Neo might sound cool and futuristic, but a better name for the Samsung Gear 2 Neo would be the Samsung Gear 2 Lite. Unlike most 'lite' devices, however, the Gear 2 Neo manages to provide better value with minimal sacrifice. In most regards, it's the same exact smartwatch as the Samsung Gear 2: It can send messages, receive notifications, and run apps, and it doubles as a capable fitness tracker. But in order to arrive at a $199.99 price point, Samsung nixed the camera and uses a polycarbonate finish instead of brushed metal. You won't miss the camera, and the polycarbonate is still plenty attractive, so for $100 less than the Gear 2, the Gear 2 Neo is a better buy.

We've already reviewed the Gear 2, which has a nearly identical feature set to the Neo, so we'll focus on the differences in this review. Head over to our Gear 2 review for a full rundown of its features and design.

Differences and Conclusion

The Neo has the same general measurements as the Gear 2, at 1.49 by 2.31 by 0.39 inches (HWD), but the lack of a camera makes it even lighter, at 1.94 ounces (not counting the adjustable strap). The Neo comes in three different colors, including black, orange, and a brownish gray. The display is surrounded by the same brushed metal design as the Gear 2, but the rest of the face is made of polycarbonate instead of metal. It doesn't make for a dramatically different look, and in the case of the orange model, I actually prefer the brightly colored polycarbonate to the subdued metal model.

The only other difference is that the Gear 2 Neo lacks a camera. That's no big deal. While the Gear 2 features a 2-megapixel sensor at the top, photos taken with the watch can't compare to even basic smartphone cameras. It also has a non-suppressible sound effect every time you take a shot, and video recording is limited to 15-second clips, both of which limit its utility. Considering you need a companion device to use the Neo in the first place, you're better off using the camera on your connected smartphone.

Note: The video below is of the Samsung Gear 2, which has many of the same features as the Gear 2 Neo.

In my review of the Gear 2, my biggest problem with the watch was its $299.99 price tag. That's not the case with the Gear 2 Neo, which trims the cost down to a much more reasonable $199.99, without making it feel as if you've lost something in the process. For that reason, the Gear 2 Neo gets a slightly higher rating than the Gear 2.

Just keep in mind that a lower price doesn't solve all of the Neo's problems, like Samsung-only device compatibility and a lack of apps. If you don't own a supported Samsung device (of which there are only 17), or if you just want more apps at your disposal, the Pebble($84.95 at Amazon) and Pebble Steel( at Amazon) are better choices. Or you can wait it out for the first crop of Android Wear smartwatches to arrive, with promising-looking products from both LG and Motorola. 

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