The Samsung Gear S2 3G with GPS isn't coming to the UK and Europe next month

We speak to Samsung's UK VP of Mobile about the smartwatch's October launch
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Samsung's Gear S2 3G is not launching in the UK and Europe alongside the regular and Classic smartwatches this October.

Conor Pierce, Samsung UK VP for Mobile, told Wareable that the Gear S2 3G will only be launching in two markets, US and Korea, to begin with.

Read this: The smartwatches that women will actually wear

In case you're confused about the line-up, this is the Gear S2 model that has an e-SIM for making calls without a smartphone, built-in GPS, a bigger 300mAh battery and a slightly thicker profile on the wrist. Like the Gear S2 it comes in two finishes.

When asked if he thinks users in the UK would be interested in this GPS smartwatch Pierce said: "Yes. I mean, what's been the main driver for wearables so far? Fitness. This (the Gear S2) keeps on buzzing saying I should move around more."

Read this: Samsung Gear S2 hands on - this year's hit smartwatch

One reason for the decision could be the inclusion of the e-SIM, a new electronic SIM standard that is more widely adopted in the US where the Gear S2 3G is launching. So it could be more of a technical issue more than Samsung targeting different models at different countries.

The US and Korea launch fits in with price leaks we've seen so far from Germany and Best Buy Canada which have indicated prices for the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic but not the 3G model.

Samsung reps told us that global pricing and release date details for the whole Gear S2 series will be announced next week, week commencing 21 September. We will also get more details about the countries in which it is working with big name app and retail partners and who will get what where.

Explained: How does GPS work?

Pierce also hinted at the UK price for the Gear S2, saying it will be competitive with the £322 figure that research has shown is how much people will pay for a smartwatch. That's slightly more expensive than the very cheapest Apple Watch but more affordable than most configurations.

The latest Gear S2 release date rumours point to 2 October as the day you'll be able to get your hands on one, Pierce would only say it is "weeks" away. Head back to Wareable next week for the full details.


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Sophie was Wareable's associate editor. She joined the team from Stuff magazine where she was an in-house reviewer. For three and a half years, she tested every smartphone, tablet, and robot vacuum that mattered. 

A fan of thoughtful design, innovative apps, and that Spike Jonze film, she is currently wondering how many fitness tracker reviews it will take to get her fit. Current bet: 19.

Sophie has also written for a host of sites, including Metro, the Evening Standard, the Times, the Telegraph, Little White Lies, the Press Association and the Debrief.

She now works for Wired.


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