Realme Watch S2 Review

The Realme Watch S2 is Realme’s first smartwatch launch in India since 2022, and is the successor to the original Realme Watch S. It includes features expected in a 2024 smartwatch, such as a solid design, slim bezels, an AMOLED display, good battery life, Bluetooth calling, and activity trackers.

While it runs on a proprietary operating system with no third-party app support, it does include AI to create watch faces, optimize battery life, and analyze workouts. This review assesses whether the Realme Watch S2 is worth its price.

Design

The Realme Watch S2 features a circular design with a rotating crown and a touch button on the right edge. Placing the crown prevents it from getting stuck on your wrist during activities. The watch combines a premium look with rugged durability, made from stainless steel with a base coating.

It is also IP68 water and dust resistant, making it suitable for swimming and use in the rain. According to 91mobiles, the watch can withstand temperatures from -40 to +70 degrees Celsius and depths of up to 5 meters underwater, with a screen hardness of 7H. The review unit withstood regular use without any visible scratches.

The watch comes in three colors: Mineral Gray, Midnight Black, and Ocean Silver. The Mineral Gray model features steel bands, and a tool kit is included to adjust the band size. While the steel bands offer a sleek look, the silicone bands are more comfortable for workouts.

We note that the watch has a luxurious and minimalist design that is suitable for both men and women. It features a 2.8D curved surface and a stainless steel body. A steel wristband option is available, in addition to the standard silicone band. The watch weighs less than the TOZO S5 smartwatch and the second-generation Apple Watch SE, and it also offers an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The bands are replaceable, allowing for customization with any 22mm watch band.

Display

The Realme Watch S2 features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466, a peak brightness of 500 nits, and a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch, along with visible bezels. While it lacks automatic brightness, the display is bright enough for outdoor use when adjusted manually.

The display is responsive to touch and delivers vibrant colors with clear text. It also supports an always-on display (AOD) that can be scheduled and customized. The display is said to have good brightness in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Features and App

The Realme Watch S2 includes a Super AI engine powered by ChatGPT 3.5, which enables users to create AI watch faces with voice commands via the Realme Link app. The app is available for both Android and iPhones. The AI watch faces create designs based on voice commands with an internet connection on the smartphone. The watch also features an AI voice assistant.

Additional features include over 150 cloud-based watch faces, 110 sports modes, and tracking of heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, and menstrual cycle. It offers Bluetooth connectivity and up to 4GB of storage for MP3 music files. The Watch S2 can also act as a remote camera shutter button with a paired smartphone.

The Realme Link app is easy to use, with organized tiles in the Health tab offering detailed insights. However, the Home tab could be simplified, as it lists paired devices, making it difficult to quickly access health stats. The app’s connectivity could be improved due to slow data syncing from the watch, and some users have reported intermittent connectivity issues with the app.

Performance

The Realme Watch S2 offers smooth performance without lag when switching between screens and apps. Animations are fluid, and the UI is clear, with controls, sports modes, and information accessible with a few swipes. Pressing the rotating crown opens the customizable app drawer and acts as a home button, but lacks additional functionality. A touch button below the crown opens workout modes.

Step tracking is accurate. The watch estimates calories burned and distance covered based on steps, though accuracy may vary due to the lack of an altimeter. Sleep tracking is reliable, monitoring sleep stages and generating a sleep score. However, its size and weight may not be comfortable for everyone while sleeping. The Realme Watch S2 includes SpO2, heart rate, and stress monitoring. Activity data summarizes daily activities, allowing users to adjust goals with reminders when completed. The watch offers inactivity alerts and analyzes the collected data to estimate the body’s energy levels.

The user interface is limited, and customization options are limited. The watch lacks built-in GPS.

Battery and Calls

The Realme Watch S2 is rated for up to 20 days of battery life, and it lasts around 16 days with regular use. Heavy use with the always-on display, maximum brightness, and continuous heart rate tracking should last at least a week. It charges via a magnetic cable that connects to the back, and reaches full charge in around 70 minutes.

The Realme Watch S2 offers decent call quality in quiet environments, with the speaker volume being sufficiently loud. However, it does crackle at maximum volume, making it ineffective in somewhat noisy environments. Microphone audio quality is adequate if the user speaks directly into the watch with minimal background noise.

Conclusion

The Realme Watch S2 is suitable for those who value style and basic smartwatch features, offering solid performance with a great display, long battery life, and accurate vital signs tracking. While the AI features require the help of a smartphone, they point to future improvements. The watch would benefit from a more dynamic UI, better app connectivity, and built-in GPS. The metal bands add sophistication but are less comfortable for workouts than silicone bands. 91mobiles.com gives it an 8/10.