(ThyBlackMan.com) If there’s a smartwatch that really nailed it, without doubt it is the Samsung Gear S2. When Apple Watch and Google Android Wear smartwatches were battling on the market grounds, only a few models were strong enough to encourage buyers. There was nothing new in the industry and almost everyone was wearing the same kind of feel with these watches.
The Gear S2 came like a reinvented smartwatch and without doubt, the Samsung Gear S2 was one of the best smartwatches, darkened only by the facts that the watch doesn’t feature a speaker, unlike the predecessor, it lacks strong application ecosystem and was not iOS supportive for long.
A year on, and Samsung chose the same track again, now with the Gear S2 successor. The Samsung Gear S3 is no doubt an excellent watch, but anyone with a small wrist will likely prefer staying away from the S3’s huge 46mm design, as the Gear S2 comes in two sizes 42mm and a classic edition which is even smaller than the one. Change the straps and you’ll observe that S2 looks sleeker, but S3 appears to be a mammoth on wrist.
It’s not just about Samsung battling with Samsung itself. One of the main reasons why S2 is the smartwatch you can consider buying in 2017 also because after using it, you won’t feel comfortable when you move on to some other smartwatch. The rotating bezel works in the same way on both the Gear S2 and S3, but due to its sleek design, S2 gives that matchless experience. So, once it becomes a fun part of your life, using other smartwatch will appear to be a struggle. If you can try an S2, you can experiment.
No matter how deep you dive into technical specifications and features, budget limits everything; and when it comes to buying a value for money smartwatch, going for the Samsung Gear S2 is still a better option. But if budget is not your concern but sporty look is, you will be happier with the Gear S3 Frontier.
The S2 device is fast and performance is not bad. Just rotate the bezel or touch any of the apps available, you will notice that the time taken by the watch to process your input is very low. You can expect swift transitions and highly responsive animations. One of the best things is that the watch’s app interface is designed in a very strategic manner. It not only gives ease of access, but also turn out to be genuinely useful.
You may find a little sluggish behaviour similar to the Apple Watch when using third party applications. The load time with such apps remains higher, no matter how many times you try checking. It is not a new thing for smartwatches, because even when opening applications like maps, almost all the current generation watches behave weirdly and sometimes make the experience so frustrating that users start feeling like pulling out their phone instead of struggling with a tiny screen on their wrist.
The Samsung Gear S2 is made to accompany your phone, but yes, it can rely on Wi-Fi to stay connected and get messages even when your phone is out of range. Of course, you can do the same on the Apple Watch and several other Android watches too.
The Samsung Gear S2 when launched came as an interesting watch with the “Wow” factor in the smartwatch realm. The new design with a solid twist is enough to impress anyone. Now when its rivals from Apple, LG and other leading smartwatch manufacturers are busy in developing certain styles, Samsung’s Gear S2 offers a fresh change. And now when the watch is almost two years old, the Gear S2 still wins the hearts and can be chosen as an affordable smartwatch with so much to feel positive about the investment.
Staff Writer; Corey Shaw
Have any Tech Tips? News? Hit up our Tech Guru at; CoreyS@ThyBlackMan.com.
Update: Just saw the other note about golf apps for the Gear S2. That is another reason I got this watch. I got the Golf Pad app and it works great!! I especially love the distance from the hole feature and add a shot on your wrist.
I wish you folks would quit saying Geat S2 doesn’t have a speaker!!! I waited for the speaker / phone version to come out in November 2015 and have been delighted with it. It has it’s own separate phone line (verizon cost $5 plus tax). I can call from it without my phone nearby and actually listen to music via my bluetooth headphones while out walking – again without my phone nearby. Am I the only one in the universe with such a wonderful smartwatch??? And the ongoing updates are terrific!!
Gotta say Im really disappointed with it.
I have a Microsoft Band as well & the fitness component of the Gear 2 fails miserably in comparison. It also claims golf apps and really none of them work as advertised.
I had to switch from Windows Phone to Android & it has been nothing but disappointment.
I kind of like the Samsung Gear S2 over the newer version. The Samsung Gear S3 is too big and clunky while sporting.
One can’t say the same about the Apple Watch. It’s simple, small, yet elegant looking.