Complete Review of the smart health connected watch smart health innovation

From the IFA international trade fair in Berlin, the South Korean giant's smartwatch unleashes passion on the internet. And there's something when you see a watch as well made, both in terms of design and functionality. We note in particular that the rotary screen of the Samsung Gear S2 has not yet been encountered anywhere in the competition.

It also offers a 1.2 inch AMOLED screen, 4 GB storage, 512 MB RAM, a dual-core processor, WiFi of course, wireless charging, and finally the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology which is already making a lot of talk. On this last point, Samsung reminds on its website that the NFC will not be available everywhere.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3PVNB19zPs (/ embed) 

Mark : Samsung

Category : smart health connected watch

Sign in : WiFi, NFC

Availability : available

Price : 349 euros, 379 euros for the classic version.

Buy the Samsung Gear S2 :

Unboxing of the Samsung Gear S2 watch

Samsung plays in sobriety with a round box, probably a reminder to the circular screen of the watch, containing the device accompanied by its induction charger. Very nice packaging.

Design of the Samsung Gear S2

The Samsung Gear S2 is beautiful. Finally, especially the classic version. She has very few, if not downright, visual defects. This is a little less the case with his colleague "sport". Although a sport version must be suitable for physical exercise, but the silicone bracelets have a somewhat cheap effect. Another criticism: the disappearance of the notches on the dial. A slight change, of course, but one that visually changes a lot.

In addition, one of the strengths of this notched dial is ergonomics. It's silly, but the handling is much better. Suddenly, this version for athletes does not win all the votes unlike the Samsung Gear S2 Classic which is simply superb.

Count 349 euros for the sport version, and 379 for the classic version. The good surprise is that the two devices will be delivered with two straps, "Small" and "Large" to suit both thin and thick wrists. As for the bracelets themselves, know that it is possible to change them.

It will still cost you 39 euros for a sports bracelet and 59 for a classic. However, the sport version requires a proprietary bracelet while the classic Gear S2 can be adapted to all types of bracelets. Clearly, no need to go to Samsung. Why only one of the two? Mystery.

Use / Getting started with the Samsung Gear S2

If smartphones grow over time, smart health connected watches shrink. The device, much smaller than the competition, yet has a screen with a similar resolution. The pixel density is improved, to the delight of your eyes. We had already congratulated Huawei for its screen, it must be said that Samsung is also doing very hard. Even if it's not really comparable, we put the Gear S2 aside with the first 360 bike and we see that progress has been made!

Tizen, Samsung’s health home OS, is both the watch’s strong and weak point. Because if it allows quality performance and very simple navigation in the menus, this OS has a major defect: it is sorely lacking in content. Where Android Wear is starting to integrate many applications, this is not yet the case for Tizen. Thus, we will have to be satisfied with the range of “S” apps, specific to the manufacturer, for all the health, voice memo, etc. functionalities.

Gold, a smart health connected watch is rightly supposed to transfer the advantages of the smartphone to the wrist. Otherwise, Tizen will ask that you go through a good phase of personalizing notifications and the general functioning of the watch before you can take advantage of it. Indeed, many notifications are blocked by default.

Other features would have been welcome such as a speaker or a GPS. Likewise for 3G which will not be available in France where the idea of ​​a watch with a SIM card is having a hard time gaining ground.. Positive point: the NFC is at the rendezvous with the Samsung Pay, where the competition abandons this functionality which however has very many advantages.

Another important point of the watch: its autonomy. The company announced that its Gear S2 could hold 2 to 3 days between each recharge in normal use. A figure that seems a bit optimistic and yet it has been confirmed by tests! If the battery is too low, an autonomy mode has been designed so that the display switches to black and white automatically.

For all those who still doubt itwatch waterproofness, we refer you to the subtitled Review video which should dispel any doubts. But if you still need proof, here it is: a well-inspired surfer has decided to splash his watch in an aquarium and as promised, it continues to work.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OicAT1-rWy4 (/ embed) 

One less model for Europe

Sad news for all those who were waiting for the arrival of models for the new Samsung watch next October. One of them will not be sold in Europe for the time being.

This is not a choice of the Korean giant, but a small network compatibility concerns with the Samsung Gear S2 3G.

Samsung Gear S2 for dummies

If in theory smart health connected watches seem simple to use, this isn’t not always easy, especially when you're a newbie when it comes to smart health connected objects. Do not panic, Samsung has completely turned tutorials available on YouTube.

Five videos very well explained from "how to use the touch screen" at "how to use the calls and messages features“. No effort to make, videos are available in French, in English, in Spanish or in German.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-ZCaMendX8 (/ embed) 

The Samsung Gear S2 against the competition

Of all the smartwatches presented at IFA, the Gear S2 and the Huawei Watch have stood out because of their design and ergonomics. Both round and inspired by traditional watch models, these smart watches are really comfortable and elegant to wear. And even if the Huawei Watch is a little more worked and aesthetic, the Gear S2 is catching up by offering a very wide range of features.

Both watches offer numerous sensors, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a heart rate sensor, or even a barometer. However, the Samsung model is also equipped withan ambient light sensor as well as a function GPS, available on the 3G model.

If the many features of the Samsung Gear S2 can appeal to consumers, a little quack at the level of voice control exists. This problem would also appear on the phone, although S-Voice works better on the watch. However, it is not yet that, the command encounters some difficulties to transcribe with precision the sentences spoken where feature works great with Apple Watch.

While the Apple Watch can display, with a little patience, a map to direct you using voice control, this would not be possible with the Samsung Gear S2, regardless of the interface on which the user is located . It will take go to the Maps application in order to be able to dictate the place sought, and again, the result would leave something to be desired.

Price and availability of the Samsung Gear S2

The watch is already available for 349 or 379 euros in its classic version.

Conclusion

Advantages of the Samsung Gear S2

> The classic version at 379 euros very elegant> The rotary dial, one if not the best innovation in terms of smart health connected watches> Beautiful screen> Convincing autonomy> An accessible health home OS

Cons of the Samsung Gear S2

> The design of the 349-euro version> Tizen lacks compatibility> No integrated GPS> No speaker> No 3G version in hexagon

The Samsung Gear S2 was eagerly awaited. The Korean manufacturer is striking with a watch that is finally renewing the use of smartwatches. The rotary dial is a great idea, complemented by a perfectly optimized in-house OS. Only defect, the lack of content of it. Compatible with applications from the Samsung ecosystem only, no integrated GPS or even no speaker. If we still regret the silicone bracelet on the cheapest version, the classic version is beautiful. There is no doubt that the Gear S2 will be on the podium of the best smart health connected watches on the market.

Use / Getting started

Overview

Design : The classic version could clearly claim a nice 5. But the basic version at 349 euros is disappointing and would have been rated 3.5. The grade is therefore the average of the two.Use / Getting started :Ergonomics and general use faults are relatively difficult to find. The association Tizen and rotary dial works well. However, the basic setting is quite restrictive.Features : If Tizen is an excellent OS, he has the defect of owning it. He encourages you to use the apps of the Samsung ecosystem. moreover, Android Wear compatible applications are not Tizen compatible.Value for money : If the Samsung Gear S2 is a quality product, it remains quite expensive. But for a high-end watch, it fulfills its role perfectly.

Review: Samsung Gear S2, the revival 

Reviewed by Thomas Remilleret  

we 2015-12-25

   Design : The classic version could clearly claim a nice 5. But the basic version at 349 euros is disappointing and would have been rated 3.5. The grade is therefore the average of the two.Use / Getting started :Ergonomics and general use faults are relatively difficult to find. The association Tizen and rotary dial works well. However, the basic setting is quite restrictive.Features : If Tizen is an excellent OS, he has the defect of owning it. He encourages you to use the apps of the Samsung ecosystem. moreover, Android Wear compatible applications are not Tizen compatible.Value for money : If the Samsung Gear S2 is a quality product, it remains quite expensive. But for a high-end watch, it fulfills its role perfectly.

Rating: 4.06 

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW