Samsung Gear 2 Neo Smartwatch

I ended up returning the Samsung Gear 2 and switched to a Pebble watch instead and here is why: 1) I like to be able to glance at the time anytime. I was getting too annoyed with the wrist flicking and staring or button pressing to just simply see the time. With the Pebble the screen and time is always on. 2) I like to wear my watch 24 hours a day including when I shower and swim. Shower and bathing didn't work so well. I'd glance down and the 'pressing' of water drops would take the Gear 2 in all kinds of screens. Yes, I could take it off but I tend to drift into my own world during a shower and actually need to stay on track and be able to see how much time I have to get ready. Here the Pebble outperforms. Since it doesn't have a touch screen it is not activated by shower water drops nor does it go off on it's own little mission. Also, the Pebble is waterproof so I can swim with it (I wouldn't trust the water resistance of the Gear 2 with jumping into the deep end of the pool). 3) Watch battery life. Again, I like to wear my watch all the time. The Gear 2 lasts from 1-3 days but mostly around 1.5 days for me before I'm unsure how long it will still last and resort to charging it (other users say it lasts 3 days for them). I came to the conclusion it is most reliable if you charge it every day. But then, my habit would be to charge it at the end of the day but then I won't have it on my wrist to measure sleep or check the time during the day. The Pebble lasts me at least 5-7 days (other users report up to 10 days). And I actually charge it while on my wrist and working on my laptop as the USB cord connects to the side of the watch, not underneath like the Gear 2. 4) Phone battery life. I don't know if it is due to the watch or the Samsung software on the phone but with the Gear 2 my Galaxy S5 would be dead by 1-3pm every day if I can't charge it. With the Pebble my phone batter is still good around 7pm. (Before either smart watch or with bluetooth off my battery would last to 11pm to 1am). 5) Heart rate. OK so the Pebble doesn't measure heart rate. But then the Gear 2 is not very accurate (but may be as accurate as any wrist sensor). Anyway, it would be highly off and inconsistent while exercising that I could never confirm my heart rate or zone when I wanted to for the most time. I tried wearing it tighter and with the sensor under my wrist but it didn't seem to help. 6) Exercise apps: I found most annoying while running or cycling that I couldn't just always glance at the watch. On the bike even a wrist flick would not turn on the Gear 2 most of the time and I'd have to turn on the screen with a button press. Also, the measurements often seemed inaccurate from number of steps and distance. Here the Pebble performs great with the screen on all the time (no heart rate yes) and I can see my pace, distance etc. Also the Pebble seems to track number of steps more accurately (using a stair climber the Gear 2 would measure something like 15 steps where the Pebble would measure 2,000 steps for the same duration). 7) The Gear 2's screen would turn on at odd annoying times. Like when tucking your young child in bed it would turn on and brightly shine into their face waking them up or disturbing them. It's convenient at other times to use as a mini flashlight but the randomness of it can be annoying. In contrast the Pebble doesn't inadvertently turn on the backlight to the screen unless you do a purposeful wrist flick (and that feature can be switched off if desired). 8) I like the simple notifications and quick easy settings on the Pebble more. 9) From the Gear 2 I miss the cool spy gadget appeal of taking a phone call speaking into your watch. But the novelty quickly wears off and was a feature I mostly reserved for quick friend calls and wouldn't use it for business calls (although I didn't test it and survey callers whether there was a marked difference in voice quality). 10) In summary, the Gear 2 is a "smart" smart watch, but a poor "watch". The Pebble is just as much a "watch" as an old watch, and has enough of the most important "smart" in it while keeping it simple. If you're not someone who cares to look at time, don't mind taking off your watch when showering or for charging it daily (or every 2nd day) then the Gear 2 should be considered as good option. Otherwise seriously look at the Pebble.