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Hands-on with the new Samsung Gear S2

Hands-on with the new Samsung Gear S2

3 months ago

Hands-on with the new Samsung Gear S2

3 months ago


Samsung is always quick to point out that it pioneered the smartwatch market; with the first Galaxy Gear back in late 2013.

While that is very true, it’s also true to say that since then they’ve been outdone in this market by at least one of their competitors. The Moto 360, LG Watch Urbane and the Apple Watch are all arguably better looking than anything Samsung had previously produced.

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

That’s why it was no real surprise to see that when the Gear S2 was announced last week, it had a circular face (much more on-trend) and just generally looked like a real step up from Samsung.

But of course, looks aren’t everything, so what is the S2 like up close and on your wrist?

First impressions

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

They are very good. The S2 is light, and the plastic wristbands are actually comfortable against the wrist. It helps that the watch is so light, but the finish on the bezels surrounding looks and feels premium.

If that’s the sort of smartwatch you’re looking for, then the S2 Classic might be your sort of thing. This is a very traditionally-driven smartwatch, with ridged bezels like a fashion watch of the analogue persuasion, and leather bands too.

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

On both watches the bezel also serves as a way of navigating through the various screens; by twisting it either left or right, just like on a traditional watch. As a way of moving through the various menus, favourite apps or shortcuts it’s smart and very easy to get used to.

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

On first use it might even feel more comfortable to work with than the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown.

Personalisation

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

As part of the 20 or so watch faces that are built into the S2, users can further customise them by changing the colour of clock hands or numbers on screen.

There’s also lots of health and fitness focus on show, as some watch faces change depending on the amount of exercise you do. Fun. Motivation. It’s up to you.

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

Speaking of motivation, S Health is heavily integrated too, with the watch said to be able to recognise different types of movement as you do them

Nuts and bolts

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

Both the S2 and the S2 Classic has near-field communication (NFC) technology built-in, and this means it’ll work with Samsung Pay when it launches.

Not only that, but it means the S2 can be used as a smart control for internet of things devices too – including with Samsung’s own SmartThings products that heavily featured in the firm’s press conference.

On top of this, Samsung says there will somewhere in the region of 1000 apps available to download at launch. All of which have been designed especially for the S2.

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

One of the most interesting we saw was the Wall Street Journal app, which gave users the power to see a single word of an article appear on screen at a time, but set the pace at which the app would move through a sentence. It’s a clever way to approach the novel idea of reading on a smartwatch.

It also has WiFi connectivity, which Samsung says means that if you leave your device at home, but join a network from elsewhere on your S2, your notifications will still be pushed to your wrist.

This is good news, alongside the expanded compatibility, which will now allow any Android device running Android 4.4 or above, and that has 1.5GB of RAM can pair with the S2 or Classic.

Samsung Gear S2 (PA)
Samsung Gear S2 (PA)

With battery life continuing to be an issue for smartwatches, it’s a bold move from Samsung to ay the S2 will last 2-3 days with normal use. Until the watch is on wrists we won’t know how bold a claim it really is.

And that wait won’t actually be too long, with the S2 confirmed as arriving in the UK in October.


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