TicWatch – Appliances catalogue

02 Jul

Mobvoi TicWatch E3 Review: Right Smartwatch, Wrong Time

July 2, 2021
Posted by Samson

Mobvoi TicWatch E3 with the front on the wrist.

“At almost any other time, the speedy Mobvoi TicWatch E3 would be a solid buy, provided style isn't high on your requirement list, but the lack of information on an update to the incoming Google / Samsung Wear platform means it's prudent is to wait and see before diving in. "

Snapdragon Wear 4100 makes it quick
Light and comfortable
Comprehensive, accurate health tracking

Plastic cover is not stylish
No information about a future Wear update

The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is the second smartwatch to come out with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chip inside, and that's a big deal. The processor makes Google's Wear OS faster, smoother, easier to live with every day, and improves battery life. It's also the main reason you should consider buying the TicWatch E3, but the shadow of the new Google / Samsung Wear platform hangs over it too.

The situation puts the TicWatch E3 and anyone who thinks about it in a difficult position. Let's take a closer look at this to see if it is wise to wait and see what happens in the world of Android smartwatches over the next few months.

design

The best watches are “a part” of you, that is, something you want to wear every morning and enjoy all day, not just to check the time. The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is not that type of watch. It's a piece of technology where design comes second after adding the latest processor.

Mobvoi TicWatch E3. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Understanding this and assessing whether you are okay with the compromise is the first step in deciding whether you can live with the TicWatch E3. It's not an ugly or uncomfortable smartwatch, just boring and plastic. Unforgivable when it costs $ 400, but more understandable at $ 200.

The TicWatch E3 looks different than the TicWatch E2, with short, square tabs that attach a 22mm quick release bracelet to the simple round plastic case. On the side there are two buttons set at the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions that have a nicely muted action. The app menu opens at the top and the bottom button is set to Mobvoi's TicExercise app by default, but can be changed in the settings. The E3 is just under 13 mm thick, the screen measures 1.3 inches and has a solid rim that runs around the edge.

The screen is bright and colorful, but the massive frame is distracting, although the 2.5D glass makes wiping comfortable. It also feels durable and has an IP68 rating so it can be worn while swimming. The bracelet is easy to replace with another, and Mobvoi sells you some more colorful versions.

Mobvoi TicWatch E3 on the wrist, seen from the side. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Ticwatch E3 is neither desirable nor hateful, it is just there on my wrist. I put it on and forgot it until it reminded me of it with a notification. This is both good and bad. The smartwatch is undeniably comfortable and lightweight, but I will never be indifferent to it because of its simple style.

performance

Why should you be interested in the TicWatch E3? The reason is the Snapdragon Wear 4100, a shocking rarity in the world of Wear OS smartwatches that can only be found in the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3. The fast, up-to-date chip has been replacing the ubiquitous Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 for far too long. The TicWatch E3 might not have the looks, but it definitely has the power.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Snapdragon Wear 4100 eliminates two of those annoying Wear OS problems, namely slow speeds and short battery life. It makes Wear OS dramatically more responsive than any smartwatch with Snapdragon Wear 3100. It flows and glides through tiles, quickly showing notifications as you scroll through the list, and even the tedious setup process is considerably faster than before. Paired with 1GB of RAM makes Wear OS comfortable to use, and that's a big step forward.

The TicWatch E3 might not have the looks, but it definitely has the power.

What about the battery life? Some Snapdragon Wear 3100 smartwatches struggle to make a day before charging and few last well into a second day. If you turn off the Ticwatch E3 overnight, it only takes two working days (with a single GPS-recorded workout) before it needs to be charged. And that with active all-day heart rate monitoring and the always-on screen that constantly shows the time. Not bad at all, and if you don't follow a workout, it takes about 36 hours. A handy essential mode turns on when the battery is almost completely discharged, so you can still see the time. However, charging is slow, taking around two hours to fully charge.

Software and fitness tracking

The Ticwatch E3 runs Wear OS – version 2.26, H MR2, which is installed on my test model – so it works in a familiar way, with swiping and tapping to navigate the menus. There is no rotating crown or bezel here, so the software is only controlled with your finger on the screen. By default, Mobvoi's menu system consists of a 4×4 grid of scrollable icons instead of the standard one-line scrollable list, but can be changed if necessary. I found it a little easier to find what I wanted, but missed the way the Wear OS menu system puts recently used apps at the top of the list.

I had a couple of issues with the reliability of the software. It was once completely blocked and required a hard restart to bring it back to life, and TicExercise refused to quit a workout and then lost the records when it finally gave up later in the day. Changing data, e.g. For example, when the TicPulse app reads your heart rate, it sometimes overwrites what is shown on the screen, making it impossible to read without exiting and reopening the app. None of these issues have been repeated, and a software update could fix these errors in the future.

The bigger problem with the TicWatch E3 is due to another software update. Fortunately, the E3 has the power to make Wear OS largely painless today, and notifications are delivered for the most part, but it's still frustrating when it doesn't or when you find that you need to have a specific Wear OS app installed, to get them. like Outlook. But the future is the problem. The Wear platform developed by Google and Samsung will be out later this year, and there is no news on when or if the E3 will get an update. When Digital Trends asked Mobvoi about its plans, the answer was:

"Mobvoi are a close partner of Google and have even received investments from them, but there is still no official confirmation of Google's update times."

Mobvoi's statement here puts the responsibility on Google, and while the wording suggests that an update is possible, it doesn't say that one will definitely happen or when. Even if your smartwatch won't stop working, the lack of information about an update for Wear today should be taken into account when buying it today, as it will make your new smartwatch feel old pretty quickly if it's not on the update list.

Health and Fitness Tracking

Mobvoi installs a variety of its own health and fitness apps, all of which you need to register with Mobvoi's services in order to get the most out of them. If you do not do this, some data will not be displayed. Most fitness apps replicate the features of Google Fit, and it's annoying that the SPo2 and heart rate monitor apps both require a Mobvoi login first. Other apps include an ambient sound app called TicHearing, a stress and relaxation app called TicZen, and an automatic sleep tracking app called TicSleep.

Heart rate sensor of the TicWatch E3, Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You can use Mobvoi's TicExercise app or Google Fit to track workouts, and both can be activated with a press of the bottom button on the case. They both do the same job, and there is no advantage in using one over the other. Aside from TicZen, there's little reason to even dive into Mobvoi's apps. Why are they here? Mobvoi describes itself as a software company rather than a hardware company, so collecting data is important.

When comparing the TicWatch E3 with the Apple Watch SE, both heart rate sensors delivered the same measured values and the SPo2 sensor agreed with the Apple Watch Series 6. Step count and calorie consumption were also largely the same, which means that the accuracy of the TicWatch E3 is in line with others. Similar products. The smartwatch easily found a GPS signal during a walk and recorded location data.

The TicWatch E3 works very well as a casual fitness tracking wearable, but Mobvoi's own apps are mostly redundant for no apparent reason why you'd use them over Google's fitness apps.

Price and availability

You can purchase the TicWatch E3 today for £ 200 or £ 180 from Mobvoi's online retail store or from Amazon.

Our opinion

There are good arguments in favor of buying the TicWatch E3 now. It's not that expensive, it has the fastest processor inside, it's light and comfortable to wear, and Google's Wear OS software is better here than on almost any other smartwatch. It also does all the health and fitness tracking you could want.

But there are also a few good arguments against it. It doesn't have a lot of style and you won't want to show it off, and the frame around the screen is grossly large. The software has some stability issues, and most importantly, there is no information on whether it will ever receive an update for the brand new Wear platform later this year.

It's a difficult situation. It really is the smartwatch we were looking forward to, just launched at the wrong time. While the TicWatch E3 makes perfect sense if you're looking to buy a Wear OS smartwatch – it's not the most expensive example, so if you have to wait for an update later, it won't feel too bad – but patience will pay off here . There is often a sweet spot for new product purchases, and the arrival of the TicWatch E3 is exactly where it is wise to wait and see what happens to Wear and all of the new smartwatches we see in the second half in 2021.

Is there a better alternative?

All Google Wear OS smartwatches are in the same situation as the TicWatch E3 when it comes to an update to Wear. The new software will hit some existing smartwatches, but likely not all, and exactly when it will happen is completely unknown. If you own an Android smartphone, check out smartwatches without Wear OS, like the Amazfit GTR 2 for $ 180 or the GTR 2e for $ 140, or a wearable like the Fitbit Versa 3 for $ 230, until more is known about Wear and its updates.

If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch SE for $ 270 or the Apple Watch Series 6 for $ 400 should be high on your list. Apple Watch integrates perfectly with iOS, has superior features when connected to an iPhone, and is fun to own and use.

How long it will take?

The plastic housing and the watertightness according to IP68 as well as the easily exchangeable rubber strap make the TicWatch E3 very durable. Google provides regular updates to Wear OS, but few include noteworthy new features. As already explained, there is no information about when or whether an update for Wear will arrive on the TicWatch E3. The TicWatch E3 will last at least two years, but the software threatens to feel very out of date before the end of 2021.

Should you buy it?

No. It is wise to wait and see what the new Wear platform and the new hardware released with it bring before deciding. The TicWatch E3 is a good buy, but we recommend waiting a few months to have all the latest wear information at hand before making a decision.

Editor's recommendations

05 May

Blog

Mobvoi TicWatch GTH Review: Not a Watch You’ll Want to Wear

May 5, 2021
Posted by Samson

mobvoi ticwatch gth review

“The derived design and poorly executed software of the Mobvoi TicWatch GTH make it impossible to recommend, even though it's cheap. It's hard to believe that it comes from the same company as the excellent TicWatch Pro 3. "

Comprehensive sensor array

Derivative design
Questionable tracking accuracy
Uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time
Outdated software

Have you been looking for a cheaper, slower, less accurate, and less attractive Apple Watch tee? Good news, because Mobvoi's TicWatch GTH is a perfect match for you. It costs only $ 80 and looks pretty similar to Apple's smartwatch, but that's where the similarities end. If for some reason you're not just buying one of the many very good fitness bands for less or one of the far better smartwatches for a bit more, let's talk about where the TicWatch GTH gets it all wrong in more detail.

design

What is there to say The TicWatch GTH outrageously copies the familiar shape of the Apple Watch. It is slightly smaller overall, has a 10 mm thick case and is only available in matt black. The crown is in the same location as the digital crown on the Apple Watch, which even Oppo avoided on the Apple Watch-like Oppo Watch, but here it's a simple button. The 20 mm wristband is made of TPU and is attached with quick release pins. The case is apparently made of metal, but feels great like plastic.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's not very comfortable to wear. I noticed that the plastic wrap will soon get hot and itchy even if I don't do any exercise. The strap slips around my wrist unless it's pulled tight enough that I cut off circulation and the holder refuses to stay in place, meaning the end of the strap folds around underneath your cuff. It couldn't be better if the 1.55-inch screen lights up with 360 x 320 pixels, as this exposes the massive bezel around it.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Positive? The glass above the screen has a pleasing 2.5D curve that makes it easy to wipe, and the case is swim-proof with a water resistance of 5 ATM. It really is. What bothers me most about the TicWatch GTH isn't that it's a cheap imitation of the Apple Watch or that it's not very nice to wear. It's a more expensive version of the humble Willful smart watch I recently tried. It costs $ 36 on Amazon, but it's no better in terms of design and convenience. In some ways, it's even worse.

Health surveillance

The TicWatch GTH is filled with sensors – its only real redemption function – at least when taken at face value. They monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen levels and, unusually, skin temperature. The skin temperature monitor is definitely something we don't see often in wearables. It is either activated in the TicHealth suite of apps on the watch or can be automatically monitored along with heart rate and blood oxygen throughout the day.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The question is, why should you need to know your skin temperature? The temperature of the body's largest organ is different from your internal temperature, which tells you about a fever when measured with a thermometer. Although skin temperature can indicate changes in temperature, it may be due to environmental and nutritional reasons. It combines SpO2 blood oxygen values and respiratory rates as health data that was provided on the TicWatch GTH but was not adequately explained by Mobvoi.

If you want to fill the watch with sensors and rate it crucially for each Mobvoi, please try to explain why we need to know all of this. A map displayed on the watch gathers all the sensor data ready to inform or worry you depending on how you view that type of information, and a vaguely descriptive phrase about the function itself doesn't count. I couldn't test the accuracy of the skin temperature monitor, but it never alerted me that I was either too hot or too cold. So I'm assuming that I'm fine and that it is functioning normally. The heart rate monitor and the blood oxygen sensor gave almost identical results as the Apple Watch Series 6.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The workout is recorded on the watch and there are a variety of options including running, swimming, yoga, and mountaineering. When compared with the Apple Watch during a 30-minute workout, the TicWatch GTH recorded a slightly lower heart rate throughout and in the final report, significantly fewer calories – around half – were burned. A software update may improve accuracy in the future, but right now the training data may not reflect how hard you are actually working. Since there is no GPS on board, this is not a tracker for serious athletes or athletes.

Another important note. Mobvoi has taken a step back from linking GTH sensors to COVID-19 detection, which was hinted at in the early press materials. On the product side, however, the company says it is working with Carnegie Mellon University on a system that will use the GTH's sensors to detect the disease at an early stage. Due to the accuracy of the training tracking and the lack of an explanation of how the sensors work now, I will not trust the GTH with my ongoing health in the near future.

software

You use the Mobvoi app to connect the watch to your phone. It also collects all of your exercise data and displays a dashboard with data taken from the watch's sensors. The watch uses Mobvoi's own software, which is reminiscent of the system of some early Amazfit wearables, as the menu is a vertically scrolling list and “maps” with information such as weather and training details are displayed to the left and right of the main screen.

mobvoi ticwatch gth review notifications Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

mobvoi ticwatch gth review training Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

mobvoi ticwatch gth review activity Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the speed is reasonable, the software looks and feels outdated. A good example is changing the watch face, an action performed in the app because it takes an excruciating 2 minutes and 2 seconds to transfer and apply a new watch face to the watch. I know because I timed it. The first Amazfit smartwatches I used took a similarly long wait, but that has changed since then. Mobvoi is obviously happy to be completely behind the times.

Carrying and using the TicWatch GTH is often frustrating and not very rewarding

Notifications are accompanied by a weak vibrating alert and not all apps are supported. Outlook and Teams are missing from the list even though they are installed on my phone, for example. The information displayed varies from displaying most of the text to nothing outside of waiting for a message. You cannot interact with any notifications.

The watch does not have an ambient time display and you have to press the button to wake up the screen as there is no option to tap the screen. The raise-to-wake function works, but is very slow to respond. Although the screen has a decent pixel density, the quality of the text and images varies. Notifications look a lot more pixelated than other menus, so the operating system isn't done yet, for example.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Bluetooth range is also quite short and the watch is often disconnected from my phone. The connection won't always reconnect without me going into the app and forcing it to do so. Carrying and using the TicWatch GTH is often frustrating and not very rewarding. This situation is not supported by software that feels out of date compared to the competition.

battery

The TicWatch GTH has a 260 mAh battery which, according to Mobvoi, lasts 10 days before it needs to be charged. This seems accurate, but one irritating flaw makes it difficult to judge battery life. The battery indicator on the watch constantly shows a full charge, while in the app it remains about three quarters full. Not helpful and doesn't include a percentage counter either. Hence, it is impossible to judge when to think about recharging until the battery is almost empty.

Price and availability

You can buy the TicWatch GTH now for $ 80 or $ 70. It is available directly from Mobvoi's own website or from Amazon.

Our opinion

The TicWatch GTH makes me angry. I like the addition of the temperature sensor above the heart rate and blood oxygen monitor. It may help us better assess our overall health, and it's great to see it in an affordable wearable. Except that its inclusion here is done so badly that the value has been lost.

Mobvoi does not adequately explain why we should use or trust these sensors or how best to interpret the results. After comparing the GTH to another smartwatch, there are concerns about accuracy in some areas. It doesn't instill much confidence or encourage me to wear the watch all the time. Not that I want to wear it all the time. The derivative design turns off instantly, the bezels on the screen make it look even cheaper than it actually is, and the strap is uncomfortable so I don't want to wear it overnight to keep track of sleep.

Almost no matter how much you're looking to spend, dozens of wearables are vying for your attention, and almost all of them are better buys than the TicWatch GTH. That it comes from the same company behind the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch, one of our top picks, is as confusing as it is frustrating.