Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: the full Review

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Even if the Apple Watch dominates the debates in terms of sales, Samsung has not abandoned the idea of ​​competing with the apple brand in the segment of smart health connected watches. The Korean's latest production, the Galaxy Watch Active 2, fits exactly in this perspective: to offer a credible alternative to Apple's knockout, while demonstrating that the Samsung watch is capable of reinventing itself after a first Galaxy Watch particularly appreciated.

Design: the same, better?

Is the Galaxy Watch 2 the confirmed copy of the Galaxy Watch Active? At first glance, yes, because the design of the new smart health connected watch from Samsung does not vary an iota from that of the previous one. We therefore find the same two versions of 40 or 44 mm, an identical bracelet and a round design as classic as it is attractive. As for the screen, Samsung has been digging into its stocks of AMOLED panels. It’s probably the same screen as the Watch Active released earlier this year. It is one of the most efficient and brightest tested by our laboratory. This calculated standstill on the part of Samsung raises questions. What should you understand when a manufacturer reviews a product, less than a year after having launched it? Without doubt that the main thing is not in the appearance of the watch but in its new capabilities.

A return in the form of a correction

Indeed, the Watch Active 2 arrives only eight months after a rather noticed first edition, the main flaw of which was that it had shelved the analog ring specific to Korean watches. This new version looks very much like its predecessor with one exception: the possible use of the edges of the screen to partially resuscitate this ring.

This is indeed the main change compared to the first Watch Active and it is also the most successful point on this new model. The rotating ring dear to Samsung, which made it possible to navigate the menus, has not been reintroduced in the strict sense. These are the edges of the screen that are used and that work on the same principle as the old ring: just slide your finger on the edge of the watch to move from one menu to the other. The responsiveness of the screen is such that it takes a little time to master the touch but the digital ring replaces the mechanical version without a hitch and with an identical level of performance if not better.

Sufficient sensors and performance for ordinary athletes

Although Samsung does not officially present its Watch Active 2 as a sports watch, it is filled with functions of physical exertion analysis and other indicators of the wearer's fitness.

In fact, its use as a sports accessory by some of the users is beyond doubt. On this point the experience in Watch Active 2 is mixed. It must be admitted that Samsung has made considerable efforts on the quality of the sensors used in its watch. No more rough measurements or fancy calculations of the number of daily steps. Now GPS and other heart rate monitors deliver convincing results … provided you do not ask too much. Indeed, on a basic and constant effort, in an urban environment, the measurements we obtained (distance traveled and heart rate essentially) were very close to those of our reference watch, the Fénix 6 from Garmin. On the other hand the cardio tends to drop as soon as it is subjected to more chopped efforts with a greater variation (an exercise of interval training for example). As for the GPS, it sometimes suffers when running runs off the beaten track, on small forest paths for example. Consequently, the Watch Active 2 seems rather well indicated for the occasional sportsman, that is to say the one who wishes to have an overview of his activities without going into details, but will quickly find himself limited if his wearer wishes to invest more in his training.

Tizen OS definitely made you forget about Wear OS

For a few months now, and in particular the arrival of the Galaxy Watch, Samsung has decided to use its in-house interface solution: Tizen. The abandonment of Wear OS (the Google smartwatch OS) went smoothly, as Korean watches have gained in autonomy and functionality. Powered by One UI in support of Tizen, the system offers the same environment as the latest Samsung smartphones such as the Galaxy S10 and Note 10. The menus are quite readable and the interface rather intuitive. However, too many options may discourage some users. On the other hand, as for the Watch Active first of the name, it is worth emphasizing the quality of the ultra-complete notification system which offers to use a T9 keyboard to respond to messages in a natural way. For an in-depth discovery of this interface, we invite you to re-read our Review of the Watch Active, the watch on which this version of Tizen was deployed for the first time.

On the other hand, it is always incomprehensible that Samsung forces the user to use two applications for a single gadget. Indeed, the Watch Active 2, like its predecessors, requires the installation of the "Samsung Health" application in addition to that of specifically dedicated to the Watch. The manufacturer has seen fit to separate the management of the watch (appearance, dials, and different customization options) from that of the data it collects. So to find your last activities, you will have to (well) search on the side of Health, and conversely, if you want to add content to your watch you will have to switch to the Watch application. Uselessly complex and particularly strenuous daily gymnastics.

The relevant addition of an energy saving mode

The Watch Active, the first of its name, had already amazed us with its autonomy. It's no surprise that version 2 is also enduring. A good surprise further enhances a fairly high level of performance. This is a very well thought out energy saving mode that alerts the user as soon as the watch is at 15% battery. Therefore, it suffices to accept the transition to energy saving mode to extend the autonomy by several hours.

Without activating this backup mode, autonomy remains largely sufficient. In fact, for basic use on the “always on” screen, without the GPS being used, it can be estimated at three days. On the other hand, if we increase the physical exercises and therefore the use of GPS, it tends to decrease at high speed "V". With two trips of around 1 hour by bike per day and a 50-minute run, our Review model gave up a few hours before the end of the second day. Obviously these measurements were made with our 40 mm model, they could be slightly different with the 44 mm version of the watch which is equipped with a better capacity battery.

However, this autonomy places the Watch Active 2 in the good average of smart health connected watches, well above the bumpy under Wear OS and of course the Apple Watch Series 5.

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