Samsung's latest Gear S2 Classic smartwatch is a step up from its predecessors. It's a much improved device in a sleeker package showing much potential for success.
In its first impression of the Tizen wearable, Wired complimented the Gear S2 Classic's "jarringly intuitive blend of old-school analog controls and new-school communication tools."
The device's size, weight and materials are comparable to a premium men's watch, according to the website.
"It appeals to a traditional aesthetic, with a gunmetal stainless-steel case, a rotating ceramic bezel, and a black leather strap."
Under the hood, the Samsung Gear S2 Classic has 1GHz dual-core processors with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a host of sensors including a barometer, heart-rate sensor, gyroscope and accelerometer. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, 3G and NFC for Samsung Pay.
It also has a 1.2-inch 360 x 360 AMOLED display and a wirelessly-charged 250mAh or 300mAh battery, depending on whether or not it has 3G connectivity.
Navigating the smartwatch's Tizen UI is done via the rotating bezel "which dramatically improves usability," The Verge said.
"The awesome thing is that Samsung has implemented the rotating bezel perfectly: it has just the right amount of resistance to make scrolling through the radial app menu a pleasure. It also helps that there's hardly any lag in the Tizen-based UI."
Along with the rotating bezel, the interface is complemented by Home and Back buttons.
Even with Tizen OS on board, Samsung said the Gear S2 will still work with any phone on Android 4.4 or later and at least 1.5GB of RAM.
The Gear S2 Classic may have left a good first impression but keep in mind that testing was done for just a few minutes during IFA 2015. It remains to be seen how the Tizen wearable fares in a proper hands-on review.
Per SammyHub, the Samsung Gear S2 Classic will go on sale in Europe for €399 ($445) and a worldwide release date is set for October.
