ZenWatch 2 Review: Android Wear for Half the Price | Pocketnow

[@AC-pm7sn]

A lot of people asking what you even need a smartwatch for. Being an Apple Watch owner I have to say it's nice working in sales, where I can glance at my wrist quickly to see if my grandmother is asking me how to Google something, or if it's more urgent. You wouldn't think it's all that much faster than taking your phone out of your pocket, but it's simpler, it automatically turns on and off, it's "fingers-free", and it's less noticeable in professional environments. I like it.

[@Pocketnow]

+Cole Byre We came to many of the same conclusions when we reviewed the first-gen Pebble! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWG5hoyvg8x4e7s ^M

[@Julianna.Domina]

As a 360 owner, I came to the same conclusion. It's much faster to just glance at my wrist for everything than to take out my phone. As well as my watch battery lasts longer than my phone's 😂😂

[@cheeseburgermacpac607]

Smart watches are useful in filtering out the unimportant notifications from the important ones. It would also allow people to wear outfits that do not have pockets readily available. For my wrist, only the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Gear Fit fits my wrist quite nicely. May the competition continue!

[@Root174]

+Cole Byre Good points, I just don't think it's worth 130 dollars or more for what it does and how it will only last a day or so.

[@tamaracuycox4712]

*Bought mine on Amazon has the best price:* plus.google.com/+AMZSellerHotGirl/posts/5f6ChTYxcAc Get shipping free!

[@McDylanNuggets]

With that enormous bezel, they couldn't put an ambient light sensor on it?!

[@caffeinelife]

Saw on your podcast you needed some "love" for this review. This review convinced me to get off the fence and try android wear. I've been thinking for a while and, even though I can afford to drop $300 or $500 on a watch, I just didn't see the value. I appreciate your work, as always. Thank you Captain

[@SVETOGOR1]

is there Voice Control built in? or maybe App? thanks

[@MofongoColao]

Mine came in the mail yesterday, great watch for the price but take in acount that this is my first smart watch. Lasted me a full day of hanging out/college and made my phone last a lot longer do to mostly doing nothing more than keeping my watch up to date and notification fed.

[@Pocketnow]

+Techxorcist Thanks for sharing your experience! ^M

[@sirivn]

+Pocketnow when will u review the samsung gear s2 classic watch???? Pease do one.

[@MrRobinsjanis]

what's the watch face at 1:39? I really like it.

[@FrankieTech]

Why not center the screen with equal size bezels? The top bezel being smaller than the bottom one is just poor design! Terrible

[@eporter70]

I bought the smaller one and have a very slim wrist. It's a bit bulky but not outside waht a lot of fashion watches are. I bought it for the reason stated--I didn't want to spend a lot of money n case I didn't care for it. So far, I'm happy with it. I like the notification feature, as well as the step tracker. I do wish it had a heart rate feature. I bought the rose gold bezel/orange leather band and have received many compliments on the watch's appearance

[@SoumyobrataSen]

Screw people who says its ugly. Look at the price bruh. (And it doesn't look THAT BAD).

[@JakubUhi]

Can you tell me if the back of the watch is the speaker?

[@xxxpcsxxx]

how does ok google work when you are outside and does it then use your mobile's data connection instead of wifi and another question is wheather can u use it for navigation

[@markusbock3364]

most problems you are experiencing with android wear watches in general are not happening for me. Only some stutters once in a while but I don't have any problems with it disconnecting or anything. Got an LG G Watch R

[@DanilotheMD]

Great review. Can anybody tell me the material used for the casing? Is it metal or a metallic/glossy plastic? thanks.

[@DogeDELUX]

ZenWatch 2 or the LG G Watch?

[@liviuvelichi6847]

+DOGE™ LG

[@JDValles]

Zen watch

[@xav923]

lg

[@andkabooom]

love every review Michael does

[@itcamefromabox]

I have to say, although I hate bezels, the price they're selling at is perfect for me because I can now justify updating more often throughout the year :O Although the Moto 360's are beautiful, the price point makes it so I can't personally update to a new version each year, especially with more watches by more companies are released :\

[@jacksonbarnes4210]

does the zen watch 2 have a speaker?

[@josephbarney4523]

I got this for Christmas 2016 and I like it. it's easier than pulling my phone out since I get a lot of notifications and it saves phone battery and telling time is easy. plus I can quickly see temperature, and battery levels of watch and phone at a glance. there's other things like pausing Netflix to answer the door and more!

[@ShellymanStudios]

ZenWatch 2 also has a speaker.

[@TheBaconKings52]

You my friend, I see everywhere. I salute you for that... bro...

[@ShellymanStudios]

+Joel Betances Thank you! lol

[@CaptainBlitz]

+Shellyman 4K™ Is there a video where you're not on? e_o

[@nigmosh65]

+Shellyman 4K™ It does? My V1 ZenWatch doesn't have though.

[@damnhockey]

+Rat Face The speaker is ONLY in the 2nd Generation of the Zenwatch. Also, It needs the next generation of software to make it work. The same goes for the Huawei as it is the only other watch with a built-in speaker. I just got my new Zenwatch 2 and it is great. It is so much better than the Moto 360. The Zen watch has a better: screen(brighter, sharper), better battery life (Moto360 battery lasted 5-12 hours max), my Zenwatch 24 hours on it's first charge gave me 24hours, not too bad. I know after 5 charges my battery life will increase. Price, the Zenwatch 2 is less than 1/2 of what the Moto 360 generation 2 is selling for in Canada.

[@mohdsuzairiff]

Hi, have u tried pairing it with dual-sim phone? in case of replying the SMS using zenwatch (for example using voice command), was the message automatically replied via the same sim card as it was sent to?

[@Tayroxmysox123]

does it have a built in speaker? an can you make an received calls?

[@dragon2knight]

Yes it does, and yes you can, just make sure you update the watch to AW version 1.4 or above, as that's when the ability to use said speaker came about. It works great :)

[@ViacheslavStudio]

Hi, I've saw in the video that you used ZenWatch 2 in pair with Samsung mobile phone. Could you please tell me if I may use Samsung apps like S Planner, S Health etc. on the Smart Watch like this with Android Wear? It's pretty important for me.

[@akshatshah3717]

ViacheslavStudio You can't but there are other apps for health and calenders for Android wear

[@AvnishGaming]

from where I can buy it

[@SnoutBaron]

The screen isn't even centred on the watch. The top bezel is smaller than the lower. Major pass.

[@GinanjarUtomo]

Zenwatch 2 just released in my country, Indonesia, for a month because Huawei suddenly launched Huawei Watch two months ago, followed by Lenovo launched Moto 360 2nd Gen. I think why Asus Indonesia released this smartwatch because of that. Here, in my country, they sell it in 2.650.000 IDR (approx. 200 USD) price tag. I've used it for two weeks. Voice dictation is surprisingly good as for Bahasa Indonesia, but lag will happen here and there. Occasionally, the OS crashed a lot (not the core OS, but the Android Watch itself, which I can say the platform is a skin on top of Android). The bezels are thick, but it is forgivable. Wrist gesture recognition performs very well. You have to go for this if you want to jump for Android Wear for the first time and have less money.

[@aryananda9185]

well have u used it? does the disconnected issue still exist? does it annoy you? iam planting to buy it tommorow one more belinya dimana bro? ;)

[@GinanjarUtomo]

aryananda yudiz​ udah pake broh. Masih sih cuma gw ga ambil pusing soal masalah konek diskonek. Erafone ada bro.

[@aryananda9185]

+oginundercover bagus mana sama gear s2?

[@GinanjarUtomo]

+aryananda yudiz klo gw android fanboy.

[@aryananda9185]

+oginundercover pernah nyoba gear s2? fngsinya kurang lebih sama kan ama zenwatch 2?

[@westondaniel]

Can't get over those gigantic bezels. Pass.

[@lavabite]

then you haven't seen pebbles. and compared to these, the bezel is nonexistent.

[@manaabdulla1237]

can you check your gallery of pics in this watch?

[@cnkilts]

Hmm this or pebble steel as best budget smartwatch?

[@tilago]

Pebble steel. You can literally pick it up for >100 used on Amazon, it lasts half a week for me, with pretty heavy use of alarms and the haptic engine. This device is cool, but the pebble is still on top of the game imo.

[@fersunk]

+sample text you see that the pebble steel cost $200 fucking dollar for just a notification watch and black and white screen with a low refresh rate ._., this brand new cost 125 dollar, i dont wanna buy something used

[@tilago]

refurbished amazon $110, comes with everything like new, it'll last you 5 days to a charge. it wont be obsolete in a year, its properly weather sealed... i could go on and on. The Pebble is gonna be around in a couple years, and is a better value for the money.

[@mikewyatt9869]

What watch face is that? Can't find it any where..

[@RanggaDK]

Is this Zenwatch can be use to open apps? like accept friend or replaying message from chat or sms?? Or even all Android wear just use for notification at all...

[@electrology]

what is that case on galaxy s6

[@barakobama6202]

can i store photos in this watch?

[@gixxerbrah4100]

I have seen that HP Spectre Ad way too many times

[@Jorge-lm4bg]

I'm still rocking the pebble, but still haven't found a reason to upgrade.

[@nuclearreactor7058]

YA the video doesnt start at 360p great work and also nice review.

[@bflaves123]

this or 1st gen moto 360?

[@franklindurang]

this one vs Moto 360 2014? same price which one is better?

[@samspaulding]

Haven't had my v1 Zenwatch long, but still considering getting this. Price point is great, AND a few additions to v1. If it's any bigger than the last one I'll have to go will the smaller variant though.

[@lancgloc7358]

Should I buy this or the 1st gen moto 360? I have small wrists, but I love the roundness of the moto 360... Can't make up my mind!!!

[@ddddoc7078]

These are going for about $85 on Amazon currently. Still a good buy in 2018?

[@Eshcole]

Great review Michael! It's about time a reasonably priced smart watch hit the market!

[@Crono454]

You guys are doing the wrist gesture wrong. Might want to follow the instructions more carefully, you're whipping around too quickly. It has to be more deliberate.

[@Pocketnow]

+Crono454 While we used a particularly awkward take for that shot, take our word for it: it's much more difficult to scroll using wrist gestures on the ZW2 than on the 360(2) or the Huawei Watch. ^M

[@Crono454]

+Pocketnow oh. I have zenwatch 1. I will take your word tho. Lol

[@scatton61]

I have the Zen Watch 1 and am well happy with it. battery easily lasts all day and easy to use in bright sunlight

[@Darklighter43]

The speaker, why doesn't anyone mention the speaker on the back?

[@Noble_r717]

Should I get the zenwatch 2 for £150 or should I get the £172 LG urbane?

[@juriaanoussoren]

if you can get the first zenwatch, get that one,and you buy a watch most luxury brands and smartwatches would be jalous on,(but hey asus is the only one making square android watches) if you can't the second it's the same in a bit more cheapy feeling, if you want round lg it's not a bad choice, I had the g watch r, beautifull watch, perfect reviews, but on the wrist it feels like a plastic toys watch, something they don't tell in the reviews, so that why I say go for the first zenwatch

[@almostbauws1845]

Also it is for half the price of others? Lg urbane is going for only 50 euros more on amazon and moto 360 2 still for less than half the price.

[@xandrex]

Thanks for the little reminder at the end of the video.

[@SidneyAfraneTwum]

All that bezel and no ambient light sensor.... right.

[@ChillTechStudio]

never had the moto 360 randomly disconnect the bluetooth

[@SabanBuba]

How long do you have it? Happens too frequently with mine. I started to notice it after a half year of usage

[@Tazman55x]

+Saban Buba I've had mine for about 5 months. That's never happened to me either.

[@tristanblock]

+Chill Tech Studio It's probably your phone, not the watch. I had the same problem with my 360. Got a new phone, it stopped happening.

[@ChillTechStudio]

+Tick Tock I only use nexus phones so maybe.

[@BeachBaller]

I’ve been researching very hard on smart watches. I think this one would be the best low cost smartwatch.

[@KaraHynne]

I have other newer smartwatches but the Asus 2 has been my favorite for two reasons. Google Keep and a great timer plus I do not have to put my phone on for these functions. Not everyone wants all the exercise and health apps. Just give me my notes and timers on my wrist,

[@lonesomedovepk]

Nice Micheal!

[@enda0man]

I have a question, should I get the cheap lg g watch for 100 or the new Asus zenwatch 2 for 129. design different matter so I don't care about that. if someone could give me a complete and contrast that would be great.

[@liviuvelichi6847]

+Scott Chiste Go for LG: Asus is shit

[@enda0man]

Brilliant Sun already got a pebble, instead...

[@liviuvelichi6847]

Scott Chiste Ok. Better than stupid Asus

[@Jpk516]

Anyone know how big this is compared to my original pebble?

[@tristanblock]

They had an opportunity to improve the look of this watch the second time around, but chose not to. Shame. Only thing they got right IMO was the price.

[@tilago]

Same imo, I wish they could copy the screen from a pebble and make this watches at a week

[@winsaki234]

+sample text the e-ink screen like pebble may not support touchscreen or android wear animation

[@JoseGarcia-ev2wb]

Can you make calls on the watch??

[@diegosalasgarza5161]

Do a oneplus two vs moto x style video please

[@karthikeyavarmapk3320]

Someone please help me.Does this have gps and if not what are the cons of not having it

[@electrology]

I know pricing is awesome but I think heart rate sensor is a great feature ..that's a big miss

[@joshualieder7524]

Great review and reviewer. I bought this watch and regret my purchase (after 3 days). The operating system that runs the watch is buggy and frequently disconnects from my android Samsung phone. I'm unimpressed with the myriad of watchfaces and there is apparently no way to decide which apps from your phone can go on the watch as mine randomly decided the first 5 with the letter "A" should go on the phone during its first synch and that is it!!!

[@almostbauws1845]

i have never had connection issues or lag on my sony smartwatch 3.

[@vertedintro]

I understand that the Moto 360 costs so much because of all of the customization features and all of the materials being used and stuff, but their watch is more expensive than one of their successful smartphones (being the Moto G).

[@megaquaman12]

I just got one secondhand off of Ebay for $25. I like it

[@DimitrisDr3am]

Too many of these reviews dont mention a HUGE difference between the two sizes. The small one doesnt have a speaker.

[@Tailslol]

To bad lg still sell and build the first gen lg g watch,the leather buddy version has same hardware mostly but is sold around 60 and 70$ destroying the zen watch 2...

[@kakashi99908]

The square screen is good for people who wanna mod their software and play roms on it

[@chronoboat11]

Unfortunately for Asus they missed the target because the black dead area takes up 1/3 of the screen.

[@Hellraiser14]

everytime i open a video im afraid i might find jules wang speaking

[@McDylanNuggets]

My 2014 Moto360 never disconnects.

[@damnhockey]

Excellent review. I had a moto 360 1st gen, that was a nice watch, but the battery life was horrible. I will purchase a Zenwatch 2, it looks like a great value. Thanks for the review

[@tacticalkittiz7006]

LEAF A LIKE

[@Hjalpmovie]

+MysticalBananaz NO... NOT HERE... NOT NOW

[@chillstreakfa3496]

LEAF A LIKE HISSSS LEAFY WILL RULE

[@TjPhysicist]

I like how everyone says "it's too big for...", I wish it were BIGGER! Coming from the moto360 zenwatch 2 feels like an applewatch.

[@PunjabiMafia187]

so much bezel and no ambient light sensor....?!?!

[@gabegillespie92]

I use mine to browse dank memes.

[@pinkeye00]

HR ... meh. Also you have a leather options now ....

[@pftburchell5197]

Why not just buy last gen Moto 360 then? The price is the same as this but it's better

[@aunarey]

dang I wanted this watch but now I don't. Oh well, Gear s2 or the new Moto 360 2nd gen.

[@Adi994]

Admiral Kirk :)) hahaha :)) good one :D

[@Fals3Agent]

I can't help but to feel that Android Wear is kinda blowing it. WatchOS from Apple isn't doing much better either. I love Pebble's idea of the timeline UI but their watch designs are....well...bad. Honestly I think the Samsung Gear S2 is wonderful with it's rotating bezel but unfortunately it's made by Samsung and they probably will never get TizenOS off the ground as a developer platform.

[@sybrenbijlsma8298]

this or the first moto 360, not the 2015 model.

[@ibrahimsheikh1897]

Thinking the same thing

[@sybrenbijlsma8298]

I bought the zenwatch 2

[@ibrahimsheikh1897]

+Sybren Bijlsma is it as big as it looks on all the reviews

[@sybrenbijlsma8298]

Ibrahim sheikh no, i like it!

[@ibrahimsheikh1897]

+Sybren Bijlsma ok thanks

[@HavenMarches]

It sounds nice for the price, but i just CANNOT get over the bezels.

[@anthonysnyder3474]

The bezels aren't even..

[@Notmierz]

It's so fucking expensive in my country tho.

[@vd853]

This watch lacks the two most important feature of a watch, heart sensor and round face.

[@sirivn]

Am I the only person who wants the Samsung Gear S2 watch???? I'm a Samsung addict...

[@nicholasfoong3866]

The rotating bezel is genius

[@luisacevedo8699]

No speaker, no true always on display, no thanks.

[@xav923]

+Luis Acevedo it has a speaker and always on too...

[@AlvinLee007]

INGRESS!!!!!

[@zombiebirds]

For me, nothing can make up for those huge bezels.

[@Mr2pint]

heart rate sensors are mostly useless on watches - no loss.

[@jmcwd]

Those bezels though...

[@mubblemann]

Those huge bezels will age the watch enormously over the coming months. Looks dated to me already.

[@compmanio36]

Have the ZenFone2 and love it. Just don't see the point of "smart watches". Just another damn thing that needs to be charged. For professional meetings or environments, I have a good Citizen that keeps working and doesn't ever need charging. And it tells the time. Like a watch should.

[@chadlangen5857]

+compmanio36 The Zenfone 2 is hands down the best smartphone I've ever owned...and I've owned dozens of smartphones with many being twice the price of my Zenfone. I also have the Zenfone 5 just because I didn't want to let it go after upgrading to the Zenfone 2. I have friends with Galaxy S7s and iPhones that want my phone lol. I can't wait for the Zenfone 3.

[@compmanio36]

We're getting Marshmallow sometime before middle of the year, or so Asus promises. Pretty excited. There are much more expensive phones out there that came out later than the ZF2 that will never get Marshmallow.

[@luismontoya5973]

this is a amazing watch it is worth it. it is very beautiful. and for those of you saying what is the point of it? well the point is that it's a frekin watch.. why would you buy a gshock? cause it's a watch duh... this is no different.

[@williamsmith3169]

Good luck getting the bloody thing to pair even when you have the right phone with the right version of OS.

[@KJAYG]

Who's using an S4...? *shutters*

[@FlintG]

Eh I think I would rather the apple watch, the crown on that has a lot more functionality.

[@matsuyamaalex]

i want 1

[@tntturtle5164]

Can I wear in the shower/bath

[@LoneWolfFullAlbums]

Still don't see the point of smartwatches at all.

[@LoneWolfFullAlbums]

+SnorkFlirt 26 isn't that old lol, seriously what is the point? Seems like nothing but a moneyspinner to me.

[@LoneWolfFullAlbums]

SnorkFlirt Lol, I think it's safe to say you can't think of a reason for their existence either eh.

[@LoneWolfFullAlbums]

SnorkFlirt So...still nothing then lol.

[@LoneWolfFullAlbums]

SnorkFlirt Bro if you've got nothing to add to the conversation then just don't reply. At least now I know where your irrational superiority complex comes from...lol Apple users.

[@LoneWolfFullAlbums]

SnorkFlirt Hmm, good way to get out of giving a proper answer I guess.

[@rajaswikori6613]

Can you tell me the best smartwatch under 110 dollars