ASUS ZenWatch 2 Review: An Affordable Android Wear Smartwatch

Though it still hasn't grabbed consumers like some manufacturers had hoped, the smartwatch market is growing rather quickly, and a number of good options are currently available. For some users, price may be one of the key factors holding them back from buying a smartwatch. While many watches cost at least $250, and some can run hundreds of dollars more, ASUS’s latest ZenWatch 2 we'll be showing you here is available for as little as $129.

Of course, any time we see a budget-friendly smartphone, laptop, tablet, or smartwatch we assume sacrifices were made to keep the price low. In the case of the ZenWatch 2, this is somewhat true but you may be pleasantly surprised by all the features it has to offer, including different size options, swappable bands, and a number of other customizations.

In an attempt to be more appealing to both men and women, the ZenWatch 2 is available in two sizes—49mm with a 22mm strap and 45mm with an 18mm strap. ASUS also offers three case colors (gunmetal, silver, rose gold) for the watch itself, as well as color-matching stainless steel straps. For those who prefer a leather band, you can choose from Khaki, Brown, Gray, or Blue. Athletic types will also appreciate the rubber strap options which are available in Blue, Orange, Red, and Taupe. We have the smaller, 45mm model here, with a Khaki leather band in house for testing.

For even greater customization, ASUS lets you create your own watch face or select from one of the many pre-designed options. You can also download additional watch faces from the Google Play store.

Compared to the first-generation ZenWatch, ASUS made some improvements with the ZenWatch 2 including a new magnetic charger that promises better battery recharge times and a new digital crown on the side of the case that gives users a new way to interact with the watch. The ZenWatch 2’s display is also protected by Gorilla Glass 3. and the watch has maintained its IP67 water-resistance rating.

In the coming pages, we’ll take a deep-dive look into this device to see how the ASUS ZenWatch 2 stacks up, even to watches that cost considerably more. First, let’s take a look at the specifications...

ASUS ZenWatch 2 (WI502Q) Specifications & Features

Find The Asus ZenWatch 2 @ Amazon.com

As you can see the ZenWatch 2 is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 512MB of RAM, and there’s 4GB of storage on board. Our slightly smaller 1.45-inch model features a 280x280 display at 273ppi. All of this runs on a 300mAh battery. And the watch has an angled underside that tapers toward your wrist.