The Mobvoi brand is known for its range of affordable smartwatches that use the popular Wear OS software. Hot on the heels of the original TicWatch comes the TicWatch Pro 2020.
Background
The original TicWatch Pro was launched in 2018 and in February of this year (2020) Mobvoi released the TicWatch Pro 2020.
Slightly different from the original, it benefits from a cellular connection as well as 1GB RAM to improve performance. There are also a few subtle changes to the design. Despite these features, it still has an affordable price tag which makes this one of the best choices of Wear OS smartwatch on the market right now.
Features
The big selling point of the TicWatch Pro 2020 is its connectivity for calls and texts. So you can forget your phone when out running. A built-in speaker allows you to hear callers. There’s also an SOS mode in case of emergencies as well as music streaming without needing to take your phone along.
Also it has Google Assistant built-in.
This model also boasts dual-screen technology which ensures that the 5 day battery life isn’t compromised despite the colourful, hi-res LCD panel screen. You can get a full charge in 1 – 2 hours.
The software platform is the popular Google Wear OS which is user-friendly and customisable. Although the interactions aren’t quite as sophisticated as those offered by the Apple Watch, they’re good for the price.
The NFC feature enables you to make contactless payments via Google Pay while 4GB of internal storage means there’s space for plenty of songs. The processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 (now quite old) but its performance doesn’t suffer too much. Installing or updating apps slows it down a bit, but in the main interactions remain problem-free and smooth.
Design
The design of the Pro 2020 watch is much better than its predecessor, though the changes are quite subtle. The bezel surrounding the screen is now textured and the numbers don’t stand out any more. While this makes them more challenging to read, it does add a sporty aesthetic appeal.
This model weighs the same as the TicWatch Pro, though it’s still a little too thick to be suitable for formal occasions. Nevertheless, it has plenty of contemporary good looks and has a masculine appeal.
With its snug and soft 22mm silicone strap, this watch is very comfortable on your wrist. You can switch the straps to get different looks.
Fitness Tracking
There are two kinds of pre-installed fitness tracker integrated into this smartwatch. You can opt for the classic Google Fit or the Mobvoi apps suite. Both offer quite similar data, however the Google Fit app is more user-friendly.
The Mobvoi apps include TicHealth, TicPulse and TicExercise so you can keep tabs on all aspects of your health and wellness. The heartrate monitor tracks your heartrate 24/7 and captures data more quickly than Google Fit.
During workouts, you can easily read stats and cycle through your information by simply swiping. There’s also onboard GPS which will help you track your runs. The data is pretty accurate, with good step tracking results and accurate heartrate monitoring.
Advantages
- Water resistant to IP68
- Inbuilt GPS
- 24/7 heartrate monitoring
- Affordable price
- Interchangeable straps
- Fitness tracking capabilities through 2 suites of apps
Disadvantages
- Bulky design
Competition
If you’re looking for something a little better and also don’t mind paying a little more, consider the Android compatible Galaxy Watch Active 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. For iPhone users, the Apple Watch 6 (and even lighter SE) outstrips the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 2020 in terms of functionality and good looks.
In Summary
If you’re on a budget but still want a feature-packed smartwatch that offers the Wear OS operating system and plenty of good looks, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 2020 won’t disappoint. Affordable yet highly functional, it offers you all the fitness tracking that the average user will need as well as sporty and masculine style.
If you like this watch, you’ll love the AmazFit GTS. Check out our review, here.
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