Oh, and remember that weird charging cradle? Well, that's mostly gone. That means Bluetooth 4.0, 4GB of storage, a microphone and an accelerometer. Meanwhile, most of the other key hardware has remained unchanged. Of course, that's if the software (or apps) are there to realize that potential - a question we'll return to later. Instantly, then - at least on paper - the Gear 2 is a more robust, and potentially more useful device. These include an optical heart rate monitor (much like the one found on the Galaxy S5), an IR blaster and IP67 dust-resistance and waterproofing (that means total dust protection, and being waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes). The Gear 2, however, feels a lot like what the original should have been.īeyond the superficial changes, there are a couple of internal additions that significantly expand the functionality here. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the first iteration was a bit of a rush job the result of a scramble to put something out. While the Gear 2's hardware is clearly similar to the original, it feels more refined, more cohesive. I don't suspect anyone buys a smartwatch based on its silicon, but if you must know, there's a dual-core 1GHz chip in here, along with a 300mAh battery. Meanwhile, the sole button now sits beneath the 1.63-inch, Super AMOLED display, just like on Samsung's phones. Other minor, yet welcome cosmetic changes include the removal of the visible screws from the top of the watch's face. So I've no urge to change it, but it's still nice to have the option. The model I tested had a chocolate-brown strap that actually complements the rest of the watch quite well. This is good news, as it means you can replace it with a host of fancy color options - there's even a tiny release lever on the underside to make swapping a cinch. The result is that the strap is now just "dumb" plastic there's no technology inside like before. The affectionately titled "wart" camera no longer resides in the strap either it's back up in the main watch housing, where it should have been all along. I say "near," as the microphone is no longer housed in this section, so the part of the clasp where this used to be is now thinner. The main body is once again fashioned out of brushed metal, while the strap is made of a similar plastic material as before, with a near-identical clasp mechanism. As far as aesthetics go, the Gear 2 is merely an evolution of the original. If you were hoping for a complete redesign, it's time to put on your disappointment pants.
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