Apple Watch S2 in 2020

[Lekro]

Hello,

I was offered a deal for an Apple Watch S2 for $80 used, with a new battery installed.


How is the S2 holding up? I have an iPhone XR.

Is this a good deal or I shouldn’t buy an S2 at all?

Please help I’m not familiar with the Apple Watch but I’d like the idea to use one.

 

[rbart]

It depends on the usage.
If it's just for notifications, time and activity follow up, it's usable.
But keep in mind it's very slow, if you want to start apps, interact with the watch, it's not smooth and some apps take very long to run.

 

[Lekro]

For example if I want to use it for running to track my activity?

I plan to buy an S5 down the line sometime. Would you recommend this purchase or not worth it?

 

[rbart]

If you use built-in workout app, it's OK (I have run a lot of races, trails with my old series 2).
But you can have some slow-downs when you want to interact with the screen (to play music, or pause, or mark a segment).
If you want to use third party app to log your runs (like workoutdoors), it's better to buy a series 3 (at least)

 

[ttforever]

I wouldn't anymore, I've got a s4 and s2 and the speed difference is immense, the s2 lags with virtually everything and the s3 is fairly cheap now new so I would get a S3/S4 if you can

 

[nickdalzell1]

I never had anything earlier than a Series 3 but I wonder how it can be that different since most apps are unchanged since the first Series 0--including many of the stock watch faces.

 

[rbart]

WatchOS 6 is heavier than watchOS3 ...
Lot of small new features that eat the small amount of resources
Series 3 is WAY faster than series 2 which is WAY faster than series 0

 

[Lekro]

I’m thinking it’s a good deal for this much money. I mean the screen on the S2 costs exactly twice this price.

But if it’s borderline unusable or annoying to use then no matter how much the price is.

 

[Jxdawg]

I’m thinking it’s a good deal for this much money. I mean the screen on the S2 costs exactly twice this price.

But if it’s borderline unusable or annoying to use then no matter how much the price is.

That’s your prerogative. But I’d highly recommend shell out and extra $100 for a new S3.

 

[Lyn2012]

Personally I’d just splash out on a S4 or S5 as in the past I’ve tried getting something that’s a bit cheaper, or on offer, and I’m never satisfied with it and end up buying the one I really wanted as well

 

[44267547]

At this junction, I would hard pass on the Series 2. It’s still functional and I’m not knocking it, but I would probably just pay the difference and opt for the Series 3 personally. If longevity support is a major factor to you, then I would upgrade to the Series 3 for that reason alone.

 

[fronesis]

I owned the S2 for a long time and now have an S3.

The S3 on WatchOS 6.x is SO MUCH FASTER. Given that you can buy a brand new S3 for $190, I would be reluctant to spend any kind of money on an S2.

 

[ManicMarc]

I wouldn't pay more than £50 for one. The S3 is what, £199 now? Anything nearing half that price is not worth it. The S2 is still a great watch, my gf uses her for fitness tracking (running and swimming), replying to messages and using Siri no problem. The S3 will get you much faster WiFi (for music streaming/downloading) and a faster CPU.