Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas evaluate | Android Central

If there’s one factor that is clear, it is that Mobvoi is not prepared to surrender on releasing new Wear OS smartwatches. This is unquestionably a great factor, contemplating that it is actually the one different to Google and Samsung.

Earlier in 2024, we noticed the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro launched, and now, the TicWatch Atlas is right here. Mobvoi should really feel prefer it struck gold with the design of the TicWatch Pro 5, as the corporate has mainly launched three smartwatches which can be virtually equivalent, together with the TicWatch Atlas.

Despite the identify change, is the Atlas actually all that totally different from the Enduro? Or is Mobvoi simply attempting to launch one thing new for the sake of it?

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: Price and availability

Mobvoi introduced the TicWatch Atlas in October 2024, arriving virtually six months after the Pro 5 Enduro. It’s nonetheless solely obtainable in a single dimension, however there you possibly can select both the Black or Silver colour method. The Atlas is priced at $349. It’s presently obtainable from Mobvoi immediately, Amazon, and some different on-line retailers.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: What I like

On paper, there’s actually not a lot to jot down residence about in the case of what the TicWatch Atlas has to supply in comparison with the Enduro. In reality, the specs are equivalent, with the one distinction being within the markings on the bezel surrounding the display.

You is likely to be questioning why I would come with this on this part, and it is just because Mobvoi’s taken a “if it ain’t broke, do not repair it” strategy. Currently, the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 remains to be the “latest” wearable SoC from Qualcomm. So I am unable to actually give Mobvoi grief right here, as it isn’t like the corporate has the capital and infrastructure to develop its personal chip.

Plus, I’ve but to take care of something like stutters or slowdowns each time I work together with the watch itself. Everything that the Atlas presents, simply works, so I simply actually have not discovered a lot to complain about.

It additionally helps that the Atlas continues Mobvoi’s reign because the “battery champ” for wearables. Well, no less than people who do not value greater than $500. I like with the ability to have a smartwatch that lasts for 2 to a few days at a minimal however often lasts even longer.

As I’ve stated in my earlier TicWatch critiques, I’m an enormous fan of the scale, even when it is not for everybody. Thankfully, for me, no less than, that pattern continues with the Atlas, because the watch simply rests properly on my wrist. Although I do must level out that I want there have been extra 24mm bands to select from, that is not Mobvoi’s fault.

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This is all made doable by Mobvoi’s dual-screen show, combining a 1.43-inch OLED display with an Ultra low-power show. Just like earlier iterations, this secondary display mainly operates because the “always-on show” however exhibits extra data than simply the time, date, and battery life.

You’ll additionally discover all the “regular” stuff at your disposal, corresponding to sleep monitoring, quite a lot of exercises, blood oxygen monitoring, and extra. There’s even a brand new “Heat Map” characteristic, which Mobvoi says will hold observe of “the place you are most lively” throughout a recreation. It’s an attention-grabbing addition, but it surely is not one thing that I truly tried as a result of I do not play sports activities anymore until you depend the “run to maintain my son from falling and bumping his head” recreation.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: What I do not like

On the one hand, I need to give Mobvoi some kudos for releasing the TicWatch Atlas with Wear OS 4. And whereas I need to give the corporate grief concerning the lack of Wear OS 5, it is robust to take action when Google itself is coping with rollout struggles for older {hardware}.

But there’s one factor lacking, actually one factor, that is making me go proper again to the Pixel Watch 3 as quickly as I’m accomplished with this evaluate — Google Assistant/Gemini. I do not care (all that a lot) that Wear OS 5 is not obtainable but, partially as a result of I’ve simply accepted the truth that it’s going to most likely be one other 12 months earlier than it involves the Pro 5, Enduro, or Atlas.

It’s nice with the ability to obtain and set up apps from the Play Store whereas having fun with them on the Atlas’s large OLED display. But that enjoyable begins to fade away while you count on (or no less than hope) that the fundamental capabilities of comparable smartwatches are simply not there.

Searching for Assistant within the Play Store on the Atlas pulls up a bunch of outcomes that do not matter. And whereas I’ve examine a couple of workarounds, I have not tried them just because I should not must. So, as a lot as I’ve really loved what Mobvoi has accomplished over the previous couple of years, I simply cannot recover from this hurdle.

Something else that I’ve began to note is that my wrist will vibrate. I’ll take a look at the watch, and there is nothing. Nothing on my cellphone, nothing hidden within the notification tray, simply nothing.

It appears that this may not truly be an issue with the Atlas particularly, as Galaxy Watch 7 house owners have reported related points. Since Samsung’s newest wearable makes use of Wear OS 5, it isn’t like we will level to Wear OS 4 because the supply of the issues.

Another gripe that I’ve is that I do not totally perceive Mobvoi’s wearable technique. Going from the Pro 5 to the Pro 5 Enduro made sense, because the latter was simply an iteration of the unique. But this is the factor: the Atlas is simply an iteration of the Enduro.

For some cause, Mobvoi opted to begin a completely “new” lineup of smartwatches with the Atlas regardless of solely together with very minor and refined adjustments. While I’m not advocating for some sort of drastic redesign, I believe Mobvoi may need been higher suited to go along with the “TicWatch Pro 5 Atlas” as a substitute. Or even use a distinct phrase, reserving “Atlas” for a distinct lineup.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: Competition

This would have been the 12 months for the Atlas to actually compete with the Galaxy Watch Classic. However, Samsung opted to ditch that model fully this 12 months, opting as a substitute to go along with the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra. So in the case of worth, the Atlas is extra of a competitor to the Watch 7, seeing because it’s simply $50 extra.

That being stated, Samsung’s newest wearable wins out due to having Wear OS 5 out of the field, together with the flexibility to really use Google Assistant. Plus, since Samsung makes use of smaller band sizes, you might have many extra choices to select from if you wish to swap out the included band for one thing else.

The Pixel Watch 3 is one other viable competitor, though neither of Samsung’s or Google’s presents are going to be fairly as sturdy because the Atlas. For the primary time, Google presents two totally different sizes with the Watch 3, fixing certainly one of my large annoyances with the Pixel Watch and Watch 2.

Although Google is coping with points surrounding the Wear OS 5 replace for its first two smartwatches, that is not the case with the Watch 3. Even nonetheless, you get to take pleasure in all of the luxuries that Wear OS has to supply, with out worrying about making any sacrifices.

Lastly, the OnePlus Watch 3 seemingly got here out of nowhere to problem the Atlas for the title of “Battery King.” The Watch 3 is rated for as much as six days on a single cost, which will be stretched to seven when you flip off AOD and sleep monitoring. But it additionally has the additional advantage of super-fast charging, with a 20-minute cost including “about 75% to the battery, and one other 20 minutes will deliver it to a full cost.”

That’s to not say the Watch 3 is ideal. Those in North America cannot use the built-in ECG, and just like the Atlas, it lacks LTE connectivity and is barely obtainable in a single dimension. But together with being cheaper, OnePlus has already dedicated to 2 software program updates and quarterly safety patches.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: Should you purchase it?

You should purchase this if…

• You need the perfect battery life in a Wear OS smartwatch.
• You need a rugged smartwatch for beneath $400.
• You do not care about having the newest model of Wear OS.

You should not purchase this if…

• You need to have the ability to use Google Assistant.
• You already personal the TicWatch Pro 5 or Pro 5 Enduro.
• You’re on a finances.

Maybe it is as a result of I’ve already used and reviewed each the TicWatch Pro 5 and Pro 5 Enduro, however I simply have not discovered a cause to be tremendous excited concerning the Atlas. There are only a few variations between the Atlas and the Enduro, except the slight design adjustments to the case. With that in thoughts, if you have already got the Enduro and even the Pro 5, you are most likely higher off simply ready to see what the subsequent Mobvoi launch brings.

I’m even having a tough time recommending the Atlas even when you do not have the Pro 5 or the Enduro, just because the Enduro has been discounted to $279. But until you actually just like the variations within the casing, save your self a couple of dollars and get the Enduro.

Hopefully, Qualcomm will launch a brand new wearable chip, giving Mobvoi the chance to return to the drafting board. Heck, if it might re-release the Atlas with a brand new chip and Wear OS 5, I’d be comfortable. Well, so long as it meant that I might lastly use Google Assistant.