The SmartThings Hub V3 is the central connection and acts like the intelligent brain of your modern Smart Home. It allows you to connect wirelessly to a wide range of smart devices.
The associated SmartThings App on your Smartphone becomes the basic control center. The hub connects to your router via Wi-Fi or the included LAN cable and is ready to go in no time.

Note from Smarthings and Aeotec/Z-Wave Europe:
"The former Samsung SmartThings Hub has only changed its name. Technically it is the same product.
There is just a change in branding of this product. Now it is called “Aeotec Smart Home Hub - Works as a SmartThings Hub”.

Based on a worldwide agreement between Samsung and Z-Wave Europe, Z-Wave Europe GmbH is the SmartThings sales channel for the “Works with SmartThings Hub” and other SmartThings components.
Therefore, Samsung points customers and prospects to Z-Wave Europe, when they ask for the SmartThings Hub. Of course the user has access to the very large Smart Home Ecosystem, which is based on the SmartThings App."