Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S) Review: Is It Still Worth It?

by Alex Braham 57 views

Hey tech enthusiasts! Let's dive deep into the Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S). This smartwatch was a game-changer back in its day, but how does it hold up now? We're going to explore its features, design, performance, and whether it’s still a worthwhile purchase in today's crowded smartwatch market. So, buckle up and let’s get started!

Design and Build Quality

When the Samsung Gear S2 first hit the scene, its sleek and minimalist design immediately caught the eye. The SM-R720S model boasts a circular face, setting it apart from the more angular smartwatches of its time. The stainless steel case provides a premium feel, adding to its overall durability. It's not just about looks; the rotating bezel is a standout feature that makes navigating the Tizen OS a breeze. This intuitive control method allows users to effortlessly scroll through notifications, apps, and settings, enhancing the overall user experience.

The watch's compact size ensures a comfortable fit on various wrist sizes, making it suitable for both men and women. The interchangeable straps offer further customization, allowing users to personalize their watch to match their style. Whether you're hitting the gym or attending a formal event, the Gear S2 can adapt to any occasion with the right strap. The build quality is robust, capable of withstanding daily wear and tear, though it's always a good idea to handle it with care to avoid scratches or damage. The Samsung Gear S2's design was truly forward-thinking, setting a benchmark for future smartwatches. Even now, its aesthetic appeal remains relevant, proving that good design is timeless.

Display and User Interface

Let's talk about the display on the Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S). It features a vibrant 1.2-inch Circular Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. The colors are rich and the screen is sharp, making it easy to read text and view images, even in bright sunlight. The display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which offers decent scratch resistance, ensuring that your watch can withstand daily wear and tear without significant damage. The touch responsiveness is excellent, allowing for smooth and accurate interactions, whether you're tapping on notifications or swiping through menus.

The user interface is powered by Samsung's Tizen OS, which is known for its simplicity and efficiency. Navigating through the UI is intuitive, thanks to the rotating bezel and the touchscreen. The combination of these two input methods makes it easy to access various features and apps quickly. The interface is also highly customizable, allowing you to arrange apps and widgets to suit your preferences. Notifications are well-managed, providing clear and concise information without overwhelming you. The Tizen OS also offers a range of watch faces, allowing you to personalize the look of your Gear S2 to match your style. Overall, the display and user interface of the Samsung Gear S2 provide a seamless and enjoyable user experience, making it a pleasure to use on a daily basis.

Performance and Features

Under the hood, the Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S) is powered by a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM. While these specs might seem modest by today's standards, they were quite capable for a smartwatch in 2015. The watch runs smoothly for most tasks, such as checking notifications, tracking fitness activities, and controlling music playback. However, you might experience occasional lag when running more demanding apps or multitasking. The 4GB of internal storage is sufficient for storing music, photos, and apps, allowing you to leave your phone behind when you go for a run.

In terms of features, the Gear S2 offers a comprehensive set of functionalities. It includes a heart rate sensor for tracking your pulse during workouts and throughout the day. It also has an accelerometer, gyroscope, and barometer for tracking various fitness metrics such as steps taken, distance traveled, and elevation changes. The watch is also IP68 certified, meaning it is dustproof and water-resistant, allowing you to wear it while swimming or showering without worry. Other notable features include NFC for mobile payments (Samsung Pay), Bluetooth for connecting to your smartphone and headphones, and Wi-Fi for staying connected even when your phone is out of range. The Samsung Gear S2 also supports voice commands via S Voice, allowing you to perform tasks such as setting alarms, making calls, and sending messages hands-free. While S Voice is not as advanced as modern voice assistants like Google Assistant or Siri, it is still a useful feature to have. The Gear S2 offers a solid combination of performance and features, making it a versatile smartwatch for everyday use.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life is always a crucial factor when considering a smartwatch. The Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S) is equipped with a 250mAh battery, which offers decent battery life for its size. On average, you can expect to get around 1-2 days of usage on a single charge, depending on your usage patterns. If you use the watch heavily for fitness tracking, notifications, and other features, you might need to charge it every day. However, if you use it more sparingly, you can potentially stretch the battery life to two days.

The Gear S2 supports wireless charging, which is a convenient feature. Simply place the watch on the included charging dock, and it will start charging automatically. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to fully charge the watch from empty to full. In terms of connectivity, the Samsung Gear S2 supports Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, and NFC. Bluetooth allows you to connect the watch to your smartphone, headphones, and other devices. Wi-Fi allows you to stay connected to the internet even when your phone is not nearby. NFC enables mobile payments via Samsung Pay, allowing you to make purchases at compatible terminals with a simple tap of your wrist. The Gear S2 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, although some features may be limited on iOS. Overall, the Samsung Gear S2 offers adequate battery life and a good range of connectivity options, making it a reliable smartwatch for staying connected on the go.

Software and Apps

The Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S) runs on Samsung's Tizen OS, which is known for its smooth performance and intuitive user interface. The Tizen OS offers a range of pre-installed apps, including a music player, calendar, weather app, and S Health for fitness tracking. You can also download additional apps from the Samsung Galaxy Apps store, although the selection is not as extensive as on platforms like Android Wear (now Wear OS) or watchOS. However, you can still find a variety of useful apps for productivity, fitness, and entertainment.

The Gear S2 also supports notifications from your smartphone, allowing you to stay informed about incoming calls, messages, emails, and social media updates. You can customize which apps send notifications to your watch, ensuring that you only receive the information that is most important to you. The watch also supports quick replies to messages, allowing you to respond to texts and emails directly from your wrist. The Tizen OS is regularly updated with new features and improvements, ensuring that the Gear S2 stays up-to-date with the latest technology. Overall, the software and app experience on the Samsung Gear S2 is solid, offering a good balance of functionality and ease of use.

Pros and Cons

To give you a clear picture, here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S):

Pros:

  • Sleek and stylish design.
  • Rotating bezel for easy navigation.
  • Vibrant Super AMOLED display.
  • Smooth performance.
  • Water-resistant (IP68).
  • Supports Samsung Pay via NFC.

Cons:

  • Limited app selection compared to Android Wear or watchOS.
  • Battery life could be better.
  • S Voice is not as advanced as other voice assistants.
  • May experience occasional lag with demanding apps.

Is It Still Worth Buying?

So, the big question: Is the Samsung Gear S2 (SM-R720S) still worth buying in today's market? Well, it depends on your needs and expectations. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch with a stylish design and basic fitness tracking capabilities, the Gear S2 could be a decent option, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. However, keep in mind that it is an older device, and it may not have all the latest features and technologies found in newer smartwatches. The limited app selection and the outdated Tizen OS may also be a drawback for some users.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, you might want to consider newer smartwatches from Samsung, Apple, or other brands. These devices offer improved performance, longer battery life, a wider range of apps, and more advanced features such as GPS, advanced health tracking, and voice assistants. Ultimately, the decision depends on your priorities and budget. If you're a casual user who just wants a simple and stylish smartwatch for basic tasks, the Samsung Gear S2 could still be a viable option. But if you're a power user who needs the latest and greatest features, you're better off investing in a newer device.