Samsung Gear S3 Watch Compatibility

The LTE version also includes Bluetooth, so it should provide identical functionality. Samsung has stated that the LTE version will be available through major carriers, but Verizon has not announced a pre-order or availability date at this point (although both AT&T and T-Mobile have ... Verizon, get with the program!).

Because VZW hasn't said anything yet, though, you do run the risk of being unable to activate the LTE functionality if, for some reason, they elect not to carry the watch.

Which would make me sad :smileysad:

I should also add that the Gear S3 LTE version supports just 2 of the 3 LTE bands that Verizon uses ... B2 and B4. However, Verizon's main band is B13 (700MHz), which would be a much better option for rural (i.e. longer range) use. B2 and B4 are primarily used in more densely populated areas.

katrinan_vzw

HELTIT65

That is an awesome gift. At this time the Samsung Gear S3 isn't in our lineup of smartwatches. However, we do recommend signing up for updates on new product launches here: http://vz.to/1VzW5J4

katrina_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

@katrinan_vzw,

While we very much appreciate your response in this thread, I feel it necessary to point out that most of the major tech news sites (Engadget, BGR, C-Net, ZDNet, various Android-related forums) have reported that VZW will be one of the carriers offering the Gear S3 Frontier's LTE version.

For those of us trying to decide on purchasing the Bluetooth version vs. waiting for the LTE version, Verizon's lack of information on this very desirable watch is aggravating. Isn't there something you can do to confirm or deny Verizon's offering of this product? I think for most of us the problem isn't so much "when," but "if." TMobile and AT&T have both officially confirmed that they're offering it, but VZW has officially said nothing.

Please?

I agree with jdrumm...at the very least, let us know if you will be carrying the Samsung Gear S3. I "chatted" with a VZW rep. and was not able to get a definitive answer. I don't want the BT only as I have the 3G S2 and would upgrade. If VZW is not going to carry the S3, I'm switching to AT&T. Thanks.

markp_vzw

Furious10, we never want to lose a valued customer like you. We want to provide you with the products and services that you’re looking for. At the moment, the Gear S3 is not available with Verizon. What specific features are you looking for in a smartwatch? Are you having issues with your current Gear S2 watch?

MarkP_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

@markp_vzw, I might suggest you'll do a better job of keeping your customers when you actually answer their questions.

We KNOW the Gear S3 isn't available from Verizon. What we want to know is IF the Gear S3 WILL BE available from Verizon. And the bonus answer would be to actually tell us WHEN, but I suppose even that's probably asking too much.

It's a simple question. Asking us what features we want or find lacking with our current smart watches is entirely beside the point; we want the LTE version of the Gear S3 Frontier, and we want it to work on Verizon's network. We're trying to be loyal customers, you see, but you're making it difficult. Its feature set speaks for itself, and none of the other watches currently offered by Verizon has it.

cchrisgates

I was told by a store representative that the Gear S3 will not be available until early 2017! AT&T is looking better and better.

Verizon is really acting strange with this product release. Gear S3 debuted in August and now it's mid November and not a word from them. It's almost as if they don't want to sell it. I'm not really sure what to make of it, but if the rumors of early 2017 are true, I'll be heading for ATT rather quickly. You would think Samsung would be pushing Verizon to get it on the market to cut into Apple's share of the market.

jbposell

Wow, this is disappointing. As AT&T's coverage has reached parity with VZW's over the years, I have considered switching (been a 4 line VZW customer for 15+ years), this may push me over the edge.

FallenIcarus

Yup...about time that I pay off my phone and switch to AT&T. I don't understand why this is even an issue. Even at the samsung website, it is either AT&T version or the bluetooth version. Thing is that the sim cards are embedded, so there is no way around this (such as ordering an "unlocked" version, or a bluetooth version that can later have a sim installed when verizon introduces support for the device). The whole situation is a joke, and there should be no reason that Verizon couldn't embed their sim card into the watch pre-release as AT&T has. The comparison between these two companies over the past 3 years isn't even close.

Marconium

@markp_vzw, I'm not threatening to quit Verizon over this, but the lack of clarity is an issue for me. I'm currently in the midst of a 2 year contract on an older Gear S. I liked the watch, but the plastic charging connection on the back of the watch broke last month and the watch can no longer be charged. My contract runs until May 2017. And the $5 a month service charge ends up actually being $9.04 / month after fees and taxes.

So, I'm in a position where I need to make a decision sooner than I'd like because I really don't want to pay ~$70 for a service that I can't use. While I probably could send the Gear S to Samsung to have the back replaced, I'd really rather put that money toward a new 3G/LTE smart watch with a better charging configuration.

I've been eyeing the Gear S3 for a while now, waiting for news on when Verizon would carry it. If I know that it's coming this month or next, then I will hold out for it. Otherwise, I need to find something else - likely a used Gear S2 from another online site since Verizon hasn't had the S2 in stock for a long time. I'm even willing to consider paying retail for what is effectively a year old (soon to be discontinued) device. Unfortunately, Verizon's current stance leaves me paying ~$70 over the next few months without an option to use the service that I'm paying for. Furthermore, the lack of transparency makes it impossible to make an intelligent or informed decision.

As a long time customer who currently has 7 devices with Verizon, it does have an impact on how I feel about my relationship with the company. So, while I may not quit over this particular issue, it will be remembered if an offer from another carrier comes along in the future with the right combination of coverage and price.

Right now, all I want is a viable option to use the service that I'm paying for and the information needed to make a reasonable decision. Verizon appears unable or unwilling to provide either and that is frustrating.

Someone posted on an S3 discussion in Reddit's /r/verizon sub that they'd spoken with an in-store rep who told him the watch would be offered in time for Christmas. I personally haven't met an a corporate store rep that had any sort of "inside scoop," so I'll take their answers with a grain of salt

FallenIcarus

So, looks like it was announced today for T-mo for release on the 18th, coinciding with the global. really hoping verizon gets on this....t-mobile guys...come on

FallenIcarus

For $399 btw

CORLAB67

I read today that Verizon will offer the Gear S3 this month.

And Verizon is last to the party, no real sure what they're trying to prove here. It sure isn't building any hype, only frustrating people.

MarkP_VZW:

To answer your questions: I want the new technology, looks and features of new devices. I'm looking for the Gear S3 LTE Frontier...I love my Gear S2 and it works flawlessly. I just want to know if you are going to carry the Gear S3. Why is this a difficult question?

The Global launch is 11-18-2016. I would have thought Verizon might "get on the band wagon" and tell us about the S3. There is certainly a lot of interest in it and we loyal Verizon customers and Gear S2 users would like information.

I don't want to leave a company that I have been loyal to for a long time, but some of the offers from AT&T are making it hard to stay. I have not upgraded my phone for this very reason.

I've done a bit of additional sleuthing based on some deductions I've made based on the LTE model numbers. I've posted my thoughts over in the other thread, found here.

TL,DR: There's hope

stever_vzw

jbposell, it troubling to hear you are considering an alternative and we certainly want to provide any great accessories for our customers. I would be happy to help. We want to to set the right expectation for this great new device and keep you up to speed.

Any available accessories will be added to our webpage Smart Watches Accessories - Verizon Wireless once the latest information is available. I assure you that we are always looking for areas of opportunity and appreciate the feedback in regards to this great product. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach back out to us.

SteveR_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

Another lame response from Verizon. As others have said this lack of information is certainly troubling and disappointing. We'll see what happens tomorrow but no watch or no information will make switching carriers pretty much a done deal.

CORLAB67

Well here's to tomorrow. I don't know if anyone from Verizon even looks at

these messages. Someone who can truefully address these issues. I almost

feel like these forums are just a way for people to hash out their

frustrations because I don't ever see anyone from Verizon providing any

sort of good information. Is not like Verizon to not announce their plan

or their release date especially after TMobile. I would think the gear S3

is a high-end items since its all over the internet. But here is to

tomorrow and hoping that Verizon Surprises us all. we shall see.

Rubik76

Here is what I have done. I chatted with Verizon support yesterday and they suggested I buy the LTE version directly from Samsung. When I mentioned that the LTE version on the Samsung site is AT&T-specific, I was told to have AT&T unlock it once I got it. I checked AT&T's site and there is an automated process for unlocking AT&T devices, both for existing and non-customers. I then chatted with Samsung support and was told that any LTE variant should work with any carrier that supports LTE. The model number variants just indicate which carrier a device has been unlocked for (it looks like there is also at least one piece of bundled AT&T software - something called "My Digital Life").

While the assurances of a couple of support techs are not a guarantee of success and this method is not "official", I'm giving it a shot. At worst, I won't be able to activate the watch on Verizon's network and I'll end up with the equivalent of a Bluetooth version of it. I won't know until "early December", when Samsung ships to me.

Just a possible solution to consider, given Verizon's inability to commit to a release date.

I'm glad you found a work-around but it's not what I want. They will say anything to get you to buy or stay. So...AT&T it is for me. I'll keep my phone (S6) and number AND I'll be paying about $30 less for comparable service. I can order the Frontier and it will ship November 27 or 28. Take care Verizon...see 'ya.

CORLAB67

Verizon? Respond to your customers.

ROGGAR95

This is probably a good hack, and it may even work flawlessly...but why? So you can stay with Verizon? You could just buy it with ATT and stay there and let the watch work like it was supposed to. I love hacks myself, but I don't feel like working out a hack to benefit Verizon when I could easily get a cheaper (with contract) option by going with their competition.

My thoughts exactly. I just "chatted" with a rep. Her answer.

"I 100% understand how frustrating it is when we don't have an exact answer on things like this. Basically what it comes down to is we have to wait on the manufacturer to tell us if we can offer them. Until they do that we are just as much in the dark as you, the customer are. We can really only go off what they tell us and what is on their website."

AT&T will sell the watch $100 lower with a contract AND I pay less each month. The coverage hear is about the same as Verizon.

I have a feeling they are going to "chat" with more frustrated customers.

Rubik76

I totally understand the sentiment. I've had a long and sometimes frustrating relationship with Verizon. For the longest time, I hated that Verizon had the most boring devices, and when they did get better ones, it was typically well after everyone else already had them. This situation certainly reminds me of that. I'm definitely not a Verizon apologist, and can't blame anyone for being frustrated to the point of wanting to try someplace else. For me it comes down to network reliability and having several lines on the same account. Maybe I can do just as well or better someplace else (maybe all networks really are within 1% of each other). Maybe not. For me - a customer who wants to stay with Verizon but also wants this device - this is the most attractive solution.

anthonyc_vzw

You're a valued customer and I wouldn't want you to cancel service with us, Furious10. I just sent you a private message so we can review this in more detail. I look forward to your response.

AnthonyC_vzw

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

ROGGAR95

I left Friday...only my one line and my watch line...

The watch is not the same as the s2 with a larger screen...it's much more

The same apps work a lot better and have additional functionality ... So far, s health, sleep as android, and golf navi...awesome!

Improved settings like DND on schedule, better pin unlock time management, etc...

IMO is the next gen...Not just bigger...And the look and feel is amazing.

As for the phone itself (s7e) I miss all the bloatware ... NOT! It's amazing how much Cra* I used to have...

I will be comparing service during cycle with wife's Verizon phone (s7e) and then decide if other lines get ported over our if I need to return to V.

I hope this helps some of you on the fence.

ROGGAR95

Sorry, I left out the most outstanding feature of the new GS3 ... the battery lasts for ever!

JANETAZ55

Well I for one agree with alot of other folks. I will be moving my account to either AT&T or T-Mobil. It seems that no matter who you talk to with Verizon you can never get a straight answer on the watch. It is not that hard to say either way if they will carry the 4gLTE version. So tired of Verizon.

RONCALW

Held an online chat with Samsung last week who did not get it at first that because I was already a Verizon customer I am not interested in the watch right now with one of the other two carriers.

After I worded it like this "I can't buy them, I am on Verizon." he got the point.

So after asking him two times when will the the watch be available on Verizon, he finally answered my question ... almost.

He said that the watch is in testing and that there is no estimate on when that testing will be complete.

Very frustrating, but interesting, from the Samsung perspective, at least from the rep I was chatting with they don't seem to think it is a big deal at all that the watch is not on Verizon yet.