ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Withings ScanWatch 2 is accessible for $369.
- It is a hybrid smartwatch, with each digital and analog traits and well being monitoring options.
- It has the same old drawbacks of a hybrid smartwatch, together with the dearth of detailed graphics, GPS monitoring, and restricted notifications.
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The Withing ScanWatch 2 is an attention-grabbing hybrid gadget as a result of it seems like an everyday watch (full with analog palms), however it has options you’d usually see on a smartwatch, like an OLED display screen and well being monitoring options.
How usually do you cost your smartwatch? A couple of times daily? Too usually? Doing so often usually makes me marvel precisely how a lot worth I am getting out of these occasional notifications and alerts, and it is a massive purpose why I nonetheless have an affection for hybrid smartwatches.
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One in every of these is the primary Withings ScanWatch, launched in 2021. I’ve worn it often over the previous couple of years, primarily as a result of it feels implausible on the wrist whereas capturing key well being information. Every cost can last as long as one month.
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At first look, the newer ScanWatch 2 is hard to differentiate from the unique, however it packs a number of essential upgrades that make considered one of my go-to well being trackers even higher.
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I examined the ScanWatch 2 in Black (pictured beneath), however it is usually obtainable in Pearl White for the bigger dimension. The Black mannequin has palms that characteristic a Tremendous LumiNova coating in order that they glow at nighttime for a short while after publicity to gentle. Should you desire a smaller 38mm dimension, that is obtainable in Pearl White, Black, Sand, and Blue. Apparently, each sizes price $349, so that you needn’t pay extra for a bigger watch face, which is good.
The 42mm ScanWatch 2 I have been carrying weighs about 52 grams and matches gently on the wrist. As a lot as I’ve loved the watch’s health-tracking capabilities, the appear and feel of the ScanWatch on my wrist are simply considered one of my favourite options.
The unique ScanWatch (left) subsequent to the brand new model (proper).
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
A domed sapphire glass covers the analog watch palms and inside OLED show. When paired with the stainless-steel case and rotating crown button, the watch screams class. So keep away from this for those who desire rugged, multi-textured sports activities watches.
Navigating the watch is as simple as rotating the crown button via the assorted shows and urgent in to make alternatives. There isn’t a again button, so it’s essential to scroll via the obtainable screens in every widget to get to the again possibility on the show and return to the unique important show carousel.
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The ScanWatch 2 is constructed with a 5 ATM stage of water resistance, so I used to be capable of put on it whereas operating within the rain. If you’re a swimmer or surfer, you’ll be able to put on it and monitor these actions within the water as nicely.
Withings states that the ScanWatch 2 fees up in two hours and will last as long as 30 days. I can verify the charging time is correct, however I have never been utilizing the wearable on “watch mode” solely, so I am unable to verify the 30-day battery life. I ran with the watch a number of occasions whereas coaching for a marathon and linked it to my cellphone to check the linked GPS functionality. Once you use it for an exercise, particularly with linked GPS, the battery life will probably be considerably diminished.
On a optimistic observe, I have been capable of put on the watch for much longer than my traditional health trackers. I as soon as took it on three runs, various from 35 to 55 minutes, and noticed the watch nonetheless final for over per week earlier than I needed to cost it up.
The Withings smartphone software is surprisingly highly effective and might share its collected information with Apple Well being, Google Well being Join, and Google Match. The applying additionally brings in information from different Withings gadgets, together with its scales, blood stress displays, and extra so a full view of your complete bodily state is accessible within the app. The watch will retailer as much as seven days of knowledge, so I counsel syncing it a minimum of as soon as per week.
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On the app, pores and skin temperature modifications are proven on the backside of your each day exercise metrics (it initially took me some time to seek out the place this pores and skin information was being offered) with a baseline plot and minimal and most modifications all through the day. This data could also be used when figuring out in heat environments the place warmth exhaustion could also be a priority. The one factor lacking right here is longer-term developments for physique temperature, which I’ve my fingers crossed that Withings will add in a future software program replace.
The ScanWatch 2 (proper) has bigger sensors and a flatter monitoring floor on the again than the unique (left).
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The ScanWatch 2 may also carry out an ECG evaluation, measure blood oxygen ranges, monitor coronary heart fee all through the day, measure sleep, and monitor basic bodily exercise. One gripe I’ve with the sleep monitoring on the watch is that it might’t distinguish between deep and REM sleep, so it isn’t essentially the most informative sleep-tracking gadget obtainable as we speak.
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Lastly, along with the watch, Withings launched a subscription service just like Fitbit Premium, the place further insights and metrics are offered at a value. The service additionally consists of “Missions” meant to assist encourage you to maneuver or eat nicely, whereas different modules will help you in constructing higher health habits, equivalent to bettering your sleep scores. The month-to-month subscription is accessible for $9.95 or $99.50 per yr.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Not solely is the Withings ScanWatch 2 a implausible timepiece because of its always-on analog palms, however it feels implausible on the wrist, has a protracted battery life, and measures the important thing well being and wellness information wanted that can assist you enhance your way of life. At $349, the smartwatch within reason priced and competes nicely with others within the hybrid watches I’ve examined.