TECH NEXT: An impressive standalone watch for Android users

It was the Apple Watch back in end-2018 that was the first smartwatch to allow you to leave your smartphone behind and still stay connected with calls, texts and data. Suddenly your pocket felt lighter, all you needed was your smartwatch and your wireless headphones. Android users can join this growing tribe, Samsung has launched two 4G-enabled smartwatches over the last two months.

We had profiled the first launch — the Galaxy Watch 4G, in this column, but it’s the newer Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 that wins our vote for the best standalone option for Android users. It all begins with the form factor. At 40 gm, you can barely feel this watch on your wrist. This despite a gorgeous 1.4-inch circular display (360 x 360 pixels) that is vibrant even under harsh sunlight. It isn’t just the lightweight form, the stainless steel build and the elegant leather strap make it a great fashion accessory, it can pass off for your conventional watch, the circular shape also sets it apart in a smartwatch planet where squarish watches hold sway.

The Tizen UI has been specially crafted for circular dials, the rotating bezel is a fun way to navigate. You can choose from heaps of watch faces that include minimalist and data heavy options. There’s also a cool tweak that allows you to create a watch face to match your outfit for the day. The Watch Active 2 comes with a host of wellness options including sleep tracking, and automatic tracking of up to 7 workouts. It’s the App ecosystem that lets the watch down. Samsung’s watch App Store hasn’t added a whole lot of Apps over the past few months but the watch’s Spotify solution more than makes amends. Spotify Premium users can listen to music from the cloud and also download music on to the watch (you can also move image and music files on to the watch seamlessly). It’s one more reason to consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 if you’re an Android user looking to upgrade to a standalone 4G-enabled smartwatch. (Rs 35,999)