The new Garmin Lily 2 is an updated, stylish smartwatch aimed at women who want a fashionable wearable device with helpful features. The original Lily was released in 2021, and this second-generation model builds upon that with added health/fitness tracking, a larger display, and more customization options while retaining the slim, feminine design.
In this Garmin Lily 2 review, I’ll go over the key specs, new features, performance, battery life, and overall pros and cons to help you decide if it’s worth the $399 price tag.
Whether you’re an avid runner looking for an activity tracker that doesn’t look sporty or simply want a chic smartwatch to complement your outfit, read on to see if the Lily 2 should make it to your wrist.
Design and Display
The most noticeable thing about the Lily 2 is its slim, minimalist design in a curved rectangle shape. It comes in two case sizes – small and large – to fit different wrist sizes. Both have a tapered silicone band that’s very lightweight and comfortable.
There are new color options like light pink, cream gold, and slate grey to choose from. Despite its dainty look, the Lily 2 is waterproof up to 50 meters and made to withstand bumps or drops.
The display is now a 36% larger AMOLED touchscreen that measures 1.3” on the small model and 1.5” on the large, with a crisp 336 x 336-pixel resolution. This makes the screen much more visible and responsive than the original Lily.
It’s bright enough to easily see indoors and out. You can choose from a variety of watch face designs – both digital and analog – to customize the look. Overall, the larger display in the same petite case is a welcome upgrade over the first generation.
Features and Performance
Compared to the original Lily, the new model has added and improved health/fitness tracking abilities. It can monitor heart rate 24/7 and track daily steps, calories burned, sleep, stress levels, and more. The Lily 2 also has built-in GPS to track pace, distance, and route maps for runs and bike rides without needing your phone.
For smart features, you get call, text, app notifications, and music controls. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android phones. Since the Lily 2 uses Garmin’s proprietary operating system rather than WearOS or WatchOS, the third-party app selection is more limited. However, it does sync with popular apps like Strava, Apple Health, and MyFitnessPal.
The Lily 2 performed well during my testing. The GPS tracking was accurate for outdoor workouts. Heart rate monitoring aligned with my dedicated running watch. The touchscreen response is quick and scrolling smooth. Vibration alerts for notifications are strong but not overpowering. Connectivity to my iPhone was fast and reliable with no lag or bugs.
Battery life is estimated at 6 days in smartwatch mode or 16 hours in GPS mode. This proved accurate in real-world use. Charging to full took under an hour. While not the best in class, the battery life is decent for a full-featured smartwatch with an AMOLED display and GPS.
Garmin Lily 2 smartwatch: Pros and Cons
Here are the major benefits and downsides I found using the Lily 2 smartwatch:
Pros:
• Attractive, compact design in two sizes
• Larger AMOLED display with highly customizable watch faces
• Improved fitness tracking with continuous heart rate, sleep monitoring, built-in GPS
• Smart notifications and music controls
• 6-day battery life in smartwatch mode
• Waterproof and durable build quality
• Comfortable, lightweight band
Cons:
• Expensive at $399
• Limited app support compared to Apple Watch or WearOS
• Fitness tracking lacks advanced features like run dynamics or workout auto-detection
• Screen is dimmer outdoors than some competitors
• Band clasps are small and can be tricky to fasten
• Shorter GPS battery life during workouts
Conclusion
The new Garmin Lily 2 delivers noticeable upgrades like the larger AMOLED screen and built-in GPS in the same stylish, compact design. It outperforms the original with added health stats, smart features, and customization options. The everyday fitness tracking and notifications work well. Battery life is decent but not outstanding.
At $399, the Lily 2 costs a premium for its relatively basic smartwatch capabilities and app support. It lacks some advanced training features found in pricier Garmin watches. However, if you want a fashionable activity tracker with feminine flair, robust health stats, and GPS from a reliable brand, the Lily 2 warrants consideration. For runners or cyclists who prefer a smaller watch, it can certainly get the job done by tracking workouts.
Overall, I can recommend the Garmin Lily 2 to women seeking a capable smartwatch with a petite, sleek design. It nicely balances form and function. While the price is on the high side, the improvements over the original Lily help justify the cost. So if you like the looks and features, the Lily 2 makes for a stylish, customizable smart accessory.
