Bought myself a Gear S3 Frontier after Pebble Time 2 get cancelled. Frankly, coming from Pebble, I still think Pebble has the better notification system, which currently is huge drawback to me. For example, native S3 OS is unable to show Whatsapp history and only the last message will be showed up in notification panel. This is really screwed if you received multiple short messages together. What is the point of wearing a smartwatch but still have to draw out handphone to read a couple of short messages? This is also the same problem if you receive several new message from different sender. The experience is like wearing Xiaomi band where u get the vibration alert but still need to read from your phone for the content. I hope Samsung will benchmark Pebble method and allow multiple notifications from the same app to stack together. Quite disappointed because for such a good watch, it can't even get the simple task done right...

This post has been edited by velo: Dec 10 2016, 06:11 AM

One more grumble, even S3 has a much larger screen size than Pebble, but the notification content that can be seen in one glance is pitifully little. Almost every message has to use the scroll wheel to read thru. This is less convinient than Pebble esp u need to use one hand doing the "pouring hand" gesture to wake up the screen, and another hand to scroll the wheel. Almost not practical when doing it during driving etc. Sad...

Yes, I know. Found a paid app but it creates more hassles as u have to activate the app the read those Whatsapp history. What I'm really hoping is Samsung update the Titan OS to natively support that, so all historical messages can be accessed directly from the notification page, no need to trigger another app. Again, can benchmark Pebble...

Mine is first batch and yes, there is ticking sound when tap on the bezel. Frankly, i don't mind it as long as the bezel is reliable. It does sound like cheap toy if you tap onto it, but that does not affect its usability.

Coming from Pebble, I disagree that smartwatch is not safer than phone when it comes to notification when driving. The reason a lot of ppl feel it is not safe is because Tizen and AW still heavily rely on touchscreen, and one need to touch or at least flip/twist ur wrist to just view the message. Unlike Pebble, the message will show up 1-2 minutes before it disappears (no need touch) and with physical push button, you don't have to pay too much attention to response to the notification while driving. It is a lot safer than to fumble and take out ur phone from tight jean, or handbag etc.

This post has been edited by velo: Dec 28 2016, 03:55 PM

And as whether smartwatch worth the money or not, or just a glorified notification device, I think it depends where you are coming from.

For me, I need a daily watch to check time (it is a habit since small), a activity tracker for wellness, a sport/running watch to keep my training goal, a silent reminder to keep up with my schedule/incoming email etc so I can mute my phone all the time (no more intrusion in meeting, works better than phone vibration when not carry inside trouser), I feel it is very worthwhile as long as the price is <Rm1k. Of course there are other small perks like as bluetooth hands-free, music/camera control etc.

Gear S3 unfortunately is not worth it per my consideration above, but I have no other better choice after Pebble cancelled its PT2 :-(

This post has been edited by velo: Dec 28 2016, 04:15 PM

I used ship forward before and it was quite expensive, like Rm100 excluding tax. You can't avoid tax too as they will charge up front base on Amazon receipt value. As for Pebble, I bought it directly from Pebble previously, no tax and they shipped thru registered mail, collected it at post office and it was free shipment during one of their promotion. Of course this route is not available anymore, best option is to have someone hand carry it back from US, like friend or colleague etc.

This post has been edited by velo: Dec 29 2016, 12:26 PM

Yes, I am hoping that will happen too. Most important is Pebbit need to keep commit on long lasting battery life, don't succumb to AW or TW route of adopting big touch screen and sacrifice on the battery side.

We have a lot of options in AW and Tizen space already, Pebbit needs to go the other way so consumers have more choice to choose from

This post has been edited by velo: Dec 29 2016, 03:46 PM

I'm thinking to let go my Gear S3 Frontier and going back to Pebble or consider Garmin. The notification part is something I feel hard to tolerate coming from Pebble, also the short battery life if turn on the Always On Display... Otherwise it is a good looking and great watch! Mine one comes with free dark green silicon band and brown leather strap some more, hai...

Basically I rely heavily on smart watch for notification most of the time. I cannot stand S3 only able to view the last WhatsApp message sent from same sender. It defeats the purpose as I still need to access my phone to read past messages. Also, the gesture move to turn on watch face is a hassle (unreliable) if you already used to normal watch or always on epaper smart watch...

This post has been edited by velo: Jan 4 2017, 04:59 PM

I think Fenix 5 is in different category itself. If your primary objective is to get a smart watch for notification, reply call/sms, watch apps, fashion etc, then any AW watch is more suitable. If you are into sport, want to keep statistic, record forv training and need daily activity tracker then Fenix 5 or Fitbit is better choice. S3 is kinda in between, because of the rather good S-health app and heart rate tracking. I'm hoping the 2 categories to improve and merge in future, so we can get an all rounded smart watch :-)

I have same problem too. Just give Maybank a call, tell them that is your second device, they will fix it for you. Mine already resolved.