Samsung just left a note in our inbox that the Gear S2 smartwatch which was announced at IFA earlier in September, will be available beginning October 2nd. This availability does not include the carriers. Samsung says that “The Gear S2 network-connected model will launch later this fall and will be available at AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.” They also note that while US Cellular will be selling the Gear S2, it won’t be a 4G LTE model, but just a Bluetooth version of the smartwatch. The Gear S2 will be on sale for $299 with the Gear S2 Classic coming in at $349.
“We designed the Gear S2 with the speed of today’s life in mind. It is technology that helps you stay dialed in to what is important to you – without sacrificing your sense of style,” said Alanna Cotton, vice president, Mobile Computing at Samsung Electronics America.
The Gear S2 is running Tizen, and has a pretty large app ecosystem, although many of those apps are pre-installed this time around. Something that Samsung did this time around that differed from their previous smartwatches, is they made the Gear S2 compatible with any Android smartphone. So you don’t need to have a Samsung smartphone to use the Gear S2. Which is a great idea. The most interesting feature of the new Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic is the rotating bezel. It makes it much easier to navigate through the OS, not to mention it’s pretty cool. We did get hands on time with the Gear S2 in Berlin earlier this month, you can check that video out below.
As of this Friday, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic will be available at Samsung.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy and Macy’s. Starting on Friday, you will also be able to check out the new Gear S2 in your local Best Buy stores. The Macy’s in Herald Square in New York City will also have it available for customers to check out, and 50 other Macy’s stores around the country will jump in on October 16th. It’s a great watch from Samsung, they seem to have checked all the boxes this time around, when it comes to a smartwatch.