Samsung’s latest Gear S2 smartwatch is about to go up against one of the top tier smartwatches in the game. Today we’re doing a brief comparison between the Gear S2 and Apple Watch to find out which one you should buy…
Obviously if you’re locked into the Android or iOS ecosystem your choice is simple. Samsung’s Gear S2 lineup will only work with Android smartphones and Apple Watch with iPhone. But deeper than that there are some things to discuss.
As far as design goes, the Gear S2 lineup rocks a full circular display and takes on a futuristic or modern design depending on the version you pick. It kind of looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but the S2 Classic leans towards a traditional watch look and feel. The Apple Watch almost looks like an old school iPhone and while the design is square, it still functions well as a smartwatch.
The 42mm Apple Watch features a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 312 x 390 (326 ppi), while the Gear S2 sports a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 360 x 360 (302 ppi). Internally, each device sports good enough specifications to support their respective operating systems, but the differences between the software is going to be drastically different.
Check out our Apple Watch vs Gear S2 comparison video below:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJNyDf1B9k]
As for build quality, each side of the table feels solid, as they should being flagship smartwatches. There’s a metal body on the Gear S2, Classic, and Apple Watch. With display coverage, the Gear S2’s Gorilla Glass falls short of the sapphire security blanket around the stainless steel Apple Watch, but they both feel durable nonetheless. Sizing between the two is actually comparable when it comes to the Gear S2 Classic and Apple Watch, but the other S2 variation isa bit bulkier. There’s not a huge difference here or on your wrist as you can see.
Navigation is also going to differ between these two. On the Apple Watch the primary form of navigation is going to be the touch screen, but Apple has implemented to use of a “Digital Crown” and a button to scroll, select, and zoom within specific situations. Over on the Gear S2, the primary form of navigation is actually the rotating bezel. It’s how you’ll do most of your poking around and browsing on this watch and it’s comfortable to use. The touch screen is really secondary to the rotating bezel, and finally there are a couple of buttons to go back or access apps.
For a closer look at the Gear S2, check out 9to5Google’s first impressions video/article here.
Each watch features a heart rate sensor and activity tracking for anyone who’s into that and you’ll also find changeable bands, but only under certain conditions depending on the device. Apple Watch bands are proprietary for the most part, but so are Gear S2 bands. The S2 Classic will allow for standard bands to be attached, but again that’s the only one that looks like an analog watch.
Battery life should be comparable in real world use, but Samsung claims the S2 will last up to 2 to 3 days, which is really 2 days over the claimed Apple Watch battery life, but we’ll see how real these claims are in the full review. What do you think about the Gear S2 or Apple Watch? Which is your favorite?
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Lol my Apple fanboy inside is crying because that Samsung watch looks fucking amazing
Yea, it looks great considering it took them a few tries and I think the rotating band looks to be a better way to switch apps compared to the dial on Apple Watch.
Now, imagine what Apple Watch is going to be like after a few iterations. Even watchOS 2.0 looks good and the battery life will be improved in a few years as they continue to optimize the hardware.
Hmm…I don’t use the digital crown on Watch to switch apps, other than double pressing it to go back to the last app I used. In fact I don’t use the crown that much period. I use it more like a home button than anything else.
It looks nice but not amazing. I won’t buy anything made by Samsung, so it won’t matter how good it looks anyway.
Well wait a year until Apple refines their watch… then Samsung will have something similar that”ll last at least for an entire year or two before they get it right. (Android wear… Or, “I how I earned to love the Bomb” as RIM just said.)
so you won’t buy an iphone? because alot of iPhone’s internals is made by Samsung, like the memory card.
You thought you nailed me with that point. You didn’t. The iPhone is Apple’s product. Samsung was just a component vendor. I didn’t buy the iPhone from Samsung. I bought it from Apple. If that’s all you’ve got, you failed.
Yeah, I think the rotating bezel is actually a good idea. I’ll give them that.
Nest wants their idea back.
well…it remind me of old ipod nano.
A real fanboy would never say such things ;)
yeah that samsung thing would look amazing with fedora and cargo shorts for sure, maybe crocs as well idk
Haha after the third attempt to use it you’ll be screaming for a rectangular screen. How’s that round TV you’re watching or that circular phone? There’s a reason data is pushed onto a shape that makes the efficient use of space. Yeah, round works for circular dials on a WATCH, but not so much on wrist worn COMPUTER
See, and a “wrist-worn computer” is exactly what I DON’T want. I’m looking for a great watch that also has some digital features. And the Gear S2 is much closer to this vs. the Apple Watch. (Says an apple-fanboy).
Again, looks amazing as a watch. Nothing more or less… unless you like watches. Otherwise, its a freaken gimmick. Get a calculator watch if you’re that big of a geek.
Ha ha. Except it’s only works as a watch… with some arbitrary text tanks to its stupid round screen.
LOL Samsung they still behind APPLE even in smartwatches !! Personally; I expected more as they have noted all Apple watch features especially digital crown.
Anyway, as android smartwatch I will never ever buy Gear 2 because Moto 360 1st and 2nd generation is much better and cooler design even prettier than Apple Watch.
Finally, Android: Moto 360
iOS: Apple Watch
Too bad Gear S2 Classic isn’t compatible with iPhone :(
Wow.. the Gear S2 looks very impressive! It makes the Apple watch look juvenile in comparison.
How so? Because of a rotating bezel which is nothing new in the watch world?
It makes Apple Watch look like more than just a watch. Maybe even more like wrist worn computer.
Heavens to betsy… Samsungs watch looks like, uh… watch! I can get a watch for $10 at Target or Amazon… why would anyone buy that POS?
how about a feature comparison? functionality comparison.
Yeah, for a comparison article, that was pretty weak.
Based on other previews I’ve seen today most everyone only got about 15 to 20 minutes with it. Not enough time to do a full fledge comparison. We’ll have to wait a few more weeks/months for that.
I’m still confused as to why Samsung didn’t reveal any pricing. They teased the watch a few weeks ago, revealed it today, gave the press hands-on time but still no pricing or release date. I get the slow drip so they can stay in the news but I can’t see them selling this below $300.
Even if it’s cheaper and lasts longer the bigger question is developer support and the fact that it’s a half-assed experience unless you have a Samsung phone; it won’t support Samsung Pay unless you have a Samsung phone but most every other feature is available.
I have to admit, the glossy Samsung Watch looks very decent. Very modern design and doesn’t look at first like a Smart Watch, if the display wouldn’t light up. Other then that, I dislike the interface. I like to stay in the eco system and have it automatically set up with just one tap and be synchronized across all devices. Thats where I see the disadvantages currently. A Moto 360 only has the full potential if its paired with an Android Devices. A Samsung Watch perhaps only works the best with their Smartphones and an Apple Watch obviously only works with an iPhone.. so not many choices given to the consumer.
Wow, dat lag at 1:31 on the S2. It’s definitely the first time I’ve enjoyed a Samsung design, but they’ve already changed the design how many times? I hope they stick with this one.
“And while the design is square, it still functions well as a smartwatch.” – I don’t get that statement. Why wouldn’t it perform well as a smartwatch because of the square design? And I love how people immediately think: Circle – futuristic and modern, Square – Boring and techie.
Yeah, that lag was quite noticeable a couple of times.
I don’t know what’s up with the square watch statement, but I really would prefer the smartwatch to be round as that is more pleasing to myself and is a classic watch design. I was really surprised Apple went with that design over round, but that’s history now.
I’d like to see the Gear S2 next to the 38mm Apple watch (the 42mm is too big for me).
The Watch Apple is 38mm on the picture….NOT 42mm ! ;-)
Personally the smartwatch market is just beginning. Im waiting for another year and see what Apple has in store. The Apple watch has to be my favourite so far, looks wise is far better then gear 2. But hatS off to samsung with the rotating bezel. Smart design. My opinion all smartwatches are lacking unique and revolutionary features.
Apple Watch all the way. Something to start off with – don’t to them round Samsung ;)
As long as there is more than one major company investing and developing these products, then we all win. Standing on the shoulders of giants pushing the state of the art higher and higher, with the cream coming getting to the top.
Ok Ive mangled a few cliches there but there is truth behind them.
Says the guy who thinks 4K Apple TV is a bad idea…….LMAO
Never said it was a bad idea, just not urgent for this iteration. It will be a must soon enough though.
Ugh that lag time at 1:31 is hideous. It also shows you the lack of Watch OS quality in the G2. It looks like a traditional watch, so it’s not ugly. I personally prefer the Watch look and feel on my wrist. The navigation on the G2 rotating bezeling doesn’t seem very accurate. Beyond that, it really doesn’t matter unless you’re doing a feature/functionality comparison using only stock apps (i.e. weather, fitness tracker, maps, etc.).
It’s the bright shiny new object that people get to play with. They’ll rotate the bezel a few times and go ‘oh cool’. What cracks me up though is Watch gets dinged for being something you have to interact with (vs stuff just being pushed to you) and that apps on a smartwatch aren’t the way to go. Yet everyone seems to be drooling over this rotating bezel on the Samsung watch. What’s the point of the rotating bezel other than mostly for navigating through apps and settings?
I haven’t used either one but intuitively it seems like the bezel would be easier to manipulate than the crown. The bezel is big and accessible whereas the crown is small and looks fiddly.
I also personally prefer the look of the round watch. I think the square design of the Apple Watch is too techie-looking.
Agreed 100% with you. I would even argue that I don’t really have to do much interaction with the Watch. I LOVE feeling that light tap, then GLANCING at my screen to see the notification. The Watch has helped me with everything from no longer texting and driving to not having to pull my phone out of my pocket every 30 seconds. This is not to mention the health tracking benefits and Pay on my wrist.
@gkbrown, it’s actually not. You’re right that it LOOKS small and irrelevant, but the technology behind it makes it so accurate. I use it WAY more than I thought I would when I was buying it. I don’t disagree with you though that a side by side view makes the Watch look like a toy. However, I wouldn’t trade it for any other watch- traditional “analog” or “smart.”
Also, how do you zoom in using the Gear S2?
If you’re talking about photos, I really don’t understand who the hell would watch pictures on either Apple Watch or Gear or whatever that’s so small
I’m talking about in general. BUT as an Watch owner, I can tell you that I actually used it the other day. I have a new tattoo that I want to get, so I favored the photo. I’ve been showing friends and a few artist the tattoo (to get suggestions), and its much easier to flick my wrist and show on my wrist, than to go into my pocket and go throw the 4 steps to get to the photo. The Watch is all about quick interactions and glances. But I’m still wondering how would one zoom in on it…?
Well like Android phones… give a few years to catch up with user interaction… Until then you come online and listen to all the apologists making excuses for the lag and hope that someday it will catch up to iOS.
For those not in the Know…
Android appeared 18 months after iPhone. (several months even after the App Store).
Android had half-assed touch support… because they had to rewrite their “Blackberry ripped OS” to support their newly christened “iPhone ripped OS”.
And it took several Microsoft blunders to gain steam in the mobile market.
So when you’re so hung-ho about Android, remember, it was an accident.
OK, I’ll bite…So, the lag is down to one fact…It’s a Samsung, Samsung destroy software period, not just android, this is not true of all Android phones. I’ve owned both iPhones and android phones and each have their qualities. Please enlighten me however to where the “iPhone ripped OS” comes from? Considering Android did multi-tasking, notifications bar, interactive notifications, the quick settings panel, 3rd party keyboards, NFC payments long before ios. Still catching up? Get over yourself.
what about the lag on the iWatch at 1:55 ? strange no mention of that ?
@seanroberts1 uhh…. thats easy, there was no lag on the iWatch at 1:55 bc theres no such thing as an “iWatch.” This video is comparing an AppleWatch to a Gear S2. Get that straight first. Moreover, theres no lag at 1:55. Thats the watch performing. It took Dom a second to click it, but once he did, it responded appropriately. And in Watch OS2 it will actually respond even faster. So I say again: The lag time at 1:31 is hideous!
^Appropriately.
Apple Watch is doing all I can ask for as of now. It´s stable, feels great and is nice looking even though I would prefer a much slimmer watch! Can´t wait… Siri works fine even here in Sweden and She does what I want instantly. Samsung also looks nice but as it is an Android I´m glad I have made the right choice!
I’m surprised at myself in that before I saw the S2 next to the Apple Watch here I was sure I’d prefer the Samsung (from a visual point of view) but I find I actually prefer the look of the Apple, its just a little classier. Even though I still feel that it was a lost opportunity on Apple’s part not to go with a round design when they introduced the Watch. I reckon the rotating bezel will work better than Apple’s rotating crown. But I suppose I’ll wait for a full hands-on comparison before passing final judgement.
Looks good. I have yo admit !
Hope apple adds a round watch and makes the watch ios adaptable to round screen !
well, icons, contacts and many other items since iOS 7 are already circular so it’s not that hard to adapt for a round display
Yup… It will be great if they offer several different models.. Round and square…
Apple, give people choices..watches are more of a personal fashion statment than phones… So we need variety and choice .
I’m not sure about the round screen. Reading text and short emails so much easier with the square Apple Watch. You lose a lot of the screen being round.
totally agree, round display is cool for showing off but so not convenient to actually read and interact with it
Yup, I think that’s one of the main reasons I’ll not own a smartwatch anytime soon…I love the round face designs, but they’re just so damn impractical! And I’ve never liked square watches.
Samsung make great TV’s & Blu-Ray’s, but their mobile (cell) phones leave a lot to be desired. I owned the original Galaxy and swore I’d never buy another! Their watch won’t change that, but it certainly looks better to my eye than Apple’s and if they release an app that works with iOS, I might buy one.
I get two days usage between charges with the 42 mm watch. My wife gets only one day with the 38 mm. Maybe Im to fat and not moving enough, lol. I use it for notifications and also use 2Do heavily on the device.
I routinely get 2 days, as well, and sometimes 3!
I have about 52% left on mine at the end of the day.
How much did Samsung have to pay for you to write that the G2 “rocks” its display while the Watch “features” its display? This is an Apple fan site, not Samsung, not Android, not Tizen Shizel.
Main differences: The Apple Watch actually works (and works well) and is available.
A fairer comparison would have included the Apple Watch Sport, which has a clearer/brighter display (less glare) than the much more expensive sapphire editions.
The Samsung is also significantly thicker and lacks the breadth of Apple’s ecosystem, which includes timely security updates.
That Samsung watch is hideous and looks like it should come in wrapping you’d find a SWATCH watch in. I have an 18K Cartier Panther with 18K bracelet, a Cartier Tank Americaine, an 18K Van Cleef and Arpels tank, and had the Cartier Santos 18K/ss among others. I got used to a square/rectangular watch face ages ago. The Apple watch was designed, from what I have read, with the Cartier Santos watch in mind. It is refined and looks solid. That Samsung watch looks like something I’d find in Fossil not Garrard. The amount of effort and expense invested in research and manufacturing shows beyond question. These johnny come latelys have alot of ground to make up. A one day battery life, while not ideal, is not a deal breaker for me.
Cartier and his master watchmaker, Edmond Jaeger, then developed the first prototype for a man’s wristwatch called the Santos wristwatch. The Santos first went on sale in 1911, the date of Cartier’s first production of wristwatches.
i’m starting to love the fact the Apple Watch is square-ish… now everybody and their mama is making rounded smartwatches, so when you wear one nobody will know it’s actually a certain smartwatch, unlike the Apple Watch which is easily recognizable at first glance
Typically Apple, having the competition running in circles¡
The Samsung watch looks a bit to feminine to put on my wrist.
G2 looks like a copy of LG’s WebOS watch they built for Audi. Not Sammy not being original again…
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/1/8128483/lg-watch-urbane-lte-hands-on
“The Apple Watch almost looks like an old school iPhone and while the design is square”
This line right here sums up the look of an Apple Watch. It is designed to tie in with the other iOS device universe. Even thought the fandroids say that rounded corners aren’t patentable, Apple has carried that theme into the Apple Watch. Seeing these in the wild on peoples wrists they look great, don’t seem weird compared to circular watches to me at all.
ya i have seen a few apple watches and haven’t thought the shape looked out of place. Although the Samsung gears that i have seen looked out of place.
I agree here… I’ve seen several people with Apple Watches and even on people that are used to wearing HUGE watches it looks more “normal” than one might think. I’ve done a couple of double takes and asked about it… The Apple Watch looks elegant on a wrist and not at all like some piece of oversized technology.
I would never wear a watch – never have and never will – the Apple Watch looked like a WATCH on their wrist. It wasn’t flashy. it wasn’t Geeky. It was just there. I think Apple did a freaken fantastic job of hitting that middle ground – like no other tech company ever could. And if you look at the recent release of the Motorola watches… Apple got it right. Yet another industry they will be lambasted for copying even though they ignited it.
Rotating bezel looks cool, probably the best part about the watch. it won’t make a difference if you wear it on your left or right wrist. Though while I haven’t looked into it too extensively, the software on the Gear doesn’t seem very simple or intuitive. Granted, the AW OS didn’t seem perfect when I first saw it either, but it seemed more coherent than what is on samsungs new watch. I’m very interested in the real world battery life of the Gear
The S2 can hold a sim card no?
i do have a question… for all those smart watch users… are any of these waterproof… not for swimming and such… but for heavy downpours in bad weather for those times when you just get stuck in the elements and have no shelter….
I don’t buy copycat S#)$(* so no Samsung product will ever be purchased by me again. Ever.
iPhone 6 – HTC M8…Numerous Android features copied…no more to say
Having said that…I can’t stand Samsung phones myself either
It appears that you’ll need to do a lot of bezel rotating to get to the end of a lengthy list of apps.
In my opinion there are, three reasons why the Gear S2 looks cool.
1. The circle design.
2. There is no space between the bezel and the display. Edge to edge – very cool.
3. The WatchFaces.
But … thats it!
I think they designed the Gear S2 without love to the details. It seems like this: A little bit of this, a little bit of this and whoops: “Here it is: Just another SmartWatch on the market.” Nothing special.
The AppleWatch is having their own character and charm. Apple has really thought about the details of the AppleWatch. Thats the reason why the AppleWatch is so special.
p.s.: Sorry for my bad english.
Any smartwatch that is round is a failure. It is just as simple as that.
A round display is just plain nonsense for using any app. Just to get the same usable surface of what a rectangle shaped smartwatch has it should be twice the size or more. Plain dumb.
And still a circle is not a good display.
There is a good reason why theaters and tv sets aren’t circle shaped.
And any smartwatch is a computer first and then a watch too. It’s not about displaying time and few other data like any obsolete analog watch does.
Shh. Don’t say all of that out loud.
But I have to agree… A WATCH in round form factor makes sense… a smartwatch that’s supposed to notify and perform functions is complete nonsense.
it’s a complete waste of space and doesn’t make sense. it’s a geek thing, like glass, translucent displays which make absolutely no sense in the real world, but make for awesome tech looking “things” in movies. It’s completely ridiculous and in fact the antithesis of trying to get something done. There’s a reason for bezels and blacking out the background when you’re an artist. Geeks don’t get that. They just want something that “looks” cool. and completely sacrifice the whole notion of creation.
“A watch isn’t about displaying time.” Are you high?
I’d love to hear about the psychology of all of this. It seems people want a “watch” to look like a watch even if it’s supposed to do more than than. And I agree that a dial should be round, if that’s its main function. But a so called smart watch isn’t a watch at all… it’s wrist worn computer and as such, as has proven since the advent of WRITING, communication fits nicely in a rectangular space. And will continue to do so until typing or text becomes obsolete. There’s a practical reason our computer displays, books, and TV’s aren’t round… it’s completely impractical and inefficient use of space… And many horrible formatting impracticalities…. everything must be centered to fit in the space to make any sort of sense.
Whew,, the review was poor because it left out major functions. My watch is used for notifications, text, and on occasion, as a phone. The fitness side is used heavily as well. I would like to see how the texts appear and how to respond to texts along with the notifications. I would also like to hear how both compare for sound quality as a phone. Watch allows me to walk and talk – basically, my hands are near my pocket and people hear me just fine. To me, there is a loss of text real estate when going round – along the arch is where size is lost and gained again. Comparing specs is not as important as functionality and Watch has my vote of confidence at the moment. Samsung seems too thick. Lastly, charging has not been an issue and charging occurs while at work around 3pm everyday – the watch will last through the night including days I might use it while mounting biking for 2 hours. Paying for my hamburgers at McD’s is pretty cool too. I can go on and on about this and I would like to add that I purchased Watch only to try for 10 days – 4 months later, it is still on my wrist and I can’t be without it – it’s not a toy, it’s a highly function Tool. A friend is a surveyor and he and his crew really like the phone feature on their wrist – now they can make adjustments without having a phone in one hand and a pole or whatever they use in the other hand. Watch is a Tool.
You going to talk about water resistant?
Obviously anyone that’s completely sold on the iOS ecosystem won’t convert to Android just for this watch but I do see this having an impact on Android Wear watch sales (which are already in the toilet). Having said that, what Samsung’s constructed is incredibly impressive.
I still think Apple made the right choice by going square and you can’t convince me that Apple didn’t think about this — someone in R&D had to be thinking of the scroll wheel on the iPod and applying that to a bezel — but Samsung definitely thought this through more than Google did with Android Wear. My guess is Google never gave the hardware a second thought and just focused on shrinking Android down to a wrist-worn device.
Looks like Android fans have a tough choice to make.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34114876 – Should mix things up a little!
That S2 is the best looking Smartwatch to this day. I’m not even sorry. I’ve never owned a Samsung device other than an old Upscaling DVD player. I dislike Samsung. I dislike their marketing, their copycat devices and their users. But that watch is sexy.
I’m confused by the statement that “the Gear S2 lineup rocks a full circular display.” Surely you must realize that any round display is a square display with its corners rounded off. Therefore, no round watch can “rock” a full display.
Round displays are a completely artificial construct, because computer (yes, smartwatches are computers) coordinate systems are rectangular. Forcing developers into a round context, and ultimately, what’s awkward for developers will end up being awkward for the user.
Would Google and all of these other companies please use their brilliant brains to be innovators instead of reacting to Apple’s every tech push? Its pathetic, irritating and unflattering. My point, it seems that there is only one proactive tech company these days whereas everyone else is reactive by principle and then build off of the foundation with small implementations of whiz-bang.
my favourite? Apple watch on iOS ;-)
• 2nd choice would be a AsusZen watch if it works with iOS (but actually no need for an other watch:)
• about the S2: they should get credit for the circular navigation feature but… it is still android(?)tizen(?) … what should a non iOS watch be good for in an iOS eco system?
they did it right for their potential user base – looks like a watch, is a smartwatch, may attract users maybe more than their previous “geeky-bulky-style-whatever-devices” …
While this is probably the first Samsung device I’ve seen that didn’t emote an immediate burst of laughter, we all know under the covers this thing is cheaply made and the people behind it are talentless copycats just trying to make something for appearances. When they release the first Samsung watch, I knew just how stupid and clueless they really were. Now that there’s reference points, they can finally hone in on something that is sort of nice. Sorry, I’ll take the innovators in the field vs. the copycats any day of the week. Moto 360 at least was on the right track from the beginning with the round watch idea. But my Watch is doing just great thank you. Wouldn’t trade it for any other smartwatch.
I think this article could be summed up with 2 of the first sentences:
“Obviously if you’re locked into the Android or iOS ecosystem your choice is simple. Samsung’s Gear S2 lineup will only work with Android smartphones and Apple Watch with iPhone.”
I don’t know anyone who would jump ship and buy an entirely new phone just bcause of a watch.
If Apple made a stupid round watch, instead of what they did, something different which is perfectly suitable for a piece of tech that is not a mere watch, people would be accusing them left and right of failing to innovate.
I can tell from all the comments above that the majority are talking about Round vs Square designs. As a smartwatch it should be square.Round design would be cooler but will never be samsung gear 2. the Moto 360 is the best rounded design ever. However, I’ll stick to the Apple Watch.
looks pretty solid
The comparison should be between Moto360 and Samsung S2 as that iphone watch looks disgusting at the very first sight. Gone are the days when they were innovative enough. The rotary bezel is real good idea to fit in a watch for navigation. And on top the round face looks classy on those 2 watches
It’s very cool and trending to use Samsung gear S2 and looks so stylish. The smartwatch works well through the performance, software and specs of the standard and Classic models. Watch is equipped with Extremely well made design, Intuitive interface, Rotating bezel ring for navigation, IP68 dust and waterproof rating, Excellent display to their user. More information can be taken from Samsung website
Sapphire crystal vs gorilla glass? So you want to compare their highest level glass protection, which is $200 premium on the iWatch. Funny…