The comparison of the upcoming Samsung Gear S3 and the Microsoft Band 2 hinted at a brewing competition between the the two technology giants. This report is intended to provide you an overview of the Microsoft fitness tracker and pit it against the upcoming Samsung smartwatch, which will help you choose the better gadget out of the two.

To start with, the Samsung Gear S3 is expected to be launched in two variants codenamed as the Classic and the Frontier with circular metallic waterproof chassis, rotatable bezels, and numerous side buttons. However, the former variant is reportedly to be a luxury watch and is expected to feature a thinner strap compared to the latter's sturdy design, which will be made available exclusively for the more active users.

On the other hand, the Microsoft Band 2 sports a metallic silver chassis with a durable plastic silicone strap. The fitness tracker is rectangular in shape with curved and extended display panel.

In terms of display specs, the Microsoft fitness tracker consists of a 1.26-inch screen with AMOLED display panel and 320 x 128 pixels resolution, while the upcoming Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch models are expected to feature a 1.3-inch screen with Super AMOLED display and high 360 x 360 pixels resolution.

When it comes to performance-related specs, the Samsung smartwatch is expected to surpass the Microsoft Band 2 with its rumored dual-core 1.0GHz chipset along with 768 MB RAM and 4 GB internal storage option. On the other hand, the Microsoft Band 2 does not sport any processor or memory unit as it just a tracker. However, it consists of many sensors for fitness tracking like the optical heart rate sensor, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, capacitive sensor, and barometer to mention a few.

In terms of software specs, the Microsoft Band 2 is touted to be compatible with all the platforms like the Windows 8.1 or later, the iOS 8.1.2 or later, and the Android 4.3 or later. While the Samsung Gear S3 is rumored to run on the Tizen operating system and is expected to be compatible with all the Android and iOS devices.

As far as the battery capacity is concerned, the Band 2 sports a Lithium-polymer battery unit, which can be fully charged in less than 1.5 hours and provides you with around 2 days of usage. On the other hand, the upcoming Gear S3 smartwatch is expected to consist of 380 mAh battery, which will last for around 3 to 4 days. Lastly, the Samsung Gear S3 is speculated to be priced for $300-$350 as compared to the Microsoft Band 2's price of $250.

To sum up, both the devices have competent specs and features to cater to your needs. Nonetheless, the Samsung Gear S3 might surpass the Band 2 wearable owing to its huge display, operating system, and huge battery. However, choosing a device will totally depend on your needs and budget.