The Google Play store has started selling the Asus ZenWatch 2 smartwatch at a price of $149.99.
Asus announced the ZenWatch 2, the successor to the original ZenWatch, in June this year. Android Wear powers the stylish Asus ZenWatch 2, which serves as a smart companion to Android smartphones.
The latest Asus wearable is available in two different sizes: 1.63-inch (49mm) and 1.45-inch (45mm) to suit personal needs. Users also have the option to customize their smartwatches in three stainless-steel colors: Silver, Gunmetal and Rose Gold, and with 18 strap color and material combinations.
The new ZenWatch 2 takes several design aspects from the ZenWatch but offers refined design, new functionality and an enhanced user experience. The ZenWatch 2 comes with a metal crown, which brings a new way of interacting with the wearable. The metal crown was absent in the ZenWatch.
Both the ZenWatch 2 also comes with an innovative magnetic charger, which improves battery recharge time drastically.
Both the 1.64-inch and the 1.45-inch versions of the Zenwatch 2 have a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 512MP of RAM.
"We're excited to continue our collaboration with ASUS on ZenWatch 2 and help deliver a compelling product with sleeker design, extended battery life, and a responsive user experience," says Pankaj Kedia, Senior Director and Business Lead, Smart Wearables, Qualcomm Technologies. "We are extending the benefits of our Snapdragon 400 processor to wearables and working with customers such as ASUS to bring cutting-edge devices to consumers."
The bigger iteration of the ZenWatch 2 has a 320 x 320 AMOLED display and 400mAh battery. The smaller model of the smartwatch comes with 280 x 280 AMOLED screen and a 300mAh battery. Both models of the ZenWatch 2 are protected by Gorilla Glass and have IP67 water resistance rating.
Many customers would have hoped that the 1.63-inch model of the smartwatch will be priced higher. However, surprisingly enough, both the versions of the ZenWatch 2 have the same price tag of $149.99 on Google Play Store.
The price point of the Asus ZenWatch 2 makes the wearable one of the most affordable Android Wear-powered smartwatches available in the market today.
The ZenWatch 2 is expected to hit the shelves in Europe soon and it will be priced at €149 or $167.
