Using a Samsung Gear S3 with iPhone — What Are the Differences to the Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch Aims to Incentivize Its Users to Move More with the So-Called Activity Rings. a Trio of Circles, Visible on Both the iPhone and Watch, That...
The Apple Watch aims to incentivize its users to move more with the so-called Activity rings. A trio of circles, visible on both the iPhone and Watch, that symbolize time standing, active exercise, and calories burned. Performing your daily routine “fills” the rings with color. Each day the rings reset and each day the Watch reminds you that you need to move more if you are to reach your goals consistently.
Naturally, when you stop using the Apple Watch, you won't be able to fill the rings. The Activity app on the iPhone does not work with any other accessory, so it won't get any readings from your Gear S of choice.
What about the Apple Health app? No dice — while Apple Health does play nice with some fitness trackers out there, Sammy's Gear S is definitely off its list of data sources.
Don't fret, though. Within the Samsung Gear S app, you get an iOS version of Samsung Health — Sammy's own fitness-tracking app. Here, your Gear S watch will record readings, such as steps, floors climbed, water and caffeine intake (if you punch them in manually on the watch), heart rate (tracks automatically), as well as your various exercise times. And one big one — sleep!
Yeah, curiously enough, Apple's Watch still doesn't track sleep natively — you need to fiddle with 3rd party apps and find the one that works well. Samsung's fitness trackers, however, have had sleep tracking for a while, and the feature has migrated up to the latest Gear S3. One small issue is you'd have to sleep with the rather bulky watch on your hand. But hey, if you are a Gear S2 user, you'll be good!
On to the finer details — both sides (Apple Activity and Samsung Health) offer their versions of achievements and both will nudge you when they sense you've been stationary for a bit too long. Both have customizable goals and recommended defaults, so you won't be losing out on that “personal nagging trainer” feeling.
What ecosystem?
3rd party app developers are free to add Watch support
Now, if you pair a Samsung Gear S3 to an iPhone, you will still get all your notifications just fine on the watch. But you won't be able to do much besides read and dismiss them. Thankfully, you can still answer voice calls on the Gear S3 and use its internal speaker / microphone combo if it tickles your fancy. Needless to say, however, Digitial Touch, tapping, or sending your heartbeat to other Apple Watch owners is off the table.
Apple Watch message replies
As for apps, you have access to the Samsung Galaxy store through the Gear S app. These are autonomous apps for the Gear S3, meaning they will do nothing for your iPhone and will live strictly on the Gear S. They can be calculators, reminder diaries, various fitness apps, et cetera. So, in terms of software, the Gear S is pretty much a device separate from the iPhone. Disappointingly, however, the apps and watchfaces that you get on the Galaxy Store for iOS are very, very limited.
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Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
