Syed Imran Haider 
French company Withings has opted to take a different approach when it comes to watches. Usually people have to choose between the health and fitness data that a smartwatch can offer and the classic design that you can find on an analogue watch. However, Withings has opted to provide both with its ScanWatch line. In 2020, it became one of the top hybrid watch makers and now it has decided to kick things up a notch.
Design and Build
The ScanWatch 2 offers a design that is the perfect combination of new and old. The blend of sapphire glass and stainless steel gives it the premium look and feel and you could easily mistake it for an analogue watch, albeit a high-end one. As opposed to many smartwatches, this one can work with every outfit.
This is certainly helped by the fact that you can customize it however you want. There is a 42mm version provided in Pearl White and Black, along with a 38mm version that comes in Blue or Sand. It comes with a pre-installed Silicon band that matches the color of the watch. Since it has a classic design, the display is not immediately noticeable, but it comes to life when you press the physical crown.
The OLED panel is greyscale, so you will not get the vivid colors that many smartwatches offer. But, it is not necessarily required given the size of the display. The main screen only offers you basics, such as date and time. You can find more features with a twist of the crown. Navigation is a bit difficult, given that there are no other physical buttons, or a touchscreen. The durability of the ScanWatch 2 is also impressive, as it is quite robust and also resistant to cosmetic damage. Most importantly, it remains very lightweight, as the smaller one weighs 34.6g and the larger one is 52.6g.
Fitness and Tracking
Even though the ScanWatch 2 has a classic design, its health and fitness features are quite impressive. You will find the usual monitoring, such as heart rate, steps and blood oxygen levels. You can use these features easily and they are also accurate. But, the most intriguing feature is the electrocardiogram (ECG) capability. Apple Watch also offers this feature.
The ECG is taken quickly and painlessly, which is an advantage. You can also use 24/7 temperature tracking. The watch supports 30 different workouts and it gives you details like distance covered, duration, heart rate and pace. But, some other metrics are missing, which can be disappointing. There is no built-in GPS, which is also a downside. However, sleep tracking and heart rate data is impressive. You can also use the ScanWatch 2 for menstrual tracking and breathing exercises.
Smartwatch Features
The non-health features of the ScanWatch 2 are very limited, given that it has a small monochrome display. It does not have a built-in speaker, but will notify you of any calls and notifications through subtle vibration. Notifications cannot be displayed in full, so it is essentially an alert for you to check your phone.
The Verdict
If you are looking for a premium and attractive wearable that gives you some basic health and fitness tracking features, the Withings ScanWatch 2 can be a good buy.
