Realme Watch 2 Analysis: A Solid Step Forward with Some Notable Gaps

In this analysis, we explore the Realme Watch 2, a follow-up to last year's Realme Watch. While it brings notable upgrades such as a brighter screen and extended battery life, it struggles with essential features now common in mainstream fitness bands.

Design and Display The Realme Watch 2 sports a 1.4-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels and a peak brightness of 600 nits. The display features symmetrical bezels and feels more vibrant and fluid compared to its predecessor. However, it still lacks automatic brightness adjustment and AMOLED technology, meaning always-on display functionality is absent. The watch uses a polycarbonate body with a more comfortable 22mm silicone strap featuring the company's "Dare to Leap" slogan instead of the Realme branding seen on earlier models.

User Interface and App Integration The watch runs on Realme's custom operating system, largely unchanged from the previous model. Swiping left reveals a status bar with quick settings access, while swiping down opens a notification shade. The UI has larger elements for better readability, though notification handling remains less informative than on the original Realme Watch. The Realme Link app, compatible with Android 5.0+ and iOS 11+, allows pairing through a simple QR code scan. The app supports cross-platform features like music control and device finding, and integrates with other Realme smart home products for unified control.

Health and Fitness Tracking The device offers 24-hour heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen (SpO2) measurement, and supports 90 different sports modes, though only 10 can be stored at any time. Sleep tracking has regressed from the original model, with REM stage monitoring removed and less accurate sleep logging. Despite IP68 dust and water resistance, the watch cannot track swimming and is not recommended for shower use. Workout data syncs to the Realme Link app for detailed analysis, with some metrics like average speed and peak heart rate viewable only on the app.

Battery Performance A 315 mAh battery powers the Watch 2 through up to approximately nine days of typical use, including two hours of daily workouts. Charging occurs via a magnetic two-pin charger that reaches a full charge in about one hour and fifty-two minutes.

Verdict While the Realme Watch 2 represents a clear improvement over its predecessor, it falls short of contemporary standards in several areas. The absence of an AMOLED display, REM sleep tracking, proper swim tracking, and 5ATM water resistance certification makes it difficult to recommend over competing budget fitness bands. Realme appears to be positioning this model as a successor to the Realme Band rather than a true smartwatch, given its fitness-tracker-like specifications.