Samsung Gear 2 Neo Comprehensive Review Specs and Pricing

Overview of Samsung Gear 2 Neo

The Samsung Gear 2 Neo, launched in 2014, represents a significant move by Samsung in the wearable technology market. It was released as a more affordable counterpart of the Gear 2 but without the built-in camera, positioning itself as a lightweight and functional smartwatch option. Featuring a sleek design with varied color options such as Mocha Gray, Wild Orange, and Charcoal Black, it is designed to appeal to a range of users, particularly fitness enthusiasts and those new to smart wearables.

Design and Build

The Gear 2 Neo sports a compact design with dimensions of 58.7 x 37.9 x 9.9 mm and weighs just 55 grams, making it light on the wrist. The plastic body contributes to its lightweight nature and is complemented by a comfortable wrist strap, which can be easily replaced to suit personal style preferences. The absence of a camera distinguishes it from its sibling, the Gear 2, making it slightly slimmer.

Display

Equipped with a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, the Gear 2 Neo offers a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 278 ppi. This provides vibrant color reproduction and sharp images, ensuring that information displayed on the watch face is clear and easy to read even under bright sunlight.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Gear 2 Neo is the Exynos 3250 Dual chipset, which houses a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-400MP2 GPU. This hardware configuration delivers satisfactory performance for a device of its kind, handling notifications, fitness tracking, and app interactions smoothly. While it may not have the processing power of modern smartwatches, it was competitive at the time of release. It comes with 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, adequate for storing apps and essential data, though lacking expandability due to the absence of a card slot.

Operating System and User Interface

The Gear 2 Neo runs on Tizen OS, a Linux-based operating system developed by Samsung. Tizen is known for being lightweight and efficient, providing a fluid user interface experience. It supports a range of apps available from the Samsung Galaxy Store, and users can customize the watch face and interface to suit their personal tastes. The user interface emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, with swipe gestures and touch inputs optimized for the smaller screen.

Connectivity and Sensors

The watch relies on Bluetooth 4.0 LE for connecting with a smartphone, supporting a broad range of Android devices. This allows users to receive notifications, control music playback, and access various apps directly from their wrist. Although it lacks Wi-Fi, cellular connectivity, NFC, or GPS, it does feature an infrared port, allowing it to function as a remote control for compatible devices. Equipped with an accelerometer, gyro, and heart rate sensor, the Gear 2 Neo is suitable for basic fitness tracking, capturing steps, measuring heart rate, and monitoring activity levels.

Sound and Multimedia

The Gear 2 Neo includes a loudspeaker for notifications and call alerts, but it lacks a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones. Users can connect Bluetooth headsets for a wireless audio experience, which is convenient during workouts or on the go. The omission of a camera streamlines its design but also means users who wanted to take photos directly from their smartwatch will need to look elsewhere.

Battery Life

Powered by a non-removable 300 mAh Li-Ion battery, the Gear 2 Neo delivers a reliable battery life, lasting up to 2-3 days on a single charge with moderate use. This is sufficient for everyday use and eliminates the need for constant recharging common in some other smart devices. The efficiency of Tizen OS also contributes to managing energy usage effectively, optimizing battery life.

Pricing and Availability

Initially priced at approximately 170 EUR, the Gear 2 Neo offered a cost-effective entry into the smartwatch market. As of now, it is discontinued, making it a rare find, especially for collectors or those interested in the evolution of wearable technology. Its competitive pricing at the time of release made it accessible for a broad audience seeking functionality without extra features that drive up costs.

Conclusion

The Samsung Gear 2 Neo remains a notable example of early smartwatch innovation, focusing on core functionalities and user experience. While newer models have since surpassed it in terms of features and technology, it served its role well during its time. For users interested in a simple and effective smartwatch for basic tasks and fitness tracking, the Gear 2 Neo remains an inspiring piece of Samsung's wearable lineage.