Comparing Gear 2 and Galaxy Watch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch and the Samsung Gear 2 are two popular smartwatches that offer a range of features to help you stay connected, track your fitness, and manage your daily life. These devices come with an impressive line-up of sensors and functions, which can make choosing between the two a difficult task.
With the right smartwatch, you can improve your life by tracking your fitness, receiving notifications from your smartphone on your wrist, and much more. Samsung has a long history of creating well-designed and feature-rich wearables. In this article, we will compare the Galaxy Watch and Gear 2 to help you decide which one is best for you.
We will discuss design and build, features and functionality, user interface and experience, price, and value. We will also address some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision when choosing between these two smartwatches.
Design and Build:
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Materials: Stainless steel case, Gorilla Glass DX+ screen protection
- Size and weight: 46mm - 49 x 46 x 13mm and 63g, 42mm - 41.9 x 45.7 x 12.7mm and 49g
- Display/screen: 1.2 inches (42mm) or 1.3 inches (46mm), 360 x 360 resolution, Super AMOLED, Always-on Display
Samsung Gear 2
- Materials: Stainless steel case, plastic back, Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection
- Size and weight: 58.4 x 36.9 x 10.0mm and 68g
- Display/screen: 1.63 inches, 320 x 320 resolution, Super AMOLED
Comparison of design and build quality
The Galaxy Watch has a more premium feel than the Gear 2, thanks to its stainless steel body and Gorilla Glass DX+ screen protection. It is available in two sizes, offering more options for different wrist sizes. The Gear 2 has a slightly larger display, but the Galaxy Watch boasts a higher screen resolution and an always-on display feature for added convenience.
Both devices have a touchscreen interface, but the Galaxy Watch also includes a rotating bezel for easier navigation. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch has better water resistance, making it more suitable for various activities, including swimming.
Features and Functionality:
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Operating system: Tizen OS
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, heart rate, ambient light
- Battery life: Up to 7 days
- Fitness tracking: Steps, distance, calories, sleep, heart rate tracking, swimming, cycling
- Other features: GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, phone functionality, email and text notifications, music streaming (Spotify), voice functions, vibration, customizable watch faces
Samsung Gear 2
- Operating system: Tizen OS
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate, ambient light
- Battery life: 2-3 days
- Fitness tracking: Steps, distance, calories, sleep, heart rate
- Other features: Bluetooth, phone functionality, email and text notifications, music storage and playback, voice functions, vibration, customizable watch faces
Comparison of features and performance
While both devices run on the Tizen OS and have some similar features, the Galaxy Watch offers more advanced sensors, including a barometer for tracking elevation. The Galaxy Watch also has a significantly longer battery life, providing up to 7 days of usage compared to the Gear 2's 2-3 days.
The Galaxy Watch has a more comprehensive suite of fitness tracking features, which include swimming and cycling tracking. Additionally, it supports music streaming via Spotify, whereas the Gear 2 requires you to store music directly on the device. The Galaxy Watch also features GPS, NFC, and Wi-Fi capabilities, which the Gear 2 lacks.
User Interface and User Experience:
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Display: Super AMOLED, always-on display, 360 x 360 resolution
- Navigation: Touchscreen and rotating bezel
- Apps and customization: Downloadable apps, customizable watch faces
- Compatibility with smartphones: Android and iOS
Samsung Gear 2
- Display: Super AMOLED, 320 x 320 resolution
- Navigation: Touchscreen
- Apps and customization: Downloadable apps, customizable watch faces
- Compatibility with smartphones: Android only
Comparison of user interface and user experience
The Galaxy Watch offers an improved user experience with its rotating bezel for navigation, which makes it easier to use the touchscreen without obstructing the view. Both devices feature customizable watch faces and support for third-party apps. However, the Galaxy Watch has a broader compatibility range as it works with both Android and iOS smartphones, while the Gear 2 is limited to Android devices.
Price and Value:
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Cost: $330
- Value for money: Comprehensive features, longer battery life, and broader compatibility make it a strong contender.
Samsung Gear 2
- Cost: $300
- Value for money: Offers a decent set of features at a lower price point but lacks some key functionalities found in the Galaxy Watch.
Comparison of price and value
The Galaxy Watch is priced slightly higher than the Gear 2, but it offers more features and better performance, making it a more valuable option. The longer battery life, improved fitness tracking, and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices make it a better choice for most users.
Conclusion
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience than the Gear 2. Its premium design, better performance, and broader compatibility make it an ideal choice for those seeking a capable smartwatch. However, if your primary concern is cost and you don’t require the additional features offered by the Galaxy Watch, the Gear 2 is still an acceptable option for Android users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which smartwatch has better fitness tracking capabilities?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch offers more advanced fitness tracking features, including swimming and cycling tracking, as well as a barometer for elevation measurement.
Are both smartwatches compatible with iPhones?
Only the Samsung Galaxy Watch is compatible with iOS devices. The Gear 2 is limited to Android smartphones.
Which smartwatch has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch has a significantly longer battery life of up to 7 days compared to the Gear 2's 2-3 day battery life.
Can I use my Galaxy Watch or Gear 2 to make and receive calls?
Both the Galaxy Watch and Gear 2 offer phone functionality, allowing users to make and receive calls when connected to a smartphone.
Do both smartwatches support music playback?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch supports music streaming through Spotify, while the Gear 2 offers music storage and playback from the device itself.
