Xiaomi Aqara G2 Smart Camera Gateway Edition Review
Just a short while ago, Xiaomi’s sub-brand Aqara announced its new Aqara smart camera G2 (Gateway Edition). The camera went officially on sale on March 26th and comes with an attractive $49.99 price tag.
What’s more, the Aqara G2 is not just a smart camera but also a smart home gateway running on Zigbee 3.0. In this post, we take a closer look at the new Aqara G2 smart cam and see what other interesting features it has to offer
Specs
First, let’s take a quick look at the main specs of the Xiaomi Aqara G2 smart camera.
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Product name
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AQara G2 1080P Intelligent Network Camera ( Gateway Edition )
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Size
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8.24 x 5.65 x 5.05 cm / 3.24 x 2.22 x 1.99 inches
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Weight
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0.1120 kg
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Viewing angle
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140 degrees
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Resolution
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1080p
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Input voltage
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5V / 1A
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Night vision distance
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8m
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Working temperature
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-10 degrees- + 40degrees
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Power dissipation
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5W(MAX)
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Memory
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Micro SD card(up to 32GB)
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Support equipment
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Android 4.0 or iOS above version equipment
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Design
The first look at the Aqara G2 is enough to spot its resemblance to other Xiaomi products. The camera comes with a very minimalistic design and is made in the company’s signature classic white color — only the lens is black. There are 8 infrared sensors around the camera lens and there is a small LED sensor below the lens as well.
There is one physical button at the top of the camera for turning it on and off. On the back panel, you will find a power connector.
The G2 sits on a round base that pulls out and allows the camera to turn and bend in any direction. To mound the cam, all you will need is adhesive tape and a magnetic plate, which is included in the package. You can then affix the cam to your wall, ceiling or even a metal shelf. There are no limitations as to where you can place the camera — except for one: it needs to have stable Wi-Fi access.
HomeKit compatibility
One of the key selling points of the Aqara G2 is that it’s not only an IP camera but also a smart home hub that you can use to connect all your smart home devices. The cam runs on the Zigbee 3.0 protocol and, thus, is able to provide a stable wireless connection and economical power usage.
Once you’ve connected other smart devices to the Aqara G2, you will be able to use the hub to control your smart home accessories (turn on air conditioning, close curtains, etc.). There is one significant drawback, however — the Aqara G2 smart home hub is only compatible with the Aqara ecosystem devices and you won’t even be able to use it with Mi Home accessories. A number of users will find this rather limiting — and duly so — we hope that Aqara’s future editions will feature expanded compatibility.
Video quality, motion sensor and two-way communication
The videos that the camera records are stored on an SD card: you will be able to use a memory card from 32GB to 128GB. The IP cam comed with a 2MP image sensor enhanced by eight infrared sensors placed strategically around the lens for a better low light performance and shooting at night. Videos are recorded in HD quality and the camera’s viewing angle is now 140 degrees. Aqara also promise that their new G2 cam is capable of recording high-quality video content from the distance of eight meters — if true, this is a commendable achievement.
The Xiaomi Aqara G2 comes with a motion sensor, which will notify you of any suspicious movements in the house. What’s more, the intelligent cam is capable of distinguishing between people and pets moving around the house, which prevents false alarms. The camera’s app is not just there for you to peek into your home from time to time. Thanks to two way communication, you can also communicate with your house guests, pets, etc.
Where and how to buy? And for how much?
As we’ve already mentioned above, the Aqara G2 was officially launched for sale on March 26th. Today, you can get the new IP smart home camera right here on GearBest for just $49.99 — plus, you will be able to make use of several promotions like Add-on times, free shipping and more.
Let’s sum up the camera’s key features:
● It’s an IP camera that doubles as a smart home hub (though with limited compatibility).
● It can record HD videos from the distance of up to 8 meters and features a 140 degree viewing angle.
● It runs on the stable and power-efficient Zigbee 3.0.
● The cam is easy to install and sports an unobtrusive design.
● There is a smart motion sensor onboard that can distinguish between people and animals.
● You will be able to communicate with your house guests via the cam thanks to two-way communication.
All in all, the Xiaomi Aqara G2 (Gateway Edition) does seem like a very interesting piece of security and smart home equipment. If you factor in the friendly under $50 price tag, the cam might be a good option for those experimenting with smart home setup and home monitoring.
Did this article help you? If so, please tell me in a comment what do you think about it.
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I need help, I can not connect the camera to the my home application, I have the aqara hub in my house, can this be the reason?
my internet connection is 2G
best regards