Samsung Gear S review: perfectly functional and flawed

Samsung has released a number of smartwatches over the last 12 months. This time it was the turn of its first "standalone" smartwatch, a smartwatch which lets you make and receive calls from your wrist. Except, it's not really standalone, because you need a smartphone... a Samsung smartphone...

Great display; Voice calls and messaging work well; Good battery life; Sturdy build quality; It's kind of standalone

Expensive; Distractingly large; Initially uncomfortable; Watch face designs lack pizzazz

Samsung Gear S review

The Samsung Gear S was the Korean giant's flagship 2104 smartwatch that, unlike the latest Sony and Asus efforts, shuns Google's Android Wear OS in favour of its own platform: Tizen.

Fantastic curved Super AMOLED display; Battery cradle also charges; Notifications work well; Plenty of apps available on Tizen

It's ridiculously expensive; Samsung Galaxy phone reliance; Samsung Health features are poor; Clasp is ugly and hard to use

Samsung Gear S hands-on review

The Samsung Gear S might have some decent specs but we just don't understand the concept of a smartwatch which can take a SIM-card. It's too expensive, and the vast majority of users will find the device simply too big. Sorry Samsung, we just don't get this one.

Samsung Gear S review: Bigger and badder, but not in a good way

The Samsung Gear S smartwatch breaks new ground with phone-free communications, but makes too many compromises. With a high up-front price and monthly service charge, buy at your own risk.

Receives calls, text messages and notifications without a phone nearby.; Battery life is better than most full-color smartwatches.;

Large, clunky design with annoying clasp and snap-on charger.; Expensive up-front price with an additional monthly cost for wireless service.; Contacts won’t recognize your number for outgoing calls.; Interface is confusing, inconsistent and lacking in actionable notifications.;