Pocketalk S2

The Pocketalk S2 is a compact electronic translator that, according to the manufacturer, supports 92+ languages online and offers a SIM card with internet access in over 170 countries. Unfortunately, after the free access period, we face an additional expense of $44 annually for the data package. Although the manufacturer boasts “one-button translation,” in practice, this process requires several steps, which isn’t as convenient as we might expect.

Review

The Pocketalk S2 is a device that aspires to be a solid pocket translator; let’s see if it succeeds.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Pocketalk S2 attracts attention with its minimalist design and handy dimensions. The device looks very solid and feels good in the hand. On the front of the device is a clearly illuminated PTT (Push-to-Talk) button, which is used to activate translation. Its placement is well thought out – it’s difficult to press accidentally, but at the same time easily accessible during conversation. The device is really lightweight – weighing less than 74 grams, so it easily fits in a pants pocket or small purse. The touchscreen is quite readable indoors, though it was somewhat worse in full sunlight. Image quality could be better – when reading longer texts, letters appear slightly blurred.

Features and Operating Modes

During four weeks of testing, we checked all operating modes of the Pocketalk S2:

Voice Translation (92 languages) – the main functionality of the device isn’t as convenient as the manufacturer suggests. Although Pocketalk advertises ""one-button translation"", in reality, it requires several steps: pressing an arrow on the screen, and then the translation button before your conversation partner starts speaking. During testing, we noticed that this requires some practice and isn’t as intuitive as it could be. During a visit to a traditional restaurant in Lisbon, an attempt to order dishes from the menu ended in a series of misunderstandings because switching between Portuguese and English required several screen touches, which confused both us and the waiter. The manufacturer claims the device provides translations in over 92 languages. Unfortunately, in the FAQ we find contradictory information: only 61 languages support full voice translation, 21 languages work in voice-to-text mode, and 37 more niche languages function only one-way. This inconsistency between the website description and the device doesn’t reflect well on the manufacturer.

Photo Translation – this feature allows photographing and translating texts from images. The Pocketalk S2 can also provide audio translation for photographed text. In practice, however, this feature often fails in poor lighting or with more complex text layouts. At the Prado Museum in Madrid, attempts to translate exhibit descriptions often failed due to unusual fonts and poor lighting.

Additional Functions – the device offers a unit converter function that converts currencies, lengths, widths, and temperatures - a practical and useful solution.

Translation Quality

Here we come to the heart of the matter – how does the Pocketalk S2 handle its basic task, translation? Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t provide detailed information about translation accuracy or the number and type of translation engines used, which raises some doubts. According to the manufacturer, the device uses ""the best translation engines from around the world,"" but without specific data, it’s difficult to verify these claims. In practice, we noticed that translations sometimes contain inaccuracies, especially with more complex sentences or idioms.

Connectivity and Internet

The Pocketalk S2 offers a built-in SIM card with free internet access in over 170 countries. During our tests abroad, in several European and Asian countries, connectivity worked without major problems, although we noticed that in the centers of large cities where mobile networks are overloaded, the device sometimes had difficulty establishing a connection. This is undoubtedly an advantage of the device, but it’s worth noting that there are competitive solutions on the market that offer unlimited internet in 200 countries, some for life without additional fees. After the free internet period with the Pocketalk S2, it’s necessary to purchase a data package priced at $44 annually, which represents an additional fixed cost of use that significantly increases the total cost of owning the device in the longer term.

Battery and Ease of Use

According to the manufacturer, the device’s battery lasts a full day of intensive use (about 6-7 hours of translation), which is a good result. In sleep mode with a full battery, the device can supposedly operate for up to 5 days, which is less than the Pocketalk S2 Plus model. During testing, we checked battery life and unfortunately, after a full-day tour of Barcelona where we intensively used the translator in restaurants and museums, the device required recharging after about 5 hours, which is below the manufacturer’s claim. In terms of ergonomics, the Pocketalk S2 performs well – it’s lightweight, handy, and comfortable to use with one hand. The noise reduction system is based on dual microphones, and two built-in speakers are supposed to ensure easy conversation even in noisy environments. In reality, however, in noisy places, speech recognition quality decreased, precisely where it’s most needed – in crowded stations, airports, or restaurants.

Summary

After a month of testing, the Pocketalk S2 proves to be a device with many advantages, but as often happens, it also has its limitations. One can appreciate its compact dimensions, low weight, and build quality. Among the more serious drawbacks are hidden costs after the free internet access period and low effectiveness in noisy environments. The inconvenient system for switching between languages hinders smooth communication, and photo translation requires perfect lighting and often fails with decorative fonts. Average battery life and poor quality translations of more complex statements limit the device’s usefulness during all-day excursions. The Pocketalk S2 may be an option for occasional travelers looking for a simple and small translator who don’t expect perfect translation and aren’t afraid of challenges related to navigating a non-intuitive menu.