The one complaint with Samsung’s Gear S3 Frontier/Classic and Gear S2 Sport/Classic has been the same since the beginning of its Gear S series in 2014: “apps, apps, apps.” While smartwatches provide unique functionality not found on fitness trackers, smartwatches are known for including fitness apps and fitness tracking capabilities. After all, smartwatches are considered to be “the kitchen sink” of the wearable world, bringing every functionality and feature imaginable to the wrist, and, despite current capabilities, can always use more (after all, the kitchen sink grows full with dishes, does it not?).
To this end, Korean giant Samsung has forged another partnership: this time, with sports apparel fitness company Under Armour. Under Armour intends to bring four of its globally-renown fitness apps to the Gear S3, Gear S2, and Samsung’s newest fitness band, the Gear Fit2. The Samsung-UA partnership brings more functionality to Samsung’s wearables and helps consumers get ever closer to an easier, more effective, and productive lifestyle.
“This collaboration brings together the very best of Samsung wearable technology with the unmatched sports performance of the Under Armour brand. Fitness enthusiasts will have a thrilling experience when it comes to the integration of practical design and intelligent applications for sports related activities,” said Global Marketing and Wearable Business Executive Vice President Younghee Lee.
“We’re excited to work with one of the most recognised brands in the world to continue to bring value to our global digital community of more than 190 million users. Samsung is renowned for its innovative, stylish yet practical devices. This new collaboration will provide additional opportunities to further integrate personal nutrition and activity tracking technologies, allowing all athletes to meet their goals and perform their best,” said Under Armour Chief Digital Officer Mike Lee.
| App | Activity | Unique Features for Samsung |
| UA Record™ | Dashboard for 24/7 activity, sleep and workout monitoring | Map and route display Untethered GPS tracking |
| MyFitnessPal® | Take control of your nutrition, calories and exercise by recording your dietary intake | Water consumption logging Quick-add calories |
| MapMyRun® | Capture every run, ride, walk and hike in one app | Challenges Untethered tracking |
| Endomondo™ | Custom training plans, map tracking and ability to share your workouts | Challenges |
Gear S3, Gear S2, and Gear Fit2 owners will not only get 4 Under Armour apps that are part of UA’s Connected Fitness Suite alongside of apps such as Endomondo™, MapMyRun®, UA Record™, and MyFitnessPal®, but also receive access to UA’s digital community and unique functionality that lets them access these UA apps in style on their Tizen-powered wearable. Gear Fit2 customers now have access to these apps as of yesterday (January 4th), but Gear S3 and Gear S2 customers have to wait until later this Spring to receive access.
