**Withings ScanWatch 2: A Stylish Hybrid Smartwatch Merging Elegance and Utility**
The Withings ScanWatch 2 represents a hybrid smartwatch that fuses the classic charm of a traditional timepiece with contemporary health and fitness monitoring functionalities. Although it doesn’t compete with fully-equipped smartwatches regarding app integration and display features, it presents a distinctive choice for individuals who prioritize style and simplicity over heavily tech-laden options. Below is an in-depth examination of the ScanWatch 2, detailing its advantages, drawbacks, and its suitability for your requirements.
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### **Overview: A Fashionable Hybrid Centered on Wellness**
The Withings ScanWatch 2 belongs to a specialized subset of hybrid smartwatches, which strive to connect conventional analog watches and modern smart devices. In contrast to fully digital smartwatches, hybrid variants like the ScanWatch 2 incorporate physical watch hands and a compact, unobtrusive OLED display that conveys notifications and health metrics.
With a price tag of $349.95, the ScanWatch 2 prioritizes health monitoring, including functionalities such as ECG tracking, skin temperature readings, and sleep assessment. However, its “smart” attributes are somewhat restricted, rendering it more fitting for users who emphasize aesthetics and fundamental functionalities over intricate smartwatch capabilities.
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### **Key Features and Specifications**
– **Design:** Stainless steel casing with sapphire glass, offered in 38mm and 42mm dimensions. Color choices are Black, Pearl White, Blue (only in 38mm), and Sand (only in 38mm).
– **Display:** 0.63-inch monochrome OLED, seamlessly integrated into the watch face.
– **Battery Life:** Up to 30 days on a sole charge, complemented by a reserve mode for basic tracking needs.
– **Health Tracking:** ECG, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and sleep analysis.
– **Fitness Tracking:** Basic exercise tracking using connected GPS, with heart rate zones and VO2 Max estimations.
– **Compatibility:** Compatible with Android 9/iOS 15 and integrates with applications like Google Health Connect and Apple Health.
– **Subscription Service:** Features a three-month Withings Plus trial, providing extra insights, recipes, and workout plans for $9.95/month or $99.95/year following the trial period.
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### **What We Appreciated**
1. **Sophisticated Design:** The ScanWatch 2 is distinguished by its timeless, minimalist design. The stainless steel casing and sapphire glass contribute to its high-end appearance, making it appropriate for both casual and formal occasions. Users frequently commend its aesthetic charm and often receive compliments for its classic style.
2. **Outstanding Battery Life:** With a battery life extending up to 30 days, the ScanWatch 2 alleviates the frequent charging challenges common to most smartwatches. Even with a depleted battery, it continues to monitor essential metrics like steps and sleep.
3. **Health-Orientated Features:** This watch stands out in health tracking, providing unique metrics such as skin temperature variations and ECG monitoring. It works seamlessly with Withings smart scales, offering a comprehensive overview of your health data through the Withings app.
4. **Minimal Distractions:** The compact OLED display ensures that notifications remain unobtrusive, making the ScanWatch 2 perfect for users wanting to maintain connectivity without being inundated by persistent alerts.
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### **Aspects Needing Improvement**
1. **Restricted Smart Features:** The small display of the ScanWatch 2 limits the volume of information it can present, and its navigation may be cumbersome. Notifications are rather basic, and the watch sometimes struggles to exhibit multiple messages from the same application.
2. **Fitness Tracking Limitations:** While it does offer basic exercise monitoring, the ScanWatch 2 lacks advanced metrics like running power, training load, and detailed heart rate evaluation. It also necessitates a connected smartphone for GPS tracking, which could be inconvenient for runners and outdoor fans.
3. **Inaccurate Sleep Tracking:** The sleep tracking capability has proven to be inconsistent, often overlooking segments of sleep or failing to register wake-ups during the night. Its relatively hefty design may also render it uncomfortable for overnight use.
4. **Subscription Emphasis:** The Withings Plus subscription appears to be overpriced at $9.95/month, especially as competitors such as Oura provide similar services at lower rates. Numerous features, such as health analytics and workout suggestions, are gated behind this payment model.
5. **Haptic Feedback:** Although the subtle haptics for menu navigation are well-received, the vibrations for notifications and alarms are excessively strong and cannot be modified.
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### **Rivals**
Though the hybrid smartwatch market is relatively specialized, a few alternatives merit consideration:
– **Garmin Vivomove Trend:** Provides a larger display and a greater focus on fitness features, but has reduced battery life and lacks ECG and skin temperature tracking.
– **Withings ScanWatch Light:** A more budget-friendly option at $249.95, it compromises on certain advanced health metrics like ECG and skin temperature while retaining the appealing design and long battery life.
– **Smart Rings (e.g., O
