The Sony SmartBand 2 SWR12 is a fitness tracker and a successor to the predecessor as the name suggest, it’s compatible with both Android and iOS (8.2 above via Apple Health app) and finally has a heart rate tracker too. Price tag is currently RM599, you can change the straps to blue or pink colour but that will cost your RM129. So how does it fare as a fitness tracker? Read below to find out.
Design, Tech Specs and Features - A secure fitness and daily life tracker
The backside of the Smartband 2
The core unit detached
Design wise, the Smartband 2 is just like any other smartbands. The band is made of silicone and super lightweight, but at least the core unit is detachable from it which is good. This is because is makes charging easier through the charging port, and you can also wash the band if you want to. Wearing it feels secure, but I had a hard time wearing it because of its unusual clip, taking it off wasn’t easy as well. There’s also a tiny button on the band and core unit, it’s for you to turn on obviously and along on the core unit there are three LED lights to highlight the energy level.
Smartband 2 tech specs:-
- ARM Cortex-M0 32-bit processor
- 32KB RAM
- 256KB internal embedded flash memory
- Accelerometer and heart rate sensor
- Waterproof rated IP58
- Connections (Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, USB port for charging)
- Lithium-ion, last for 4-5 days
- Compatible with any smart devices with Android 4.4 and iOS 8.2 (except Apple iPad) onward
As I said, this thing is as light as a feather (ok, maybe not but you get the idea). The core unit measures 40.7 x 15.3 x 9.5 mm only so you better not get too careless misplacing it after detaching it from the band.
The core unit and the charging port
In terms of feature functions, both the Smartband 2 and Sony Smartwatch 3 SWR50 share a lot of similarities. Like the Smartwatch 3, the Smartband 2 also needs at least two apps which are Sony Connect (essential) and the Smartband app. However, Lifelog is actually recommended too but only if you really want to see how your day is spent with the Android smartphone, same goes to Google Fit. It’s actually a bit hassle to install both two (or three) though, so it would be nice if they have one app for the device.
A glance at the Smartband 2 would normally leave a curious impression of what it can do. Well, it can do many things. First, the most basic thing it can do is like any other fitness tracking smartband, it collects your steps taken, calories burned and heart pulse rate. The data then will be sent to your paired smartphone for analysis and records, oh speaking of data transfer, your Smartband 2 will vibrate if it’s out of range from the smartphone. But don’t worry if that happens, once you pair them up again, the data will still be saved and be recorded.
The Lifelog app is compatible with both Smartband 2 and Smartwatch 3
The core unit also serves the use as a gentle "nudger", and what I mean from that is if your smartphone has any notification, alarm, and messages, the core unit will vibrate softly on your wrist to alert you. If you don’t wish to receive nudges during your sleep time, it can be customized from your smartphone by adjusting the sleep mode. It can also help you find your smartphone (your smartphone can find your band too) if you happen to misplace it, another cool thing is controlling your smartphone’s music from the smartband by tapping on the band’s top surface, but I don’t really find it that responsive from time to time.
Performance - Charging speed is awesome!
The Smartband 2 battery can last for about 4-5 days on average usage, but like any devices, constant usage will surely drain the core unit pretty fast and this can last the user for one and a half days (estimated). The user can activate stamina mode if they wish the smartband to stay alive for a little bit longer, but I think this isn’t really necessary mostly because of its super fast charging speed. A drained battery smartband charging to the max only takes 30 minutes, if only all smartphones were like that haha.
The Smartband 2 app
Conclusion - A good smartband, giving some future potential to its successor
Now overall, the Sony Smartband 2 is indeed a helpful “nudger” when it comes to reminding you on various tasks. But I just wish maybe it can be more interactive as you need to rely on your smartphone a lot, nudging is cute and all, but perhaps we could use some visual as well.
Garmin Vivosmart band displaying the steps taken today
Take an example like my Garmin Vivosmart band in the image above, it displays all the information I need to know, it tells me the time, date, goal steps to take today, calories, incoming messages, music player, the distance I took in KM, and even nudges me to move if I sit down for an hour, I can do all these without relying much on my smartphone. So I think maybe if Sony could incorporate this for their next smartband product, only then they can get the people's attention better.
Now I’m not saying it’s an inferior product (my Garmin Vivosmart band doesn’t have a heart pulse rate sensor lol), the Sony Smartband 2 is still a good smartband for exercising and monitoring your overall lifestyle. Sony fans certainly won’t mind having this if they can't afford the Sony Smartwatch 3 (since both are similar), the Garmin Vivosmart is more expensive too, and what’s more, Sony users have the option to change their bands to other colours like blue or pink as mentioned earlier (my band is not changeable either haha). But then again...comparing with other changeable straps with the likes of Huawei Watch, users can change it to a golden colour option for the same price. So this all comes down to your budget and preferences, if you don't mind having a silicon band then go for it. Did I also mention that it charges with lightning speed in just under 30 minutes? Yes, yes I did.
So do you have one or are you planning to get it? What do you think of it? Thanks for reading, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
*TechNave.com would like to thank Sony for providing us with the Sony Smartband 2 SWR 12 for this review. It allowed us to do a more in-depth review and highlight more features.
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