Samsung expands Gear 2 and Gear Fit compatibility, but still keeps it in the family

By Andy Boxall April 17, 2014

Samsung Gear 2 Wrist — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For more check out our full Samsung Gear 2 review.

Samsung has increased the number of devices which are compatible with its new Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Fit to 20. The news comes from an official blog post listing all the new hardware with which its refreshed wearables will work. It’s an effort to make them more popular, particularly to those who aren’t about to upgrade to the Galaxy S5.

Interestingly, Samsung has not only included smartphones, but tablets too. There are 12 smartphones in total, starting out with the the two current flagship devices, the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Note 3. The Galaxy Note 3 Neo is also there, along with the Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy S4, and the Galaxy S3. The Galaxy S4 Active, Mini, and S4 Zoom will also run the Gear range, and the list is completed by the Galaxy Grand 2, and both the Galaxy Mega 6.3 and the Mega 5.8.

The recently announced Galaxy Tab 4 range – which includes the Tab 4 7.0, Tab 4 8.0, and the Tab 4 10.1 – tops the tablet list, and is joined by the three Galaxy Tab Pro models too. Finally, the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, and the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition are both compatible.

Upon release of the original Galaxy Gear smartwatch, Samsung made the mistake of not making it compatible with many devices, cutting down its audience considerably. The Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Fit went on sale last week, and it obviously has no wish to see the new range languish on store shelves in the same way.

However, Samsung is still keeping the Gear devices to itself, with no indication whether owners of non-Samsung smartphones will ever be able to use them. In an interview, a Samsung executive did discuss opening up future wearable products to the world, but it seems unlikely this will apply to the current range.

In the meantime, you can read our thoughts on the Gear Fit and Gear 2 smartwatches here, and find out where to buy them here.

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Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

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