When comparing Samsung Gear 2 vs Moto 360 (2nd gen), the Slant community recommends Moto 360 (2nd gen) for most people. In the question“What are the best smartwatches?” Moto 360 (2nd gen) is ranked 6th while Samsung Gear 2 is ranked 18th. The most important reason people chose Moto 360 (2nd gen) is:
The Moto 360 is one of the few watches which will change the brightness depending on how bright the area is around you. This is very convenient when you use the watch outdoors as you don't have to manually adjust the brightness each time you step outside. The light sensor is located in the small black semi-circle at the bottom of the display.
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Pros
Pro 1.63 inch Super AMOLED Touchscreen
Although the screen (320x320 pixels) is not as easily readable in sunlight as other smartwatches like the Pebble with its e-ink display. The Gear 2 is still designed to be used outside and the AMOLED display provides other advantages over e-ink displays. Smartwatches with e-ink displays cannot use a camera or many apps that the Gear 2 can.
Pro Standalone Music Player
The Gear 2 features a standalone music player with 4 GB of space and the ability to connect to a bluetooth headset. This is an improvement over the Galaxy Gear and the Pebble smartwatches that can only control your phone's music player.
Pro Infrared Sensor
The infrared sensor allows the Gear 2 to use Samsung's WatchOn app to control your TV.
Pro 1GHz Dual Core Processor
The Gear 2 also gets an upgrade from the 800MHz single core of the original Galaxy Gear. This upgrade will likely allow for more powerful apps and more software upgrades.
Pro 2 Megapixel Camera
The 2 megapixel camera is a slight improvement from the Galaxy Gear and a useful addition to a smartwatch. Although the position of the camera makes it impossible to have a video chat on your wrist.
Pro Up to Three Days of Battery Life
Although the battery is not as long lasting as the Pebble smartwatches. Three days is still far better than charging the original Galaxy Gear every night and not too inconvenient.
Pro Improved Design
Pro Interchangeable Straps
Watches are as personal as clothing, but most people are likely to own only one smartwatch. The Gear 2 provides a solution with interchangeable straps even after you buy it. This was not possible on the original Galaxy Gear because the camera was built into the strap.
Pro Fitness Features
The Gear 2 has the usual fitness Features like a pedometer and a fitness mode. But the Gear 2 like the Galaxy S5 includes something unique, a heart rate sensor.
Pro Automatically adjusts brightness
The Moto 360 is one of the few watches which will change the brightness depending on how bright the area is around you. This is very convenient when you use the watch outdoors as you don't have to manually adjust the brightness each time you step outside. The light sensor is located in the small black semi-circle at the bottom of the display.
Pro Great design
With minimal bezels, the Moto 360 looks stunning. While it does have a 'flat tire', it's pretty small and required to have such slim bezels as well as the ambient light sensor.
Pro Customizable hardware
Through Moto Maker you can choose either a 42mm or 46mm size, the bezel color, case color, band (2 leather options or 3 metal options), and the default watch face.
The larger 46mm size, micro knurl bezel, gold case or metal bands will increase the price slightly.
Cons
Con Limited Compatibility
Although the Gear 2 is compatible with a solid amount of Samsung devices, if you ever decide to go on a fling with one of Google's irresistible Nexus phones your Gear 2 will be practically useless. The Gear 2 is only compatible with Samsung devices like the
-Galaxy S5
-Galaxy S4 (Active, Zoom, and Mini)
-Galaxy SIII
-Galaxy Mega
-Galaxy Note 2 and 3
-Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition
-Galaxy Note Pro
-Galaxy Tab Pro
Con LCD Display
LCD displays aren't the best choice for a smartwatch. They require more power than Amoled or other display types, especially when in ambient display mode (when the screen is always on).
Con Chunky
At 11.4mm, it's a bit thick. As slick as the design is, you still have a tiny computer sitting on your wrist.
Con Poor battery life with ambient mode
Half of the time (with ambient mode enabled) the Moto 360 won't last the full day. With ambient mode off it will last a full 24 hours, however then you don't have the convenience of an always on display.