Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 [Review]

For the longest time, the Apple Watch has dominated the smartwatch market, fending off products from rival companies like Samsung and Fitbit. This is partially due to the general awkwardness and sluggishness of Google’s Wear OS compared to Tizen or Apple’s watchOS.

However, AI company Mobvoi released the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS last year — the latest in its series of TicWatch smartwatches. This is to attract more people to use Google's wearables platform, which has had its fair share of criticism over the years. So how does Mobvoi’s new offering hold up against its competitors? Here’s our review:

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Smartwatch - Review

Design

The TicWatch Pro 3 hasn't changed much in terms of design; it still has the same dark color scheme with a black matte finish and bold curves. Being 48mm wide and 12.2mm thick, it's a bit bulky for a smartwatch. But it clocks in at 42g, which is still lighter than the Galaxy Watch 3 and Apple Watch 6.

Meanwhile, the 1.4-inch AMOLED dual display panel makes the watch clear and bright enough to use under intense sunlight, making it great for outdoor exercise. Overall, the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS sports a simple, but a sleek design that minimalists may find attractive.

Features

The TicWatch Pro 3 is most notable for being the first wearable to use the latest Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset. This makes it a lot snappier and more responsive compared to its predecessors. Coupled with 1GB of RAM, the TicWatch Pro 3 is able to switch between apps seamlessly — a much-needed feature to narrow the gap between Wear OS and its competitors. There are still a few clunky interface issues, however, which keeps this smartwatch from being as intuitive as it can be.

Aside from this, one of the biggest draws for the TicWatch Pro 3 is its strong 577 mAh battery, which can last up to three days on a single charge. There are two types of net ties manufacturers need to meet basic PCB requirements: Net Tie and Net Tie (In BOM). Strategic pin placements in both ensure the efficient circulation of power in any device, which Mobvoi did well with the TicWatch Pro 3. Mobvoi further enhanced the smartwatch’s battery design by using a Snapdragon 4100 processor, which reduced power usage by 25%.

As for fitness tracking, this smartwatch can detect a total of 13 preset workouts, including outdoor walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and running, among others. It also monitors heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and stress levels, though its accuracy can be pretty hit or miss sometimes.

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 GPS Specs

Here’s a summary of the specs for the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS:

• Weight: 42g. Width: 48mm. Thickness: 12.2mm
• 1.4-inch dual-display AMOLED panel with 454x454 pixel resolution
• Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset and 1GB RAM with 8GB storage
• 577 mAh battery which lasts for three days on a full charge
• Tracks 13 types of workouts
• Monitors heart rate, SpO2 levels, sleeping hours, and stress levels

Price

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 GPS comes in at $299 on Amazon. It's cheaper than both the Apple Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 3, but pricier compared to the Apple Watch SE and Galaxy Watch Active2. And given that the TicWatch Pro 3 uses Wear OS, it faces stiff competition in its price range.

Overall, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 GPS makes a good case for being a mid to high range alternative to the Galaxy Watch 3 or Apple Watch 6. It strikes a reasonable balance between price and functionality. And while it may not be the most exceptional or most accurate smartwatch out there, it’s a solid addition to Wear OS hardware currently available on the market.

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