Misfit Vapor 2 is here: Built-in GPS, NFC, and an old processor for $250 (Update: Now on sale!)

Update, October 30 at 9:08 a.m. ET: The Misfit Vapor 2 is now in sale on Misfit.com starting at $249.99. As a refresher, the Vapor 2 comes in 41mm and 46mm sizes and a variety of colors and strap options. The models with sport and silicon straps will run you $249.99, while the stainless steel band models cost $269.99.

Original article, October 23 at 9:00 a.m. ET: 2017’s Misfit Vapor smartwatch was a bit disappointing. The watch didn’t come with NFC for contactless payments, and despite what we were originally told, the Vapor didn’t have a built-in GPS either. Now Misfit is trying to make things right with the new Misfit Vapor 2.

Overall, the Misfit Vapor 2 looks similar to its predecessor. It has a round AMOLED display and comes in two sizes: a smaller 1.19-inch display with a 41mm case and a larger 1.39-inch display and a 46mm case. Both display sizes have 328ppi.

This new watch still looks similar to the first-gen Moto 360, which I don’t think is a bad thing.

It also has an upgraded heart rate sensor that will track resting and active heart rate, as well as 4GB of built-in storage and 512MB of RAM.

As mentioned, two of the most welcome additions to the watch are built-in GPS and NFC. Now, the Vapor 2 will be able to track your distance traveled during runs, along with calories burned and steps taken, of course. It also has a 3ATM water resistance rating. The inclusion of an NFC chip means you’ll be able to pay with Google Pay from your wrist without taking out your phone. NFC won’t be on all models around the world, but we have confirmed that the Vapor 2 will have it in the U.S.

Unfortunately this isn’t a complete upgrade from the original Vapor. The Misfit Vapor 2 is powered by the aging Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, not the newer 3100. I’ll withhold my judgement until I get one in for review, but I’m not optimistic about this. The latest version of Wear OS coupled with the Snapdragon Wear 2100 doesn’t offer the greatest user experience.

The Misfit Vapor 2 will go on sale “soon” in eight colorways starting at $249.99. 

What do you think? Interested in the Misfit Vapor 2, or is the new SKAGEN Falster 2 something more your style?