You can pair the Classic with Bluetooth 4.1 devices like headsets or speakers for music playback, or with mobile devices that run Android 4.4 or later. Unlike the Moto 360, there is no "flat tire" effect. Brightness can be adjusted by swiping down on the display and tapping the Brightness setting, or you can let the ambient light sensor do the work for you. You can also tap the touch screen to get around.ĭisplay and Setup The Classic shares the same screen as the original Gear S2: an attractive, circular, 1.2-inch, 360-by-360 Super AMOLED display. It stays off by default unless you wake it with a twist of the bezel, a wrist gesture, or a tap (there is also an option to keep it on all the time, which will seriously drain your battery life). The Back button, naturally, sends you back one step. The Home button brings you to the default watch face, or your app library if you're already at the watch face. The Gear features two buttons on the right side of the case to help navigate the interface: a Back button at the two o'clock position and a Home button at four o'clock.
It can be physically turned around the watch face like a dial to make app selections, which is a much faster and more precise way to navigate menus than the seemingly endless series of screen wipes that are required with an Android Wear watch like the Motorola Moto 360. Like on the original, the Classic's bezel is its best, most unique aspect. That said, you can still pick up the original watch, which comes with black or white silicone bands, for $50 less. The Classic's leather band is highly comfortable, with a creamy brown suede underside that feels fantastic on the wrist. The added bit of texture also helps when rotating the bezel to control the watch. It has a black leather wristband, while the stainless steel case is now adorned with little ridges, giving it the appearance of an actual gear. But just like the original Gear S2, the lack of third-party apps and finicky voice recognition keep the Classic from earning a stronger recommendation.ĭesign The Gear S2 Classic ($219.97 at Amazon) goes for a more subdued, traditional appearance than its sportier sibling. It's an attractive smartwatch, with one of the most intuitive interfaces we've seen and a unique, rotating bezel you won't find anywhere else. The Gear S2 Classic has the same exact interface and hardware as the original, but it's built with classier materials (including a leather wristband) that could be worth the $50 premium if you like the look. The Samsung Gear S2 ($114.99 at Amazon) is only a few months old, but it's already been updated in the form of a new $349.99 Classic edition.