Samsung’s Gear S3 smartwatch sells out in Malaysia; defies gloomy IDC forecast

While International Data Corporation has forecasted a gloomy Christmas for the wearables market with a year-over-year decline in shipment volumes that are eyebrow-raising: IDC figures clock in, pun notwithstanding, a total of 2.7 million smartwatches shipped in Q3 2016, which is a decrease of 51.6% from the 5.6 million units shipped in Q3 2015. Despite all the doom and gloom, it seems that Samsung’s recently launched Gear S3 which has just hit stores both online and on e-tailers nationwide, has become a dark horse that has defied expectations.

Image: IFA 2016 launch of the Samsung Gear S3

The Gear S3 runs on Samsung’s own Tizen operating system, has interchangeable watch straps compatible with standard straps in the market and has health monitoring, geotracking and a built-in mike to take calls from a paired smartphone of any make via Bluetooth. It also has four days of battery life, which resolves the classic conundrum of smartwatch users who have yet another device to charge at the end of the day on top of a smartphone.

Launched at IFA 2016 earlier in September this year, the Gear S3, which comes in two aesthetic variants – the slim looking Classic and the chunkier, more manly Frontier variant retails for RM1,399 in Malaysia.

Since it was announced for sale as of today, reports have come in that both variants of the Gear S3 have essentially sold out nationwide both at Samsung concept stores, authorised dealers and online retailer such as 11street and Lazada too, leaving many customers disappointed. An authorised national dealer who declined to be named stated that while exact figures are not officially released, the amounts sold nationwide in Malaysia since it was made available for sale today was ‘significant and easily numbers into the thousands.’ According to Samsung Malaysia, they’ll be shipping in fresh units to fulfill demand and those eager to get one can place an order at any Samsung authorised dealer.

At the time we went to press, limited numbers of Gear S3 units have been reallocated for sale online. 11street currently has 20 units of the Gear S3 Frontier and 19 remaining Gear S3 Classic watches for sale here .

Samsung Gear S3 on 11street

Lazada has limited numbers of the Gear S3 Frontier here.

Lazada also has limited numbers of the Gear S3 Frontier available for sale

For Malaysia, the Gear S3 comes with quite a few bonuses – buyers will get a limited edition gift box and two free watch straps on the house for RM1399. For more updates swing by Samsung’s official site here.