Watch samsung galaxy gear 2 neo. Pairing with a smartphone

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Last September, Samsung unveiled the first generation of its smartwatch, dubbed the Galaxy Gear. The product attracted increased attention from the press and gadget lovers, but after getting to know it closely, many (including us) were disappointed. However, the company did not stand still and just six months later announced a new generation of watches: Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo.

This event took place at the end of February at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. And two months later, the gadget went on sale (including in Russia).

The Gear 2 watch entered the market simultaneously with other Samsung innovations: the Galaxy S5 smartphone, the Gear Fit smart bracelet and the cheaper version of the watch - Gear 2 Neo (its difference is the lack of a camera, a partially plastic case, a little less weight and a cost of 3000 rubles lower) ... We will consider in the article exactly the top-end version - Samsung Gear 2, but be sure to compare it with the above devices from the field of wearable electronics, and with competitors.

Let's take a look at the specs of the new item.

Specifications Samsung Gear 2

• CPU @ 1 GHz (2 cores)
• Touch display 1.63 ″ Super AMOLED, 320 × 320, 278 ppi
• Random access memory (RAM) 512 MB, internal memory 4 GB
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE
• Two microphones, 1 speaker
• Gyroscope, accelerometer, heart rate sensor
• 2.0MP camera, backlit BSI sensor
• Li-ion battery 300 mAh
• Tizen operating system
• Compatible with Samsung devices running Android 4.3 and newer
• Compliance with IP67 protection standard
• Dimensions 37 x 58 x 10 mm
• Weight 66 g (measured by us)

For clarity, we decided to make a table with the characteristics of other smartwatches (including the first version of Gear), adding into it those parameters that are currently key when choosing a device of this type.

	Samsung Gear 2	Samsung Galaxy Gear	Sony SmartWatch 2	Pebble steel
Screen		touch, color, Super AMOLED, 1.63 ″, 320 × 320 (278 ppi)	touch, color, 1.6 ″, 220 × 176 (176 ppi)	non-touch, black and white, E-Paper, 1.26 ″, 144 × 168 (176 ppi)
Protection	yes (IP67)	yes (IP55)	yes (IP57)	yes (IPx7)
Strap	removable	non-removable	removable	removable
Camera	yes (2 Mp)	yes (1.9 Mp)	No	No
Microphone, speaker	there is	there is	No	No
Compatibility		Samsung devices running Android 4.3 or higher	Devices running Android 4.0 or higher	IOS and Android devices
Third party application support	there is	there is	there is	there is
Battery capacity (mAh)	300	315	110	140
Dimensions * (mm)	37 × 58 × 10	37 × 57 × 11.1	42 × 41 × 9	46 × 34 × 10.5
Weight (g)	66	74	46	56

* according to the manufacturer's information

From the table, one might get the impression that the difference between the new Gear 2 and previous version not that great. But in fact, Samsung has improved (more or less significantly) many parameters that are not included in the table. As for the comparison with competitors, here it is worth, first of all, to pay attention to the higher density of the points of the screen of the Samsung watch, as well as to the presence of protection according to the IP67 standard (the protection class of competing products is lower). And of course, don't forget about the presence of a camera, microphone and speaker.

At the same time, the Samsung Gear 2 has more weight than its competitors, and in addition, the price is significantly higher. The official cost of the gadget at the start of sales is 12,990 rubles. However, the first version of the Galaxy Gear was sold for 14,990 rubles (now its cost has been reduced to 11,990 rubles).

Let's get down to a face-to-face introduction to the Gear 2, but first we ask you to brush up on the articles on the Galaxy Gear and Gear Fit, as we will refer to these materials repeatedly throughout the Gear 2 story.

Equipment

The watch came to us without a box, so there will be no detailed story about packaging and packaging. But we will tell you about one element of the set, without which the watch cannot work. This is a charging dock attachment.

It connects to the watch from the inside - so that the contacts on the attachment coincide with the contacts on the watch. The attachment snaps into place with a slight click.

On the right side of the attachment there is a Micro-USB connector, to which the charger is connected (any charger for a smartphone will do). Note that in the first version of the Gear charging block was decided in the form of an additional plastic case that was worn on the watch. This solution is much less convenient.

The new attachment is very similar to that of the Samsung Gear Fit.

Design

Let's say right away: Samsung's designers and engineers have done a great job. The appearance of the Gear 2 is much better than the first version, and almost the best on the market, but the continuity with the first version of the Galaxy Gear remains.

it vivid example quality work on bugs: here they improved a little, changed a little there - and in the end we got a much more pleasant and convenient product. Let's list the main changes.

First, there is a Home button. It is made of metal, has a nice texture and is located under the screen, on the metal zone separating the screen and the strap. At the same time, Samsung has removed the screws that were conspicuous on the Galaxy Gear from this area.

Secondly, the watch has become thinner. Moreover, the case itself is now less massive (this can be clearly seen in the photo above), and the strap has become more elegant. As for the strap, it is now removable - and this is the third significant point.

In order to make it possible to detach the strap, the company's engineers had to move the camera from the strap to the watch case. Now it is located on top of the screen (symmetrically to the Home button). And this is another important aspect. In addition, the camera's peephole now does not protrude, as it was before, but looks quite elegant.

Another design difference between the Gear 2 and the Galaxy Gear is related to the appearance of a new sensor: a heart rate monitor located on the back of the watch under the contacts. It works the same way as in the Samsung Gear Fit.

The last thing to say about the Gear 2's design is the placement of the microphones and speakers. The speakers are located on the left side, closer to the inner surface of the cabinet, which is in contact with your hand. Microphone hole - on the right edge (in the photo below - a small hole on the left side of the picture on the edge).

The watch's silicone strap has the same buckle type as the Galaxy Gear. The very same material of the strap (dense silicone) is quite pleasant to the touch. Its inner surface, in contact with the hand, is ribbed, and its outer surface has fine grooves.

Overall, the watch design is beautiful and functional. Gear 2 looks quite stylish and versatile: they are suitable for both men and women; both a student and a serious businessman. Of course, there is no such wow effect as in the case of the Samsung Gear Fit, so the Gear Fit is the main alternative to the Gear 2. On the other hand, if you want a gadget that looks like a watch rather than a bracelet, then Gear 2 seems to be the best option.

Screen

The Samsung Gear 2 display has the same characteristics as the first version of the Galaxy Gear watch: Super AMOLED, 1.63 ″, 320 × 320. Did the screen undergo any changes? This question will be answered by detailed testing by Aleksey Kudryavtsev, editor of the "Projectors and TV" section.

The front surface of the screen is made of mineral glass with a mirror-smooth surface that is resistant to scratches. Based on the reflection of objects, there is a very effective antiglare filter, surpassing the Google Nexus 7 screen filter, which we use as a reference sample in our tests, in reducing the brightness of reflection.

The doubling of reflected objects is very weak, which indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. On the outer surface there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, no worse than that of Google Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much easier, and appear at a slower rate than in the case of ordinary glass.

When the white field was displayed on the whole screen, the maximum brightness value was about 325 cd / m² (conditional value 6, or "outdoors" mode), the minimum - 5 cd / m². Considering the high efficiency of the anti-glare filter, on a sunny day outdoors, the screen readability will remain high, and in complete darkness, the brightness can be lowered to a comfortable value. The standard brightness (conventional value 4) is 150 cd / m², which is enough for a lighted room. This screen uses a Super AMOLED matrix - an active matrix on organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in equal numbers, which is confirmed by a fragment of a micrograph:

We observed a similar "structure" of the screen, for example, in the case of the Samsung Galaxy Gear. The screen is characterized by excellent viewing angles - colors and brightness change very little even with large gaze deviations from the perpendicular to the screen. Black is just black at all angles. It is so black that the contrast parameter is simply not applicable in this case. However, there is a bluish halo around the reflection of bright objects, which is more extended along the arm. This halo in light slightly reduces the apparent blackness of the screen. The uniformity of the white field is excellent.

In general, the screen, apparently, remained the same as on the Galaxy Gear, without undergoing major changes (we tend to attribute the slightly decreased brightness to the changed software settings).

To date, the Samsung Gear 2's screen is virtually unrivaled. Practically - because, on the one hand, you shouldn't forget about the Pebble screen, which has completely different qualities, and on the other hand, you can't say that the Gear 2's screen is better than the Gear Fit. But then again, the Gear Fit is completely incomparable and cannot be directly compared.

Pairing with a smartphone

Like the Samsung Gear Fit, smart watch Gear 2 only work with smartphones Samsung, and only based on Android 4.3 or more new version... To get started, you need to install Gear Manager from the Samsung Apps catalog.

Connecting a smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S5) to the watch went smoothly with us. As for the application itself, its functionality is generally similar to the Gear Fit Manager application, which we talked about in the article on Samsung Gear Fit. The difference is due to differences in the functionality of these two devices and is enclosed in three main menu items: "My Apps", "Samsung Apps" and "Find My Gear".

Find My Gear sends a signal to the watch, causing it to make a sound (the Gear Fit does not have a speaker, so it cannot make a sound). "My Apps" is a list of installed applications, and for some of them there is additional settings... But the most interesting thing is Samsung Apps. This is a catalog of Gear 2 apps written primarily by third-party developers.

Apps are sorted into seven categories. At the moment, the total number of applications exceeds a hundred. Installing them on the clock is elementary: choose desired application, click on the button with the price (if the application is paid) or the word "free". Once the download is complete, the app is already in your watch (Apps section) and also in the My Apps menu in Gear Manager. You can only uninstall an installed application via a smartphone. However, this is done very simply and intuitively.

Samsung Gear 2 functionality

At the moment, of the smartwatches on the market that are not a standalone device (like Iconbit Callisto 100), Samsung Gear 2 has the widest functionality. With the Gear 2, you can answer a call without taking your smartphone out of your pocket and without using an additional headset, take a photo, measure your heart rate, count the number of steps ... In general, there are really considerable opportunities. They overlap in part with the functionality of the Gear Fit, but the Gear 2 is a more versatile device.

The Gear 2 watch runs on a new operating system - Tizen. Recall that this is the brainchild of Samsung and Intel, based on the Linux kernel and working with HTML5 applications. Tizen's ancestry goes back to the MeeGo operating system, which, in turn, is rooted in Maemo (you can read the history of these projects). On Mobile World Congress 2014 we saw a large Tizen booth, where engineering samples of smartphones on this OS were presented, and in the last months that Samsung is about to release a commercial sample of a smartphone with Tizen. However, rumors are rumors, and in watches this OS has already found application.

What does this mean for regular user? It doesn't mean anything. Externally, the Gear 2 interface is somewhere between the Galaxy Gear and the Gear Fit (neither there nor there Tizen is used). Moving icons here is the same as in regular Android, installing and uninstalling applications - only through a smartphone, working with files - again only through a smartphone, not counting the ability to transfer photos, videos and audio notes via USB to a computer. In short, if you are not aware of the Gear 2 being powered by Tizen, then you will in no way feel it. If you know, this knowledge will not give you any advantages.

Let's take a look at the clock interface and the set of pre-installed apps.

The start screen is the clock itself. Initially, many types of clocks are available in the device, as well as in the Samsung Apps catalog, so the start screen and the presence of certain elements on it (weather, calendar notifications, etc.) can be customized.

Like the Gear Fit, the screen turns on when we make a hand gesture towards ourselves (because of this, it often happens that the watch turns on in vain - for example, when you zip up your jacket or get dressed). To move to an adjacent screen, you need to make a swiping movement to the left. You can always return to the start screen by pressing the physical button. Another press of the button - and the clock display turns off. So, on the second screen we see "Notifications", "Logs", "Dialing" and "Contacts".

Everything is clear here. Of course, dialing a number on a tiny screen is not very convenient, but overall the interface is good and quite intuitive. Although there is still room for improvement. Firstly, USSD commands from the watch are not supported. Secondly, you cannot delete the letter on the phone (it is deleted only from the watch). Thirdly, contacts are displayed only in the order of first name and last name, and the last name almost never fits. Therefore, the list looks like this: Alexander B .., Alexandra .., Alexander I ..., Alexander ... It is possible to guess who is who, but not very convenient. These are perhaps the main disadvantages. Another feature (it can be considered a disadvantage, or it may not be considered) is the fact that notifications come in a "closed" form. That is, you see who the letter or message came from in social networks, but you have to click on it to open the text. This is in contrast to Pebble, where notifications can be read immediately.

Move on. The next screen contains the icons "Applications", "Camera", "Options" and "Management". The presets in the Options menu are almost identical to those of the Gear Fit. "Control" in general duplicates the capabilities available in "Settings" - it's just a quick way to adjust the screen brightness and sound volume. Applications is a list of all installed applications.

The next screen contains “Deleted. WatchON ”,“ S Voice ”,“ Music ”and“ Voice Note ”. The first is the ability to use the watch as a remote control remote control TV. Doubtful possibility, since it is difficult for me to imagine a person who will sit at home in a watch, but without a smartphone at hand. However, as they say, let it be. S Voice - voice control... In principle, a really working thing, including one that understands Russian-speaking contacts, for example (you can say "Call Anton" - and the application will start calling a contact named Anton, if he is alone). But for now, it is too brooding and unstable, so the same thing is faster and easier to do in the traditional way.

"Music" is one of the most interesting possibilities. If the Gear Fit can only control music playback on the smartphone (the Gear 2 also has this function, but the application is called "Media Remote"), then we can use the watch as an independent MP3 player. Tracks can be loaded into the watch's memory via a computer or transferred from a smartphone via Gear Manager - and then you can listen to music using the watch without using a smartphone. True, you need wireless headset(unless, of course, we seriously consider the built-in speaker of the clock).

The last screen of the main menu includes the Pedometer, Workout, Heart rate, and Sleep icons. We talked about the functionality of the first three applications in the Gear Fit review - there are no changes here. As for the "Sleep" application, it should record the phases of your sleep, but, we admit, sleeping with a watch is both inconvenient (they still get in the way, compared to the same bracelet), and fearful for their safety (suddenly somehow unsuccessfully press the screen or throw your hand back?).

In addition to the above, the Applications menu includes Find My Device, Gallery (view photos from the Gear 2's memory), Media Remote (control music on your smartphone), Weather, Schedule (synchronizes with the calendar; source calendar can be specified in Gear Manager), Timer, Stopwatch, E-mail and Messages (here the functionality is similar to Gear Fit everywhere). New applications are installed here, but any application (both preinstalled and new) can be taken from the Applications menu to the main menu.

PC connection

The watch can be connected to a PC to rewrite voice memos, photos and videos from the camera, as well as to record music on the watch. Windows treats Gear 2 as 2.81 GB removable media, of which 2.64 GB are free (apparently 170 MB are hidden system files).

When you first connect, Windows takes a long time to search and download drivers from the Update Center, but in the end everything goes smoothly.

When connected to a computer, the watch battery is recharged.

Camera

The only camera on the watch is located in the metal area above the screen. To take an even shot of what you see in front of you, you need to position your hand as if you were a schoolboy sitting at a desk - that is, parallel to the floor.

By default, the camera shoots with an aspect ratio of 1: 1, the images are taken with a resolution of 1080 × 1080. To obtain images of maximum resolution, you must set the 16: 9 mode in the camera settings. Then the pictures will be obtained with a resolution of 1920 × 1080.

Examples of test shots are shown below. Note that the first 5 frames were taken in autofocus mode, and the last (with flower) - in macro mode. Comments on the pictures and video were prepared by Anton Soloviev, the author of the Digital Photo section.

From these pictures, we can say that the miracle has not happened again, and Samsung has not yet managed to endow the tiny module with decent quality. Anyway, the camera hasn't gotten better than the Samsung Galaxy Gear. There is still a noticeable coarse grain from the noise reduction, and even noises appear in places. The sharpness of the pictures is poor. The main reason for these problems is low resolution. And, of course, weak optics. These are all significant disadvantages of the camera. Color rendition and work with exposure cannot be praised either.

It remains only to conclude that the camera is not yet completely suitable for any practical tasks, and its pictures can be viewed without frustration unless on a smartphone screen.

The camera can shoot video with a resolution of 720p. An example video is shown below.

The video, in contrast to the photo, is very good for the camera. Even freeze frames look quite clear, the sharpness is acceptable, there are no noticeable problems during posting. Perhaps the manufacturer did the right thing by limiting itself to 720p, since in this case, most likely, a video in Full HD resolution would look much worse.

On the other hand, the resolution of the video makes one think about the interpolation of photographs, which can also be indicated by a certain “soapiness” of thin lines in the photo. If our assumption is correct, then 1 megapixel images would look better. However, then they would be completely useless.

Autonomous work

The first version of the Galaxy Gear watch with battery life was not the best way: With heavy use, the battery could be discharged in a day. Gear 2 has taken a big step forward in this regard: with an average intensity of use, the watch will last three or four days, and if you use it actively (but without a conscious purpose to drain the battery), then less, but you can safely count on two days.

Unfortunately, we do not yet have a methodology that allows us to objectively compare the battery life of various smartwatches, because, firstly, the functionality of these devices is completely different (for example, somewhere there is a camera, and somewhere not; somewhere there is an autonomous music playback, but somewhere not), and secondly, they do not imply any continuous continuous use, for example, for reading, surfing the web or playing games. Therefore, the only way to somehow measure the battery life is to simply use the watch for a while in real life.

I walked with the Samsung Gear 2 for four days. Before that, they were fully charged, by the end of the fourth day they were discharged. In the process of using it, I studied the interface for a long time, looked through some notifications, answered several calls. The camera was not used at all (the photos in the article were taken earlier). Fitness functions - too (except that the pulse was measured several times). In general, we can say this is a medium intensity use, due to the real needs of the user and the characteristics of the device (for example, why use a mediocre watch camera when you can use an excellent smartphone camera?). And with such operation, Gear 2 is in no way inferior to the same Sony SmartWatch 2 and may well compete even with Pebble (if, again, you use the watch in the same way, that is, do not use the capabilities that are not available with Pebble). Decent result!

conclusions

We are now witnessing an interesting period: a new market for smart watches is rapidly emerging before our eyes. If six months ago, the devices on sale were more like experimental engineering samples, now not only technologists, but also ordinary users have plenty to choose from. And if earlier there was a choice according to the principle of "fishlessness and cancer", now, on the contrary, several devices may be attracted at once.

So, for example, Samsung Gear 2 certainly attracts with the ability to make calls and answer incoming calls without reaching for a smartphone, use voice control (well, until you play enough), and also listen to music without a smartphone at all. In turn, the Gear Fit amazes curved screen unusual shape and convenience. Pebble Steel stands out among the competitors, but there are much more severe rivals ahead: LG and Motorola watches on Android Wear, as well as the long-awaited Apple iWatch. One way or another, if, while living in Russia, you decide to get a smartwatch right now, and at the same time you are the owner of a relatively new Samsung smartphone(or are ready to purchase it), we can safely recommend Gear 2, as well as Gear 2 Neo or Gear Fit (the choice here, by the way, is not easy). Actually, the main obstacle here is precisely the connection to the Korean manufacturer. Another limiting factor is price. Still, for a toy (which is still a smartwatch) Gear 2 is expensive. But the price for Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit is already much more acceptable. We'd recommend the Gear Fit if it weren't for the lack of support for third-party apps on this unusual device. Therefore, in terms of the combination of qualities, the most attractive option seems to us to be Gear 2 Neo (the camera, in general, is an extra thing for a watch - at least at this level of implementation). Perhaps, in terms of price and functionality (coupled with ease of use), this is the best offer on the market today.

But you need to be prepared for the fact that in six months your gadget will become obsolete. And it is possible that Android Wear devices and Apple iWatch will have such killer features that will immediately reduce the attractiveness of the current Samsung line... However, this, we repeat, will only happen in a few months, and it is not a fact that these new devices will turn out to be as balanced and successful as the Samsung Gear 2 / Gear 2 Neo. And we have no doubts that the new Samsung watch is really successful.

Good design (yes, this watch is not a shame to wear in any society!), Convenient and pleasant software, wide functionality, stability of work (we have not noticed any freezes, no crashes, no slowdowns, except for the slow work of S Voice), excellent the screen - all these are undoubted advantages. Minor flaws, of course, do occur (for example, the camera is still far from perfect). Well, the binding to Samsung devices (and only on Android 4.3 / 4.4) is upsetting. But this is the market strategy of the Korean manufacturer: apparently, the watch is still considered by him more as an additional incentive to buy a smartphone, rather than as an independent market.

In conclusion, we suggest you watch our video review of the Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch:

Samsung does not often receive the Original Design award from us, but in this case we believe that the Korean manufacturer deserves it in full.

The first smart watch from Samsung appeared on the market in 2013. They were timed to come out smartphone Samsung Note 3 and worked exclusively with him. Gradually, the list of supported devices began to expand, and by 2014 support was provided for more than twenty smartphones. Six months later, the company releases a new device, or rather, three models of smart watches at once. Two of them will be discussed in the review of Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 neo.

At the time of the release of the Samsung Gear 2 neo and Gear 2, only six months had passed since the release of the first watch. Of course, this was a trial version of the company, and the device could not immediately turn out to be of high quality. The main problem with the first device is the electronics in the belt, the fear of water and the short battery life. Errors in the work of the watch were quickly fixed with the help of software updates, but the real disadvantages had to be worked on in the second version of the smart watch.

Important! A significant difference between the Samsung Gear 2 neo smartwatch and the second version as a whole was the change in the operating system. If earlier it was Android, now the company decided to turn to Tyzen, a joint development of the Korean brand and the American corporation Intel.

The OS change is not an accident. The fact is that at the time of the release, Google did not have versions of its operating system for smartwatches, and the first working version was supposed to appear in the summer of 2014 in Moto 360 watches. Obviously, it was not interesting to adapt or write software again for Samsung, but to try to apply the existing software seemed like a good idea to the company, and it paid off.

Samsung Gear 2, with a slight decrease in battery capacity, received autonomy 3 times better than it was before. Obviously, smartwatches are not the kind of technology where the difference in OS will be very noticeable. It is important for the user that smart features worked, and due to what, no one really cares. You can understand the difference between the Samsung Gear 2 and the Neo version by characteristics table, which will be given below. For clarity, it also contains the characteristics of the first device from Samsung Gear.

If you look closely at the characteristics of all models, you can see that the second version of the watch with the Neo prefix differs only lack of a camera and less weight... The latter is due to the fact that the Samsung Gear 2 Neo watch is mostly plastic.

Design

So, the design of the Samsung Gear 2 has not received significant changes. The device has lost the electronics in the belt, and due to this, it became removable... In total, about 20 different straps were announced, but most of them did not reach the consumer. The Gear 2 is available with a black, orange and golden brown strap. The original version of the Neo comes with an orange, gray and black strap. Belts have more convenient mount, and the reviews agree that they are more enjoyable than the first model.

Important! Another significant difference between the first Gear and the second version is that the button on the right side has been moved to the front model. According to those people who have had experience with both devices, this arrangement is much more convenient.

Clock version Samsung Gear 2 with prefix Neo It differs in a narrower metal edging around the display, as well as in the place where the regular version has a camera, there is an infrared port.

Another innovation in the watch was the emergence of an LED, which is located on the back of the watch.... Its task is heart rate measurement. This technology was first used in the Galaxy S5. Reviews agree that this heart rate scanner is far from perfect. You can list on your fingers those cases when it works. At other times, the device refuses to read information. You cannot do this on the go, with wet hands, and there are still a lot of restrictions.

Moisture protection and charging

The model has protection IP 67, which allows them to be immersed to a depth of 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes. The manufacturer does not recommend swimming or diving with the watch, but accidentally washing your hands with it or getting caught in the rain is quite safe. The case is completely sealed, which is done specifically for safety. The only movable element of the device is a button on the front panel. Experiments have shown that the stated conditions are really not terrible for the device.

For charging, the watch is put on special power supply, the contacts of which are aligned with the connector on the back of the watch. Already in this block is inserted standard cable MicroUSB. Charging from the mains takes about 45 minutes, from a computer about 1 hour.

Watch Compatibility

Samsung Gear 2 neo is compatible with other devices via Bluetooth. To connect the smartphone and the watch, the first one will need to be installed Gear Manager app... You can download it from the manufacturer's brand store. The application serves to set up the clock, download new programs to it and perform other manipulations with the device.

Important! There is an unpleasant nuance here - the clock works simultaneously with one device. In order to tie it to another object, you will need to reset them to zero.

This is very inconvenient, because many users today actively use tablets and smartphones, for them, quickly switching from one device to another would be a preferable option than constant reconfiguration of the clock.

But the pleasant moment was the appearance archiving settings... With the help of the archiving function, it will be enough to connect the Gear 2 to the new device and unload the data from the archive. Of course, this also takes time, but in general it is more convenient than re-setting all the settings. Perhaps there will be a firmware that will solve the inability to connect to multiple devices at the same time.

Gadget control

The model is equipped with acceleration sensor and gyroscope therefore, by raising your hand to your face, you can activate the display backlight. This happens with a slight delay, but in general there is nothing critical.

Important! There is no activation of the display by tapping on it in the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2, and most likely this is a consequence of the fact that a number of competitors have a similar function, and Samsung managers wanted to stand out from their background.

The watch is controlled by touch... Moving from top to bottom will turn on the camera, from bottom to top will open the dialing. The functions available in the phone are scrolled horizontally. The watch is fully customizable. You can set a common font and separately in messages. Increase or decrease display backlight time, default is 7 seconds. It is also possible to change the scale, type of icons and much more.

An interesting point in the device was the presence of an IrDA port: with its help, you can control the TV from the clock. It is enough to go to the application directly on the accessory, select the TV manufacturer, and you can use it. Many people liked the function very much, since now the remote control is right on the wrist. The watch has support for almost all manufacturers, at least the most famous and popular brands are definitely present in the application.

Watch can use as a headset: There is a microphone and speaker here. The first one is not too sensitive. In order for the interlocutor to hear the speech, you will need to bring the device closer to your mouth. Also, the microphone can be used to record voice memos. The maximum time is 5 minutes.

Important! The model is equipped with a vibrating alert, and on a noisy street this is the preferred option, since the soundtrack may simply not be heard. The vibration motor is powerful enough, and you can feel it even in a large crowd of people.

Got a new watch and branded S Voice... it voice assistant, which, according to user reviews, does not work in the best way:

• it is slow enough;
• if the Russian interface is enabled, the device will not understand the words spoken in English;
• the assistant is not too sensitive, and if it is noisy around, he simply will not understand anything.

The camera, as in the previous version, is not very good, but taking a quick or secret picture is fine. Also, the watch can be used for control the player in the phone.

At work with notifications the clock does not behave unambiguously. It is convenient to use them if you receive an SMS. It can be read, answered, or simply ignored. Social media posts are extremely informative. They open empty, which means that the owner simply learns about the event, but to check it, you still need to take out the phone. The same story with the mail.

Conclusion

The overall impression of the devices is extremely positive. It can be seen that the company has done some serious work on the mistakes. Devices now perform better, faster and more stable than the first Gear. There are some flaws in the OS, but this is more a question for the software developers than for the technicians who made the watch itself. Such errors are usually quickly fixed in updates. The real plus of the model is that the battery life began to reach 3 days.... The model is also visually more pleasing and the wearing experience is improved. Now it is not scary to break the belt, as it can be easily changed.

Important! The price of the device without the Neo mark at the time of the release of the device is 12 thousand rubles, the simpler version is 10 thousand rubles.

Gear 2 Neo is a great opportunity for Samsung to remind you of how high-quality technology it is capable of producing. In recent years, the company had many different models of smartphones and so on, but people with might and main compared their products with "apple", and nothing boded about progress. Nevertheless, Samsung announced a new smart watch Gear, and then their brother Gear 2 Neo. It was a real triumph. Why?

The uniqueness of smart watches

The Samsung Gear 2 Neo is a vastly improved version of the original watch. They not only look stylish, but also have a huge range of different functions. Such a watch will not replace the usual smartphone, but it will greatly expand the user's capabilities. The main idea behind the production of such gadgets is the ability to always be connected to your smartphone and control everything that happens in it.

Basic configuration

When ordering Samsung Gear 2 Neo online, the user will receive his watch in a box made in a wooden style. Starting with the Samsung Galaxy S4, the manufacturer releases its gadgets in exactly this package. It looks interesting and soundly.

Opening the packaging reveals this marvel of engineering - a stylish watch packed in protective film... In addition to them, the box contains a charger with a micro-USB connector, instructions in Russian and a charging unit. There are many negative reviews about the latter on the Internet, since it is a one-piece charger, and for connecting, say, to a computer, you cannot find a cable in the package bundle. This is frustrating.

Dimensions (edit)

Externally, the Samsung Gear 2 Neo watch is very similar to its predecessor. But this is only at first glance. The watch has become much lighter - only 55 grams. Many reviews on the internet claim that this 13-gram difference is quite noticeable.

The dimensions have slightly increased to 37.9x58.8x10 mm, but they are more graceful and look neater.

Appearance

First of all, the Samsung Gear 2 Neo has interchangeable straps, from which the electronics have been removed. The bracelet is now easy to adjust. Moreover, the manufacturer took care of a fairly wide palette of body colors, which undoubtedly only increased their rating in the eyes of buyers.

In addition, this model of smart watches from Samsung has once again proved that the company listens to its users, because many of the shortcomings of past gadgets have been taken into account and corrected. We are talking about the location of the function button, which has moved to the front panel, which greatly simplified its use.

Do not forget that although the watch still has a metal insert, there are many soft-touch details in the case.

Display

It is more common to call the display a dial, because we are talking about a watch. The dimensions of this part of the gadget are no less than 1.63 inches. This is sufficient for normal operation. And if we take into account the resolution of 320 x 320 pixels, then the question of the comfort of use disappears by itself.

Thanks to the oleophobic coating, the finger glides easily on the Super AMOLED screen. The screen itself is bright enough and does not darken in the sun.

Some body parts

If you continue to look at the front of the watch, then an infrared blaster is clearly visible above the screen. What is it for? This is a universal remote control for various appliances in the house. This thing works at a distance of four meters.

Under the screen, as mentioned earlier, the Home button has found its place. It is needed in order to block the clock and use some other software functions.

WITH back side Samsung Gear 2 Neo clearly shows contacts for charging the watch, an optical sensor called a heart rate monitor, and, of course, a logo with additional information about the gadget.

On one side you can find a microphone, and on the other - a speaker, the benefits of which we will talk about later.

Interface

Since there are not enough buttons in the device, the basic principle of working with it is based on visual gestures, or, more simply, to work, you need to slide your finger to the right or to the left. A downward movement takes you to the menu, and a double tap with two fingers at once allows you to see the battery charge and connection.

The notifications on the Samsung Gear 2 Neo have earned a lot of love as they arrive promptly and loudly enough. And in principle, thanks to its own well-thought-out operating system and a Dual Core Exynos 1 GHz processor, the device is very smart and responsive.

As for the function of talking on the phone, the sensitivity of the microphone is enough to do it while driving. There is no need to bring the watch to your face.

Player

The Samsung Gear 2 Neo smart watch has a fairly large amount of memory at its disposal, namely 4 GB. This place can accommodate a number of music tracks and help brighten up any gray days. In order for the music to "migrate" directly to the gadget, you need to connect the latter to a docking station, and it, in turn, through a separately purchased cable, to a computer or other music storage. By the way, you can find all the music in the watch with just one touch to the corresponding widget.

Battery

What's a Samsung Gear 2 Neo review without talking about its battery? But it was she who caused the most delight among users. Why? The reason for this was its ability to hold a charge for several days under active load! If you use the watch for its intended purpose, then the battery will be more than enough for almost a week.

According to reviews, the most "gluttonous" watch is the player. So music lovers should stock up on external battery, in order to "feed" your gadget in time. By the way, a full charge takes an hour.

Sports assistant

One of the most popular functions of smartwatches can rightfully be considered a pedometer. He fairly accurately counts not only the number, but also the speed of your steps. In tandem with a heart rate sensor that reads information through the wrist, you can safely start calculating the calories you burn. The only aspect where smartwatches won't help is running, as the Samsung Gear 2 Neo doesn't have a GPS system.

Minuses

In addition to incomplete complete set, several points can be attributed to the obvious disadvantages:

1. Speakerphone. It's nice that the microphone is sensitive enough, but you won't be able to talk for hours in a crowded place, because no matter what you are told, others will hear it.
2. Only Samsung. The trouble is that the Samsung Gear 2 Neo is only compatible with devices of the same brand. No, you can connect other devices, but the weather, messages and other functions are simply absent and the watch becomes exclusively a fitness assistant and player.
3. Alerts. This is a rather controversial issue, but if you receive an alert with a long content, then the clock will simply not show its end.
4. You cannot install third-party applications. Although this point should also be attributed to compatibility. True, some go for tricks - connecting root-rights and so on. But we're talking about a gadget that you want to use without worrying about anything!

Dignity

Of course, I want to talk about the advantages more than about the disadvantages. It's worth starting with the software. What is special about it?

In addition to the player, the watch has a "Sleep" mode, which will help control your heart rate and sleep phases. This function is especially useful for people who, even with a sufficient amount of night rest, feel unwell.

The Workout mode will help you capture all the results of your efforts and show how hard you have been exercising.

Another equally important advantage of the watch is the ability to control the gadget from a distance. This is both call management and the ability to send pre-prepared templates in SMS messages. It is also important that the user chooses which notifications to receive on the watch. This is nice in light of the sheer number of apps that like to impose their notifications.

A very loud speaker and a good built-in vibration motor will not allow you to miss an important call. This will especially appeal to business people and girls who, due to the fact that the smartphone is in their purse, miss calls.

This version of the watch is able to stay under water for some time at a depth of up to one meter. Of course, swimming with them is not worth it, but such moisture resistance allows you to carelessly wash your hands, walk in the rain, and so on.

One of the pleasant bonuses, users consider the ability to change the wallpaper and download various applications from the store.

General impressions

Holding the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 Neo smartwatch in your hands, you realize that this is a completely finished product. Everything in it is balanced and stable. He is quite nimble and responsive. Of course, this watch cannot be called ideal, but it once again proves that Samsung is still capable of producing interesting novelties. The firm still knows how to create really high-quality things and listen to the opinions of its customers.

The original Galaxy Gear was, of course, a decent device, but it also had drawbacks: short battery life, uninspiring design, and a very limited stock of apps. As stated, this is Samsung's first attempt at a smartwatch, which means that either a failure or a next version should be expected.

For newer Gears, instead of using the operating room Android systems specially designed for wearable devices, Samsung chose Tizen, their own proprietary platform. This means the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit will all run on the Tizen operating system. If you don't know, then the original Galaxy Gear was released with Android stuffing. How big is the change ahead? Let's find out in our Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 review.

You can look at these devices here:

General information

The Gear 2 has been slightly improved in terms of design. There are not many changes when it comes to the user interface, although Samsung has changed the operating system. If you look at user interface the original Galaxy Gear and Gear 2, they look identical. Battery life has improved, but not as much as expected.

Check out the earlier Galaxy Gear here:

The camera is about the same, but it is removed from the bracelet and is located on the main body of the device - where it should have been. Despite the improvements, I can’t help with anything, but it seems to me that Samsung has lost touch with consumers.

The selection of apps hasn't increased at all since the last update - mostly the switch to Tizen is to blame. The price is still overpriced for such a device. Finally, the Samsung Gear 2's compatibility for Sammy's own phones has improved slightly.

Do they deserve their price? If you can get a lot more, or if you buy the Gear 2 along with a compatible Samsung phone, then you can go for it. This is definitely a big step up from the original Galaxy Gear. But that being said, Samsung has a long way to go to revolutionize the market with any of its smartwatch models.

• Overall rating: 4/5 - The Samsung Gear 2 is much better than its predecessor, but there are still many things pushing it back from the first shelves.

Frame

Not much can be said here, at least when comparing the Gear 2 to its predecessor. The same polished metal case and 1.63 ”screen remain in the foreground. A physical button has been added that grips tightly, which is very important to me.

I have had a variety of devices that have a terrible setup button like a power button or an alarm button that wore out and barely worked after a month of use. She was simply out of place, clinging to clothes all the time. And with the new Gear 2, such an embarrassment is not expected.

Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 review (video):

Overall, the Gear 2 has a fantastic body, and the fact that it is currently IP67 dustproof and waterproof (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) means it will be difficult for your child to break them. Of course, the fact that the wristband is removable makes the Gear 2 even more robust. If something goes awry with the strap installed, you can simply remove it and put on a different one, although this part will please mods more.

• Body: 5/5 - Overall build quality is fantastic, and thanks to the replaceable wristband and the dust and water resistant IP67, your Gear 2 won't break anytime soon.

Design

When it comes to design, Samsung has clearly listened to consumers and critics alike. The unsuitable buttons that plague the original are gone from the front and dial. The camera, which is somewhat unsightly on the original model, has been moved to the body of the device instead of the bracelet. Samsung stuck in its polished metal case and the screen size is the same.

One of the most significant differences is that users can now swap bracelets from one to the other - and I would add quite easily. The Gear 2 uses a standard 22mm thick wristband that has snaps on the device, making it easy to get rid of the old one. What does this mean for Gear 2 owners?

This means that if you want a leather bracelet, or even a neon light in the dark, now you can certainly do it. Hooray.

Centre

The original Gear also had a speaker built into the clasp of the bracelet. Naturally, since the bracelet is now removable, it is no longer there. Sammy also added a button just below the screen, reminiscent of the one on Galaxy phones... It is almost invisible and more comfortable.

A charger is no longer needed, but the Gear 2 still uses its own charger, which means that if you lose it or ruin it in any way, you will have to donate money to swap before you can again. use the device regularly. This is a noticeable disadvantage, given the fact that a charger is not an eternal thing.

As you can see, there are still some bugs, but the Gear 2 is a huge improvement over the original model.

• Design: 4/5 - The Gear 2's subtle nuances are much better than the original and the ability to change the wristband was definitely a must.

Customization

This time, you can change the watch strap by swapping the installed bracelet for one from your own collection. Any standard 22mm strap will work, no matter what you choose: leather, plastic, rubber or whatever. This choice makes the Gear 2 significantly better than the original.

When it comes to personalizing your software, interface, and watch face, you'll be using Gear Manager, Samsung's mobile app for managing your smartwatch. You can change most of the settings on your device right away, but you've probably never adapted the watch you're using - it's so difficult and time-consuming.

Everything is much simpler here, you just need to pull out your smartphone, change the settings in Gear Manager and sync. Agree, it is much more convenient to set the clock not with one button of the device itself, but using all the capabilities of the smartphone, and then synchronize in one click.

There are not very many apps to install on the Gear 2 right now, and the situation is likely to remain the same for a while. Unfortunately, by making the transition to Tizen, Sammy rendered all the applications developed for the previous model useless.

You should pay attention to the separate apps for Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. There are many new applications such as stopwatch, auto redial, news gathering, contact list, call log. There's also an app similar to S Health (on Galaxy phones) that lets you track your fitness progress. For people who have an active lifestyle or are going to do it, this will be a great addition to a stylish accessory.

For the rest, what you see is what you get. While personalization options are still limited, you have a lot more freedom to choose with the Gear 2 than with its predecessor. It's always a plus, but there is certainly room for improvement (listen to this Sammy).

• Setting: 4/5 - most of the changes are based on software and Gear Manager offers more customization in this direction - plus, you can replace the bracelet with any one that is 22mm wide.

Functionality

I'm not going to waste time talking about standard smartwatch features. Everything the original Gear could do, Gear 2 can do. Notifications are much improved and seem to be more flexible. You can make phone calls - using your device, of course - and compose your message using S Voice.

The S Voice functionality can be a little let down at times, but I don't know of any similar voice platform that doesn't have the same problems - Google now and Siri suffers from this, and I'm sure Microsoft Cortana does too.

It is difficult to manage sending a message with only a button and a voice in control. In fact, many tasks will require you to have your phone close by, so keep that in mind when deciding to choose one of these devices.

The biggest change in the Gear 2 is the implementation of an optical heart rate monitor. If you've ever seen a Galaxy S5 heart rate monitor work, then you should be familiar with Gear 2 support.

It works with local medical applications on your phone to help you calculate basic health information. Not everyone will use something like this, but it's great if you don't want to wear a Fitbit and Gear 2 at the same time.

You can look at the different Fitbit options here:

The Gear 2 has the same hardware, such as Bluetooth 4.0, 4GB of storage, microphone, accelerometer and infrared. If you really want to know, the Gear 2 is powered by silicon and has a 1GHz dual-core chip. This time the battery is much larger - 300mAh.

• Functionality: 4.5 / 5 is exactly what you'd expect from a smartwatch, and the new optical heart rate monitor works great with local health apps.

Compatibility

In this aspect, the Gear series gets several different points of view. The Gear 2 - like the original - is not compatible with a wide range of devices, only Samsung branded phones to be precise.

This time Sammy decided to work only with his own phones, which is great. You can see the full list of compatible devices below. Samsung still has the largest market share when it comes to mobile phones, so the fact that the Gear 2 is only compatible with their own brand can't be a bad thing. If you already own a compatible Samsung phone then the Gear 2 is perfect for you, otherwise you're just out of luck.

• Compatibility: 3/5 - Gear 2 is only compatible with select brand mobile phones Samsung, but there are a few new devices that are compatible this time around that weren't in the original.

conclusions

The Gear 2 is a huge improvement over the original, especially when it comes to design. The design has become even more attractive - the inconvenient button and the camera in the very center have disappeared, - the excellent quality of the body and the necessary functionality - everything is there. Sammy was even more generous this time around and gave users the ability to swap the standard bracelet for any 22mm width of their choice. People even got access to some pretty standard personalization options through the Gear Manager app.

Quite a lot doesn't exist in the app yet. If you've owned a Gear, you'll want to see brand new apps for Gear 2 thanks to Sammy's decision to switch from Android to Tizen. This also means that developers will have to create completely new applications for Gear devices 2 and Gear 2 Neo.

Seeing the Gear app store start to grow, it's probably the same for the new line. At the same time, standard applications should work better. As of this writing, there have been no available applications Facebook or Twitter, which will eventually change.

Just don't install one in the next few months, and don't expect to be flying around all of your social media accounts - unless you're using the browser on a device that ... let's just say it's not recommended.

The only question left is that the Gear 2 is only compatible with a handful of Samsung phones. this means that if you don't own one of Samsung's - the latest and greatest - then you'll have to look elsewhere. You will need a smartphone to experience the Gear 2, so don't pick one device and expect that you will only be using it. For $ 300, that's not bad, but if you don't own a Samsung phone, wait until Android Wear is released.

We hope you enjoyed our Samsung Gear 2 review and find it useful in your search for the perfect smartwatch. Stay tuned for reviews of the entire Samsung Gear lineup.

Compatible Galaxy devices

Samsung says the list will expand over time.

• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Galaxy grand 2
• Galaxy Note 3
• Galaxy Note 3 Neo
• Galaxy Note 2
• Galaxy S4

You can look at different variants of the Galaxy S4 here:

• Galaxy S3
• Galaxy S4 Zoom
• Galaxy S4 Active
• Galaxy S4 mini
• Galaxy Mega 6.3
• Galaxy Mega 5.8
• Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
• Galaxy NotePRO (12.2)
• Galaxy TabPRO (12.2 / 10.1 / 8.4)

Thanks for the likes on the site! Always be a happy, athletic and active person! Write what you think about this, what gadgets do you use and why?

Want to know more? Read:

• 
  Samsung is releasing an important update for the Gear ...
• 
  The Tizen operating system in the Samsung Gear S3 has ...
• 
  You will soon be using the Gear S3 or Gear Sport ...
• 
  The Samsung Gear smartwatch has acquired a rotating screen ...
• 
  Samsung confirms that the development ...

The device, as expected, did not make big sales, although Samsung managed to report about 800 thousand gadgets sold. However, the company's first attempt at creating a smartwatch was not in vain. This year Samsung plans to take the market by storm with two smartwatches - Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. Let's see if the company has been able to fix its bugs and what its new wearables are.

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo share the same build and design, but the main difference between them is in the materials of the case, as well as the built-in camera.

Gear 2 is the flagship of the line, so its front panel is covered not only by a protective glass, as in Gear 2 Neo, but also by a metal plate.

If we compare devices with the Galaxy Gear, then the designers of the company have improved not only the appearance, but also the design of the smartwatch.

The new models are smaller and lighter than their predecessor, with a 22 mm rubber strap that can be easily changed by yourself.

There are no electronics in the strap, as was the case in the Galaxy Gear, which greatly simplifies the repair of the device.

The fastening of the strap is implemented well, even during sports, the likelihood that the watch will fly off your hand is minimal. The mount also allows you to adjust the size of the bracelet.

Most of the Gear 2 / Neo bezel is 1.63-inch touchscreen, with the help of which the watch is controlled. The only mechanical key is located under the screen and is responsible for on / off, as well as blocking. In addition, a quick launch of the application can be assigned to double-clicking the button.

At the top of the Gear 2's display is a 2-megapixel camera window, as well as an infrared port.

The Gear 2 Neo does not have a camera, and its place is taken only by the infrared port.

There is a microphone on the right side of the devices.

And on the left is an external speaker.

The base of the Gear 2 / Neo's case is made of matte plastic, while on the bottom of the watch there is a connector for a charger, as well as a heart rate monitor.

The metal on the bezel makes the Gear 2 look more solid than the Gear 2 Neo, but overall, both devices suit both casual and sporty styles. And if the Galaxy Gear looked exactly like a gadget, then the new models still look more like a watch.

Water and dust resistant

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches have an IP67 rating of the shell, which allows them to be submerged to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.

This standard also means that dust cannot enter the housing of the devices. All this allows you to play sports, run, take a shower, and even swim for a short time, without taking off your watch.

Display

Like the Galaxy Gear, Samsung's new smartwatch uses a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 320x320 pixels, which at this diagonal forms an image of 278 dpi.

The screen has good viewing angles, doesn't look grainy, and it has decent color reproduction with near-perfect blacks.

In the sun, the Gear 2 / Neo's screen practically does not fade, but it does glare, although it remains readable.

With all this, the display is touch-sensitive, made using capacitive technology, and through it the main control of the smart watch is carried out.

There are no problems with the response of the screen to pressing.

Camera (Gear 2)

The Gear 2 has a 2-megapixel autofocus camera capable of 720p video recording at 30 frames per second. But the camera in Gear 2 will still not feel like a spy, it can only record 15-second clips.

Compared to the quality of the pictures taken by smart Galaxy watch Gear, the Gear 2 hasn't changed much. The 2-megapixel BSI sensor takes pictures on the level of smartphones 5 years ago. In this case, the resolution of images can be 1920 x 1080 pixels, 1080 x 1080 pixels or 1280 x 960 pixels.

Overall, the Gear 2's camera is more suited to storing information that could be recorded, but the fastest is to simply take a picture.

In Gear 2 Neo, as I already wrote, there is no camera, but as you can see from the quality of images from Gear 2, the model does not lose anything from this.

S Health and heart rate monitor

Samsung was the first smartwatch manufacturer to integrate a heart rate monitor into its models. This step comes in conjunction with a new vector of development of the S Health application, which in the eyes of Samsung should become a single center of information about the user's health. Now we can observe one of the first stages of this concept, and with the availability of new sensors for smartwatches, it will develop. Today, S Health paired with Gear 2 / Neo can count the user's steps (thanks to the built-in accelerometer), measure the heart rate, and also record running, cycling and hiking. By and large, Samsung smartwatches have everything the Gear Fit smartband does.

The heart rate sensor in Gear 2 / Neo is powered by an LED and a photo sensor, and its measurements are not 100% accurate and are more of a recommendation. This is especially pronounced during running, when with a heart rate of 170 beats per minute, the watch can show 155-160 beats per minute. As a rule, this is solved if the bracelet is fastened more tightly on the arm, but in this case, with prolonged wearing of the device, discomfort appears.

One of the components of S Health, as well as Gear 2 / Neo, is the sliptracker feature. It is implemented in the same way as in the Gear Fit. Smart watches in conjunction with the application can track the duration and phases of a user's sleep. But the collected data is not analyzed in any way by the application, and there is no “smart alarm” in the watch itself.

The S Health bundle on the smartphone plus Gear 2 / Neo allows you to count steps, and while jogging, show the distance traveled, average speed and continuously read the heart rate. Thus, the component of the sports bracelet in Gear 2 / Neo is implemented at the Gear Fit level, while the watch has more potential than a smart bracelet, because it supports the installation of third-party applications. But more on that below.

Platform, interface and applications

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches are built around a 1GHz dual-core processor and come with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage.

Unlike the Galaxy Gear model that ran on Android platform, the new smartwatch is based on Samsung's own development, Tizen. It is because of the use of a different platform that the company has abandoned the Galaxy brand in the name of its new smartwatches. If we compare it with its predecessor, then the gear 2 / Neo's platform change went to the advantage. The interface logic in Samsung smartwatches has largely remained unchanged, but it works faster. In addition, the company's developers managed to better optimize Tizen for wearable gadgets in terms of autonomy. With a smaller battery, the device works the same 3-4 days.

The system interface consists of several screens with icons. The main screen is the time display. Its user can customize it for himself by choosing one of the themes, and a skin for the clock.

The main menu consists of four application icons, while in the settings you can switch to displaying one icon on the whole screen.

The menu has two levels, the first contains the main applications, and the rest are hidden in the second level in the Applications folder. Applications can also be moved from it to the main menu. In addition, menu screens can be swapped or deleted along with applications, following the same logic as widget screens in Android.

Since Tizen is an open platform, developers can create apps for the Gear 2 / Neo. This is the biggest flaw in Samsung's OS compared to Android so far, as even the Galaxy Gear had more programs than the Gear 2 / Neo currently have. However, the company promises that over time this problem will be resolved.

But it's really hard to find in Samsung Apps now useful applications... Installation and operation of the programs is carried out through the Gear Manager utility on the smartphone.

Working with Galaxy smartphones

Like all Samsung wrist gadgets, Gear 2 / Neo can only work with smartphones and tablets of the company. At the moment, devices can be connected to the following models: Galaxy S5 / Grand 2 / Note 3 / Note 3 Neo / Note 2 / S4 / S3 / S4 Zoom / S4 Active / S4 mini / Mega 6.3 / Galaxy Mega 5.8 / Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) / NotePRO (12.2) / TabPRO (12.2 / 10.1 / 8.4).

To use your smartwatch, you need to install the Gear Manager application on your smartphone or tablet.

The connection of the devices is ensured by the Bluetooth 4.0 module. There are no connection problems.

Alerts

Smartphone notifications are an important part of working with the Gear 2 / Neo. Compared to the Galaxy Gear, the developers have done a lot of work on the bugs. Let me remind you that in the first Samsung smartwatches, the ability to view alerts was also implemented, but in a number of applications the watch showed only the fact itself incoming letter or messages, it was impossible to read them. In Gear 2 / Neo, this problem is solved, right on the watch display you can read a message or the beginning of a letter, this is enough to understand whether it is worth picking up the smartphone.

By the way, the Gear 2 / Neo works very smartly with Galaxy devices. If the smartphone / tablet is in the hands with the screen turned on, notifications will not be sent to the watch. In this case, if a message is displayed on the Gear 2 / Neo display, and pick up the smartphone, it will immediately appear on its screen. In general, with a Samsung smartwatch, the user can flexibly configure alerts and quickly filter them.

The developers managed to implement one of the best notification mechanisms on the market. Unfortunately, this only works on Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

S Voice and voice calls

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo have a built-in microphone and external speaker, allowing you to use your smartwatch as a headset. During incoming call the user can accept or reject it right from the watch.

At the same time, you can also make calls with Gear 2 / Neo, gadgets have separate applications with dialing a number, call log and phone book.

In a noisy place, making calls with a smartwatch is not very convenient, the interlocutor will be hard to hear, but in the car or on the street while jogging.

The S Voice voice assistant, well known to users of Galaxy smartphones, has found its place in Gear 2 / Neo. With it, you can perform a number of tasks by entering commands with your voice, for example, call, send a message, create a task, check the weather forecast, and much more.

S Voice works quite slowly on Samsung smartwatches, because, in fact, it processes a command not even on a smartphone, but on a Samsung server. As a result, the speed of its operation strongly depends not only on the performance of devices, the quality of the Bluetooth connection, but also on the speed of the Internet.

Remote control and multimedia

Quite unexpectedly for such a category as smartwatches, Samsung decided to integrate an infrared port and an application for controlling TVs, media players and other compatible electronics into the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo.

It works quite well, and most importantly, it turned out to be really convenient to control home appliances from the clock.

The multimedia capabilities of the Gear 2 / Neo include a built-in music player as well as an application for controlling music playback from a smartphone.

And if the latter function is convenient to use, then the built-in media player in the watch with 4 GB of memory and the ability to connect only wireless headphone is clearly redundant.

Autonomy and charging

The built-in battery in the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo has a capacity of 300 mAh, which is slightly less than the 315 mAh of the Galaxy Gear. Nevertheless, the autonomy of the new Samsung smartwatches has not decreased, and is 3-4 days of work, depending on the load.

This is not an outstanding result, but the user is unlikely to feel much discomfort from putting the gadgets on charge once a week.

Eventually

Samsung's progress in smartwatch development with the release of the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo is visible to the naked eye. The company has really improved a lot, but it still needs to improve a number of functions. Already, Samsung smartwatches are great at working with notifications, but they clearly lack more openness, namely the ability to work with other, except for Galaxy, Android devices. This move will allow more third-party developers to become interested, and hence promote the Tizen platform for wrist gadgets.