Asus ZenWatch 2 review: An affordable Android Wear smartwatch

ZenWatch 2 Overview and Specs While smartwatches haven’t been as popular with consumers as some manufacturers had hoped, the smartwatch market is growing quickly, and with so many great options now available, price is an important consideration for users. While many watches cost at least $250, and some go into the hundreds, ASUS’ latest ZenWatch 2 is just $129.

The ZenWatch 2 offers several improvements over the first-generation ZenWatch, including faster performance ASUS ZenWatch 2 Battery

A new magnetic charger cuts down on charging time, and a new Digital Crown gives users seamless connectivity. Interactive visualization. The ZenWatch 2’s screen is also protected by Gorilla Glass 3, and the watch is rated IP67 for water resistance.

Over the next few pages, we’ll take a closer look at the device, see how the ASUS ZenWatch 2 performs, and compare it to more expensive watches. Let’s start with the technical specs…

As you can see, the ZenWatch 2 is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, paired with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. The slightly smaller 1.45-inch model has a 280 x 280 pixel, 273 ppi display and is powered by a 300 mAh charger.

The Asus ZenWatch 2 is powered by a battery. 

Asus ZenWatch 2 Battery

There is a sloping base that tapers toward the wrist.

When we look at an affordable smartphone, laptop, tablet, or smartwatch, we naturally think of the sacrifices made to keep the price low. That's true to some extent, but it might surprise you. Offering multiple size options, interchangeable straps, and a host of other customization features, the ZenWatch 2 is available in two sizes: men's and women's. The 49mm comes with a 22mm tire, and the 45mm comes with an 18mm tire. Asus also offers three sizes. The case color (bronze, silver, rose gold) matches the color of the stainless steel bracelet. If you prefer a leather strap, you can choose from khaki, brown, gray, and blue. The rubber tire is available in blue, orange, red, and taupe. Here we have a smaller 45mm model for testing, which comes with a khaki leather strap.