Kieslect Kr2 Review: Unboxing and In-Depth Analysis of Features and Performance of This Budget Watch

Kieslect the renowned Chinese brand has made a name for itself by offering budget-friendly options packed with practical features. The latest addition to their lineup is the Kieslect Kr2, an upgraded model that combines affordability with enhanced design and performance and also promises a wide range of impressive features and capabilities.

With its dual-core processor, 1.43-inch AMOLED display with 60Hz screen refresh rate, advanced biometric sensors, and various health monitoring functionalities, it aims to provide a comprehensive smartwatch experience. In this detailed review, we will delve into the intricacies of the Kr2, analyzing its design, functionality, performance, and overall value for money. Join us as we explore the exciting features of this budget-friendly watch to give you a detailed understanding of its capabilities and limitations.

Unboxing and Kit Contents

Let’s start by unboxing the Kieslect Kr2 and taking a closer look at its contents. The watch arrives in a sturdy cardboard box, adorned with the model’s name and brief specifications. The packaging is standard, providing adequate protection for the device during transit. I am immediately drawn to the bold specifications mentioned in the box. The Kr2 boasts a powerful Dual Core Triple Speed processor, a 2.5d GPU, a Super Dynamic Display, and a stable BT5.3. These specifications create a sense of excitement, as they imply that the Kr2 is more than just a typical smartwatch—it offers the performance of a high-end smartphone.

Inside the box, we find two straps in different colors included separately, a standard silicone strap and a magnetic strap allowing for personalization. The kit also includes a stylishly packaged cable, which adds to the overall presentation of the product. Furthermore, there is a screen protector film and instructions.

Design and Build Quality

Compared to its predecessor, the Kr2 model showcases a more rugged and bulky design. The watch features a 46mm case that combines metal and matte plastic materials, resulting in a sturdy build quality that feels durable and long-lasting. Its rounded shape gives it a contemporary look, while the lightweight construction ensures comfort during extended wear. The watch front is protected by tempered glass, offering resistance against scratches and daily wear, the watch embraces a robust aesthetic with a 1.43-inch high-definition AMOLED display and the bezel surrounding the display has been minimized, resulting in a larger screen-to-body ratio. The overall design of the watch is visually appealing and exudes a premium feel.

Three mechanical buttons are available for control, with the top button serving as the power button and for returning to the dial. The lower button allows for switching to training mode and activating the voice assistant, while the wheel button facilitates menu navigation. These buttons are well-placed and provide tactile feedback when pressed.

The back of the watch showcases a minimalist design with two charging contacts and health monitoring sensors. Additionally, it features a microphone and speaker, enabling voice communication.

One notable aspect of the Kieslect Kr2’s design is its award-winning aesthetics. The watch has been honored with the Premium Use Design Award 2, which recognizes its outstanding design and attention to detail. This accolade speaks to the thoughtfulness and craftsmanship that Kieslect has put into the Kr2’s design. However, it should be noted that wearing the smartwatch while sleeping may not be entirely comfortable, as the device is relatively large and may cause slight discomfort.

While the additional strap with a classic clasp did not appeal to me, the magnetic strap, on the other hand, offers a unique and convenient attachment method, thanks to its adjustable nature. The magnetic clasp allows for easy and quick strap changes without the need for tools. The strap itself does not cause any discomfort or rubbing, although the wrist may sweat underneath during extended wear.

Waterproof

The watch is equipped with an IP68 waterproof rating, which means it can handle sweat and splashes of water. However, it is important to note that the watch is not suitable for swimming or exposure to hot water or saltwater, as it is not specifically approved for such activities. To prevent any potential damage in the long or short term, it is advisable to avoid submerging the watch or exposing it to water. Additionally, with the presence of a speaker and microphone, it is recommended to keep the watch dry to maintain its functionality. In the event that the watch does come into contact with water, it is advisable to dry it thoroughly before using it again, ensuring its longevity and optimal performance over time.

Display Quality

The Kieslect Kr2 Smartwatch boasts an impressive 1.43-inch FHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 410*502 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience. The 60Hz display sets it apart from many other budget smartwatches that often feature lower refresh rates. This display occupies an impressive 90% of the watch’s front surface, which is notably larger than most competitors in its category. It offers a level of screen real estate that’s not often seen in smartwatches of its class.

Moreover, the display quality is top-notch. Thanks to its high resolution and AMOLED technology, the colors are vibrant, the text is crisp, and everything appears exceptionally smooth, with the ability to produce deep blacks and high contrast. Also, The screen not only showcases vibrant colors but also offers exceptional brightness and clarity, ensuring that information is readily accessible even in bright outdoor conditions. This results in vibrant and eye-catching colors on the available watch faces. It is worth mentioning that the auto-brightness feature is absent, and the screen brightness does not reach 1,000 nits as claimed by Kieslect.

Multi Watch Faces

What sets this display apart is the option to choose from a wide variety of watch faces. With more than 150 different designs available for download. These encompass a wide spectrum of designs, including various colors, retro styles, analog, 3D, and digital faces, even the new dynamic dials. Moreover, if you seek a truly personalized touch, you can use your photos as a watch face background or select any wallpaper of your choice, allowing for endless customization possibilities. With such a wealth of options, you’ll undoubtedly find the perfect watch face to match your mood and outfit.

Always-On Display

The Kieslect Kr2 Smartwatch doesn’t just stop at its remarkable display quality; it also introduces the convenience of an Always-On Display (AOD) with six dials which is a feature that keeps a portion of the screen active even when the watch is on standby mode to quick access to information without having to raise your wrist or tap the screen. With AOD enabled, a part of the watch face remains visible at all times, which means that even in standby mode, you can still check the time, date, and other essential details at a single glance.

One might wonder if keeping a part of the display active all the time would significantly impact battery life. However, the Kieslect Kr2 AOD is smartly designed to minimize battery consumption. It uses minimal power by dimming the display and ensuring that only the most crucial information is visible.

Performance & User Interface

The Kieslect Kr2 stands out as an affordable and feature-packed option. While its price tag may suggest it’s a budget-friendly choice, its user interface and operation are anything but basic. So, we will take an in-depth look at the hardware, user interface, controls, and overall operation to help you make the most of this impressive wearable.

Navigating through the watch’s features and functions is a breeze, thanks to its well-designed UI and Dual-core chip, This advanced chipset offering three times the speed compared to its predecessor and ensures faster response times and efficient data processing without lag, providing a user experience that is exceptionally fast and efficient, also, offers Low power consumption dual-core architecture improves the performance of the processor by 80% and 2.5D GPU empowers fluid dynamic wallpaper. So, The touch responsiveness is notably smooth, making interactions with the smartwatch effortless. Moving between menus and applications is seamless, and there is no noticeable lag in response time. This smoothness in navigation enhances the overall user experience, allowing users to access various features with ease.

This performance boost is certainly a step in the right direction, making interactions with the watch more enjoyable. For those unfamiliar, the Kr2 runs on Kies OS 2.0 developed by Kieslect, which supports a wide range of functions and is optimized for performance and efficiency. The overall performance of the Kieslect Kr2 surpasses expectations for a smartwatch in its price range. However, the operating system is still in its early stages, lacking some essential features like precise scheduling and gesture-based screen control.

In terms of user interface and software, the Kr2 operating system closely resembles that of the KS2. Some notable changes include smoother transitions in notification swipe actions and minor adjustments in the Control Center for volume and flashlight settings. Additionally, there’s a screen lock feature to prevent accidental touches when underwater or in rainy conditions.

The main interface of the Kr2 consists of multiple tabs that can be accessed by swiping left or right. The activity tab provides a comprehensive overview of your health and fitness data, displaying vital information such as step count, heart rate, and calories burned. The phone tab allows for call functions, including accessing a built-in phone book and using a keyboard for dialing numbers or sending messages.

The settings menu of the Kieslect Kr2 offers a range of customization options. Users can personalize various aspects of the watch, including watch faces, display settings, sound settings, and vibration settings.

AI Voice Assistant

The Kr2 integrates seamlessly with popular voice assistants like Google Voice Assistant and Siri. This means you can issue voice commands directly from your wrist, streamlining tasks and getting quick answers to your questions. This feature adds a new dimension of convenience to the smartwatch experience. Moreover, the watch boasts an integrated speaker, facilitating two-way voice communication with the AI assistant.

Sensor Performance and Accuracy

The Kieslect Kr2 offers several sensors to enhance its functionality. The heart rate sensor performs reasonably well during day-to-day activities, providing accurate readings. However, during intense workouts, it may struggle to keep up with rapid fluctuations in heart rate. However, it’s worth noting that the smartwatch lacks built-in GPS, which may be a drawback for users who rely on accurate location tracking during outdoor activities. Furthermore, support for external Bluetooth devices is also absent, limiting the device’s compatibility with accessories such as wireless headphones. The absence of built-in memory restricts the ability to download music directly to the smartwatch, necessitating the use of a connected smartphone for music playback.

Fitness and Sports Tracking

One of the standout features of the Kieslect Kr2 is its comprehensive fitness and sports tracking capabilities. The Kr2 comes equipped with a reliable pedometer that accurately tracks your steps throughout the day. It provides valuable insights into your daily activity levels, making it an excellent companion for those aiming to achieve their fitness goals. Additionally, the built-in sleep monitor helps you understand the quality of your rest. By analyzing your sleep patterns, it offers suggestions for improving your sleep quality, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

Health-conscious individuals will appreciate the blood oxygen monitoring feature on the Kr2. This function allows you to measure your blood oxygen saturation levels, providing insights into your overall well-being. Monitoring your blood oxygen levels can be particularly valuable during workouts or high-altitude activities, helping you stay safe and optimize your performance. Also, stress management is paramount. The smartwatch provides stress monitoring, offering insights into your stress levels and helping you find moments of relaxation.

The sensors are designed to provide users with comprehensive health tracking. These sensors monitor heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep patterns, and even stress levels. One notable feature is the sedentary reminder, which prompts wearers to stand up and move around, making it an essential feature for individuals leading predominantly sedentary lifestyles. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that, while convenient, relying solely on a budget device for health tracking may not be as accurate as dedicated medical devices or more expensive smartwatches.

Sports Modes

What truly sets the Kr2 apart is its vast selection of sports modes. With over 100 different options to choose from, you’ll find a mode tailored to virtually any physical activity you enjoy. Whether you’re into running, cycling, swimming, or yoga, this smartwatch has you covered. The watch’s workout and running modes are especially noteworthy, offering specialized features for tracking outdoor activities with precision. The Kr2 takes your fitness regimen to the next level by providing real-time data on your workouts. From monitoring your heart rate during high-intensity intervals to tracking your pace during a long run, this smartwatch ensures you stay on top of your fitness game.

Step counting, on the other hand, appears to be slightly underestimated when compared to dedicated step counters. The watch is generally consistent, but it might not keep up with the exact number of steps taken. Nevertheless, it provides a reasonable estimate for daily activity tracking. In addition to standard fitness tracking, the Kr2 doubles as a personal trainer. It offers guidance, motivation, and detailed data to help you reach your fitness milestones. Whether you’re striving to shed a few pounds, increase your endurance, or enhance your overall fitness, this smartwatch has the tools to assist you.

Smartphone Integration – KIE OS App

The Kieslect Kr2 smartwatch seamlessly integrates with your smartphone, enhancing your connectivity and convenience. To make the most of this feature, you’ll want to download the KIE OS app from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Once installed, this app opens up a world of possibilities for your smartwatch. In summary, the KIE OS app is an essential companion to your Kr2. It empowers you to maximize the potential of your smartwatch, from managing notifications to tracking your health and personalizing your device.

The Kieslect Kr2 smartwatch works in concert with the KIE OS app which expands the things you can do with the smartwatch by adding a lot of features, first, the app has a health menu where it displays all the data collected by the smartwatch such as the steps walked today, your daily goal, the number of calories burnt and the distance traveled, you can click on the label to expand it to show you more information on broader time frames such as the weekly and the monthly, right underneath we find the sleep monitoring label, we click on it to expand and it will show us light and deep sleep information, total sleep and awake time and the collected data from a week or a month, all displayed in a nice graph. It also has the heart rate and blood pressure, each one has its very own label to click and expand then you can either start measuring or check the previously collected data.

Additionally, the app suffers from translation issues, which may affect the overall user experience for non-native language speakers. Furthermore, the lack of additional useful functions, such as advanced analytics or integration with popular fitness platforms, may leave some users wanting more from the application.

Making and Receiving Calls

The Kieslect Kr2 stands out from the crowd by offering a seamless calling experience. While many smartwatches merely notify you of incoming calls, this watch takes it a step further – it allows you to answer your smartphone calls directly from your wrist. All you need to do is sync your smartphone with the watch via Bluetooth 5.3 and when a call comes in, a button will appear on the watch’s screen. Simply tap it to answer the call. What sets the Kr2 apart is its integrated microphone and speaker. The microphone delivers remarkably clear sound, even in noisy environments like on the road, ensuring that your calls are audible and clear.

To enhance efficiency further, the smartwatch lets you save your important and frequently-called contacts, eliminating the need to sift through a lengthy contact list when you’re in a hurry. Additionally, it features a dial pad that enables you to make calls quickly and conveniently. With these calling capabilities, the Kieslect Kr2 offers a practical solution for staying connected while on the go.

Notifications & Messages

The Kieslect Kr2 ensures that you stay informed and connected throughout the day by providing clear and easily readable notifications. When paired with your smartphone, this smartwatch seamlessly syncs with it to display incoming calls, messages, and notifications from popular social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter, as well as other applications. With the Kr2 on your wrist, you won’t miss out on important messages or updates.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the key aspects of any smartwatch is its battery life, and the Kieslect Kr2 doesn’t disappoint. This smartwatch offers an impressive battery life quite large, at 300mAh, that ensures you stay connected and enjoy its features throughout the day. The Kr2 boasts a battery life of days on a single charge but it depends on how you use it. If you keep all notifications on, active AOD, and receive messages, it might last 2-3 days. If you turn off all those features, it can last up to 6 days, putting the Kr2 on par with watches from other well-known brands, even those at a higher price point. Additionally, the charging time is impressively quick for 2h via a magnetic charger.

Final verdict

In conclusion, the Kieslect Kr2 smartwatch presents itself as an affordable alternative to premium brands. Its features, build quality, and impressive battery life make it a worthy contender in the budget-friendly smartwatch market. While it may not offer the full suite of features found in premium smartwatches, its ability to make and receive calls independently sets it apart. In terms of price, the Kieslect Kr2 is competitively positioned in the budget-friendly segment. With a price range of around $100, the Kr2 offers excellent value for money, considering its impressive design, feature set, and performance.

If you’re looking for an affordable smartwatch upgrade, the Kieslect Kr2 deserves your attention. It combines elegant design, a stunning display, improved user interface responsiveness, and outstanding battery life into one attractive package. While it may not match the premium materials of some competitors, it more than makes up for it with its features and affordability. The Kr2 smartwatch is an excellent choice for those seeking a stylish and functional smartwatch that doesn’t break the bank. With Kieslect commitment to ongoing improvement, the Kr2 sets a high bar for budget-friendly smartwatches, making it a compelling option for consumers looking for a capable and stylish wearable.

If you’re interested in purchasing the Kieslect Kr2 smartwatch after reading this review, you can find it in the official Kieslect store on AliExpress. The official price for this smartwatch is around $100. However, keep in mind that there might be occasional discounts or special offers available. To make it easier for you, we’ve included a direct purchase link to the Kieslect Kr2 in the below article. Simply click on the link to visit the Mibro store and explore the product details further. Happy shopping!