Samsung Gear S3 Frontier – Design and Build Quality

Thanks to our good friends at Samsung Canada, I’ve been giving a great opportunity to review the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier as I work towards some personal fitness goals. With six months to use the device, there will be ample opportunity to review it, provide feedback, and follow up on the experiences I’ve had to see if they’ve remained the same, gotten better, or progressively worse. Today, we will look at the design and build quality of the S3 Frontier, and talk about it’s aesthetical nature. Is this something you want to sport in your day-to-day activities? Let’s dive in and see.

Design

Unlike many other smart watches and smart fitness trackers on the market, the Gear S3 Frontier actually looks like a regular watch, and at first glance, those around you might not instantly recognize that you are wearing a smart watch. For some who like to show off their flashy gadgets, this might be a negative, but for the majority of business people and professionals, having a watch that actually looks like a watch is probably preferable; right away, Samsung has wowed me with their ability to build something that is practically designed, but incredibly useful.

The design of the watch, however, won’t be suitable for all users. As I’m a larger individual – working on chipping away those pounds though! – the 1.3 inch display, not including the outer metal that encases it, is not an issue. On my wrist, it looks completely normal. For my wife, however, who has much smaller wrists and army, the buckle nature of the watch doesn’t appeal to her at all. In her words, “that’s a man’s watch.” Samsung makes other watches that are a bit slimmer, but they lack the features of the Gear S3 Frontier; as this is the only size available – and understandably considering the number of apps and features it has – it’s a take-it-or-leave-it situation when it comes to the overall size.

At only 63 grams (without the band), the watch isn’t actually that heavy. When comparing it other bulky, non-smart watches on the market, it’s only a tad heavier, with the average watch coming in around 55 grams. For those who are use to wearing a watch, putting on this slightly heavier smart watch isn’t likely to be noticeable; for those NOT as use to wearing a  watch, the transition can be more uncomfortable.

The watch face is held together with a very sturdy band, with plenty of notches to fit any wrist. Packed into the box is a second, smaller band for those with smaller wrists. It is made of the same material as the main band, but will be much versatile for smaller individuals.

Build Quality

When it comes to electronics with screens, I’m the first to admit I have a hard time taking good care of them. With a job that constantly keeps me on the go, and two young kids at home, it seems that any device without a screen protector, is a device that has a million scratches. Whether it is my cell phones, Nintendo Switch, or iPads, trying to keep the scratches off the screen is a daily task I’m always very aware of. When putting the Gear S3 Frontier on my wrist, my worry level was through the roof. How was I going to protect a smart watch, on my wrist, from scratches and scuffs?

It ended up being pretty simple, actually. The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier build quality is top notch, combining the best materials available on the market today to create a sturdy, durable watch. Unlike phones which can be protected using a variety of cases, and which ultimately lives in your hand or your pocket – two areas you can completely control – watches are attached to your arms, and whether you are dodging oncoming foot traffic or walking through a doorway, there is always the opportunity for your arm – and ultimately your watch – to smack of something. This has happened to me numerous times. The number of scratches on my screen? Zero.

There is a two fold reason for this. First, the watch ace is recessed a bit because of the outer wheel which users utilize to navigate the watches numerous screens.  Therefore, on larger objects such as tables, door frames, etc., there really isn’t an opportunity for the screen itself to even be touched. Secondly, the screen is made of Gorilla Glass SR+, one of the most durable glass screens currently available, and one that can withstand a fair amount of abuse. On top of all that, the S3 Frontier is also built to withstand the elements, being one of the few smart watches that is both water and dust resistant.

The design and build quality of the Samsung Gear S3 is top notch, and although it won’t be for everyone, the durable build is a good way to entice customers. As this device will ultimately live on your wrist – and area of the body you don’t always have control over, knowing that the best materials have been used to protect your watch at all costs should be a good starting point for anyone. Next time, we dive into some of the apps available standard on the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier!