TicWatch S2 Review: Dated Hardware and Abandoned Software Make a Poor Wearable

Mobvoi

Is it fair to judge a device on factors that a manufacturer can’t control? Unfortunately, yes: while tech junkies might recognize that the problems with Wear OS aren’t the fault of an individual device, that doesn’t make the problems go away.

Now that I’ve given away the crux of this review let’s talk about the TicWatch S2. It’s at the top of Mobvoi’s current product line, which still puts it on the budget end of Wear OS watches. And based on its hardware, style, and price, it might warrant a hesitant thumbs up.

But even on its own merits, the S2 is merely mediocre, with connection issues and poor battery life dragging down an otherwise serviceable design and good value. With Wear’s clunky interface, not to mention its uncertain future as a platform, it just isn’t getting a recommendation.

What Makes It Tick

Let’s get the bad part out of the way first: the TicWatch S2 uses a Snapdragon 2100, the last-gen Qualcomm wearable chip, instead of the newer, more efficient 3100. That’s a bummer to be sure, but not a total dealbreaker given the price. And it might be hoped that the S2’s 415mAh battery, enabled by its chunky size, could make up for it.

The TicWatch S2 wears large on my wrist, even though it's a pretty big one. — The TicWatch S2 wears large on my wrist, even though it’s a pretty big one. Michael Crider

Other highlighted features include the near-ubiquitous heart rate monitor, 50 meters of water resistance (an upgrade over even cheaper TicWatch designs), and built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. That last one is particularly rare—you usually need to step up to a much more expensive device, even among less flexible fitness trackers, to get access to dedicated GPS.

As a Wear OS device, the TicWatch S2 pairs best with any recent Android phone and will benefit from easy access to the Play Store and more robust notifications. Technically Wear OS works with Apple’s iPhones too (a relationship that isn’t reciprocated), but iOS users have much better options even at this price point. To put it bluntly: spring for an Apple Watch or use a fitness tracker if you use an iPhone.

In direct sunlight the TicWatch S2's OLED screen is a little hard to see. — In direct sunlight, the TicWatch S2’s OLED screen is a little hard to see. Michael Crider

4GB of on-device storage for apps and music (for the apps that support it) and 512MB of RAM are pretty standard for Wear OS devices. The TicWatch S2 does without NFC for easy payments and does not include a 3G or LTE radio for an independent connection outside of a Wi-Fi network.

Style That Won’t Turn Heads

Like many Wear OS devices, the TicWatch S2 tries to mask its relatively large size with a “sporty” aesthetic. A big, chunky plastic case surrounds the circular screen, complete with a molded bezel bearing entirely superfluous second markers at the cardinal directions. The single control button is at the three o’clock position, where a crown would be on a regular watch.

A single control button on the crown, and the screen itself, is all you need. Michael Crider

It looks like a big “Ironman” sports watch from Timex or a G-shock from Casio, and while that might not be your cup of tea, it certainly nails the look it’s going for. Note that, at almost 50mm wide, it’s going to wear big even on a large wrist—smaller people of either sex will find it very bulky.