Realme Watch S2 review: Style meets substance

Rating –4/5
Over the past few years, several smartphone brands have aggressively entered the smartwatch sector. After recognising the growing potential of the wearable market in the country, these companies use their existing brand recognition, distribution networks, and expertise in mobile technology to expand their product portfolios. This move allows them to offer a more integrated ecosystem to their customers, often with seamless connectivity between their smartphones and smartwatches.
Realme being one of these brands entered the Indian smartwatch market in 2020. The Realme Watch S2 is the company’s latest addition to its smartwatch lineup, debuting as the successor to the original Watch S after a three-year gap.

This second-generation device brings a fresh design with a larger 1.43-inch AMOLED display, an IP68-certified metallic build, and an array of smart features as well as AI-driven functionalities.
Priced competitively at Rs 4,999, the Watch S2 promises to cater to both fitness enthusiasts and those seeking a stylish everyday companion. But can the Realme S2 Watch crawl its way up through the crowded smartphone market and deliver on its promises? Let’s find out in this detailed review.

Design and display

The Realme Watch S2 comes in three colours — Metallic Grey (stainless steel wristband) as well as the Ocean Silver and Midnight Black ones, both featuring a silicone band. We got the Metallic Grey variant which looks elegant with its circular stainless steel case and matching stainless steel wristband.
The watch feels lightweight during extended usage. The build quality of the Realme Watch S2 is also trustworthy as it remained unharmed from accidental bumps.

The polished finish and the metallic chassis offer the smartwatch a refined look suitable for both casual and formal settings. Weighing at nearly 41 grams, the watch also strikes a balance between weight and comfort, which makes it ideal for all-day wear.
Adjusting the steel band to our wrist size was also easy as Realme bundles a tool kit which ensured a snug and personalised fit. Detaching the band was also very easy and we didn’t face any difficulty using the latch.
During extended usage, the watch proved its durability, withstanding occasional bumps without any noticeable scratches or damage. Its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance also provided peace of mind for everyday activities, including exposure to rain or splashes.

However, if you’re a fitness enthusiast and want to spend a long period wearing your smartwatch in the gym or during workouts, it’s better to opt for one of the silicone wristband variants. The stainless steel variant is more for business meetings and casual outings.
The 1.43-inch AMOLED display on the watch is also a treat to the eyes. It has a 466 x 466 pixels resolution and a pixel density of 326 PPI, which means the content on the watch is sharp. The display also features an always-on mode with customisable faces which adds a touch of convenience and style.

With 600 nits of peak brightness, the display remains visible even under bright sunlight, and the vibrant colours and sharp text elevate the viewing experience. While it doesn’t support auto-brightness, manual adjustments through the quick settings menu ensure optimal visibility in any lighting condition.

Performance

The Realme Watch S2 delivers an impressive performance, blending style with functionality for everyday use. Its smooth and intuitive user interface helped us navigate easily through the smartwatch’s features.
Whether swiping through apps, checking notifications, or monitoring health metrics, the watch was able to handle everything efficiently. We didn’t notice any lag or stutter during our usage.
The stainless steel wristband adds a touch of elegance, though it won’t be the most comfortable for intense workouts or activities that require precise sensor contact.

The watch features over 110 sports modes, making it versatile for tracking activities such as walking, running, yoga, and more.
During our usage, step tracking was somewhat reliable and showed minimal discrepancies. Meanwhile, activity metrics, such as calories burned and distance covered, are accurate enough for general fitness tracking.
However, the smartwatch lacks elevation tracking due to the absence of an altimeter. The sedentary reminders and hydration alerts are thoughtful touches, help maintain healthy habits throughout the day.
For health monitoring, the Watch S2 offers heart rate, SpO2, sleep, and stress tracking. Sleep tracking is particularly detailed, breaking down data into light sleep, deep sleep, and REM cycles.

It also generates a comprehensive sleep score, providing insights into sleep quality and actionable suggestions for improvement. However, the stainless steel variant didn’t feel comfortable while sleeping.
While not medically certified, these features are valuable for general wellness monitoring. The stress monitoring feature provides real-time updates while the watch also offers breathing exercises to help manage stress levels.
The AI voice assistant is responsive and performs tasks like setting reminders, answering queries, and controlling music playback. Its microphone captures voice commands accurately in quiet environments, and the speaker offers clear audio output, making interactions smooth and efficient.
Bluetooth connectivity is stable for most functions, such as syncing data to the Realme Link app or controlling music. However, syncing large datasets like workout stats to the app can occasionally take longer than expected. The Realme Link app itself is user-friendly, with organised insights and customisable settings for watch faces, sports modes, and notifications.
Speaking of watch faces, the Realme Watch S2 features 150+ customizable options, including dynamic and AI-generated designs. Paired with its AMOLED display, these watch faces enhance the overall visual experience.
The calling feature on the Realme Watch S2 is convenient for quick conversations when the phone is not in the hand. The built-in microphone and speaker work well in quiet environments, delivering clear audio on both ends of the call.

When we used the watch for calls in moderately noisy surroundings, the speaker volume was loud enough to hear, but there was slight crackling at higher volumes, which might make prolonged calls less comfortable. The microphone picks up voices effectively when speaking directly into the watch, enhancing its usability for hands-free communication.
The watch also supports rejecting calls or sending quick replies directly from the screen, which is handy when you’re unable to pick up. However, prolonged calls can drain the battery slightly faster, so it’s better suited for brief interactions.
Morever, the user interface is also very easy to navigate and we didn’t face any troubles finding our way around the watch.

Battery

Speaking of the battery, the Realme Watch S2 is powered by a 380mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to 20 days under optimal usage. During our time with the watch, it easily lasted over two weeks on moderate usage.
This included receiving notifications, tracking workouts, monitoring vitals, and occasional calls. With more intensive use, such as enabling the always-on display, maximum brightness, and continuous heart rate monitoring, the battery life still lasted more than a week.
Recharging the watch is also easy. The magnetic charging cable which comes bundled with the watch attaches securely to the back of the watch case and can be connected to any USB Type-A port.
It took a little over an hour 65–70 to fully charge from 0% to 100%. Quick charging is another highlight of the smartwatch with the battery reaching about 15% in just 10 minutes, providing enough juice for a full day of basic usage.

Verdict

The Metallic Grey variant of the Realme Watch S2 strikes a balance between elegance and functionality. Its performance is dependable, with responsive touch interactions, clear call handling in quieter settings, and an extensive suite of health and fitness features.
The battery life also stands out, comfortably lasting up to two weeks under moderate usage, making it a reliable companion for everyday wear.
While the stainless steel wristband adds a premium touch to the watch’s design, it might not be the most comfortable option for intense workouts. That said, the stylish appeal and versatile features make it an excellent choice for users who value both aesthetics and utility in a smartwatch.
With minor improvements to the app connectivity and perhaps more customisation options, the Realme Watch S2 could elevate its user experience further. Priced at Rs 4,999, it offers great value and remains a strong contender for anyone looking to add a blend of tech and style to their wrist.