Designed for small and sporty wrists, Garmin Lily 2 Active notably adds GPS tracking compared to its predecessor.
The new buttons, GPS, free coached workouts, and additional sports profiles make the Lily 2 Active a much more sensible choice than last year’s model, though there is a modest $50 increase in price. Unlike the Apple Watch 10, the Garmin Lily 2 Active functions as a smartwatch for up to 9 days, although with GPS tracking enabled, this is significantly reduced to 9 hours, similar to the Apple Watch.
The built-in GPS allows you to leave your phone at home when exercising, and the new Garmin Pay doesn’t require your phone either. However, if you want any incident Detection, you’ll need to carry your phone and have a normal roaming data plan from your provider.
Comprehensive sleep tracking is now available directly on the watch, with further insights provided through the app.
The new band uses a standard 14mm size, making customisation much easier, although customising the watch face is more limited compared to Garmin’s more expensive models.
Take Out
If you like the design and the price, this is a sensible 24/7 smartwatch to consider, supporting an excellent range of activities. However, it’s certainly not a serious sports or running watch and also lacks the latest generation of wellness features, such as ECG. If you have an iPhone and don’t mind charging your watch daily, I’d recommend the Apple Watch.
this article reads like Garmin press release with little additional for the interested review reader, wonder why you even publish this low quality liner
@tfa: Because it generates some traffic and ad revenue. This is how the internet works…
About the watch: Why did they add this strange pattern to the screen? This looks incredibly ugly and does certainly not improve readability. I assume they do some testing with focus groups before deciding on a final design but did people really like it? f
it’s more for completeness if I’m honest.
it won’t generate any meaningful traffic or revenue
well. i will add 19 of such post and then, unexpectedly, the 20th will do exceptionally well for some unknown reason,
so . completeness and sporadic success
Interesting, thanks for your honest reply. I would be curious about your traffic metrics. There must be at least *some* patterns, right? Like „Fenix articles always works“ etc.
yes there are patterns and certain things ‘work’!
at least if WORK is defined as traffic. There is no magic bullet i’ve found for affiliate revenues and I’ve tried LOTS of different types of bullet.
Actually the old type of bland screen should be among pros as colorful AMOLED wouldn’t look elegant at all. This watch is 10x better than the generic Vivoactive 5, now my wife can finally switch from VA4, I only wish it had AOD.
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this article reads like Garmin press release with little additional for the interested review reader, wonder why you even publish this low quality liner
OMG, you’re right! I checked out the official Garmin Press release (https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/wearables-health/garmin-unveils-lily-2-active-small-stylish-smartwatches-with-built-in-gps/) and it too points out the “bland screen” and suggests that ” If you have an iPhone and don’t mind charging your watch daily…recommend the Apple Watch.” Which is a bit of an odd thing for Garmin to say. But hey, there you go, press releases are changing.
@tfa: Because it generates some traffic and ad revenue. This is how the internet works…
About the watch: Why did they add this strange pattern to the screen? This looks incredibly ugly and does certainly not improve readability. I assume they do some testing with focus groups before deciding on a final design but did people really like it? f
it’s more for completeness if I’m honest.
it won’t generate any meaningful traffic or revenue
well. i will add 19 of such post and then, unexpectedly, the 20th will do exceptionally well for some unknown reason,
so . completeness and sporadic success
Interesting, thanks for your honest reply. I would be curious about your traffic metrics. There must be at least *some* patterns, right? Like „Fenix articles always works“ etc.
yes there are patterns and certain things ‘work’!
at least if WORK is defined as traffic. There is no magic bullet i’ve found for affiliate revenues and I’ve tried LOTS of different types of bullet.
Actually the old type of bland screen should be among pros as colorful AMOLED wouldn’t look elegant at all. This watch is 10x better than the generic Vivoactive 5, now my wife can finally switch from VA4, I only wish it had AOD.
The screen technology is certainly not the problem, but the weird pattern on top of it is.