In the smartphone market, Samsung’s name is intrinsically tied to Android. But when it comes to wearables, the Gear smartwatch is about to become an equal-opportunity device, offering support for both Android and iOS.
Samsung Electronics America Vice President of Product Marketing Alanna Cotton revealed the jump to Apple’s mobile platform for the Gear S2 while speaking at CES 2016. The Tizen-run wearable is already compatible with most Android devices.
Details on the announcement are still sparse for the time being. All that is known is that Gear S2, the latest model of smartwatch announced by the Korean manufacturer in the fall of 2015, will add iOS compatibility later in 2016.
The announcement coincided with Cotton’s unveiling of a new variant on the Gear S2. A new, more stylish version of the smartwatch dubbed the S2 Classic—a name that feels entirely unearned for a device barely two months old—sports options for a 18-karot rose gold or platinum finish.
Aside from the look, there’s no difference between the S2 Classic that was released in October and the new models with the shinier look. Pricing is expected to be similar as well, because the new finishes are simply platings atop stainless steel rather than bodies made of solidly of the material like the gold Apple Watch Edition.
To keep up the upper-class vibe of the Classic, Samsung also added a new lineup of straps that include leather, nylon, and steel options.
No official pricing was announced for the new S2 Classic finishes, but the devices will be available starting in February. They will likely start encroaching on Apple’s territory shortly thereafter.
Photo via Samsung
