S2 vs Zenwatch 2

[Kalvin Kerns]

Hey all, looking to get my first smart watch and originally liked the S2 (figured it would match my S6 nicely), but after playing with one and reading some of the issues you all are reporting I'm not sure I want to spend $300 on this beast yet.

That being said I'm thinking the Zenwatch 2 may be a good alternative for a noob like me. Any thoughts as to the pros/cons of each?

I like the idea if using Google maps and "Ok Google" and I don't think they are available on the S2 are they?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[FitzAusTex]

Hey all, looking to get my first smart watch and originally liked the S2 (figured it would match my S6 nicely), but after playing with one and reading some of the issues you all are reporting I'm not sure I want to spend $300 on this beast yet.

That being said I'm thinking the Zenwatch 2 may be a good alternative for a noob like me. Any thoughts as to the pros/cons of each?

I like the idea if using Google maps and "Ok Google" and I don't think they are available on the S2 are they?

Posted via the Android Central App

I've had a square Gear Live since June, and it definitely got me interested in smart watches. There are many good things about AW, but for me, a square watch face is absolutely not one of them after using the S2 for a week, I put on my Gear Live this morning, and kept trying to turn the square bezel, lol. Amazing how quickly you get used to the S2's rotating bezel. Was in best buy yesterday, so examined the new 42mm moto 360 and it is a nice watch, and about the same size as the S2, but I kept trying to turn that bezel, too. And funny how quickly I forgot how to navigate AW.

The major downsides to the S2, to me, are no until-dismissed notifications indicator on ambient or regular watch face, no Google now or Google maps, limited apps and apparently the Gear app isn't compatible yet with Marshmallow.

On the other hand, I like Samsung's implementation of Tizen on the S2 so much more than AW (minus my issues above), that I'm thinking of returning my S2, and getting the S2 3g next month.

 

[me23brown]

Well I have the first generation Zenwatch and I really like it. The only thing it's missing is WiFi which the second generation does have. Although I've heard the second generation doesn't have a heart rate monitor but the one on mine wasn't good anyway. If you are looking to get a good AW watch then it's half as much as the rest of the bunch so I'd go for it. The only thing I wish it had was the ambient light sensor but only the 360 has that.

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[zuko33]

I have the original Zenwatch I like it but have issues with it. I like the style and it's great indoors and in low light situations. But i find it pretty much useless outdoors or in any bright light situations. I just can't see the screen in outdoors in sunlight. I know it has a brightness boost setting but you have to actually be able to see the screen to navigate to the brightness boost setting. No ambient light sensor is a huge issue for me and is why the next watch i get will have to have one. That leaves me with the Moto 360 or the S2 and i just can't get past the flat tire on the Moto 360 so i am going to give the S2 a try.

 

[Kalvin Kerns]

Thank you guys, you've given me something to think on. I played with another S2 again today and I'm just not sold on it. I think it looks and feels like a toy...I hate saying that, but that's what it feels like.

I messed around with a dummy Zenwatch 2 and ity felt better all around than the S2. Looked and felt like a real watch to me. The Moto 360 was there as well and while it looks nice I just don't want it for some reason.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[KoukiFC3S]

I have the original Zenwatch I like it but have issues with it. I like the style and it's great indoors and in low light situations. But i find it pretty much useless outdoors or in any bright light situations. I just can't see the screen in outdoors in sunlight. I know it has a brightness boost setting but you have to actually be able to see the screen to navigate to the brightness boost setting. No ambient light sensor is a huge issue for me and is why the next watch i get will have to have one. That leaves me with the Moto 360 or the S2 and i just can't get past the flat tire on the Moto 360 so i am going to give the S2 a try.

I have good news about the S2. It's really easy to see the display outdoors. I have the brightness at 5 (half) and had no issues seeing it under the sun at noon.

 

[codeda]

I think the Zenwatch two is really nice and crazy cheap. I have one on the way myself so maybe I'm biased but you can always try and return if you aren't feeling it once you have it in daily use.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[FitzAusTex]

I will confirm that the S2 is surprisingly readable outdoors. The sensor is very quick and reacts to sudden changes in intense light pretty instantaneously.

 

[FitzAusTex]

Oh, and I was underwhelmed by the s2 in best buy, and way more impressed when I got it home and on my wrist. Understand if the design/style just isn't for you, though.

 

[Kalvin Kerns]

I think the Zenwatch two is really nice and crazy cheap. I have one on the way myself so maybe I'm biased but you can always try and return if you aren't feeling it once you have it in daily use.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I think I just may do that codeda.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Kalvin Kerns]

So I got the Zenwatch 2... It's going back. I actually liked the S2 better, but I won't be picking one up at the current price point.

I don't think any one of this current crop of smart watches is worth more than about $200 so I'll wait for Wearable maturity and correct pricing in the future.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Savannah Software]

I have the original Zenwatch I like it but have issues with it. I like the style and it's great indoors and in low light situations. But i find it pretty much useless outdoors or in any bright light situations. I just can't see the screen in outdoors in sunlight. I know it has a brightness boost setting but you have to actually be able to see the screen to navigate to the brightness boost setting. No ambient light sensor is a huge issue for me and is why the next watch i get will have to have one. That leaves me with the Moto 360 or the S2 and i just can't get past the flat tire on the Moto 360 so i am going to give the S2 a try.

For people experiencing the same thing. On Android Wear, press the button three times. It turns brightness to maximum for a few seconds.

 

[ALborntoride]

I had a original zenwatch and really enjoyed it but switched to an iPhone and got rid of it. Bought a apple watch and enjoyed it as well but it's not worth the price. Picked up a note 5 and a gear s2 and I really like it more than the other 2. Tizen may not have as many apps but it runs so much smoother than apples watch and it feels like a watch. My favorite so far.

 

[jjhoneck]

I've got the S2 3G version, and love it.

To be able to receive and make calls on it without being slaved to a cell phone is worth precisely what I paid for it.