Classic and Sport options
• 45mm diameter
• 1.2in round screen
• 18mm standard band

What we always did like about the original Huawei Watch was its round display. There was none of the “black bar” nonsense slicing through the bottom of it, like with the Moto 360, for a truly round appearance. That carries through into the Watch 2: with a 1.2inch, 390-pixel square resolution panel leading the way.

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The obvious difference, as we outlined at the beginning, is that the Watch 2 comes in Class and Sport flavours. The former comes with a leather strap, in grey or black, and looks suave in its stainless steel finish; the latter device comes with a sports strap, its plastic shell dressed in orange, and looks altogether more budget for it – it’s the one for the runners out there.

The strap is flexible, but we’re not sure why it’s only available in orange. The clasps on the underside ought to mean other options are available – it’s the same quick-release, 18mm standard strap mechanism as per the original Watch – but you’ll still be stuck with the orange main shell finish with the Sport version.

Huawei Watch 2 review: Fitness focus

• GPS tracking
• IP68 weather-resistant
• 4G option (for Sport)
• Built-in heart-rate sensor

Both the devices, however, are fitness focused: their ‘Fat-burning’ and ‘Cardio run’ exercise modes are focused on exactly what they say, with the built-in heart-rate sensor acting as the main measure for fitness. We hope it’s more accurate this time around, as we didn’t get on with the one in the original Watch that well.

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Key to the Watch 2 is its meatier specification. With GPS on board you needn’t faff about with a phone to record your exercise, which was a major criticism of the original device. The Sport will also come in an optional 4G flavour for on-the-go mobile connectivity (the Classic doesn’t offer this). Both offer 2GB internal storage so you can listen to music – the 4G connection of the Sport will mean you can install relevant Android Wear apps for live streaming too.

The modes focus on calories burned, speed, step frequency/cadence and heart-rate, which can be viewed in real-time, plus shown in training reports after. Such reports, we were shown, can plug into your personal training plan, so you can create your own targets, calculate recovery time, training affect (TE, as Huawei calls it) and VO2 max. It’s all rather detailed and all rather sporty.

Huawei Watch 2 review: Software and battery

• Android Wear 2.0
• NFC built-in (Android Pay)
• Two-button design (no crown control)
• 420mAh battery capacity

Android Wear 2.0 is making inroads in 2017; the latest version of Google’s wearable operating system adds more accessible methods of control – with the inclusion of rotational crown-based operation being one obvious new interaction.

But not with the Watch 2. For some reason Huawei has opted for a two-button design, positioned on the right side, to make selections when not using the touchscreen. There’s no rotational crown like with the LG Watch Style. More bizarre is that the Classics two buttons both rotate – but doing so does nothing (and Huawei couldn’t tell us why). Early product, we suspect, so will be interested to see how this evolves.

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The big deal about Android Wear 2.0 is the ability to add individual apps, so we expect both Watch 2 devices will be highly personalisable. There’s also Google Assistant for voice control, plus built-in NFC means Android Pay will be available this time around from the off.

In terms of longevity the on-board battery will last for 11-hours when being used non-stop with GPS and heart-rate tracking, so it’s marathon-ready. Huawei expects two days of life for normal users, including exercise sessions, or three days for the non-4G version.

There’s also a special ‘More’ mode which simplifies the device to display only time and step-tracking, with other features disabled, which can last for 26-days. Wear it how you will.

First Impressions

Huawei has been sensible with its Watch 2 choices. The boost in features means its potentially perfect for runners or smartwatch seeking fans alike, with Android Wear 2.0 allowing far greater control and personalisation without digging in quite as deep as, say, an Apple Watch.

The key thing that will either make of break it, however, is how it feels to wear for longer periods of time. The fully round screen and style are on point, but the chunky design, once again, be the point that presses the wrong button for people. We’ll have to wait and see.

The Huawei Watch 2 has no official price or release date just yet. We’ll be updating this preview with the latest information from Huawei’s press conference at Mobile World Congress 2017.

Samsung launches Galaxy Tab S3 premium Android tablet with S Pen stylus

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to keep their new products under wraps until the official unveiling, and Samsung especially is no exception.

The South Korean tech giant has officially unveiled the heavily leaked Galaxy Tab S3 today at Mobile World Congress, and it looks to be a serious contender to the Apple iPad.

• Mobile World Congress 2017: Nokia, LG, Sony, Huawei, smartphones and more

The Galaxy Tab S3 has a 9.7in 2048×1536 Super AMOLED display, that not only supports 4K content, but HDR as well. It runs on a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB of RAM and Vulcan API graphics for enhanced gaming performance. You get 32GB of internal storage and this can be expanded up to 256GB via microSD card. Around the back you’ll find a 13MP camera with autofocus and a 5MP camera on the front complete with flash.

Samsung has also taken full advantage of its recent acquisition of Harman by employing speakers tuned by AKG; one of its audio subsidiaries.

Just as we saw from a leaked user manual, the Galaxy Tab S3 supports, and comes supplied with an S Pen stylus for the firtest time. There’s no port for it, as it’s a separate accessory, but the stylus will work with other Samsung products that support the S Pen’s functions, such as the Note family of smartphones.

The keyboard dock connector that was previously rumoured has made an appearance, too, and this allows a keyboard to be magnetically connected, rather than rely on Bluetooth. Samsung has also made a range of folio cases to help protect the tablet.  

Other specs include a 6,000mAh battery with Fast Charging technology, 4K video recording and Android 7.0 Nougat. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 will be available to pre-order from 17 March and will hit stores on 31 March.

Samsung Galaxy Book is two sizes of full Windows experience with a keyboard, throw your laptop away

Samsung has taken the wraps off two new tablets at Mobile World Congress: the Galaxy Tab S3 and this, the Galaxy Book, which is fully set on replacing your laptop.

It’s offered in two sizes; 10.6in and 12in, the latter delivering more premium specs and comes supplied with a detachable keyboard so you can easily switch between laptop and tablet modes. Samsung envisages professionals using the Galaxy Book not only as a main computer at home, but on-the-go as well. 

The 10.6in model has a full HD TFT display, a 2.6GHz, 7th Gen Intel Core m3 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB and 128GB storage options. Both can be expanded up to 256GB via microSD card. The built-in 30.4W rechargeable battery claims to last for up to 10 hours depending on usage, and like the Tab S3, can be used with an S Pen stylus.

The 12in version of the Galaxy Book meanwhile has a 2160 x 1440 Super AMOLED display and a 3.1GHz 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with either 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, or 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD, making it more than capable of becoming a laptop replacement. You also get a 39W battery which promises to be good for up to 10.5 hours.

• Mobile World Congress 2017: Nokia, LG, Sony, Huawei, smartphones and more

The 12in Galaxy Book as a 13MP rear-facing camera with autofocus and a 5MP one on the front, while the 10.6in makes do with just a 5MP front-facing camera and both support USB Type C, but the 12in gets two ports compared to the 10.6in’s one. Samsung’s proprietary software S Pen software functions, including Air Command, Samsung Notes and Samsung Flow are supported across both models.

A price and release date for the Galaxy Book is still to be confirmed.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 preview: Built to be an entertainment powerhouse

Tablets have been experiencing something of a drought. In 2016 there were few Android tablet launches, as the segment appeared to stumble: not just Android either, Apple also slowed down on the iPad, switching direction to offer Pro models. 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, then, isn’t just A N Other tablet, the sort of thing that was churned out by the dozen in 2015. The Galaxy Tab S3 plays to the segment of tablet that is still making growth and that’s tablets that offer something more, doing something that your phone won’t do. 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is designed to be a hardcore entertainment tablet, packed with potency to give you an experience that sets it in a position that’s slightly better than the rest. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 preview: Design and build

• Metal core with glass back
• 237.3 x 169 x 6mm, 429g
• 4:3 aspect ratio

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 offers immediately recognisable design. This is a Galaxy tablet and the general layout of controls and home button matches that which you’ll find on the company’s smartphones, from the front at least.

However, flip this tablet over and things are a little different. This isn’t all metal, although there’s a metal core to the Tab S3 that fuses the front and rear together, but the back is glass.

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There’s a quality fit and finish to this tablet, matching its premium positioning. It is not the lightest tablet around, weighing in at 429g (Wi-Fi, 434g LTE), but it’s a typical weight for a 9.7-inch device, fractionally lighter than the iPad Pro.

It is a slim tablet, however, and at 6mm, it’s about as skinny as you want to go. Measuring 237.3 x 169mm, Samsung hasn’t removed the bezels, so there’s still space to grip your tablet when using it, especially at the to and bottom (in portrait) giving good handholdability when gaming or watching movies in landscape.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 preview: Hardware and display

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage + microSD
• 6000mAh battery
• 9.7-inch, 2048 x 1536 AMOLED HDR display
• AKG quad stereo speakers
• Wi-Fi and LTE versions

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, the Tab S3 isn’t a watered down tablet. It’s powered by the chipset that most of 2016’s flagship smartphones carry, and it’s backed up by 4GB RAM and 32GB of storage. There’s also microSD card support, so you’ll be able to add plenty of your own content.

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Samsung told us that the Tab S3 was built for entertainment without compromise, so not only is this a hugely powerful tablet, capable of playing the latest games, it’s also equipped with a stunning display.

The 2048 x 1536 resolution is perhaps to be expected, and Samsung sticks to its favoured AMOLED technology, meaning it’s plenty vibrant too. We only had the chance to have a brief look at the new Tab S3, but we’ve seen Samsung pull off this trick before: the display looks great.

What’s perhaps more unique – and fits the notion of “going beyond” is the support for HDR. HDR has been tearing through the TV industry, the big trend of 2016 and 2017, with widening the colour gamut available on screens and giving greater contrast, pushing peak brightness to make games and movies even more engaging.

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This was something that Samsung started with the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7, but now we’re looking at a great HDR display on a tablet, ready to serve you content from the likes of Amazon Video. We watched a brief trailer and have to say this is an exciting step, perfect for those who want to watch TV or movies in bed, but not forego the latest tech trend. 

• What is HDR, what TVs support HDR, and what HDR content can I watch?

We didn’t have the chance to test the performance of this tablet in the time we’ve spent with it, but with a number of Snapdragon 820 smartphones having passed through our hands, we’re confident the experience will be a good one.

Then there’s the 6000mAh battery. It’s big, as you’d expect for a tablet, but if there’s one thing we know about HDR tech on TVs, it’s a bigger power consumer than regular SDR (standard dynamic range). Of course, we’ll put this all to the test closer to launch. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 preview: Software and S Pen

• Android Nougat with TouchWiz
• Samsung Flow
• S Pen included

As you might expect, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 comes with the full TouchWiz working, sitting over the top of Android Nougat, giving you the latest of Android, enhanced by the many additions that Samsung makes.

We haven’t had the chance to fully explore everything that’s on offer, but a quick glance through the apps and menus reveals that this is about as far removed visually from the stock Android. That’s what we expect from Samsung and we have to say that if anyone has mastered the Android reworking, it’s Samsung.

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New to the collection is a new feature called Samsung Flow. This is a new system that’s designed to bridge devices, making it easier to work across platforms. It makes perfect sense, as Samsung has Android, Windows and Tizen devices. The idea of Flow is to let you get your notifications from your Android phone on your Windows tablet – like the new Galaxy Book – and so on. We’ve not had a chance to fully explore its offerings, but it looks like a convenient solution for those working within an ecosystem of different software platforms. 

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One of the big additions to the Tab S3 is S Pen. This isn’t the old faithful from the Note family, it’s a new device like the Apple Pencil. The new S Pen is included in the box and takes a form factor that’s very like a pen, rather than the integrated stylus you’ll know from the Galaxy Note.

It boasts some impressive specs too, offering a wide range of pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, as well as all those software functions offered on the Note too. You can draw on the standby screen, you can smart select, copy, paste and a whole lot more.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 preview: Cases and keyboards

• Book covers
• Keyboard covers

There’s also a range of accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. There is a choice of three colours of book covers, which magnetically attach to the Tab S3 and give you a range of position options, so that you can watch or write on the display of your tablet using the new S Pen.

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Then there is the new keyboard cover. This will give you a full keyboard so that you can get to work and be a little more productive with your tablet. This is an optional extra, but if you’re looking for an Android tablet to cross over into work too – perhaps as an alternative to the Google Pixel C – then the Tab S3 has you covered.

The keyboard has been designed to give you a good typing feeling, with good travel to the keys. It’s not as nice as the keyboard on the Windows alternative, the Galaxy Book, but it’s a great addition for those who need to work and travel light.

First Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 looks like a welcome addition to a sector of the market that’s been feeling a little neglected lately. This is a premium Android tablet, designed to be a performance powerhouse, whether that’s gaming, watching the latest movies – in the latest formats – or just getting productive with your Android tablet.

Samsung has added loads of functionality to this tablet and packed it into a package that’s slim and well build, if a little predictably designed.

What we don’t currently know is the price of this tablet. We suspect it’s going to be expensive, matching its packed spec sheet. 

What we do know is that pre-orders are opening up 17 March in the UK and that it will be available from 31 March.

New Samsung Gear VR headset coming with dedicated controller

Samsung has announced a new version of its Gear VR headset, again designed by Oculus for mobile virtual reality apps and gaming.

Shown on stage at the company’s Mobile World Congress press conference, the new Gear VR comes with a dedicated, wireless controller. It features a one-handed, ergonomic design with a touchpad to restrict head movement and ensure a more comfortable experience.

The headset itself comes with two 42mm lenses with 101-degree field of view and “advanced distortion correction technology” which, Samsung says, “minimises motion sickness”.

Like before, it hosts an accelerometer, gryometer and proximity sensor. The rest of the functions are handled by a smartphone.

The headset is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge.

• Samsung launches Galaxy Tab S3 premium Android tablet with S Pen stylus
• Samsung Galaxy Book is two sizes of full Windows experience with a keyboard, throw your laptop away
• Mobile World Congress 2017: Nokia, LG, Sony, Huawei, smartphones and more

“At Samsung, we are focused on setting and exceeding the standard for VR experiences, making them even more accessible and delivering the highest in quality,” said YH Lee, executive vice president of mobile communications at Samsung.

“The Gear VR with controller expands our VR ecosystem to help consumers get more engaged and immersed in VR content – whether it’s games or videos.”

Price and release details for the new Gear VR with controller are yet to be revealed.

After Math: Oh, balls

It was a stellar week for spheroids, both the physical and metaphorical varieties. NASA discovered seven new planets (three of which are habitable) just 40 light years away. Ants on golf balls are teaching scientists about insectoid navigation skills. Facebook wants to be a sports broadcaster and the NBA hopes that VR will help revolutionize the game. Numbers, because that’s how we keep score.

Motorola and Amazon will bake Alexa into Moto Mods and phones

You just can’t stop Alexa. According to Amazon and Motorola representatives here at Mobile World Congress, the two companies have teamed up to explore ways to bring Amazon’s voice-controlled assistant onto Motorola hardware. Amazon’s Jon Kirk took the stage to run through a a very short concept video in which a Moto phone was connected to a Harman Kardon-made speaker Mod that doubled as an Amazon Echo.

That’s not all, either: we’re also told that Alexa support will be baked into “most” Motorola devices going forward, and that shift is expected to being later this year. Motorola isn’t first to make this sort of announcement — Huawei did the same back at CES — but it’s pretty clear Alexa is quickly becoming the voice assistant of choice for device makers who would rather avoid the soon-to-be-ubiquitous Google Assistant.

The presentation was light on the really juicy Alexa details, but we wonder if the 5th-generation Moto G Plus — which was also officially unveiled today — will be the first Moto device to get the Amazon treatment. (The Moto G5 isn’t coming to the US and is therefore an unlikely choice.)

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

Nokia’s fresh start hinges on these Android phones

For years, people have wondered what an Android-powered Nokia phone would look like. The company’s trademark design prowess, matched with Google’s software and stellar app support. A match made in heaven, right? Well, after all these years, we can finally find out. Sort of. HMD Global, a Finnish startup, has made four smartphones on Nokia’s behalf. One of them, the Nokia 6, was announced at CES, while the other three are completely new. All of them will launch in the second quarter of 2017, with “global” availability through more than 500 retailers and carriers.

The cheapest and most cheerful is the Nokia 3. The €139 (roughly $147) handset has a 5-inch, 720p display and a MediaTek MT6737 processor buried inside. With 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a 2650mAh battery, it’s not the most thrilling spec sheet. But Nokia says it’s paid attention to the details, crafting a device that transcends its modest components. How? Well for one, it runs stock Android. Nokia has added some custom wallpapers and ring tones, but otherwise it’s the same software experience you would find on a Nexus or Pixel. No annoying skin, no unnecessary apps. Just Android Nougat and the promise of speedy software updates.

The Nokia 3 is also good looking. The frame has been forged from a single piece of aluminium, with softly rounded corners and a discrete, bump-free camera housing on the back. It’s not as bright or boisterous as the Lumia phones of old, but it still looks and feels like a Nokia. HMD says it wanted the “hand feel, reliability and robustness” that previous Nokia phones were known for. Nothing superfluous, just good Scandinavian design, where “there is a purpose behind everything single detail.” In a sea of cheap and mostly forgettable Android phones, it could prove all the difference.

If you have a little more money to spend, there’s the €189 (roughly $200) Nokia 5. It’s a noticeably more powerful package, running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor. You’re stuck with 2GB of RAM, but it’s enough to make launching and switching apps feel just a tad snappier. With 16GB of internal storage, you’ll want to take advantage of the microSD slot, which supports cards up to 128GB. The 5.2-inch, 720p display is serviceable, and the 3000mAh battery should keep you going all day.

The Nokia 5 has a 13-megapixel camera on the back and an 8-megapixel, wide-angle selfie snapper on the front. Again, however, it’s the design and clutter-free Android experience that shine. Like the Nokia 3, the new phone will come in four colors: “tempered blue,” silver, black and copper. They all look fairly slick, though I wish the company had gone for some bolder options too, such as orange or cyan. (R.I.P. Nextbit Robin.)

If you liked the sound of the Nokia 6 in January, good news: It’s no longer a China exclusive. The 5.5-inch, 1080p phone will be joining its cheaper siblings with a €229 ($242) price-tag next quarter. The “global” edition is mostly unchanged from its China-specific counterpart, with a Snapdragon 430 processor and a 3000mAh battery inside. The software is pretty different, however. To sell the phone in China, Nokia had to make some Android-related tweaks, such as removing the Google Play store. For the rest of the world, however, the team is able to go back to vanilla Android.

The phone comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable with a microSD card) but for €30 extra, you can buy a limited edition “Arte Black” model instead. Along with the sweet, high gloss paint job, you’ll get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. A far cry from flagship quality, but for now it’s the most powerful and premium handset in HMD’s arsenal. I asked if the team is working on a top-tier smartphone, and a spokesperson simply said “stay tuned,” before adding that the company “can compete, even on the high end.” Make of that what you will.

HMD’s new Nokia phones make a good first impression. I feel like we’ve been here before, however, with Motorola and its rebooted Moto line. For the last few years, the Moto G and Moto E have stood apart with their snazzy designs and mostly stock Android experiences. Is there room for another player? HMD certainly thinks so. It’s banking on the Nokia name, which people still relate to quality and reliability. That cachet is unique and will help its cause as customers mull their next upgrade in carrier stores. But as we’ve seen with HTC, and even Xiaomi, the Android market is a tough place to thrive. The team will need to fight tooth and nail to survive.

Say hello (again) to the Nokia 3310

The rumors were true. The Nokia 3310 is back. Courtesy of new brand owner HMD, the phone is returning with a mixture of 3310 charm and some specification upgrades. The good news: it’s cheap (around $50), it has Snake, those nostalgic ringtones of yesteryear and seems pretty darn indestructible again. It’s an iconic phone, but one that’s over 15 years old. That’s a long time in mobile. A lot of people are going to want one. Do you?

When you pick up the new 3310, it’s immediately endearing. I’m not sure whether that’s due to the bright plastic shell, the reliable click of the number pad, or the sheer ridiculousness of the proposition. I was 15 years old, when the original launched. I still owned a hulking Motorola brick with giant aerial, giant black buttons and no cool points whatsoever. I wanted a 3310.

For 2017, Nokia and HMD have modernized the design and hardware. The device has smoother, curved lines, and we got to play with the glossy orange and yellow options. The 3310 will also launch in matte blue and gray finishes, which sound traditional if a little boring. Despite the new design, it’s still incredibly comfortable to hold, especially in these times of flat touchscreen slates, and you might be surprised to see a (two-megapixel!) camera peering out from the back.

The updates don’t stop there. There’s also a color screen (gasp!) and many more internal upgrades (micro-USB charging port, headphone jack, microSD storage and Bluetooth), but it’s an unmistakably old school dumbphone. There’s no WiFi, no GPS, no app store. The price reflects this: At €49, just over fifty bucks, it’s almost an impulse buy. It’s like the NES mini for Nokia fans. Although it’s not quite as charming.

You might have genuine reasons picking one up. The spartan 3310 feature list includes slow-speed 2.5G internet, calls, texts, low-fi photos, and Snake — albeit a completely new iteration which is pretty different. Those limited talents could make it an ideal first phone for keeping in touch with children, a festival phone, or a phone for the beach when you don’t want any work emails or social network noise. (The built-in Opera Mini browser can handle Twitter and Facebook at a push.) Nokia added that the battery is good for almost a month on standby.

However, let’s not fool ourselves: this is unashamed fan service for the many millions that picked a Nokia as their first phone. It might have even been a 3310. The company is trading in on that nostalgia, as it tries to drag its phones into the future at the same time. The phone arrives globally in Q2 later this year.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

Catch the Samsung MWC 2017 liveblog here

Mobile World Congress is where Samsung usually unveils the latest member of the Galaxy S series. Not this year though. Delays mean that the company’s flagship phone will have to make its debut somewhere else. We do know they will be revealing something though, and as usual there’s a glitzy event to go along with it. Catch our liveblog right here at 1pm ET to find out what.