ASUS ZenWatch 3 Smart Watch Review



    Smart watches have not yet become a truly massive gadget. However, in the epoch of a mobile phone, even a regular watch is not so often found in every pocket. Nevertheless, the smart watches have occupied their niche, and after a long break we offer you a review of the next model - ASUS ZenWatch 3.

    Specifications


    Processor : Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 (APQ8009)
    Operating system : Android Wear
    RAM : 512 MB RAM
    Data storage : 4 GB eMMC
    Display : AMOLED, 1.39 inches, 400 x 400 pixels, 287 ppi
    Sensors : 6-axis gyroscope and accelerometer
    Sound : built-in microphone
    Battery : 1.3 W / h, 340 mA * h, lithium-ion
    Features :
    Protective glass Gorilla Glass (slightly convex).
    Moisture protection standard IP67
    Bluetooth 4.1
    WiFi
    Charger : output 5 V, 1.4 A, 10 W
    Dimensions : 45 x 45 x 9.9-10.6 mm (W x D x H)
    Weight : 60 gr. with strap, 48 gr. without strap.

    Appearance


    Unlike previous models ZenWatch ( 1 , 2 ), the third version of the classic male design: a round dial of a large diameter, a thick stainless steel case brand 316L , massive protruding buttons.



    The case and all metal parts of the strap have a beautiful dark black-brown coating (“gun metal”). Around the dial and on the perimeter of the case below the buttons are decorative rings of a bronze shade.







    The top button is customizable; you can assign the launch of an application or function to it. The central button is responsible for turning on / off the screen, exit to the desktop and reset the device. The lower button can activate power saving mode and airplane mode.

    In addition to the “gun metal”, there are red gold and silver versions, both with beige straps. All three watches are offered with either an elastomer or leather strap. On the review was a model with a thin elastomer strap with a fine relief texture for textile weaving.



    On the watch cover are contacts for charging and speaker slot. Next to the screw fasteners are clearly visible locks, allowing you to remove and replace the strap.





    Despite its external massiveness, the watch is relatively light. The elastomer, and even textured, holds the watch firmly in the right position: they have no tendency to move along or around the wrist. By the way, the choice of this material is quite justified: unlike the skin, the elastomer does not lose its appearance so quickly, does not darken from sweat, does not absorb moisture and odors.







    Included with the watch is a charging device in the form of a flattened ring. Flat wire can be inserted into a special recess so that the charge can lie beautifully on the table.



    But it’s just as beautiful to put a watch on them so that they look dial up, it will not work. The thing is in the design of the strap to the case: they are made at such an angle to look like a continuation of the strap when the watch is worn on the arm. It looks beautiful, but at the same time the watch cannot be put on the table, the elastic strap is actively trying to curl up into a ring. Can only be put on the side or on the dial.



    The manufacturer took care of this and added a special stand to the set, on which the watch is conveniently placed on its side. In the test



    case, the stand was lost, but it can be seen in this illustration: If you really need the watch to be facing up, you can fake it and find the equilibrium position.







    Charging reliably "sticks" to the clock on the magnets, and only in the correct position, contacts to the contacts.

    Display


    ZenWatch 3 is equipped with a round display with a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels. Pixel density of 287 ppi, slightly convex protective glass Gorilla Glass.



    The image looks smooth, infinitely variable, although if you have very good eyesight, you can see the individual pixels.

    The watch is equipped with a light sensor, so that the brightness of the display changes automatically. Even with a sufficiently bright light, the image is well read. At the same time, energy is saved very hard: literally after 4-5 seconds of inactivity, the display goes into a standby state: the current time and a couple of icons are clearly visible on a black background.

    Software


    Watches are running Android Wear 1.5.0 (Android 6.0.1). When you first turn on the watch immediately require them to fully charge.



    Next you need to put the Android Wear application on your smartphone and bind the watch to the smartphone via Bluetooth, during which the clock system will be updated and the data will be synchronized.

    If you activate the clock - touch the display or press the center button - and say the spell “Ok, Google”, the menu is activated, where you can quickly set a timer, alarm, start a fitness application, display the current day's list, and much more. You can dictate a note, e-mail, open a contact and make a call by voice.





    If you swipe the menu to the right, the list of available applications will open. Among them are two fitness applications:

    Google Fit:



    and ASUS Fit:





    In the menu you can configure the launch of something when you press the top button. It may be:

    • fitness application
    • Together app (for messaging with friends also using ZenWatch)



    • alarm clock



    • search function of the smartphone, which are associated with a watch



    • reminder list



    • settings menu
    • Google translator
    • to-do list for the current day
    • weather forecast



    • stopwatch
    • timer
    • Mobile call application



      Despite the tiny screen, the list of contacts allows you to navigate through the letters of the alphabet:



    • a flashlight (the screen is filled with a monochromatic color of choice, you can turn on blinking).

    If you go to Settings, you will see an extensive list of features: The





    watch supports a number of gestures that allow you to control the contents of the screen with hand movements. For example, if you sharply twist your wrist away from yourself and immediately toward yourself, then this is a command to scroll through the screen. If you cover the clock with your other hand, they will go into standby mode, like an inactivity timer; With the same gesture, you can quickly turn off the sound of an alarm clock or call. If you sharply lower the hand with the clock, then this is the choice of the notification and its opening, and so on. In case you forgot what gestures recognize the clock, you can always re-take a short training.



    Among other things, you can adjust the volume of sounds, change the ringtone on the clock, connect to Wi-Fi (you will have to enter the password on your smartphone).



    When you first start on the watch is the following dial:



    If you click on it and hold your finger, you will be prompted to change the design, a large number of various dials is available:



    Among the dial “wallpapers” you can choose the “Photos” theme, when the



    viewers' photos selected by the developers simply change on the screen: Also pay attention to the ZenWatch Manager application, which is put on the smartphone. Through it, you can change the dials, put on the application clock and manage all kinds of settings and contents of the watch. For example, 4 GB of internal memory can be filled with all sorts of files. Suppose you pour a collection of your favorite music and listen to it right on the clock. Or even create a photo album, although to look at the photos on such a small screen, you need to have good eyesight.



    Duration of work


    The watch supports the function of accelerated charging, for 15 minutes they charge by 60%. A full charge takes about 2 hours. Thanks to a more economical processor - and in smart watches it is one of the main energy consumers - ZenWatch 3 works much longer than the previous model , for me they “lived” for up to 30 hours. If desired, you can buy an extra battery, which is put in place of the charger and further extends the work. Of course, the watches are becoming 1.5 times thicker, but this is a common compromise in the conditions of modern development of battery technology.

    Conclusion


    ZenWatch 3 is much more like a classic watch than the first and second ZenWatch. In this case, the design they are much more to the male audience, although some of the ladies may like the version of "red gold". In general, the version of the watch that was on the review seems to me to be more universal from the point of view of what kind of clothes they suit. The first and second ZenWatch looked more like a purely office clock, and the third model is well combined with a variety of clothing styles, including "Friday" and sports. In addition, ZenWatch 3 work significantly longer.

    Recommended retail price: from 18 990 rub. up to 21,990 rubles, depending on the cover of the case and the strap material.

    Also popular now: