realme Watch S2
The realme Watch S2 is the latest addition to realme’s smartwatch lineup, offering a blend of style and functionality. When this smartwatch was announced in India a month ago, we immediately asked realme Philippines if they will be bringing it to the Philippines to which they said yes with a small caveat – no ChatGPT integration.
Build and Design
The realme Watch S2 features an advanced stainless steel textured body, giving it a premium look and feel. The watch comes in three elegant colors: Black, Grey, and Silver, catering to different style preferences. The body undergoes multi-layer processing techniques, including water plating, vacuum plating, and anti-fingerprint oil coating, resulting in a wear and scratch-resistant finish that’s also fingerprint smudge resistant and easy to clean.
While the watch comes with a silicon band option, it’s worth noting that this feels somewhat cheap. For those seeking a more premium experience, opting for the steel band variant is recommended. Although it’s slightly pricier at PhP4,499 compared to the PhP3,999 for the silicon band version, the steel band significantly enhances the overall aesthetic and durability of the watch.
One of the standout features of the realme Watch S2 is its IP68 dust and water resistance rating. This level of protection is typically found in flagship devices, allowing users to wear the watch during demanding sports sessions or everyday scenarios involving water exposure without worry.
Display
The realme Watch S2 features a large 1.43″ AMOLED display with a resolution of 466×466 pixels. This impressive screen boasts a pixel density of 326 PPI and a screen-to-body ratio of 72%, ensuring crisp and vibrant visuals. The display supports Always-On Display (AOD) functionality, allowing users to check the time and other essential information without fully waking the device
The watch offers a variety of watch face options, including 9 default faces and over 150 stylish cloud-based watch faces available through the realme Link ap. These faces are categorized into themes such as Function, Pointer, Motion, Mechanics, Simplicity, Classical, Art, Interest, and Dynamic. Users can also customize watch faces using their favorite photos from their phones, adding a personal touch to their device.
However, it’s worth noting that the selection of third-party watch faces is somewhat limited, which may slightly discourage watch face creators from experimenting with the platform.
Hardware
Under the hood, the realme Watch S2 is powered by a Dual-Mode Bluetooth processor (ATS3085) based on an MCU + DSP heterogeneous dual-core architecture. This chip efficiently manages the display, runs sports and health algorithms, and handles Bluetooth calling while optimizing performance and power consumption.
The watch includes a high-performance microphone and speaker that can reach up to 90 dB with a pickup distance of up to 10 meters in quiet environments. This feature enhances the Bluetooth calling experience, allowing users to make calls directly from their wrist.
For health and fitness tracking, the realme Watch S2 is equipped with various sensors to monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, sleep, and activity. It supports over 110 sports modes, including running, cycling, and swimming, making it a versatile companion for fitness enthusiasts.
Software and AI Features
The realme Watch S2 runs on a proprietary operating system, offering a user-friendly interface that’s simple and quick to navigate. The watch seamlessly integrates with the realme Link app, allowing users to sync their data, change watch settings, and access additional features.
One of the highlights of the realme Watch S2 is its AI capabilities. The watch features a Smart AI Engine that supports an AI Personal Assistant and customized AI Watch Faces. It also includes ChatGPT 3.5 AI for advanced voice recognition and information processing, enabling a hands-free user experience.
However, it’s important to note that the aforementioned AI features are not available in the Philippines. This limitation could impact the overall user experience for Filipino users, including us at Gadget Pilipinas, who were looking forward to these advanced AI functionalities.
Battery
The realme Watch S2 is equipped with a 380 mAh battery, offering impressive battery life In standard usage scenarios, the watch can last up to 14 days on a single charge. For users who need extended battery life, the watch can be customized to last up to 20 days by utilizing ultra-low power modes for power-consuming functions while keeping essential health monitoring features active.
One of the most impressive aspects of the realme Watch S2’s battery performance is its efficient handling of the Always-On Display feature. Unlike many other smartwatches where AOD significantly impacts battery life, the realme Watch S2 manages to offer up to 5 days of normal use with AOD turned on. This excellent implementation allows users to enjoy the convenience of an always-visible display without constantly worrying about battery drain.
For those who prefer maximum battery conservation, the watch offers a standby mode that can last up to 38 days with the display turned off, Bluetooth connected, and all basic algorithms running.
Verdict
The realme Watch S2 presents itself as a compelling option in the mid-range smartwatch market. Its large AMOLED display, comprehensive health and fitness tracking features, and impressive battery life make it a strong contender for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich wearable device.
The watch’s premium build quality, especially with the steel band option, elevates its appeal, although the slightly higher price point for this variant might give some buyers pause. The IP68 water resistance rating adds to its versatility, making it suitable for various activities and environments.
While the AI features show promise, the limited availability of some functions in certain regions, such as the Philippines, may disappoint users looking for the full suite of smart capabilities. Additionally, the somewhat limited selection of third-party watch faces might restrict customization options for some users.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the realme Watch S2 offers excellent value for its price point. The silicon band version at PhP3,999 provides a budget-friendly entry point, while the steel band variant at PhP4,499, though slightly pricier, offers a more premium experience that many users may find worth the extra investment.
The realme Watch S2 strikes a good balance between functionality, style, and affordability. Its long battery life, large display, and comprehensive health tracking features make it a worthy contender in the mid-range smartwatch market, especially for users who prioritize these aspects in their wearable devices.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
