Samsung unveils Gear S and Gear Circle wearables

Smartwatch features standalone 3G and WiFi connectivity

Samsung has unveiled a Gear S smartwatch featuring standalone 3G and WiFi connectivity, marking its latest attempt to take control of the increasingly competitive wearables market.

The Gear S's 3G connectivity removes the need for the device to be tethered to a compatible Android smartphone using a Bluetooth connection to work. This means users can check incoming messages and take phone calls using the Gear S without an active WiFi or Bluetooth connection.

Previous smartwatches, such as the Samsung Gear Fit and LG G Watch, need to be tethered to an Android smartphone has been a constant complaint among users and critics.

Samsung IT and Mobile Division director Ines van Gennip said he expects the functionality to prove a key selling point for the Gear S. "Samsung is leading the exciting and rapidly developing wearable category with continuous innovation that aims to enhance the lives of technology fans," he said.

"The Samsung Gear S is set to redefine the idea of the smart wearable device and the culture of mobile communication, enabling people to live a truly connected life anywhere, anytime."

The Gear S will feature a curved 2in Super Amoled, 480x360 resolution touchscreen, unspecified dual-core 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM.

It will also feature 4GB of storage and a 300mAh battery Samsung claims offer users "two full days of typical usage". The Gear S will run using Samsung's own Tizen wearable operating system (OS), not Google's recently launched Android Wear.

Samsung also unveiled a new Gear Circle (above) wearable alongside the Gear S. The smart neckband features in-ear headphones and is designed to let users enact a variety of tasks hands free.

These include the ability to music, make more private phone calls and issue voice commands when the Gear Circle is paired with a smartwatch or smartphone over Bluetooth.

Samsung plans to begin rolling out the Gear S and Gear Circle in October. There is currently no word on either devices' price or exact UK release date.

Check back with V3 closer to the time for full reviews of the Samsung Gear S and Gear Circle.