$ Bottom line: Which one is better?
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S2 is a better device.
Samsung Gear S2 is a better smartwatch when we compare Gear S2 vs Gear S because of the following; tracks distance, 0.67% higher pixel density, 0.1 newer Bluetooth version, has NFC, 1.1mm thinner, has a barometer, has wireless charging and is 19g lighter.
Samsung Gear S vs Samsung Gear S2: DESIGN
Dustproof and water-resistant; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 are both dustproof and water-resistant.
Branded damage-resistant glass; the two smartwatches have branded damage-resistant glasses.
Sweat resistant; the two smartwatches are sweat resistant.
Touch screen; the two smartwatches have touch screens.
Display; the two devices have displays.
Pixel density; Samsung Gear S has 300ppi while Samsung Gear S2 has 302ppi.
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S2 is better as it has a higher pixel density.
Samsung Gear S vs Samsung Gear S2: SENSORS
Heart rate monitor; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 have heart rate monitors.
GPS; the two smartwatches have GPS.
Accelerometer; the two devices have accelerometers.
A compass; Samsung Gear S2 and Samsung Gear S have compasses.
A barometer; Samsung Gear S2 has a barometer.
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S2 is better as it has a barometer.
Samsung Gear S vs Samsung Gear S2: ACTIVITY TRACKING
Tracks distance; Samsung Gear S2 can track a distance.
Tracks steps taken; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 can track steps taken.
Provides activity reports; the two smartwatches can provide activity reports.
Counts the number of calories burnt; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 can count the number of calories you have burnt.
Tracks elevation; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 have tracks elevation.
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S2 is better as it is able to track distance.
Samsung Gear S vs Samsung Gear S2: CONNECTIVIITY
Sync wirelessly; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 can sync wirelessly.
Bluetooth version; Samsung Gear S has 4 whereas Samsung Gear S2 has 4.1.
Has Bluetooth; the two devices have Bluetooth.
Has WIFI; the two devices have WIFI.
Automatically syncs; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 can automatically sync.
Has NFC; Samsung Gear S2 has NFC.
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S2 is better as it has newer Bluetooth version and NFC.
Samsung Gear S vs Samsung Gear S2: BATTERY
Batter power; Samsung Gear S has 300mAh whereas Samsung Gear S2 has 200mAh
Battery level indicator; the two smartwatches have battery level indicators.
Rechargeable battery level indicator; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 have rechargeable batteries.
Wireless charging; Samsung Gear S2 has wireless charging.
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S2 is better as it has a wireless charging.
Samsung Gear S vs Samsung Gear S2: KEY FEATURES
RAM; each of the two devices has 0.51GB
Notifications; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 have notifications.
Call control; the two smartwatches have call controls.
Stop watch; the two smartwatches have stop watches.
Locates your phone; Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 can locate your phone.
Internal storage; each of the smartwatch has an internal storage of 4GB.
Bottom line: Samsung Gear S and Samsung Gear S2 have the same key features
Conclusion
In the overall review of Samsung Gear S2 vs Gear S, Samsung Gear S2 is a better smartwatch as it is thinner and has most of the sensors.