Here is my impression of the Bangle.js 2:
- Battery: Lasts about 3 weeks on a charge, constantly connected to my phone, when the watch is used for notifications and alarms. This is a major advantage over Apple Watches and Android/Wear OS watches. I don't want to charge my watch every day.
- Display and buttons: The 1.3" 8-color transflective display is comparable to the Pebble Time series' 64-color transflective display. The display is always on, and the backlight activation is highly configurable. The Bangle.js 2 has a touchscreen and 1 button, while Pebble watches have no touchscreen and 3 buttons.
- Software: Runs on the completely free and open source Espruino JavaScript interpreter,[2] which was my main motivation for purchasing this device. There are currently 336 apps in the web-based Bangle.js app loader (app store), including utilites and clocks (watch faces), all of which are FOSS. The bootloader and firmware can be updated directly from the app loader. On Android, there is a distribution of Gadgetbridge (built from the same code base as Gadgetbridge) with internet access enabled that integrates the Bangle.js app loader into Gadgetbridge, which makes it very easy to use the watch.[3] I haven't built any apps for the watch yet, but Espruino has a web-based IDE.[4]
- Build: Built on the same device body as the SMA Q3.[5] The casing is plastic, and the watch is compatible with standard 20 mm watch straps. The IP67 water/dust resistance makes the watch usable for sports.
Overall, I highly recommend the Bangle.js 2 watch, which is the best FOSS-focused watch I have found to date. I hope this project catches on and continues to succeed.
[1] Bangle.js 2: https://banglejs.com/
[2] Espruino JavaScript interpreter: https://github.com/espruino/Espruino
[3] Bangle.js Gadgetbridge (distribution): https://www.espruino.com/Gadgetbridge
[4] Espruino Web IDE: https://www.espruino.com/ide/
[5] SMA Q3: https://www.smawatch.com/details?product_id=130