May you be working from home or slaving away at the office, anyone with a job knows how hard it is to juggle multiple meetings, workload, hobbies, and more while trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Even I get confused with my schedule from time to time! To ensure that we don’t miss out on anything – especially deadlines, getting constant reminders from a reliable assistant can be helpful. But what if we don’t have the luxury to hire one? That’s exactly where the realme Watch S2 comes in. It’s a smartwatch that’s more than just a fitness tracker. It’s like a secretary or a “tech-retary” designed to keep you on top of your game and on time, whether you’re hitting the gym or going through a busy work day.

Manila Millennial was able to test it out, two weeks before its official launch in the Philippines and here’s a list of what I liked (and some of the downsides because nothing is perfect):

1. Stylish and Functional

The realme Watch S2 features a 1.43″ AMOLED display, offering a vibrant and clear viewing experience. The screen’s 466×466 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate provide smooth transitions, making it easy to navigate through your notifications, apps, and watch faces – especially the animated ones.

It’s quite big for my wrist as an average-sized Filipina, but I honestly don’t mind as long as the watch faces match my outfits. This hasn’t been a problem so far, considering that there are over 150 customizable designs available for download on the realme Link app. The bands are gender-neutral as well in black, grey, and silver colors. All are easy to clean after a long day of work and/or workout!

Powered by the ATS3085 chip, it offers smooth performance across all its features, from switching between controls to receiving notifications. The watch also supports a range of everyday functions like music control, alarm settings, event/calendar reminders, timer, stopwatch, alarm, weather, and even camera control, making it a practical tool for daily life.

Another interesting function I found was the Ambient Volume indicator, which monitors your exposure to loud noises. For those who are not familiar with this, exposure to loud environments that exceed 80 decibels are said to damage our hearing. The smartwatch alerts you to protect your ears, especially if you work in the concert scene or events industry. I find this handy as I cover events that require me to stand near huge speakers for prolonged periods.

2. Durability That Doesn’t Compromise on Looks

While two weeks is still too short to comment about durability, I’d like to believe that the realme Watch S2’s advanced stainless-steel body is tough enough for our day-to-day activities. Having an IP68 rating also means it’s dust and water-resistant, so whether you’re caught in the rain or sweating a lot, your smartwatch will not budge. The watch’s design reflects realme’s attention to detail, with a premium finish that is resistant to scratches and fingerprints.

This wearable has also undergone multiple tests such as a 7-hour hardness pencil test, 120 hours of exposure to extreme temperatures and high humidity, 100,000 button tests, 24-hour hand sweat test, and 48-hour salt spray corrosion resistance test in realme’s lab.

3. A Smartphone Comms Extension

One of the standout features of the realme Watch S2 for me is its Bluetooth calling capability, quick reply feature, and social media notification visibility. For its price point, this is a good deal for me. Thanks to its dual-mode Bluetooth processor and advanced noise-canceling technology, you can answer calls directly from your wrist, even when your phone isn’t within reach. The built-in microphone and speaker are powerful enough to ensure clear conversations, making it a handy tool whether you’re driving, running on the treadmill, or multitasking at home. And before you say “who doesn’t have their phone in their hands all the time, anyway?” Well, a lot of us do, especially those who cannot constantly look at their smartphones during work hours.

When connected to my smartphone’s Bluetooth, I’m also able to view messages from Messenger group chats, receive Instagram notifications, preview messages and even select quick replies like “Okay” or “call you later” in just a tap.

4. Comprehensive Health and Fitness Tracking

Aside from the features above, the realme Watch S2 also has the usual fitness features but it goes beyond basic tracking. It includes comprehensive health monitoring that covers heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, and even sleep patterns. On top of the summaries that it shows on the smartwatch, a more detailed chart with explanations are available on the app. The analysis it provides is also based on the information you input on the realme Link App – from height down to weight goals.

As your tech-retary, it constantly reminds you to stay active, drink water, and even monitor your menstrual cycle. A win for the ladies, as this feature isn’t common in smartwatches! Speaking of smart, it’s also smart enough to detect whether you’ve been sitting for too long, too. Once you get up to walk, it will also prompt you to select whether you’re walking indoors or outdoors so it can comprehensively track your activities and the calories you burn while doing so.

With support for over 110 sports modes, this watch is ready to accompany you in any activity. Best part is that it includes typical Filipino sports and activities like basketball, cycling, darts, dance (street dance, ballet, and Zumba included), skateboarding, and parkour! The realme Link App provides detailed analytics, helping you stay on top of your fitness goals. For those who don’t know where or how to start their fitness journey, running courses are also available on the watch to guide you!

5. Customizable Battery Life

Lastly, while battery life is often a concern with most smartwatches, the realme Watch S2 offers long battery life with an option to make it last even longer. With Bluetooth and everything connected, I was able to last around 5 days wearing it with me from work to sleep!

According to its specs sheet, it’s also capable of staying alive for 20 days in low power mode, but this is something we have yet to test. Even with most functions active, it delivers around 2 weeks of usage, which should be more than enough for most users. Whether you prefer to keep the Always-On Display active or want to maximize battery life, the realme Watch S2 adapts to your needs.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Overall, from managing your notifications to ensuring you reach your fitness goals, this smartwatch is a versatile tech-retary that keeps you on schedule 24/7. With health monitoring features built in, it also ensures you’re taking care of yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.

The realme Watch S2 is now available online and in stores in the Philippines for Php 3,999.

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