ZenWatch 2 vs Moto 360 (2014)

[Mike Majeski]

Best Buy is now selling the 18mm metal band version of the Moto 360 (2014) for $149, same price as the ZenWatch 2 with the leather band or the smaller size. Just wondering how the two would compare and if there is a significant amount of performance difference between the two.

 

[dabombcra]

Best Buy is now selling the 18mm metal band version of the Moto 360 (2014) for $149, same price as the ZenWatch 2 with the leather band or the smaller size. Just wondering how the two would compare and if there is a significant amount of performance difference between the two.

Good question, I hope someone has an answer. The OS is the same, so it would be all about hardware

Sent from my Samsung Note 10.1 2014

 

[Mike Majeski]

Yeah, I mean the ZenWatch 2 has a newer processor and is a full year newer, but not sure how they compare. My first Android Wear device was a G Watch and I heard some complaints about that regarding speed, comfort, battery life, etc and I didn't have too many problems with it.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[lowrg3]

I would have to say it all comes to personal preference. Do you want round or square? The performance difference will be minuscule so the design will be the bigger decider.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[me23brown]

Well actually the performance issue would be a huge difference. The original moto 360 uses an older TI processor that was already out of date when they made it. It has struggled to keep up with each of the updates and performance has suffered each time. While most people will say that it looks better than the Zenwatch that is all personal preference. While the Zenwatch 2 lacks the ambient light sensor and heart rate monitor that the original moto 360 has personally I think the Zenwatch 2 is a much better option and will last longer. Just check out the posts on the problems of the 360 with updates and performance and you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

 

[smhism]

I was contemplating this exact thing at 2am this morning. After an hour (or three) of going back and forth, reading reviews on amazon and other sites, and just imagining each watch on my wrist, I ordered the Zenwatch2 and picked it up this morning from my local best buy. Gotta say, I really like it. I got the gunmetal w/ dark brown strap. Honestly, I still might pick up a 360 after christmas to rotate them around, but my initial gut instinct told me that the 360 would be way too large to wear as an every day watch. Also, the always on display on the zenwatch means you don't have to wait for a screen to wake up when glancing to see what time it is. I have a heartbeat monitor on my phone that I never use, so having one on my watch was moot. Also, ambient lighting sensors = auto brightness = a huge headache for me on my phone. Give me manual control over brightness and I'm much happier (which the zenwatch 2 has).

 

[Android Optimizer]

I had been debating the same issue for a couple of months, and recently decided to get the ZenWatch 2 because I'd read so much about the Moto 360 being lag-y and slow to respond (because of the slow old model processor). Like some have said one major deciding factor is if you'd rather have a round watch or a square watch, and if you really like round over square that might be enough to put up with the slower response times of the old model Moto 360. At one point I'd read that the ZenWatch 2 had a ambient light sensor (the giant area between the edge of the watch and screen itself), and that was the reason why the screen doesn't stretch to the end, and that unlike the 360 ambient light sensor (aka the flat tire) instead of having a setting on the watch it only kicks in automatically under the lighting conditions of outdoors. I've only read it in one spot to date, and it sounds far fetched to me...
Back to the topic...from a performance perspective the hardware in the ZenWatch 2 is superior, so you should better performance (responsiveness) out of the ZenWatch 2.

 

[matthew2926]

I have both of these watches. Personally, I think that the 1st gen 360 looks nicer but the Zenwatch 2 is much better in terms of performance. With my 360, I am lucky to make it to the end of they day without the battery dying. In addition, at around the 15% battery mark, power saver mode automatically kicks on (I think this happens with all watches), and with the 360, I usually notice an extreme amount of lag when this power save mode is activated. With the Zenwatch 2, I usually have around 40% battery left at the end of a day with heavy usage. I wear them both, but the 360 better suits me for occasions where I want to wear a nicer looking watch. One last thing about the Zenwatch 2 is that I got the gunmetal one with the dark brown leather band and the clasp, and it took a few days for the band to break in and become comfortable. Now it is great, but I almost returned it on the first day because it was digging into my wrist. If you get the Zenwatch 2, just stick it out with the band for a few days before you judge it. I also bent the leather back and forth on the first day in order to help it break in a little. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mike Majeski]

I think I am going to side on the Zenwatch 2, but of course Google then goes ahead and drops the Moto360 price to $99. But, read in the forums about the issues with Google Play services and having to sideload old versions of Wear in order to get the 360 up and running. Seems like a headache to save $25 and get crappier performance, albeit in a nicer looking watch.

 

[brosko]

I have both of these watches. Personally, I think that the 1st gen 360 looks nicer but the Zenwatch 2 is much better in terms of performance. With my 360, I am lucky to make it to the end of they day without the battery dying. In addition, at around the 15% battery mark, power saver mode automatically kicks on (I think this happens with all watches), and with the 360, I usually notice an extreme amount of lag when this power save mode is activated. With the Zenwatch 2, I usually have around 40% battery left at the end of a day with heavy usage. I wear them both, but the 360 better suits me for occasions where I want to wear a nicer looking watch. One last thing about the Zenwatch 2 is that I got the gunmetal one with the dark brown leather band and the clasp, and it took a few days for the band to break in and become comfortable. Now it is great, but I almost returned it on the first day because it was digging into my wrist. If you get the Zenwatch 2, just stick it out with the band for a few days before you judge it. I also bent the leather back and forth on the first day in order to help it break in a little. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah I have both too and what you said pretty much sums it up perfect. The zw2 definitely gives a better user experience even though the moto 360 is better looking.