Samsung's ViewFinity S8 monitors are a more affordable option for content creators
They offer precise Pantone color validation, HDR10+ and up to DisplayHDR 600 brightness.
Samsung Gear 2
71
Engadget Review
The Gear 2 is generally a solid improvement over the original, with a nicer design and longer battery life. Even so, it doesn't perform well enough to fully justify the $300 asking price.
Pros
- Longer battery life
- New heart rate monitor and IR blaster
- Improved design
Cons
- Very few apps
- Some software features feel superficial
View All Critic & User Reviews
Samsung Gear 2
- Critic Reviews (16)
- User Reviews (9)
- 68AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE16 ReviewsLaptop Magazine60Samsung Gear 2 ReviewThe Samsung Gear 2 has a sleeker design than its predecessor and a built-in heart-rate monitor, but it doesn't save you enough time for the price.PC Mag60Samsung Gear 2The Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch is a vast improvement over the original, but it's still too expensive and limited to appeal to most users.CNET70Samsung Gear 2 review: A smartwatch that tries toSamsung has made strides with the Gear 2, but this smartwatch is on its own island with few apps and Samsung-only device compatibility. At this point, you're better off waiting for Android Wear.Ars Technica70Review: We wear Samsung’s Gear 2 and Gear Fit soThis slick device works as advertised and is no slouch, but it will only whet your appetite for a smartwatch that better integrates into your total smartphone ecosystem.Engadget70Samsung Gear 2 review: much improved, but that doeThe Gear 2 is generally a solid improvement over the original, with a nicer design and longer battery life. Even so, it doesn't perform well enough to fully justify the $300 asking price.CNETNot RatedTizen-based Samsung Gear 2 ditches Android, adds mThe move to clock Tizen in and check Android out is the biggest change to come to the Gear 2, though one that may not be as obvious to customers who strap on the watches. The watch still sports the same 1.6-inch screen with a 320x320-pixel resolution.Laptop MagazineNot RatedSamsung Gear 2 Smartwatch Wrists-On: Light Weight,Unlike the original Gear, which could do almost nothing without being paired to a phone, the Gear 2 can play music, record your steps with a pedometer, measure your heart rate or remote control your TV, without a handset present.Pocket-Lint70Samsung Gear 2 reviewWe've enjoyed using the Gear 2, but we're left with the impression that it tries to do slightly too much. This is a watch that improves on the previous version, but doesn't quite execute those core functions as well as we'd like.Wired UK80Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch reviewIt's getting there. The Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 improves on its predecessor in almost every significant way -- it's slimmer and lighter, the camera's better and it's faster too. The screen's the same, but it's more than good enough for this size.Pocket-LintNot RatedHands-on: Samsung Gear 2 reviewThe Samsung Gear 2 is better looking than its predecessor. It's more physically customisable as well as offering more personalisation options. But the apps are still not plentiful enough and the ecosystem is still closed.Gizmag70Review: Samsung Gear 2 smartwatchThe Samsung Gear 2 is still a solid overall product. Despite my beefs with some of Samsung's decisions, I do actually like it – and think it's probably the best full-fledged smartwatch you can buy today. But, in its current state, I also find the Gear 2 hard to wholeheartedly recommend.TechRadar60Samsung Gear 2 review A cool watch - but it's alreOverall I'm going to say it's very hard to recommend the Gear 2 to anybody as a) only a certain section of the watch-buying public will have a Samsung phone, and even fewer will have the cash to afford the Gear 2.phoneArena70Samsung Gear 2 ReviewIn the end, we found that the type of functionality that we could see ourselves rely on daily is virtually non-existent – the Gear 2 is an extension of your smartphone at the very, very best. At worst, it's nothing more than a watch for techies, and an expensive one at that.TechRadarNot RatedHands on: Samsung Gear 2 review The new wrist-baseThe rest of the smartwatch abilities are here on the Gear 2, and very much as you'd want. The notifications system is refined and powerful, and while the phone-based Gear Manager is still a little bit of a work in progress, the actual use on the Gear 2 is excellent.T360Samsung Gear 2 reviewIt's a far better product than it's predecessor and in our opinion it's the best smart watch yet, but there's still some way to go before it's a must-have.T3Not RatedSamsung Gear 2 review: Hands onDefinitely an upgrade from the original Gear, the Gear 2 has added a host of functionality (particularly the HR) that raises the bar considerably for the competition.TechRadarNot RatedHands on: Samsung Gear 2 reviewThe Gear 2 is a strong, slick and really rather impressive little package - but the worry is why Samsung is being so cagey on the price.HotHardware70Samsung Gear 2 Smartwatch ReviewIt’s still very much an accessory, albeit a mostly excellent one for all the reasons mentioned above. And then there’s the price tag of $299.99, which is high enough to turn off throngs of on-the-fence users.The Next Web70Samsung’s Gear 2 smartwatches didn’t live up tIts Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches have a lot of potential, but the tricky bit is making sure all the features are relevant enough for general consumers to want to pick them up.Expert Reviews80Samsung Gear 2 reviewIt's still early days for wearable technology, and Samsung's second attempt is a worthy upgrade over the original, but the concept isn't quite ready for us to part with the cash.TrustedReviews50Samsung Gear 2 reviewSamsung has made numerous improvements, but the Gear 2 remains an unconvincing smartwatch, doubly so considering Android Wear watches are due later this year.Stuff80Samsung Gear 2 reviewThe Gear 2 is an improvement over its predecessor in every single way. It's better built, faster, more useful, and has surprisingly good battery life to boot, which is why it's earned an extra star. There's functionality here that you will get use out of every day.Techno BuffaloNot RatedSamsung Gear 2 Hands-On!The Gear 2 looks and feels nicer than the original, but it’s also very similar. Samsung will need to keep the price well below its old price point if it really wants the device to take off — especially ... in the face of the really solid Pebble and Pebble Steel ...TrustedReviewsNot RatedSamsung Gear 2The Gear 2 seems a lot better than the Galaxy Gear, but it is an iterative improvement. And until a manufacturer cracks the formula, sport-based watches feel more in-tune with their audience.Android CommunityNot RatedSamsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo hands-onThe new smartwatches run more smoothly thanks to the updated processor, and Samsung has tweaked the interface a little; there's not much in the way of noticeable differences between the Android underpinnings of before to the Tizen OS of now, though developers will presumably see different.
- 78AVERAGE USER SCORE9 ReviewsEngadget Reader10November 1, 2016Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I have had my watch for less than a year. One night I am taking my watch off and the band falls to the ground. I noticed the bracket is broken. I contacted customer service and they informed me that the warranty was voided because of the physical damage. I stated what physical damage? How about the watch broke because of the quality and durability of the product. I was not helped. After 10 years of having everything possible in my home that is Samsung I will not longer purchase another product.Engadget Reader100August 31, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Got mine for Christmas 2014. Pairs up with my Galaxy S5. Love the watch. The gold/brown combo is tasteful. The square face is modern (don't like the round face type). Versatile and useful. Battery lasts up to 3 days for me.Engadget Reader100February 23, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader80September 23, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader70May 15, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A dependable product that doesn't really stand out from the competition. - EngadgetEngadget Reader70May 3, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Not more than a week (7 days to be exact) the screen on my Gear 2 shattered. I was walking into my house, right hand to unlock the dead-bolt and my left hand where the watch was on. As I opened the door, the watch nicked/hit/grazed the door frame and blam... Shattered!I would hardly call it a hard it. It hit the right-top corner where the glass curves and spider webbed down to the middle.What I don't get is how this can crack so easily? It's made from Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (as stated on Corning's website). This smartwatch is supposed to be not only a watch but also for fitness. I think the weakness is where the glass curves on the top and bottom of the display.I can only imagine more cracked screens to come, especially with people using it running on treadmills and hitting the bar to hold on and the watch hits the handle bar etc...Major disappointment that it would break so easily! WARNING to all Gear 2, Neo owners. For people that own the Gear Fit, I would never wear it underneath you wrist!Engadget Reader80April 13, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A must buy for anyone holding out. If you are a developer/hacker then this is a friendly device to do it on. With all the extra sensors it can do a ton of stuff for fitness. notifications are great, I can read much more information without pulling out my phone. You can reply to text messages using S Voice. I expect this watch to evolve quickly. It needs a stand alone alarm clock and a calculator still.Engadget Reader90April 12, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100April 11, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - Engadget
Key Specs
FORM FACTOR
Other
OPERATING SYSTEM
Other
SCREEN SIZE
1.6322
STORAGE TYPE
Internal storage
CAMERA (INTEGRATED)
Yes
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