Samsung Gear S2 Classic Gains Platinum And Rose Gold Options, iOS Compatibility Confirmed

It looks like there’s some big news to discuss with regards to Samsung’s Gear S2 Classic smartwatch. First and foremost, Samsung is adding two more finishes to complement the existing black metal finish: Platinum and Rose Gold.

These finishes will be platings on top of the existing stainless steel housing, which should put it more in line with the similar Rose Gold and Gold finishes available on the Apple Watch Sport. In addition to the new two new finishes, Samsung is also introducing a number of new watch bands constructed of leather, steel and even nylon.

But perhaps the biggest news to come out of CES pertaining to the Gear S2 (both the standard and Classic models) is that Samsung will bring support for iOS. Samsung first expressed its wish to support iOS in September, shortly after the launch of the Gear S2. “We are looking at possibilities to open it up to iOS,” said a Samsung spokesperson at IFA 2015. “Because we opened it up to Android, we are looking at this.”

Samsung today officially confirmed that it is working on a companion app that would make Apple’s iPhone compatible with the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic. For those iPhone fans that prefer the looks of a round watch over the rectangular shape of the Apple Watch, the Gear S2 makes a pretty compelling alternative.

But be forewarned; just as Android Wear support for the iPhone is extremely limited in what it can do (at least compared to an Apple Watch paired with an iPhone), the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic will likewise not be fully integrated with iOS. We’ll have to stay tuned for additional details from Samsung on which iPhone models and which features will be supported. However, by that time, Apple may have already released a second generation Apple Watch — but we’re not holding our breath on Apple releasing a smartwatch with a circular face.