Samsung Gear S2 now available in US

Samsung has started selling the Gear S2, launched as the successor to the Gear S in August, in the US. The Gear S2 and the Gear S2 Classic are being sold through Samsung's official online store in the country. Online marketplaces, including Amazon, Best Buy and Macy's, have also listed the smartwatch on their ecommerce sites.

The Gear S2 is currently available in Bluetooth variant, and its 3G version is expected to go on sale in the coming future. While the silver and dark grey-coloured Samsung Gear S2 are available for $299.99 (£197.60), the black Gear S2 Classic comes with a price tag of $349.99 (£230.54) in the US. The company has not yet revealed any details about the price and availability in the UK.

The Gear S2 features a 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED display with 360 x 360 resolution and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core Exynos processor. There is 512MB of RAM and 4GB internal storage. Similar to the first-generation Gear S, the Gear S2 runs on Tizen OS that now has an all-new interface and some upgraded features.

In terms of connectivity, the Gear S2 has Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and an optional 3G support. Unlike Android Wear-based smartwatches like the new Motorola Moto 360 or the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, Samsung's offering is capable of making and receiving voice calls, text messages and notifications without the connected smartphone. The Bluetooth version of the smartwatch packs a 250mAh Li-Ion battery, while its 3G version has 300mAh battery along with wireless charging technology. The Gear S2 is compatible with Android devices and comes in a stainless steel casing along with elastomer and leather band options.