The idea of having a computer on our wrists is not new, but still not everyone is used to buying a wearable device like a smartwatch. As the technology is still new. Samsung had a head start by betting high and launching the Galaxy Gear back in 2013, a smartwatch running a modified version of Android as a companion device for Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The South Korean giant continued to bet on these little computers by releasing model after model and ditching Android in favor of their own Tizen OS. Although the company dominated the shy market at the time, things have changed lately and their market share have nosedived from more than 70% on Q2 2014 to a mere 7.5% on Q2 2015. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch has been crushing every Android Wear and Samsung smartwatch, reaching a market share of 75.5% in the same period. Samsung sales have always been poor on the smartwatch side, but with the new Gear S2 things may change for the Korean giant.
According to several reports, the Gear S2 has sold very well in its first debut. Unveiled not long ago, the device went on sale in China and 180.000 units were sold in the first 8 hours, which is an amazing number when you consider that only 720.000 Android Wear smartwatches were sold last year, and Samsung alone sold only 400.00 wearable devices in Q2 2015. Additionally, in the first week the Apple Watch sold 1.5 million units or an average of 200.000 a day. There are a few reasons for these good numbers. To begin with, the first Gear smartwatches were really chunky and since they were running a modified version of Android, they couldn’t do much. Additionally, they were compatible only with Samsung phones, which was a limiting factor for the hundreds of millions of Android users over there. The new Gear S2 changed everything as it is compatible with several Android smartphones. Samsung also gave a lot of attention to design and the device really looks good with its unique circular bezel and UI.
In order to appeal for consumers that like style and exclusivity, the company is about to release special straps made in partnership with several designers and brands such as Italian maestro Alessandro Mendini, Case-Mate, Casetify, Chow Tai Fook, Incipio, iTFit and SLG Design, among others. In addition to being sold in China, Samsung will be rolling out the Gear S2 in several countries in the following months.