Samsung's Gear S3 smartwatch will have an altimeter, barometer, and integrated GPS with new speedometer feature
We have already reported exclusively that the Gear S3 is going to be round like its predecessor and that it's going to be unveiled at IFA 2016 in September.
Context & Ripple Effects
Samsung's round-watch line has been leaking in stages for over a year: the two-variant Gear A plan surfaced in April 2015, followed by SDK-driven spec leaks showing the rotating bezel and Exynos silicon, then the Gear S2 circular tease ahead of its September 2015 debut.
This report adds the sensor layer to that arc — altimeter, barometer, integrated GPS, and a speedometer feature — signaling that the Gear S3's pitch at IFA 2016 is outdoor and fitness capability, not just a rounder version of the Gear S2.
First-order effects
- Samsung now has a concrete hardware story for its IFA 2016 stage, and the follow-up Gear S3 Classic and Frontier unveiling confirms the lineup shipped with GPS on board, with the LTE-equipped Frontier positioned as the flagship variant.
- Buyers comparing against the Gear S2 get a clear upgrade rationale: standalone location tracking and elevation data without carrying a phone.
Second-order effects
- Rival smartwatch makers are pushed to match the sensor suite or concede the runner/hiker segment, where integrated GPS was becoming the differentiator rather than notifications.
- Carrier involvement becomes plausible for the first time in Samsung's watch line once the Frontier's LTE radio ships, opening a new distribution channel alongside the $349 US retail launch.
Third-order effects
- If the pattern holds, smartwatches complete their shift from phone accessories to standalone fitness and communication devices, with sensor counts and connectivity — not app ecosystems — driving the upgrade cycle.
The trend: Smartwatch competition is moving from companion-device design toward standalone fitness hardware, with integrated GPS and environmental sensors as the new baseline.