Smart watch Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

Recently, the so-called "smart watches" are gaining more and more popularity. The popularity of such models of watches is due to the fact that they allow not only to track time, but also to monitor the state of human health, as well as control activity. Such watches are suitable for health monitoring during sports, active games, but ordinary people will also discover many useful functions in them. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is no exception.

Samsung is one of the best modern manufacturers of household appliances and electronics, ranging from TVs and microwave ovens to smartphones. Smartwatches are a separate area in which this company has also succeeded. Users have appreciated the Samsung Galaxy Watch line, which has won success not only due to its functionality, excellent quality and reliability, but also due to its inexpensive price compared to Apple Watch.

General information

The novelty is a continuation of the first generation of Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, it will hit the market about six months after the initial premiere. The release of the device is scheduled for September 2019, pre-order will be available from the 6th. The gadget will be presented in two variations: with a diagonal of 40 mm and 44 mm. Buyers are given the opportunity to choose not only the size, but also the execution of smart watches - a stainless steel case with a leather strap or aluminum with a plastic one. Since the device must always be on the arm and be in contact with various media - water, dust, it has a class of resistance to mechanical stress and other external factors MIL-STD-810G (IP 68 for water and dust resistance, and pressure resistance of 5ATM ).

Due to the fact that for many buyers one of the main criteria for choosing smart watches was the presence of a bezel - a rotary element that allows you to move from one menu section to another, its electronic counterpart was added to the novelty. Thanks to this, the interface of the Tizen operating system functions more correctly. With the help of vibration feedback, the user gets the feeling of interacting with the device, as if it were a mechanical bezel. Additionally, the gadget uses sound effects that simulate the rotation of the bezel, the so-called "haptics".

In addition to the above changes, an ECG sensor with an ECG sensor was added to the new model (which will be able to function later - after the release of the corresponding firmware), as well as an improved heart rate sensor and an accelerometer. The amount of RAM, according to the manufacturer, doubled.

Specifications:

Appearance

The design of the watch is not too different from the previous model - the round display has slightly increased in diameter, two buttons are placed on the right side, the top one is rectangular, the bottom one is round, with a red rim, both are painted in the color of the device case. Between them is a microphone hole. The watch bracelet is removable, thanks to which it can be replaced with any other, with a fit size of 20 mm.

On the back of the device there are photo sensors (8 pieces) that monitor the heart rate and are designed to take ECG readings after this function becomes available.

The screen image can be set according to the user's preferences, and there are five color styles to choose from. It is possible to set the color scheme in accordance with the chosen style of clothing, for this it is enough to take a picture of it on the phone, and set the appropriate theme on the watch.

Screen

When developing this model, the manufacturer took into account the needs of people with not only narrow, but also wide wrists, for whom he developed 44- and 40-mm versions of the watch. Thus, there is now a good Galaxy Watch alternative.

Compared to the previous model, the screen diameter has slightly increased - at 40 mm it is 1.2 inches, at 44 mm it is 1.4.

The appearance of the display has not changed, it still uses a Super AMOLED (360 x 360) screen coated with impact-resistant Gorilla Glass DX +. Compared to the previous model, this glass has a better resistance to mechanical damage, and it is more resistant to solar glare.

Tactile sensations when interacting with the screen are pleasant, the response time is minimal. Supports multi-touch function. The touch frame located on the display can be rotated in both directions. To improve feedback when interacting with the gadget, a vibration response is provided, which allows you to understand whether the watch has reacted to a particular action.

Visibility in the sun is satisfactory, to view small characters you have to close the screen from direct sunlight.The manufacturer guarantees good screen sharpness when viewing content.

Battery

Due to the increase in the size of the display, as well as due to the fact that new energy-consuming sensors are integrated into this model, the manufacturer increased the battery capacity: the previous model used a 230 mAh battery, the new model with a 40 mm case had 247 mAh, the device with a 44 mm case - 340 mAh.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, like the first model, supports wireless charging. Despite the short battery life, according to testers' reviews, it will be possible to charge the gadget using Wireless PowerShare technology directly from the smartphone.

According to the manufacturer, the autonomy of smart watches is at least 2 days. With economical use of the battery, it is possible to extend this period up to 5 days when using the built-in power saving programs. In order for the device to hold a charge for a long time, you should refuse or limit the use of features such as GPS and continuous heart rate monitoring during training.

Performance

The smart watch is controlled by a dual-core powerful and productive Exynos 9110 processor with a frequency of 1.15 GHz. Memory capacity - 4 GB, RAM 768 MB (for the version with LTE support - 1.5 GB). The built-in memory after installing the system leaves only 1.5 GB free.

Of the useful options, one can note the presence of an NFC module that allows you to make payments without the physical presence of a bank card.

The Tizen operating system based on the One UI interface makes device management simple and straightforward. Users will be interested in the Watch Camera Controller function, which allows you to control the phone's camera from a smart watch.With it, you can take a selfie, turn on / off video recording, view the photos you have taken, set the lens response time, and also switch from the main to the front camera, adjust autofocus.

The device supports branded services Samsung Health, SmartThings, Samsung Pay, etc. An unusual feature in the watch is the ability to translate text or voice messages online. It will greatly facilitate the user's communication during contacts with foreigners (for example, on vacation).

Continuing the review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, one cannot fail to mention the appearance of the LTE function in the device, which was not available before. Considering the estimated cost of the device, this option may be the most suitable for users looking for the best value for money. In the ranking of high-quality smart watches, the device in question, according to experts, will take one of the leading places.

Support for Bluetooth 5.0 provides faster data transfer, a greater range of interaction between the smartphone and the watch, and also improves the quality of communication between them. Many users will appreciate the integration with Internet services such as YouTube and Twitter. The device provides access to social networks in one click. The user can reply to messages and watch short videos directly from the watch. Music lovers can control music and radio on the phone from the watch.

Functions for athletes

The main purpose of smart watches is not only to control time, but also to track the state of the human body during sports and other activities.

Compared to the first version, no significant changes were found in the Galaxy Watch Active 2.We can only note that it is possible to take ECG readings, but at the moment the device cannot perform such measurements due to software imperfections. In addition, the gadget allows you to track 39 types of workouts, including running, cycling, swimming, walking, etc. Some of them can be activated automatically. The presence of a GPS sensor allows you to plot a route while walking or running, and track your location.

Among the useful "chips" can be identified tracking the level of stress, monitoring the quality of sleep (these functions are available as part of the Samsung Health package).

The standard functions of the watch include counting steps, distance traveled and calories burned, unlocking the smartphone.

Prices and equipment

The smart watch can be pre-ordered starting September 6, 2019, with a sales start date of September 27, 2019. If you pre-order on Samsung.com, the buyer will receive a free wireless charger as a gift, which allows you not to depend on the length of the cord.

A model with a 40 mm case will cost about 280 USD, the average price of a 44 mm version will be about 300 USD. Prices for the model with the LTE function have not yet been announced.

It is not so easy to make a choice which model is better to buy - Galaxy Watch Active of the first or second generation, because the manufacturer has already reduced the price of the predecessor of the gadget in question, and its cost is a little more than $ 200 (and if you search well, you can buy it somewhere even more advantageous).

Advantages and disadvantages:

• added ECG sensor;
• tracks almost 40 types of workouts;
• quality materials and assembly;
• electronic bezel;
• a popular model for which many reviews are issued, as well as instruction manuals;
• there is the possibility of access to the Internet.

• the price is not at all budgetary;
• It is not yet possible to take ECG readings (this feature is under testing).

Conclusion

For those who choose which company’s smart watch is better, we recommend focusing primarily on the list of tasks that the purchased gadget should perform. The smart gadget market is already saturated with various models and modifications, so any buyer will find a suitable device for himself.

An important factor is how much this or that model costs, and here you need to understand for what period the device is being bought, and whether the buyer has free cash. If the financial issue is not acute, Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be an ideal choice, otherwise, you can look for a cheaper model. The first model will be an excellent choice for those who do not care about the ECG function, and besides, the manufacturer already offers a good discount for it.

If you are interested in the model in question, we recommend you wait a bit, at least until the rush demand for it subsides and the price reaches its average level. We hope that our review will help you make the right choice!