Samsung Gear S2 classic :: First impressions

by Volker Weber

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I am not looking at one Gear watch, but at two. The Gear S3 has a predecessor, which is very similar in concept. It also has the same rotating bezel and runs the same Tizen software. The new Gear watch has added GPS, a 50% larger battery, 50% more RAM and also has picked up in size. I think that many people will like the S2 over the S3. Added bonus: it has gotten a lot cheaper over the course of the year. While the S3 Frontier is still brand new and sells for 377 €, you can find the S2 classic for 277 € and the S2 for 220 €. The S2 classic looks like a mini version of the S3 Frontier, while the S2 and the S3 classic are different designs.

There is one difference that lets me pick the S3 Frontier over the S2 Classic immediately: Samsung has improved the rotating bezel which is now much easier to grab and turn. For me this makes up for the larger size. More battery is also good, while the S3 has survived a full day with the display always on and still has 45% charge left. Without the luxury of keeping the display always on you can safely travel and stay overnight without bringing the charger.

There is no real difference in the software or how you use either watch. That means I can fully concentrate on the S3 Frontier. There will be no more updates on the S2 classic.

Comments

Since I have a completely different use case than you, Volker I would like to know how to archive a full three day (3 x 24h) battery life. I normally don't need health, outdoor or wifi. I only want notification and time and date. That is why I originally backed a Time2. What can be easily switched off and what impact does it have on battery life of the S3? I know that there is a power save mode. What is working in Power save mode and what is not? When I go to normal business trip (3 days) I don't want to carry a charger for my watch with me. I know that a GEAR S3 classic fits well better to me but that is not the watch you have for testing. ;)

Richard Kaufmann, 2016-12-16

That is exactly what Power Safe Mode does. Notifications plus date/time.

You don't have to bring a charger though. Just the small wireless dock. It connects to microUSB and charges the clock from zero to full in about two hours.

Volker Weber, 2016-12-17

I was just considering getting a Gear S2 over the S3, but there's only one feature that everyone glazes over and I can't find the information anywhere:

Is an updated S2 Classic capable of the same always-on display for time as the S3 Classic?

I really dislike smartwatches that turn off the screen.

Igor Gama, 2016-12-18

The S2 recei rd the S3 software update which includes FLAUNT app which allows you to turn always on feature as u eant...works great on my S2.

Mary OBrien, 2016-12-18

Igor, it almost does. It's goes to greyscale in the "off" state. The S3 just dims it.

Volker Weber, 2016-12-18

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