03 Oct
Blog

SteelSeries Prime Mini Wireless Review: When Less Isn’t More

Steelseries Prime Mini Wireless Test 2

SteelSeries Prime Mini Wireless

RRP $ 130.00

"The $ 130 SteelSeries Prime Mini Wireless feels a step below other eSport mice."

advantages

  • Robust and ergonomic design

  • Crunchy optical magnetic switches

  • Long battery life

  • Super light

disadvantage

  • Large USB-C dongle without memory

  • Expensive

  • Too small for most hand sizes

You don't normally think of high-end esport mice in a portable form, but that's exactly what the SteelSeries Prime Mini is. It takes the lightweight ergonomic design of the Prime Wireless and cuts it up to create a gaming mouse that is not only smaller but also lighter.

SteelSeries did not leave out any features to achieve a slim shape. The Mini still features the same sensor, optical magnetic switches, and buttons as its full-size counterpart. However, with both mice for the same price, the Prime Mini feels like a downgrade for most hand sizes.

Not to mention how it rivals the best gaming mice. Despite being a high-end esports mouse with a spec sheet to match, the Prime Mini doesn't reach the same heights as its competitors. However, the design and switches are second to none, which can be worthwhile if you take the full-size model off.

draft

The SteelSeries Prime Mini and dongle on a blue background.

There aren't many mini gaming mice out there, and the SteelSeries Prime Mini doesn't change that, despite its name. It's only slightly smaller than the full-size Prime, shaving 1.7mm in height, 1.7mm in width, and most importantly 5mm in length. It also reduces the weight from 80 grams to 73 grams, which is light, but not as light as the Logitech G Pro X Superlight at 63 grams.

Although smaller than the SteelSeries Prime, the Mini is no smaller than many wireless esport mice. The Logitech G Pro Wireless is shorter and thinner, and the Razer Viper Ultimate is shorter and thinner than both.

The difference is the length at which the Prime Mini shaves about 5mm from mice of similar caliber. The change in height never bothered me, but the length and width did. Even with smaller hands, it never felt like I had enough to hold onto the palm grip as the back end of my palm slipped off the mouse and onto my desk. The narrower width also meant that I dragged my little finger along.

I really missed the extra length and width of the Prime Mini.

The claw grip was much more comfortable, which is the case with most smaller gaming mice.

Still, I can appreciate the design. The Prime Mini feels like the Corsair Saber Pro Wireless with a more aggressive slant. The right side of the mouse protrudes from the back, and the left side has a fairly deep indentation for your thumb.

I love the design and the way the mouse feels – it comes with sturdy plastic that doesn't feel hollow like the Razer Viper Ultimate, and it felt almost too snug in the palm of my hand. I just wish I could have experienced the design in its proper form. I really missed the extra length and width of the Prime Mini, which ruined one of probably my otherwise favorite gaming mice.

Sensor and buttons

SteelSeries says the Prime Mini comes with "crispy clicks," and those are the crispest clicks I've ever had. Each time you press it, you hear a loud, satisfying crack, thanks to the Prestige OM optical magnetic switches under the hood. The Razer Basilisk V3 also has optical switches, but they don't feel as crisp as the Prime Mini.

Since the switches are optical, they are not subject to any debounce delay like mechanical switches.

This is my favorite aspect of the Prime Mini. The switches are as satisfactory as possible, and because they are optical they do not suffer from debounce delay like mechanical switches. SteelSeries also rates 100 million click life and doubles the 50 million click life on most high-end gaming switches.

The SteelSeries Prime Mini sensor.

In addition to the left and right click, the Prime Mini has forward and backward thumb buttons as well as a DPI button to toggle through the five customizable presets. The DPI button is on the bottom of the mouse, which is annoying but useful. This is an esports mouse, and you don't want to poke your DPI around in the heat of the moment.

The switches are the star of the show, while the sensor takes a back seat. The mouse comes with the SteelSeries TrueMove Air 18K DPI sensor that you can adjust in 100 DPI increments. At $ 130, that's behind the curve. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight has a 25K DPI sensor and the Corsair M65 RGB Ultra Wireless has a 26K DPI sensor. The Corsair mouse also has a query rate of 2,000 Hz while the Prime Mini is fixed at 1,000 Hz.

It's accurate and fast, but not as much as the competition.

Connectivity and battery life

The Prime Mini is equipped with Quantum 2.0 wireless technology, which, according to SteelSeries, "offers performance that feels like wired". While I'm far from an esports gamer, wireless connectivity was never an issue in Destiny 2 raids or my recent New World addiction.

SteelSeries claims 100 hours of battery life, likely due to just one RGB lighting strip around the scroll wheel. After using the mouse for almost a week, I only knocked off about a third, giving you plenty of time between charges. The mouse also supports fast charging via the USB-C port.

However, Quantum is your only option. Despite a trend towards Bluetooth and low-latency wireless connectivity in mice like the Logitech G604, the Prime Mini only comes with the SteelSeries wireless connectivity. That's not a big deal, but I always like having bluetooth as an option for using the mouse with my home theater setup.

SteelSeries Prime Mini with the dongle removed.

The wifi is solid, but I can't wrap my head around the wifi dongle. It uses USB-C instead of USB-A. Most motherboards only have a single USB-C port, and only the latest cases have a USB-C port upfront. I have much better things to use for my USB-C ports than a wireless mouse dongle.

Worse, it's a big dongle. It's about an inch long if you ignore the connector, which is about a quarter of an inch for Corsair and Razer dongles and a third of an inch for Logitech models. The Prime Mini is ready for travel because of its small and light design, but the dongle has nowhere to be kept attached to the mouse like any other high-end wireless gaming mice.

SteelSeries includes an adapter so that you can connect it to your machine using USB-A. That just doesn't feel like the best solution. I would have much preferred a USB-A dongle to keep under my mouse rather than a clunky USB-C dongle just waiting to break while plugged into my laptop.

Gaming performance

I have some issues with the Prime Mini, but there's no denying that it's a solid gaming mouse. There's tactile feedback on every mouse, but I felt it on the Prime Mini. Every shot in Destiny 2 or my endless deathloop runs felt like it was important, and the Prestige OM switches add a sense of depth to every click.

That's not the reason to buy this mouse, but it's a nice bonus given the mouse's overall gaming performance. The sensor may lag behind the competition, but it's still fast enough to keep up with nervous shooters like Valorant and swipe the screen to activate a skill in Final Fantasy XIV.

The Prime Mini is small, robust and light.

However, size proved to be an issue once more. I wanted to switch back to my tried and true Razer Viper Ultimate while gaming, just so I had a little more sagging. The Prime Wireless and Prime Mini Wireless are the same price from SteelSeries, and I would recommend sticking to the full-size model for most hand sizes.

To play, I could imagine using the Prime Mini Wireless while traveling. It's small, sturdy, and lightweight, which makes it a great high-end travel companion for gaming. As already mentioned, however, the large dongle and the lack of storage space for it dampen the travel experience.

Our opinion

The SteelSeries Prime Mini Wireless is a high quality gaming mouse with unfortunate design choices. The shape is remarkably comfortable, but too small, and the optical magnetic switches are excellent, but they are paired with a sensor that lags behind the competition. It's not a bad mouse, but it's not the best – and at $ 130, being the best is important.

Are there alternatives?

The SteelSeries Prime Mini cuts the length of most competing mice by about 5mm, so there aren't many direct alternatives.

If you don't mind a little extra length, it can measure up to the Corsair Saber Pro Wireless, Logitech G Pro X Superlight, and Razer Viper Ultimate.

How long it will take?

The Prestige optical magnetic switches are designed for 100 million clicks. Assuming 10,000 clicks per day, that's just over 27 years before the mouse wears out. Basically, it'll last until you decide to upgrade.

Should you buy it?

No. The full size Prime Wireless will be more convenient for most people and is a decent option for $ 130. The only exception are those with small hands. There aren't many small high-end gaming mice out there. The closest competitor is that Logitech G305, this is cheaper, but also heavier and with lower specifications. Otherwise, get the full version.

Editor's recommendations



12 May
Blog

Asus Zenfone 8 Review: Small Size Isn’t Everything

Asus Zenfone 8 review

Asus Zenfone 8 Review: Size isn't everything, and this tiny phone proves it

"The Asus Zenfone 8 is a well-designed, carefully thought-out compact flagship, but it competes against the competition due to issues with screen sensitivity and battery life."

  • Small and light

  • Great, but pretty simple camera

  • Bad battery life

  • Screen responsiveness issues

  • No wireless charging

toAsus does not want to compete with the Galaxy S21 Ultra or another massive smartphone with the new Zenfone 8. Instead, it targets phones like the iPhone 12, Google Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 by creating a powerful mobile phone that fits well in your hand and pocket. The Zenfone 8 is a compact flagship and a really well designed one, but the bigger question is, does anyone really want something like this anymore?

The Zenfone 8 has been my main phone for a while now, and if I'm being completely honest, I missed a bigger phone despite its capabilities. However, if you're tired of stretching screen sizes with your thumbs, you will likely feel completely different. However, Asus doesn't have the right basics with the Zenfone 8 and there is a risk of it getting lost in the crowd. Let's go into that in more detail.

design

Asus has set itself some difficult goals with the Zenfone 8. They wanted a phone less than 70mm wide and less than 150mm high because the phone is convenient for one-handed use. It works because the Zenfone 8 is 68mm wide and 148mm high and I can reach most areas of the screen with my average sized hand without stretching or juggling the phone.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a bit longer and wider, but the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 Pro are much closer to the Zenfone 8 and both are equally manageable with one hand. The iPhone 12 Mini is considerably smaller than any other. The Zenfone 8 may be compact, but it doesn't really fill a niche in the market as Asus seems to believe.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus used Gorilla Glass Victus above the screen and 3D frosted glass on the back of the phone to give it a sleek look. The Zenfone 8 is elegant, but also slippery, which makes one-handed operation awkward as it constantly asks for freedom. The 3D curve on the sides makes it comfortable to hold, but the smoothness means you'll end up gripping it pretty tight. However, it comes with a plastic sleeve that has a more grippy texture which will alleviate the problem – provided you don't mind using it.

Google Pixel 5 from left, Asus Zenfone 8 and Apple iPhone 12 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There is another problem with the Zenfone 8. It's a bit boring to look at. The back is plain, the camera module is modest and very ordinary, and the black color of my test device doesn't give it much life either. The only flash of color comes from the electric blue on / off button, but it's not enough to improve the look of the phone beyond the mundane. The Google Pixel 5 is no longer the dullest phone on the table when the Zenfone 8 is around.

screen

The compact size extends to the screen. The Zenfone 8 has a 5.9-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, making it smaller than the 6-inch Pixel 5 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro. It looks excellent, with 1100 nits of maximum brightness and all of the nice contrasts, colors, and blacks we expect from an AMOLED screen, but Asus has yet to refine it. My review phone is running the final version of the software before it is released. More updates may be released soon after launch to address the following issues.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The first problem concerns touch sensitivity and edge detection. The Zenfone 8 may have small bezels and no dramatic curvature, but it really suffers from phantom touches. I accidentally open endless apps, swipe down the notification shadow or switch between features without wanting to, and find myself handling the phone carefully to avoid these things. Very frustrating.

While not a big phone, Asus added a one-handed mode to the Zenfone 8 that minimizes the display in the lower part of the screen – the exact amount it covers can be adjusted in the settings – to make it easier with use with one hand. It seems like overkill after making a tiny phone, but what's worse is how it activates. You'll need to swipe down on the screen at the bottom. Due to the oversensitivity of the screen, this is likely to be a real problem. Usually the notification shadow or the app taskbar is displayed. When one-handed mode is activated, the slightest breeze will hide it from the screen.

Asus Zenfone 8, from left, Google Pixel 5 and Apple iPhone 12 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I also haven't finished yet as the fingerprint sensor in the display is slow and unreliable. After annoying yourself about the Galaxy S20's built-in fingerprint sensor, which was fixed on the S21 series, and the lightning-fast fingerprint of the OnePlus 9 Pro, going back to a sensor that doesn't work very well seems unnecessary these days . There is also a face unlock feature, but it doesn't match the speed of other phones. The security of the Zenfone 8 is a cumbersome proposition.

camera

For an Android flagship, it's a surprise that the Zenfone 8 isn't filled with camera lenses. There are only two on the back – a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 with optical image stabilization and a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 wide-angle camera – and a single 12-megapixel selfie camera in a hole in the screen. All three have autofocus, which is a nice change, but no optical zoom function. It's all shockingly reluctant to Asus when some others may have added a useless macro camera to get a "better" spec sheet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The results are generally very good, although it is clear that the HDR effect is strong even when set to Auto. Personally, I don't mind the look, but others will find it very stubborn and prefer to turn it off. Adding a "bracketing" series, where three photos are taken with different exposure values, can also be responsible for this look.

There is a tendency that the camera is sometimes underexposed in difficult lighting conditions. You will find that these photos need editing to improve their appearance. The wide-angle camera is particularly sensitive to this and there isn't always much consistency between cameras. The photos taken with the main camera are vivid and vivid, and the scenes have a lot of depth and emotion, which encourages creativity.

It's a shame there isn't an optical zoom, but Asus adds a "lossless" 2x crop to the main camera. This function is somewhat hidden on the busy viewfinder screen as it is not located next to the main / wide-angle switch, but is controlled via a separate button in the corner. Otherwise, the app is very similar to other systems in terms of usage, but is sometimes a little slow with the trigger.

Instead of seeing what Samsung is doing with multiple lenses, Asus took inspiration from Google and gave the Zenfone 8 a pair of powerful cameras that take good photos. However, avid photographers will miss the versatility of an optical zoom.

Performance and software

Asus used the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor for the Zenfone 8, which is definitely a flagship processor. It has up to 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. I didn't notice any difference in performance compared to the Galaxy S21 +, OnePlus 9 Pro or Xiaomi Mi 11, which all run on the same chip. It's fast and powerful enough to play Genshin Impact smoothly and complete all of your daily chores with no hassle.

The software is Android 11 with Asus' ZenUI, which looks and works very similar to Android on Google Pixel. Unlike Asus' glitzy, optional sci-fi-style Android user interface on the ROG Phone 5, it's clean and uncluttered here, but still has tons of features. Some of the more useful Inones include the same Game Genie mode as the ROG Phone 5, which improves the phone's performance and operation while gaming, as well as special modes for scheduling battery charging.

Aside from the on-screen frustrations, the Zenfone 8 offers a true flagship phone experience in terms of performance and software in a compact package. The Snapdragon 888 has enormous reserves of energy and ensures that the phone will last for years, even if you play many of the latest games.

Battery and sound

A 4,000 mAh battery and the support of an included 30-watt Asus HyperCharge quick charger and Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 should clearly set the Zenfone 8 apart from the competition in terms of battery life – but this is not the case. In my use, the Zenfone 8 disappointed with a shorter than expected life, especially when used moderately hard.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Although most of my day is connected to Wi-Fi and the phone is used for general calls, emails, social media, and some photos, the day usually ends around 40%. With phones like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, this type of usage usually leaves at least 60%. It gets a lot worse the more you use the phone a little more.

On a day with an hour of play, 30 minutes of video, multiple calls, and an hour-long WhatsApp video call, the battery hit 5% at 9 p.m., which is not good at all when phones like the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G get two days off a similarly sized battery . Go outside to the real world, where the phone was forced to connect to a regular cellular network and the battery drains faster than expected, even with minimal use.

The Zenfone 8 is not a phone that works hard when you want the battery to last a long time. Here, too, there may be updates that change the performance of the battery in the future, although, according to Asus, I am using the final version of the software. Quick Charge 4 took 90 minutes to charge, and the 30W HyperCharge block added 60% in 25 minutes. There's no such thing as wireless charging, a technology Asus prefers not to use to better manage cell life, but it's still a given on a flagship phone today.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

As with the ROG Phone 5, Asus worked with audio experts at Dirac on the Zenfone 8, and its two stereo speakers – powered by a Cirrus Logic CS35L45 amplifier – sound excellent. There's also Hi Res support and Qualcomm's Aqstic codec. There's even a 3.5mm headphone jack, a real rarity these days. All of this together makes the Zenfone 8 one of the best sounding phones you can get.

Price and availability

The Zenfone 8 is launching in the US, but at the time of writing the exact date and price has not been confirmed. In Europe, the Zenfone 8 starts at 539 euros for the 6 GB / 128 GB model, then rises to 599 euros for the 8 GB / 128 GB version and 699 euros for the top 16 GB – / 128 GB phone. Which region gets which model is also unknown, but it is possible that the Zenfone 8 with 8GB / 128GB is the cheapest available in your area.

Our opinion

Do you regret getting a "small" phone today? It really depends on what you want to do with it. The convenience of the Zenfone 8 disappearing into your pocket is great and can be used with one hand provided it's in the case. However, I missed out on a bigger screen, even the slightly larger 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 12 Pro, while watching videos for an extended period of time.

Many have been complaining about the relative scarcity of compact, high-performance phones for some time, but there is indeed a healthy selection out there and it is an open question whether many people will actually buy them. If you're a firm believer in the compact phone, the Zenfone 8 should be at the top of your shopping list because the shape and size of the phone are mature. Plus, it has the same power and capability as massive phones like the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

However, the Zenfone 8 has major battery life issues, security options are slow, and the camera does not appeal to those who are serious about mobile photography. I like the Zenfone 8 and Asus' dedication to not following the crowd, but the downsides of the Zenfone 8 make it a tough sell over the competition.

Is there a better alternative?

The Zenfone 8 faces serious competition from Google and Samsung, as well as a challenge from Apple when you're ready to spend a little more. The Google Pixel 4a 5G is slightly larger than the Zenfone 8, but at $ 499 and a strong camera, it's a good buy. The Google Pixel 5 is just as compact as the Zenfone. It also has that fantastic camera and guaranteed software updates, but it costs $ 699. The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has far better battery life, a great screen, and a decent camera for $ 499.

The Apple iPhone 12 Mini is $ 699 and is a true compact phone, while the slightly larger iPhone 12 is $ 799. The iPhone 12 Pro is the model we really recommend, but at $ 999, it's significantly more expensive than the Zenfone 8.

How long it will take?

Asus will be rolling out two major Android software updates for the Zenfone 8, but the timing may not be as immediate as it is with phones like the Google Pixel. The housing is both waterproof and dustproof according to IP56 and IP68. The Gorilla Glass Victus should provide adequate scratch and splinter protection for the screen. In addition, a basic cover is included in the scope of delivery, so that the Zenfone 8 should be very durable. With 5G and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, it easily lasts two to three years before a replacement needs to be considered.

Should you buy it?

No. If a software update doesn't improve battery life, screen responsiveness, and fingerprint sensor performance, it can't quite keep up with the competition.

Editor's recommendations




21 Feb
Blog

Puma Smartwatch Review: This Smartwatch Isn’t As Atheltic As It Looks

Puma smartwatch

"The Puma smartwatch looks good, but it doesn't work."

  • Slim and sporty design

  • built-in GPS

  • Sharp, bright screen

  • Slow and sluggish

  • Bad battery life

  • Uncomfortable

  • Too expensive

As the third largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world, Puma is a big brand, but the simply named Puma Smartwatch is the company's first foray into the world of smartwatches. The Puma Smartwatch is manufactured by the Fossil Group and has familiar specifications and the Google Wear OS.

Puma has monitored the sporty design and offers its own app with some deeper fitness features than typical Wear OS watches, but it's also one of the slowest and flawed ones we've tested – a high price for fitness.

Design and comfort

The Puma smartwatch definitely looks like this. It is slim and very light with a striking paint job that contrasts black with daylight yellow. This is a smart watch that is hard to ignore. It is reminiscent of the Fossil Sport, but there is only a single crown and the flanking buttons that you would normally find on Fossil smartwatches are missing.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

A smooth, perfectly round, beveled aluminum dial is held from black plastic that extends from the tabs and has cut-off parts to achieve the eye-catching two-tone look. The crown is also yellow with the Puma logo.

The Puma Smartwatch has a silicone strap with a black latch and the Puma logo is embossed at the end. Because the Puma Smartwatch is light and slim, it slips easily under the cuff and rarely gets stuck – which can be a problem with an oversized watch like the Diesel On Axial.

However, the daylight yellow prevents it from fitting in. The Puma Smartwatch looks out of place with a buttoned shirt in an office environment or even with a casual outfit in a bar. This is a smartwatch that wants to go to the gym or run.

I was expecting the silicone wristband and light weight to result in a smartwatch that's comfortable and easy to forget you're wearing, but in fact I found the Puma smartwatch a little uncomfortable. The structured silicone band is a little stiffer than other silicone bands I've worn.

On the positive side, it grips your wrist and the oversized end of the strap ensures that it never comes loose even during a hectic workout. Although you can easily change the band, it can be difficult to find an alternative that fits your body. There are four dials designed by Puma, all of which are a bit boring. Aside from the ubiquitous Puma logo, they don't really match the rest of the design in terms of color or appearance.

The 1.19-inch AMOLED display looks good in a 44 mm case and is sharp, bright and legible in most lighting conditions.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

The Puma smartwatch has a distinctive look that fits the brand, but it feels a little cheap and looks bad in non-athletic environments. In some markets, there are less eye-catching color options for white and rose gold or black and gray, which may offer a bit more stylistic versatility.

Software and performance

Wear OS looks good, but it doesn't work well. This is a complaint I had with the Michael Kors Access Lexington 2 and it's a complaint my colleague had with the Fossil Gen 5, but it's worse with the Puma Smartwatch. There were many random freezes when using this smartwatch, which were often left behind when the screen was swiped, and loading apps was consistently slow.

The Puma smartwatch is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, but unfortunately someone made the wrong decision to use 512 MB RAM instead of 1 GB. The difference in daily use compared to Wear OS smartwatches, which I recently tested and which have 1 GB RAM, is pronounced. Using the Puma smartwatch is frustrating. It is slow and has to be reset far too often.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

The rotating crown works well and is the best way to get close control when trying to swipe up or down a list. You can also install a number of apps from the Play Store, from shopping lists to music controls to all kinds of fitness options. Although there are more choices than ever, the overall level of polish and functionality isn't very impressive and still fades compared to the Apple Watch's special app store.

The Puma Smartwatch has a microphone, so you can use Google Assistant from your wrist. However, there is no speaker, so the answers are in text form. There is also support for Google Pay so you can pay from your wrist, which is sometimes convenient.

Internally, the Puma Smartwatch has 4 GB of storage space for music and apps. Most other current versions of Fossil have 8 GB.

GPS and app compatibility

As an outrageously sporty device, the Puma smartwatch has to shine in the fitness department, and I think it does too. You’ve integrated Google Fit for basic tracking. There's also a heart rate monitor, built-in GPS, and water resistance from 5 ATMs that you can swim with.

While Google Fit is enough for casual coaches to track their progress every day, more serious athletes may want to try the PUMATRAC app installed on the Puma smartwatch. However, you also need to install the companion app (for Android or iOS). on your smartphone. With PUMATRAC, you can leave your phone at home and track your heart rate, distance, pace, altitude and calories with the Puma Smartwatch. It's also packed with workouts, allows you to create a fitness workout plan, and even offers coaching.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

I found that the Puma smartwatch was generally good for fitness tracking, but in some cases it had trouble getting a GPS fix and sometimes it couldn't sync with the Google Fit app on my phone become. There was no obvious reason for it. Heart rate, pace, and distance data all seem to be pretty accurate.

Battery life

Puma is optimistic that the smartwatch will offer a 24-hour battery life, but I've never come close to that. It got me through an average day, but only by switching to battery saver in the evening. If you are a very light user, you may be taken to bedtime. If you want to track your heart rate and get lots of notifications or use other apps, you can expect the steam to go out in the early evening.

The charging cradle has a magnetic contact and stays nicely in place. Charging only takes about an hour, but you will likely still have it charged overnight.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

Price, availability and guarantee

The Puma smartwatch costs $ 275 (or £ 249) and can be purchased directly from the Puma website or from various retailers. It comes with a standard two-year warranty that covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use for the period from the date of purchase and lasts for two years.

Our opinion

The Puma Smartwatch is a well-known Fossil Wear-OS device, which is disappointed by its low RAM and offers even more faulty performance than your usual Wear-OS device. Poor battery life is also not an advantage. It looks sporty and has a good range of fitness tracking features, but is too expensive for what you get.

Are there alternatives?

If it's primarily a fitness tracking watch you're looking for, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the best choice. Depending on the size chosen, the price is almost exactly the same at $ 280 or $ 300. It has better software, more comprehensive training tracking, and better battery life.

For iPhone owners, the latest Apple Watch is the obvious choice. Starting at $ 400, it's much more expensive, but superior in every way. If that's too much, consider Apple Watch Series 3, which costs $ 200 or $ 230 depending on the size you choose. It's still a better option than the Puma smartwatch.

How long it will take?

It offers water resistance up to 50 meters, but the Puma smartwatch has an aluminum case and plastic eyelets. It is therefore difficult to say how well the shocks can withstand. It should take a couple of years.

Should you buy one?

No. There are better options for the same money or less.

Editor's recommendations