Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 Silver / Black 44mm Stainless Steel
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According to our smartwatch expert
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 Silver/Black 44mm Stainless Steel stands out thanks to its minimalist and refined design. The watch is primarily an extension of your phone. You can use it for phone calls, as it's connected to your phone via Bluetooth. You can receive messages and answer them from your wrist. With the touch edge, you can easily scroll through all the apps or get more in the Galaxy Store. You can add Uber, Google Maps, or Strava, for example. Thanks to the independent music player, you can store music on the watch. Pair headphones via Bluetooth and listen to music for extra motivation during a workout. With the ECG heart rate monitor and the blood pressure monitor, you also get accurate insight into your health. You can easily check your health data in the Samsung Health Monitor app.
Note: the Active2 doesn't always work well with iPhones. Depending on the model and IOS version, you might not be able to respond to messages or use the Samsung Health app.
Note: a charger adapter isn't included. Do you want to charge the watch via a socket? Use the adapter of your phone charger or order a charger adapter separately.
This watch is suitable for a wrist circumference of 17 to 19cm.
Compatible with operating system | Android, iOS | |
|---|---|---|
Recommended for wrist circumference | 17 - 19 cm | |
Type of heart rate measurement | ECG heart rate measurement, Optical heart rate measurement | |
Required iPhone model | iPhone 5 or later | |
Independent music player | ||
Width | 44 mm |
5 stars
710
4 stars
679
3 stars
32
2 stars
1
1 star
1
The Active 2 is my first smartwatch. My expectations were high given its price and (the expertise of) the brand. This review is therefore somewhat critical, but don't get me wrong, I am definitely satisfied with the watch!
In general The design is great and the wearing comfort is good. The display is also fine. Bright enough, beautiful colors and the touchscreen works accurately. Although a higher resolution would certainly be noticeable, but perhaps not very necessary given the purposes of the watch. In addition, you now save some battery with the current resolution. And regarding this battery: I see in many reviews that the watch only lasts a day, but in my case this is a lot more. I have the feeling that I use the watch quite intensively (regular always-on display and continuous heart rate measurement turned on) and consume about 40% battery per day. I only charge the watch during a shower and sometimes also during breakfast, depending on how far the watch is charged (which also goes smoothly).
Functionalities The main question for me was how useful the functionalities would really be and how well/accurately they would work. My conclusion is that everything works fine in general, but there is still a lot to be achieved by means of. software improvements. Receiving messages is nice, but not replying. I bought an app that converts Dutch speech into text. The app works very accurately, but unfortunately you can't use punctuation, which means you always have to answer in 1 long sentence. So if I want to answer, I grab my phone earlier because it works easier. WhatsApp media cannot be opened on the watch. So photos can't, and voice memos can't be listened to either, while the watch does have a speaker. I also tested a navigation app but it didn't work. While I think this would be a nice addition. Suppose you want to use your navigation on your bike, it is inconvenient (and forbidden) to look at your phone. Using earphones in Google Maps on speech doesn't work very well either, I know from experience… A well-functioning navigation on your watch would be a perfect solution in my opinion. Also for walking. Then YouTube, which works well but I never use it because the display is impractically small. I don't use Spotify because my bluetooth earphones connect faster to my phone and the operation can be done with the earphones. A similar app like Shazam is also available, but the reviews were very bad. Because you have to pay for the app, I have not tried this.
personalize It may sound negative, but I am very happy with the watch. Especially because the watch can be extensively tailored to your preferences. The notifications are simply super handy and you can set which notifications you want to receive. I also decorated the settings panel completely personally. This way I can easily switch on the theater mode (= vibration off, screen no longer lights up automatically), sleep mode (= vibration off, except alarm) and always-on display. I use this a lot. The calendar reminders are also nice, the timer (I use it more often than I thought) and the overview of the weather forecast, which I also have on my 'watch face'. You can easily set up the watch face on the Galaxy Wearable app, which is also very user-friendly.
monitoring Then about the 'Active' part of the watch. I find this super easy to keep track of. Steps, stairs, heart rate, sleep and all the notifications you get about it. For example push notifications or achievement notifications. The pedometer works very accurately, as does the heart rate measurement (which was also my least expected). However, it is a mistake that when you continuously measure your heart rate, this is displayed in the Samsung Health app. You cannot zoom in, so you can never easily see the course of your heart rate during, for example, a sports session of an hour. After all, the timeline is always 24 hours. In addition, when I start exercising, I have to set in advance that my heart rate is measured continuously, because otherwise my 'active time' will not be measured accurately. My sleep is also monitored. Nice to see, but unfortunately works less accurately than hoped. Every night gives roughly the same results in terms of deep/light sleep while some times I sleep much better than others. In addition, the time that you lie in bed from the moment you just woke up is also counted as sleep. Only when the sleep mode is switched off or when you get out of bed, the sleep is ended.
In summary, the watch is fun and certainly useful, but steps can still be taken in the field of software. Contactless payment, open WhatsApp media received, Shazam, navigation, a clearer Samsung Health app, sleep monitor improvement and possibly Google assistant (since Bixby still works uncomfortably) could make the watch more valuable.
Despite the critical review, I would recommend the watch for interested parties, since I cannot name a watch with more functions than the Active 2. In addition, I am convinced that the watch will last for years, given the hardware. And let's hope for the software improvements!
Jelle Hess
18 November 2019
Automatically translated from Dutch
The watch will last for at least 2-3 days without recharging. I've had a smartwatch with wearos on it, but tizen from Samsung seems to work much better. The surprisingly useful function it contains is the sleep analysis. I didn't expect this feature to be so useful. Bizarre how accurate the watch works with this function. Most sports I perform are recognized after 10 minutes. And the watch also clearly indicates that this is the case. Heart rate just doesn't always seem accurate. The watch strap that comes with it is starting to get a bit stiff. After owning it for about a month.
Bart
5 November 2019
Automatically translated from Dutch
Design: I chose the 44 mm version with extra Panzerglas protection. The helper for choosing the right format on the Coolblue website is very handy. The 44mm version fits just fine. In terms of design, there is nothing wrong with this device, a clearly legible screen, but not a very exciting design unless you opt for the more expensive (perhaps a bit too) versions with colored edge and carrying strap. In terms of wearing comfort, I would go for a leather strap with a next watch. In warmer weather, the plastic strap feels less pleasant. Downside is the durability of the outer edge within a week, a small pit in the edge (bottom left) of which I do not know how this came about.
Usage: Using the touch ring (compared to the physical ring of the Watch) works very well. Navigating through the screens works fine. Also very handy is that you can install software, change Watchfront and adjust settings of your Smartwatch from the Watch App.
Battery consumption: I see quite a lot of negative comments about the battery consumption. My watch can easily last 2 to 3 days. Just like with Smart Phones, it also applies to Smart Watches that manufacturers activate as many options as possible as standard to allow you to get acquainted with the possibilities as much as possible, read more than you need. For those who have problems with battery consumption, search Google or Youtube for "galaxy watch 2 save battery". You will see that many things such as notifications, heart rate registration, etc. are enabled by default that you may not need at all but consume an unnecessary amount of battery.
Smartphone integration: There are few Android Apps that can communicate with the Samsung Active2. Outside of Spotify, weather online, etc., the range in the Galaxy Watch Store is very mediocre. What was very disappointing for a Smartwatch from a manufacturer that also manufactures phones on the Android platform is the integration of standard Android Apps such as Google Maps.
Sports features: The sensors (more than the 2018 Watch) are quite accurate. The activity tracker is somewhat less accurate. He neatly reports when it's time to move, but also regularly reports when I'm working behind a desk (also while writing a review) or when I'm on the couch watching TV that I've been doing great exercise. A big hit and miss is Samsung Health, especially the integration with other Sports Apps. In September 2016, the integration was removed for a large number of Apps, so that you can only sync (by default) with Strava. As an avid Runkeeper user, this ensures that I still use my Garmin Forerunner for running. The sleep tracking seems fairly accurate, but I want to compare this with SleepCycle on my phone that I've been using until now. Another downside is that you can set your water consumption and set a goal, but you don't get any reminders.
Final conclusion: A very nice Smartwatch that is definitely recommended if you want to go for an affordable option. In terms of durability (protection of the outer edge and screen), you should not expect miracles for a watch in this price range. Much can be improved in terms of available software and integration with Android Apps. The sports functions and health registration are great for recreational health and sports but lack accuracy and compatibility with the major sports apps, making the sports functions less attractive for the more serious athletes.
J.M. Althoff
3 September 2020
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 836056 |
|---|---|
Manufacturer code | SM-R820NSSAPHN |
Brand | Samsung |
Warranty | 2 years |
Processing of your defect | Carry-in warranty |
Compatible with operating system | Android, iOS | |
|---|---|---|
Required iPhone model | iPhone 5 or later | |
Operating system | Samsung Tizen | |
Guaranteed support with updates | Unknown |
Watch case color | Silver | |
|---|---|---|
Watch case material | Stainless steel | |
Watch case shape | Round | |
Width | 44 mm | |
Depth | 10,9 mm | |
Weight | 36 g | |
Size watch case | Large | |
Recommended for wrist circumference | 17 - 19 cm | |
Total storage capacity | 4 GB | |
Water resistance | 5 |
Watch strap material | Leather | |
|---|---|---|
Watch strap color | Black | |
Closure type | Buckle | |
Interchangeable watch strap | ||
Compatibility watch strap | Universal |
Screen type | AMOLED | |
|---|---|---|
Always-on display | ||
Data display | Digital | |
Touchscreen | ||
Color screen | ||
Type of glass | Gorilla glass |
Wireless charging |
|---|
Bluetooth | ||
|---|---|---|
ANT+ | ||
Independent music player | ||
Music controls | ||
Built-in microphone | ||
Built-in speakers | ||
Call options | [Answer calls], [Call indepedently], [Call stores contacts] | |
Smartphone notifications | Notifications, Receive messages, Send messages | |
App installation possible | ||
Camera operation | ||
NFC | ||
Contactless payment |
Speedometer |
|---|
Heart rate measurement | ||
|---|---|---|
Heart rate zones | ||
Heart rate sensor | Integrated pulse sensor | |
Type of heart rate measurement | ECG heart rate measurement, Optical heart rate measurement | |
Heart rate measurement moment | Continuously | |
Notification exceedance heart rate zone | No | |
Irregular heartbeat notification | ||
Heart rate measurement under water |
Skin temperature sensor | ||
|---|---|---|
Oximeter | ||
Blood pressure monitor | ||
EDA sensor |
Recommended for sports | Fitness, Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
Adjust sport profiles | ||
Save personal records | ||
Measure fitness age | ||
Recovery advice | ||
Interval training | ||
VO2 max measurement | ||
Automatic pausing | ||
Measures minutes of intensive training | ||
Measures average speed during activity | ||
Lap counter | ||
Race prognosis |
Built-in GPS receiver | ||
|---|---|---|
Global satellite navigation system | GLONASS, GPS, Galileo | |
GPS application | Navigation, Route registration |
Compass | ||
|---|---|---|
Altimeter | ||
Type of altimeter | Barometric | |
Accelerometer | ||
Thermometer |
Fall detection | ||
|---|---|---|
Alarm function | ||
Emergency button | ||
Geofencing |
