Sony SmartWatch 2 review: This 1.6-inch smartwatch is compatible with any Android smartphone running version 4.0. It can show notifications from social networks and phone alerts and text messages. It is the quality extension of a smartphone. The problem, however, is that it is only an extension of a smartphone.

On the outside, the Sony SmartWatch 2 is the type of smartwatch that you’ll either love or hate because of the design and screen. Its design is more on the minimalist side: no colorful frills.

Meanwhile, its 1.6-inch screen is the same as its Samsung competitors. But compared to the 320x320 resolution and OLED technology for more vibrant colors and darker shades, the Sony SmartWatch 2’s 220x176-pixel screen appears lifeless.

However, this smartwatch is not primarily aimed for brighter and more colorful screens. Because of its Transflective (transmissive + reflective) display, it always shows time while reducing battery drain. The best part is that you can view it in daylight—an edge that challenges the colorful OLED screens.

Currently, over 140 apps are available for this water and dust proof device. You can download exercise apps, games, maps, languages, and a remote control function. This is more than what the Samsung Gears can offer. The only problem though is that many of these apps only work with Sony products.

The Sony SmartWatch 2 also has no camera, microphone, and speaker, proving that it is more meant to be an extension than a standalone device. Yet in spite of its limitations, the smartwatch smoothly delivers its functions.

“Did the device help me to cut down on how many times I pounced on my handheld throughout the day? Astonishingly, the answer is yes …I also can say that there's a peculiar pleasure in reading phone alerts in the shower, no matter how perverse it may sound,” says a critic from CNET.com
Laptop Magazine adds advices that “if you're looking for a stylish wrist companion that serves as a second screen for your Android phone, the SmartWatch 2 is a compelling choice.”

Efficient, cheap, and somewhat stylish—the Sony SmartWatch 2 is recommended to those who want to use a smartwatch for the sake of having a smartwatch.