Skip to main content

It’s about time: Samsung Gear S2 and S3 are finally compatible with Apple iPhone

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier review
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Are you an iPhone user who wants a smartwatch but doesn’t want to shell out for an Apple Watch? Well, you’ve now got a few extra options for smartwatches compatible with your phone. Samsung, as promised, has finally enabled support for iOS on the Gear S2, Gear Fit 2, and the new Gear S3.

The move is long overdue. Samsung said in December 2015 that it would enable support for the Gear S2 on iOS in mid-January 2016. Now, after almost a year, a monthslong beta program, and a number of rumors, we finally have that feature.

To get the compatibility, you can download the Samsung Gear S app from the Apple App Store — although, there may not be too many people who own a Gear S smartwatch and an iPhone since the two haven’t worked together until now. Once you download the app, all you need to do is tap on the “Connect to Gear” button, and the app will automatically sync with the watch.

Not all iPhones will work with the watches — you’ll need the iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9.0 or later.

It is nice that most smartwatches are compatible with both iPhone and Android devices — but a little frustrating, although not surprising, that the Apple Watch is really only compatible with the iPhone. Hopefully all of Samsung’s future smartwatches will be compatible with the iPhone out of the box.

The Gear S3 is Samsung’s latest smartwatch, and is really a pretty nice device. It really just looks like a classic watch, and is available in two models — the Gear S3 Frontier, which is a little sportier, and the Gear S3 Classic, which is slightly more refined and a little classier.

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Here’s what the inside of the iPhone 16 Pro looks like
A screenshot of the iPhone 16 Pro from iFixit's teardown video.

A bit over a week ago, we covered how the iPhone 16 is a major step forward in terms of repairability. Now, iFixit has posted its teardown video of the iPhone 16 Pro and the Pro Max, giving us a look inside the device and showing how all the components fit together. To quote the video, Apple has "massively simplified" the disassembly process and made it easier to access several vital components. The video is only about 10 minutes long, so give it a watch. The biggest takeaway? Apple has made it more repairable, earning a provisional score of 7/10 from iFixit.

The video shows the redesigned chassis and its back-glass entry, a far less risky alternative than entering the phone through the screen. If you've never done anything like this, it can feel intimidating in the same way that your high school bully (who you're pretty sure was in his early 20s) looming over you felt. There are lots of small components and connectors to keep track of, as well as fragile ribbon cables you need to be careful when removing.

Read more
I have a love-hate relationship with the iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium.

Apple just launched the iPhone 16 line, and it’s been quite an upgrade this year. Though the base models got some nice updates, like the A18 chip and some of the best colors I’ve seen from Apple in years, I’m still all about the Pro models. Once you go with 1TB storage and 120Hz ProMotion displays, it’s hard to go back.

This year, things are a little different. Ever since Apple introduced a Pro model, I’ve always gone for the smaller variant. After one year with a Plus model phone, I learned that I simply don’t care for large phones, so I never tried out a Pro Max. I’ve always just gawked at how humongous the size is, and this year, Apple went ahead and made it even bigger with a 6.9-inch display instead of 6.7 inches.

Read more
Every iPhone release in chronological order: 2007-2024
The iPhone 5 and iPhone 15 Pro Max screens.

On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs took the stage at Macworld and announced Apple’s next big product: the iPhone. Sales of the iPhone began on June 29, 2007, and it completely changed the world of mobile phones.

Now, in 2024, we’ve had over 17 years of iPhone releases. In just a few more years, it will be two decades of the iPhone, which is a little crazy to think about.

Read more