VP/Tech Review | realme Watch S2: A Well-Rounded Smartwatch
The realme Watch S2 arrived in the Philippines four years after its predecessor, realme Watch S, debuted. And just like the legend and icon Britney Spears, it’s stronger than yesterday.
Though the wait was long, the realme Watch S2 carries everything you’d expect from a smartwatch released in 2024. From the hardware down to its health-tracking features, this device looks more than promising at first glance.
After religiously using the watch for a week together with the realme 13 Pro 5G, we have gathered our thoughts to share our full review of the realme Watch S2.
Build and Design
The realme Watch S2 comes in three colorways: Black, Blue, and Silver. It also sports the same circular design as its predecessor with a larger display at 46.5mm. The watch boasts an Advanced Stainless Steel Textured body with an exquisite glass cover.
On its right side, it has two physical buttons carrying functions to control the watch. These physical buttons can wake the watch and trigger commands like pause/resume workout, enter sports mode, open feature list, and many more.
Furthermore, the watch also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. This rating entails full protection against dust and other particles and water splashes. Not only that, but you can also even take the Watch S2 for a swim without any problems being submerged in water.
Having used the watch for a couple of days, there were times that it bumped or was lost in the mix inside my everything bag. Given this occasion, the watch remained in its pristine condition. This is true to the brand’s claim of having a wear and scratch resistance display.
Design-wise, the realme Watch S2 looks sleek and classy. It’s simple but reveres elegance without screaming that it’s one. It sports an exquisite flat display that universally works with every outfit you might have. It also has easily interchangeable straps so you can pick what works best for your day.
Display
We mentioned earlier that the realme Watch S2 has a bigger display than its predecessor. This 1.43” AMOLED display comes with a 466×466 resolution capable of 50Hz ~ 60Hz Refresh Rate.
Furthermore, you can also express yourself freely with how many watch faces are available for you to choose from. By default, the watch has a set of 9 watch faces with various themes like traditional machinery or realme’s brand mascot, realmeow.
But if you want something more creative or fun, there are more than 150 downloadable stylish watch faces in the realme Link App. This extensive list of styles and themes excited me to pick and customize my watch to my style and aesthetic.
Speaking of customizable, we highly recommend downloading the realme Link app to customize and take advantage of your Watch S2. The app doesn’t take up much of your storage plus it contains settings and menus vital to using the watch. You can even check your health data and workout progress inside the app.
Moreover, the watch utilized the ATS3085 chip to deliver a premium user interface design. This chip allows for a smooth experience in every aspect of the Watch S2’s UI.
Overall, the realme Watch S2’s interface was easy to navigate. It even has features like message notifications, Bluetooth calling, event reminders, music control, flashlight, and many more to integrate with your daily routine.
Features
There are a lot of stand-out features from the realme Watch S2, so let’s break it down to help you decide if it’s for you. Firstly, the realme Watch S2 can handle Bluetooth calling while maintaining peak performance and saving power.
The brand says this Bluetooth calling capability uses smart noise reduction and echo cancellation features that enhance the quality of calls. Additionally, the Watch S2 has a high-performance microphone and speakers that can pick up sounds up to 90 dB. While it depends on varying external factors, this microphone can pick up sounds up to 10 meters, especially in a quiet environment.
Of course, would it be a smartwatch in 2024 if it doesn’t help you monitor your sports and health? Aside from walking and running, the realme Watch S2 also covers multiple Comprehensive Sports and Health Monitoring including the following:
- Running Courses and Stretching Guidelines
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Blood Oxygen Monitoring
- Stress Level Monitoring
- 24-Hour Sleep Monitoring
- 24-Hour Activity Monitoring
- Sedentary (Sitting Too Long) & Hydration (Drinking Water) Reminder
- Female Health (Menstrual Period Recording & Prediction)
- Support for 110+ Sports Modes
- realme Link App Sports & Health Data Analysis on pages that can be reviewed in the app
As somebody whose job requires sitting around most of the time, being constantly reminded to move around helps me avoid a sedentary lifestyle. There’s peace in having the convenience of checking how many steps I took along with my heart rate, oxygen, and stress levels throughout the day.
Furthermore, you can even use the realme Watch S2 to play music perfect for your workout and running sessions. In total, there’s 4GB of storage for you to import audio files through the realme Link App. Simply connect a wireless earbud to your watch and voila, there’s music as long as you have your watch in your wrists.
Battery
In terms of batteries, the realme Watch S2 also does not disappoint. Its standard battery life can last you 14 days without charging. Of course, external conditions may affect this depending on your daily routines and how much of the watch’s functions are being used.
Furthermore, you can customize the Watch S2’s battery life for up to 20 days through its ultra-low power mode. Meanwhile, the watch can last 5 days of normal use with the Always On Display in full effect.
Lastly, the realme Watch S2’s battery life can last up to 38 days with the display predominantly off. When your watch inevitably runs out of battery, there’s a charging cable specifically made for the Watch S2 that comes inside the box for you to fill your watch back up.
Overall Thoughts
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that crosses the line between style and functionality, the realme Watch S2 might be a perfect investment. For its price, it delivers a solid performance with a decent display, long-lasting battery life, and vital monitoring.
Whether you’re a smartwatch connoisseur or just somebody dipping their toes into this realm of wearables, the realme Watch S2 fits most of your needs without putting a hole in your pocket.
Fans have the option to select a Steel Wrist Strap in Grey, priced at P4,499, or a Silicone Wrist Strap available in Black or Blue for P3,999. As a first-selling treat, you can grab the realme Watch S2 for as low as P3,499 (Steel Wrist Strap) and P2,999 (Silicone Wrist Strap) at realme’s Tiktok shop and P3,699 (Steel Wrist Strap) and P3,299 (Silicone Wrist Strap) at realme’s Shopee and Lazada stores from September 4 – 10, 2024.
