▷Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review: the perfect smartwatch? 🥇

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 it really won us over: the design is particularly refined, the Tizen is a pleasure to use and the autonomy is surprisingly good. Sure, we're not talking about a week of use, but 2/3 days we managed to cover them. A rarity for smartwatches of this kind.

And all the rest? We tell you about it in this review.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review: suitable for everyone

The version we tested is that 44mm black with aluminum case and silicone strap but in reality there are many customizations available: you can opt for the smaller one, 40 mm, for the stainless steel case, for the model made with Under Armor and for different colors. Let's not talk about the amount of straps available to you.

However, all the solutions have some elements that we particularly loved. First of all, of course, the aesthetics: elegant, modern, unisex and suitable for any wrist, taste and situation.

The display is also unchanged. Yes, we have two different thumbholes - 1,2 "for the 40mm case and 1,4" for the 44mm case - but both screens are Super AMOLED, with rather small bezels - even thinner than these views on the previous model - which are further hidden by the black background screens that characterize the operating system. Basically then you will notice very little. We then have a plus compared to its predecessor: the digital dial. Do you remember the smartwatches that Samsung had launched a couple of years ago on the market and which were equipped with a very convenient ring to navigate within the various screens? Well, it's virtual now. Just pass your fingertip on the edge of the dial to replicate the same effect, accompanied by a very slight haptic feedback. You obviously don't have to use it. Indeed, by default it is disabled and to try it you will have to enable it through the application.

The remaining aesthetic details are also identical on all models: on the right we always have two buttons and the small microphone, on the left a mini-speaker and in the lower part the sensor for heart detection. I also remind you that all variants have the IP68 certification for resistance to water (up to 5 ATM) and dust.

[

Intuitive ed fluid

There are no news regarding the hardware but in reality it does not matter: the real strength of Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the software, Tizen 4.0 with One UI.

The interface is minimal, colorful and easy to navigate: with just a few swipes and taps, you can do practically everything, from checking your heart rate to notifications. You can then easily answer the latter by adopting 3 different methods: predefined phrases, emojis or voice dictation.

There is also the possibility of install new apps, that of using Bixby - Samsung's voice assistant - and using NFC with Samsung Pay. The customization possibilities of the dial are also quite satisfactory: the watch faces there are many and in addition you have the possibility to modify the existing ones or to create a totally new one by taking a photograph or using one of the images already present on the smartphone. The software will then process the possible quadrants, using the colors detected within the selected shot.

Come Micheal Knight

Do you remember Michael Knight? The protagonist of Knight Rider used his watch to call KITT, his futuristic car. With the Galaxy Watch Active 2 you can do something similar. Calm the boils: no autonomous cars to command, but calls, well, you can do those. Samsung's latest wearable indeed integrates both a speaker and a microphone, which means that you can manage phone calls using only your watch.

Don't expect the same quality as a smartphone, but once you get used to the idea, you will appreciate its convenienceespecially when you don't have your phone close at hand.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 speaker does not just serve this purpose. With Spotify Premium and to the internal memory of the device, you can download your favorite songs to your smartwatch, to be listened to even in the absence of a network connection.

[

And the sportsmen?

For the most basic physical activity, that is a healthy and sustained walk, you will not have to do practically anything: the device automatically detects the change of pace and start tracking steps, kilometers and calories on your own. Sports enthusiasts, on the other hand, will be able to manually select an enormous variety of exercises, from swimming to lunges up to the rowing machine and weight lifting. In short, you are spoiled for choice.

All this you can do using the integrated software but nothing prevents you from rely on popular applications such as Strava or Myfitnesspal, ideal for those who prefer running to any other sport. Of course, all services can count on support for the different tracking systems, that is GPS, Glonass, Beidou and Galileo. But be careful not to overdo it: using satellites to record your route is fast and accurate, but it affects the autonomy a little smartphone. Nothing serious, however: you will still be able to cover at least an entire day.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review: buy it or not?

I really liked the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 quite a lot, a bit like its predecessor. It is contemporary, versatile, responsive and with a battery that, without GPS, allows you to cover a couple of days. A rarity in a sector where similar products usually barely cover a day.

However, it does have a flaw and concerns the recharge, limited to its base and to the Wireless PowerShare of the S10 and Note 10 series. A choice that I found limiting and not very sensible.

On balance, however, this Watch Active 2 is absolutely worth 299 euros asked by Samsung for the 40 mm version and the 319 euros needed to grab the 44 mm version. You will hardly regret your purchase.