Samsung Gear 2 review: A smartwatch that tries to be everything
In an increasingly competitive smartwatch market, the Samsung Gear 2 aims to pack a punch with its all-in-one approach, attempting to combine the best of functionality, design, and convenience. With an array of features that cater to varying consumer needs, the question arises: does this device manage to excel in all aspects, or does it fall short in delivering on its promises? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design and Build Quality:
Sporting a sleek and modern design, the Samsung Gear 2 is available in three color options: black, gold, and silver. The device is lightweight and comfortable on the wrist, making it suitable for extended wear. Its Super AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors and sharp images, ensuring that notifications and app icons are easily discernible.
One noteworthy aspect of the Gear 2’s design is its interchangeable straps, which allow users to customize their smartwatch appearance. Additionally, its dust and water-resistant build offers fantastic durability for everyday use.
Performance and Battery Life:
Underneath its stylish exterior lies a 1.0 GHz dual-core processor that provides smooth navigation through menus and apps. However, occasional hiccups while running multiple apps remind users this is still a smartwatch that cannot match the performance of our smartphones.
Battery life on the Gear 2 is impressive, lasting up to three days of regular use with notifications enabled. For those who prefer not to charge their devices daily, this watch tends to outlast many of its competitors in the market.
Functionality and Software:
Where the Samsung Gear 2 really shines is its feature-rich offering. The device comes with a built-in heart rate monitor, pedometer, sleep tracker, and even music playback control. With these tools at your disposal directly on your wrist, tracking your daily health stats becomes easy and uncomplicated.
Furthermore, compatibility with many popular third-party apps like Spotify, Strava, and MyFitnessPal makes the Gear 2 more versatile than its competitors.
One of the main drawbacks, though, is the limited support for non-Samsung smartphones. Users who own other Android devices may find it hard to fully utilize all the features offered by this smartwatch.
Wrapping Up:
The Samsung Gear 2 tries to be everything a smartwatch should be and, in many ways, it gets quite close. With an attractive design, extensive feature set, and remarkable battery life, it is a solid contender in the wearables market.
However, its occasional performance hiccups and limited compatibility keep it from occupying the top spot. If you’re an owner of a Samsung Galaxy device looking for a smartwatch companion that offers a wide range of features in a stylish package, the Gear 2 might be worth considering. For users of other devices, though, this watch may not be the most suitable option.