ASUS ZenWatch 3 vs Samsung Gear S3: Smartwatch Offerings Compared; Features, Design and Price Details
The ongoing IFA Conference 2016 kept its tradition of launching the newest laptops, tablets and other gadgets for consumers to enjoy. This year, the biggest technology event in Europe showcased one of the most interesting products to date—the smartwatch.
Combining the features of a mobile operating system and the handy accessibility of a wearable gadget, the smartwatch serves a lot of purposes. Fitness enthusiasts can use it to track their workout progress, busy users can type texts directly on the small screen, and it can even help users prevent during emergencies; all while keeping the time and date.
At the IFA, two new offerings of the product stood out: the Asus ZenWatch 3 and the Samsung Gear S3. With consumers possibly choosing between these two as their first smartwatch, it is important to note their striking similarities and key differences.
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Appearance
In terms of appearance, the third ZenWatch topples its predecessors with a more mature design. ASUS exchanged the squircle shape of the previous ZenWatches, and replaced it instead with a more watch-like round design.
The watch also comes in three colors—rose gold, gunmetal and silver. Accompanying each color variant is a rose gold bezel, which signifies the annular solar eclipse.
The Gear S3, meanwhile, comes in two differently-abled and differently-designed variants. The Classic version comes with a leather strap, while Frontier has a more rugged-looking design with a rubberized strap. The latter was obviously made to look more like a sportswatch.
The noticeable difference, however, is the size. ZenWatch 3 is 9.95mm thick, which already draws attention. Gear S3 is 46.1 x 49.1 x 12.9mm—which not only looks big, but a lot heavier. Classic weighs 57g, while Frontier is a shade heftier at 62g.
Durability and Battery
One factor that can have a huge effect in choosing a smartwatch is its longevity. Luckily, ASUS had decided to make upgrades in that aspect. The ZenWatch 3 is made of cold-forged steel, said to be around 82 percent stronger than normal steel. Both rubber and leather straps also boast durability.
Samsung also bolstered its Gear series, arming Gear S3 with Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ and increasing scratch resistance in the process. Moreover, demos showed that Gear S3 is also resistant to shock, vibration and dust, and can withstand extreme temperatures.
While both gadgets seem to pass the durability test, they still have to compete on endurance. ZenWatch 3 had that covered with its new Snapdragon 2100 processor, which gives it a 25 percent efficiency boost. If that still is not enough, it now also features a HyperCharge feature, which enables users to charge 60 percent in just 15 minutes. This boost can make the watch last a whole day.
Gear S3 also stepped up to the plate. Samsung boasted a 380mAh battery capacity, which they said could last up three to four days.
Features and Pricing
ASUS keeps the ZenWatch's remote control features, which users can utilize to accept calls and operate their phone cameras from afar. But what it markets the most is its fitness tracking feature. It does not only track steps now, which only enables it to monitor running, but also sport-specific activities and other workouts.
Gear S3, meanwhile, takes those remote control features and raises it up a notch. Its screen can now recognize handwriting, which enables the user to send texts with just some finger strokes on their watches. The more important feature, however, is its emergency abilities. It can send emergency texts with the user's location to a chosen contact. It can also send emergency calls to 911 and security company ADT.
While these are all exciting features, Gear S3 looks to be the pricier option. It is set to around €399 (roughly $445) apiece, while ZenWatch 3 is priced at €299. As for release dates, none had been confirmed for both products as of press time.
