With the Apple Watch Edition Series 2 38mm, Apple is clearly aiming at buyers who want a well-rounded phone without too many compromises. Here is our take on what it brings to the table. Announced in 2016, September. Released 2016, December, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
On the front you get a 1.5 inches panel, pushing a resolution of 340 x 272 pixels (~290 ppi density), and in real-world use it looks bright, crisp and easy on the eyes. In terms of design, the Apple Watch Edition Series 2 38mm keeps things modern and comfortable to hold. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Sport Band/White.
Performance & Software
At the heart of it sits the Apple S2 (16 nm). That combination should handle day-to-day multitasking and most games without breaking a sweat. It runs watchOS 3.0, upgradable to watchOS 6.2.8 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
The camera setup is one of the talking points here, with a main sensor doing the heavy lifting. It is not a pro camera rig, but for everyday memories it gets the job done nicely.
Battery
Keeping the lights on is a Li-Ion 273 mAh (1.03 Wh), non-removable cell. With moderate use you can expect to end the day with charge to spare.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Apple is promising, here is where we land. Apple has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. In day-to-day use it feels like the kind of device you can rely on, whether you are replying to messages, scrolling through social media, watching videos or taking the odd photo. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. But taken as a whole, the Apple Watch Edition Series 2 38mm is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
