When comparing Samsung Gear 2 vs Sony SmartWatch 3, the Slant community recommends Sony SmartWatch 3 for most people. In the question“What are the best smartwatches?” Sony SmartWatch 3 is ranked 10th while Samsung Gear 2 is ranked 18th.
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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 Built-in NFC
Pro Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi takes more power than bluetooth, but it helps extend the working range of the watch past bluetooth capabilities. For example, you can still receive notifications or control music from across the house.
Pro Water proof
While it can't deal with deep water pressure, you have nothing to worry about when washing your hands or getting it wet in the rain thanks to the IP68 rating. You can also wash the band and unit off to remove any dust or debris that can accumulate on the underside of the central unit or in the cracks between the unit and the band without worrying at all about water damage.
Pro Transflective display
The display on the Smartwatch 3 doesn't require a backlight. Instead, it reflects ambient light. This makes it easily visible in ambient mode even when outside in direct sunlight (as a matter of fact, that's when it is easiest to see in ambient mode), and also saves a lot of power in ambient mode.
In a dark room, you won't be able to see the time...although this can also be counted as a pro because your wrist won't glow in dark rooms like OLED or IPS watches will.
Pro Running companion
The built-in GPS will drain the battery quickly, but it allows you to track activity more precisely. If you go on walks or runs, apps can track them without needing to bring your phone.
Android Wear lets you sync some music onto the watch, which can be paired to bluetooth earbuds/headphones. This fully lets you leave your phone at home, and use the watch for GPS and music at the same time.
Pro Uses a regular charger
You can charge the SmartWatch 3 using the same charger that you use to charge your phone - micro USB. This means that if you brake/lose your charger, it is easy and cheap to replace. It also means that if you go traveling, you can only bring one charger instead of a different one for your phone and watch.
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 Propriety straps
The device pops out and you can put in in a new band, although only certain bands will fit it. These bands tend to be expensive, and there only a few options (different colored silicon or stainless steel).
Con Poor screen colors
The display is a transflective display, and the colors it produces are greatly muted when compared to OLED or even IPS displays.
Con Unattractive design
The watch doesn't look at all like a traditional watch, and looks much like a mini computer on your wrist.