Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Review: What’s My Experience with Wear OS Watches?
The TicWatch Pro 5 by Mobvoi is an innovative smartwatch that introduces several notable features and improvements. Notably, it is the first wearable device to launch with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset, a significant advancement in terms of performance and efficiency. Additionally, it comes equipped with the latest version of Wear OS, specifically Wear OS 3.5, which is a welcome update considering the scarcity of up-to-date operating systems in the smartwatch market.
One standout feature of the TicWatch Pro 5 is its exceptional battery life. Thanks to the efficient Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset and intelligent power management, this smartwatch can last significantly longer than many of its competitors. Users can expect multiple days of use on a single charge, even with heavy usage, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize longevity.
TicWatch Pro 5 of Video Review
TicWatch Pro 5: Design
The TicWatch Pro 5 bears a resemblance to Mobvoi’s previous premium smartwatch, the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS, sharing a similar substantial design. It features chunky lugs and a textured bezel that surrounds its 1.4-inch display. However, there are notable differences in the button layout. The Pro 5 introduces a centered, rotating crown along with a low-profile button positioned above it. The inclusion of the rotating crown is a welcome addition, as it enhances the user experience by providing an intuitive and convenient way to navigate the watch’s interface.
One notable advantage of the TicWatch Pro 5 is its compatibility with standard 24mm bands, allowing users to customize the watch’s appearance according to their preferences. Mobvoi offers its own selection of bands, but users also have the freedom to explore other band options available in the market.
In terms of hardware, the TicWatch Pro 5 impresses with its sturdiness and high-quality construction. The crown offers a satisfying level of resistance when scrolling, ensuring precise control over navigation. The secondary hardware button is firm and clicky, further enhancing the tactile experience. Moreover, the smartwatch’s vibration motor is notably strong, providing users with clear and noticeable alerts and notifications.
When it comes to durability, the TicWatch Pro 5 is designed to withstand various conditions. It is both MIL-STD-810H compliant, meaning it meets military-grade standards for toughness and durability, and water-resistant up to 5ATM. This level of water resistance ensures that the smartwatch can safely endure water exposure, including swimming and other water-related activities.
TicWatch Pro 5: Displays
The TicWatch Pro 5 continues the tradition of Mobvoi’s dual-layer display setup, which combines an OLED display with a low-power LCD panel. The OLED display serves as the primary screen, while the LCD panel takes over when the watch is in an idle state, providing always-on functionality. The LCD panel shows essential information such as the time, date, day of the week, step count, heart rate, approximate battery level, and notifications.
In this latest iteration, the TicWatch Pro 5 introduces an ultra-low-power display that can cycle through various “tiles” displaying basic health information like current heart rate, estimated daily calorie burn, and even a compass. While some users may not find themselves using these features extensively on the low-power LCD layer, it is a convenient addition that allows quick access to important health-related data without the need to activate the power-hungry OLED screen.
Mobvoi has managed to maximize the limited space on the top screen, providing users with a wealth of useful information that helps reduce the necessity of activating the OLED panel. When the OLED screen is in use, the LCD layer remains invisible, ensuring a seamless transition between the two displays.
The primary OLED display on the TicWatch Pro 5 offers an enjoyable viewing experience. With a 60 Hz refresh rate, colors appear vibrant, and the screen brightness is sufficient for easy visibility outdoors. Whether you’re checking notifications, viewing apps, or interacting with the watch’s interface, the OLED panel delivers a pleasing visual performance.
TicWatch Pro 5: Software and performance
The TicWatch Pro 5 comes with the latest version of Wear OS, specifically Wear OS 3.5, which brings it in line with Google’s Pixel Watch and the latest Wear OS devices from Samsung. This software integration ensures functional similarity and allows users to enjoy a familiar experience across various Wear OS devices. The animations on the TicWatch Pro 5 appear smooth and fluid, complemented by the snappy performance enabled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset.
The crown on the TicWatch Pro 5 serves as a button to open the app drawer, while the other button grants access to recent apps. Additionally, a double-tap on either button opens Google Wallet, providing convenient access to payment features. However, it’s worth noting that the TicWatch Pro 5 lacks access to the Google Assistant, which is not pre-installed and cannot be downloaded from the Play Store. This absence of Assistant support is a notable flaw, especially considering that Wear OS 3.5 watches from Google and Samsung do offer Assistant functionality.
Despite this software limitation, the TicWatch Pro 5 delivers impressive performance. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset promises to be twice as fast as its predecessor, the Wear 4100+, while also being more power-efficient. The Pro 5 lives up to these claims, with apps opening quickly and animations playing out smoothly. However, it may not feel significantly faster than other Wear OS devices, such as the Pixel Watch that uses a chipset from 2018. Nonetheless, the performance remains smooth and satisfactory for most use cases.
While the device’s horsepower gains may not result in a noticeably faster experience, its efficiency ensures that the battery lasts significantly longer. Users can expect extended usage time, surpassing other Wear OS devices in terms of battery longevity.
TicWatch Pro 5: Health and fitness
To complement the TicWatch Pro 5, Mobvoi has introduced a dedicated wearable app called Mobvoi Health. This app focuses on health and fitness, providing users with a comprehensive view of their wellness data. The app’s main screen, the Statistics tab, prominently displays key health information that is typical of modern wearables.
The large cards on the Statistics tab cover Activity, Exercise, and Sleep, offering an overview of each category. Additionally, there are smaller cards providing details on heart rate, SpO2 levels, stress, and VO2 max. The TicWatch Pro 5 excels in activity tracking, automatically recognizing activities like walking, running, or cycling after 10 minutes of continuous movement. At that point, the watch will vibrate and prompt you to select the specific activity you are engaged in.
For exercises beyond the basic activities, users need to initiate them manually through the TicExercise app on the watch. The TicWatch Pro 5 offers tracking for over 100 different workouts, although some may seem niche or unconventional, such as off-road driving or standing on one leg. During exercise sessions, the watch’s low-power display presents the workout duration and changes color based on heart rate ranges. This feature allows users to quickly assess their exertion levels without needing to delve into detailed data.
Sleep tracking is another standard feature of the TicWatch Pro 5. The watch monitors sleep duration and stages, generating a graph that visualizes sleep patterns for each night. To optimize battery life, the watch automatically enters a power-saving mode during sleep, limiting non-sleep-related functions until morning. This power-saving mode ensures that the battery receives a small overnight boost while still providing accurate sleep tracking.
The TicWatch Pro 5 also offers stress monitoring capabilities. By monitoring heart rate during guided breathing exercises, the watch approximates stress levels and provides a rating out of 100, with lower scores indicating better stress management.
TicWatch Pro 5: Battery
One of the standout features of the TicWatch Pro 5 is its remarkable battery life, an area where many smartwatches tend to fall short. Thanks to its dual-layer display, the TicWatch Pro 5 easily surpasses most competitors in this regard. The TicWatch Pro 5 can last up to 80 hours on a single charge, which is a notable achievement in the smartwatch market.
Naturally, battery life can vary depending on usage patterns, particularly if you frequently interact with the watch or utilize its built-in GPS. However, even with active use, the TicWatch Pro 5’s battery life remains impressive. Compared to other smartwatches, such as the Pixel Watch that requires daily charging, the TicWatch Pro 5’s ability to last several days before needing to be topped up is a game-changer for many users.
Charging the TicWatch Pro 5 is done using a proprietary pin charger that connects to a USB-A port. It’s worth noting that while many wearables have transitioned to the more widely adopted USB-C standard, the TicWatch Pro 5 still relies on the older USB-A connection. This may be seen as a slight inconvenience for users who prefer the convenience and ubiquity of USB-C charging options. However, on the bright side, the watch charges relatively quickly, taking just about an hour to go from empty to full capacity.
TicWatch Pro 5: Conclusion
The TicWatch Pro 5 impresses with its blend of features, performance, and battery life. With its dual-layer display, the watch strikes a balance between power efficiency and functionality. The OLED display delivers vibrant visuals, while the low-power LCD panel ensures always-on functionality and extends battery life.
Running on the latest Wear OS 3.5, the TicWatch Pro 5 offers a smooth and snappy user experience. The inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset further enhances performance, making app launches quick and animations seamless. However, the absence of Google Assistant is a notable drawback, considering its presence in other Wear OS devices.
The TicWatch Pro 5’s health and fitness tracking capabilities are comprehensive, with the Mobvoi Health app providing an array of data related to activity, exercise, sleep, and stress. The watch excels in activity tracking, automatically recognizing common activities and offering a range of workout options. Sleep tracking and stress monitoring further enhance the watch’s health-focused features.
Battery life is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the TicWatch Pro 5. With its impressive longevity, lasting up to 80 hours between charges, it outperforms many competing smartwatches. This extended battery life, combined with the quick charging time, offers a convenient and hassle-free experience.
While the TicWatch Pro 5 has its strengths, it does have a few limitations. The proprietary pin charger and the lack of USB-C connectivity may be seen as minor inconveniences for some users. Additionally, the absence of Google Assistant is a notable drawback, especially considering its availability in other Wear OS devices.
Overall, the TicWatch Pro 5 is a solid smartwatch option, particularly for those seeking extended battery life and comprehensive health tracking features. Its blend of performance, functionality, and impressive battery longevity makes it a compelling choice in the smartwatch market.
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