Skilled’s Ranking
Execs
- Premium, sturdy design
- Glorious OLED show
- Spectacular battery life
- Slick Put on OS software program
Cons
- Poor companion app
- No digital assistant
- No LTE choice
Our Verdict
The TicWatch Professional 5 strikes an important stability between seems to be, sturdiness and health options, making it top-of-the-line Put on OS smartwatches round. Simply ensure that it’s the most suitable choice for you at this value level.
In case you’re in search of a premium smartwatch, a number of manufacturers come to thoughts immediately. Apple stays the market chief, however Samsung and Google each make worthwhile alternate options – particularly should you use an Android cellphone.
In contrast, Mobvoi flies underneath the radar in Europe and North America, regardless of the Chinese language firm releasing TicWatch branded smartwatches in each areas since 2015.
Eight years later, the TicWatch Professional 5 is its most refined, polished effort but. With a rugged but fashionable design, in depth monitoring performance and nice battery life, it’s undoubtedly top-of-the-line smartwatches round. Right here’s our full evaluate.
Design & construct
- Premium rugged design
- Impressively light-weight
- 5ATM water resistance
The design of the TicWatch Professional 5 is something however refined. It’s a rugged smartwatch that’s constructed to final, one thing you’ll discover as quickly as you are taking it out of the field.
This cumbersome, imposing design gained’t be for everybody, however I actually prefer it. The Professional 5 feels powerful and sturdy, but doesn’t sacrifice the premium aesthetic that’ll make you need to present it off. It’s not that thick, both: at 12.2mm, it’s truly thinner than Google’s Pixel Watch (12.3mm).
Consequently, the Professional 5 is flexible sufficient for use for each figuring out and extra formal occasions, though the latter will most likely require a change of band. The pre-applied silicone one might be swapped out for any 24mm strap, though Mobvoi doesn’t promote any on its web site.
The watch can be solely obtainable with a 48mm case, so I don’t advocate it to individuals with smaller wrists. A smaller choice can be good, in addition to alternate options to the ‘Obsidian’ end – it’s your solely color choice.
Nevertheless, none of those must be dealbreakers for most individuals. It’s straightforward to disregard these small compromises when sturdiness is so good.
A mix of aluminium, nylon and glass doesn’t sound outstanding, nevertheless it means the gadget meets MIL-STD-810H requirements. This certification proves that it could possibly face up to something the US army might encounter, together with a variety of maximum environments.
In fact, my couple of weeks of testing hasn’t come near replicating these, however I’m impressed with the way it held up. There have been no indicators of wear and tear and tear in anyway, and I’d be assured in it surviving virtually all bumps and drops. A barely raised bezel ensures the display stays protected.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Including to the sturdiness is 5ATM water resistance, that means you possibly can preserve it on within the bathe or whereas monitoring swimming. It might deal with as much as 50 metres of water for 10 minutes at a time.
Regardless of a lot of the case being made from steel, the Professional 5 additionally stays comparatively light-weight. Whereas the 44.3g determine solely applies to the case, a silicon strap provides little or no to the entire.
Two bodily controls are positioned on the suitable aspect, though each have been seen on smartwatches earlier than. The rotating crown is a helpful various to scrolling on the display, whereas the button above it gives one-click entry to current apps.
Show & audio
- 1.43in OLED show
- Glorious in all eventualities
- Respectable speaker and microphone
Regardless of its measurement, the show could make an enormous distinction to the smartwatch expertise, and 1.43in one on the TicWatch Professional 5 is an actual asset. It’s not an exaggeration to say this top-of-the-line screens you’ll discover on any wearable.
A 466×466 decision is respectable, nevertheless it’s OLED that takes issues to the following stage. It combines wonderful element with vibrant colors and deep blacks, with the darkish hues of WearOS taking full benefit of the latter. I actually can’t fault it.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Mobvoi doesn’t quote a most brightness determine, however the display stays clearly seen in all of the environments I used it in. That features direct daylight, the place reflections from the shiny exterior by no means change into distracting.
Whereas a smaller model can be good, the scale of the display additionally makes it very straightforward to navigate. The responsive touchscreen permits me to be exact with swipes and faucets, resulting in only a few unintended presses.
Choosing a flat somewhat than curved show actually makes this simpler. I personally favor this, with the sting of the display very clearly outlined.
Audio isn’t practically as essential, with the loudspeaker on the Professional 5 solely actually helpful for calls. Voices come by means of loud and clear although, so I can’t have any complaints. The only mic is strong too, that means you possibly can simply have a protracted dialog with somebody utilizing simply your watch.
I’m additionally impressed with the accuracy of its textual content dictation, that means you need to use your voice somewhat than typing on the tiny on-screen keyboard.
Software program & options
- WearOS 3.5
- Irritating companion app
- Plenty of options, however not all work easily
Out of the field, the TicWatch Professional 5 runs Put on OS 3.5. That’s nonetheless the most recent model of Google’s software program on the time of writing, nevertheless it’ll quickly get replaced by Put on OS 4. Mobvoi isn’t identified for being one of many early adopters of recent variations, and it’s not clear when the replace shall be obtainable.
However even in its present kind, the Professional 5’s software program is slick and intuitive. Google has had a number of years to refine and tweak the Put on OS expertise, and it now feels very polished.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Even should you’ve by no means used it earlier than, Put on OS is simple to get used to. Swiping down for fast settings and up for notifications feels very pure, as does shifting left and proper between abstract screens. An alphabetical record of put in apps is straightforward to navigate, and you’ll obtain extra on to the watch by way of the Google Play Retailer.
Nevertheless, Mobvoi has additionally pre-installed a number of of its personal. In whole, there are 10 further ‘Tic’ instruments, together with these for beginning an train, measuring important indicators and doing respiration workouts.
You could be conscious that Google has its personal ‘Match’ branded variations of those, a lot of that are higher optimised for the small display. In case you select to obtain the Google Match app, there are a number of eventualities the place you may have two apps which do the identical factor. Issues can shortly get cluttered, and there’s no technique to take away the Mobvoi variations.
To arrange the gadget, you’ll want to attach it to the Mobvoi Well being companion app in your cellphone. This can be a comparatively easy course of, together with making a Mobvoi account, connecting by way of Bluetooth and accepting permissions.
However the expertise after that might do with work. There’s a ton of performance within the Well being app, nevertheless it’s hidden behind a cluttered design and complicated menus. It’s additionally very troublesome to see key info at a look.
The simplest factor to regulate right here is the watch face, each by way of design and the issues which can be displayed. It’s additionally value diving into Settings to decide on which of your cellphone’s apps can ship notifications to your wrist.
Other than these, it’s simpler to entry the Professional 5’s most important options by way of the watch itself. Alongside the standard well being and health ones, you’ll discover choices for making and receiving calls and texts, taking notes, listening to music and turning the face right into a torch. All are genuinely helpful and work properly.
Navigation utilizing Google Maps is a superb characteristic, nevertheless it’s not fairly as seamless. Being reliant on the web connection out of your cellphone means you’ll want to remain related by way of Bluetooth always. Flip-by-turn instructions may additionally do with work, with a really refined vibration usually not sufficient to get my consideration.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Constructed-in NFC means funds utilizing Google Pay are way more profitable. However you’ll have to lock the Professional 5 utilizing a PIN or password to make use of it, which might be fiddly to enter and negates the additional comfort.
There’s additionally no digital assistant help, a characteristic you’ll discover on most premium smartwatches.
Health & monitoring
- Help for over 100 exercise sorts
- Spectacular information, however just for some workouts
- Stable sleep monitoring
The TicWatch Professional 5 has three built-in sensors which can be straight associated to your well being: coronary heart charge, blood oxygen and pores and skin temperature. Solely coronary heart charge might be monitored repeatedly all through the day.
However alongside an accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer and GPS, they permit a formidable vary of monitoring options.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
For most individuals, the principle one shall be health. Over 100 totally different exercises are supported by the TicExercise app, with strolling, operating and biking all particularly highlighted. I don’t have a motorbike, however was capable of strive the opposite two.
Beginning a exercise from the watch is straightforward, though you usually want to attend a number of seconds for the GPS to register your location. You possibly can set a purpose (time, distance, energy or steps), nevertheless it’s not obligatory.
Plenty of information is on the market throughout your exercise, however you’ll must swipe as much as discover it. Mobvoi has rightly targeted on the principle particulars on the abstract display: period, velocity and distance coated. Your present coronary heart charge can be displayed, alongside which zone that corresponds to.
After a number of seconds of inactivity (in any scenario), it’ll shift to the ultra-low-power (ULP) show, a monochrome LCD display which solely shows the necessities. Nevertheless, the color of the panel as you increase your wrist will correspond to the guts charge zone you’re in, which is a pleasant contact.
Ending a exercise requires you to bodily activate the gadget, then swipe proper and hit cease. It’s a bit fiddly, however I’d a lot favor this to a watch which might unintentionally finish the exercise.
Even for one thing so simple as a stroll or run, there’s a formidable quantity of knowledge within the Mobvoi Well being app. You get an summary of your tempo, steps, time taken for every kilometre and modifications in elevation. A map displaying the place you’ve been is a pleasant contact, whereas Mobvoi even gives an estimate of restoration time.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Sadly, the knowledge concerning my two-hour tennis session was way more restricted. Length, energy burned and coronary heart charge information is all you get, and isn’t very informative. It seems to be the same story for lots of the much less widespread workouts, with very fundamental information. The scores of exercise sorts serve extra to make word of the kind of train you probably did somewhat than present any fascinating information insights.
Luckily, much more thought has gone into sleep monitoring, which is trigged mechanically when in mattress. It gives an summary of how lengthy you spend in every sleep stage, plus how your coronary heart charge and blood oxygen ranges modified all through the evening.
You additionally get a sleep high quality share rating, plus some suggestions on how you can enhance. It thought the primary couple of hours had been a nap, somewhat than simply waking up within the evening, however this didn’t appear to have an effect on the general information. It seems to be to be pretty correct.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Specs & efficiency
- Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip
- Nice efficiency
- No LTE mannequin
The TicWatch Professional 5 is powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1, Qualcomm’s strongest chip for wearables, plus 2GB of RAM.
Consequently, efficiency is about pretty much as good as you’ll get from any smartwatch. The Professional 5 is quick and responsive, whereas scrolling and shifting between screens stays fluid and responsive. There are some occasional hesitations whereas opening some apps, however not sufficient to ever trigger a problem.
Crucially, this is applicable to each the touchscreen and two bodily buttons. The refined haptic suggestions whereas utilizing the digital crown is a specific spotlight.
Constructed-in Wi-Fi permits the Professional 5 to be self-sufficient in some conditions, however all too usually you’ll should be related to your cellphone by way of Bluetooth 5.2. There’s additionally no LTE mannequin, which severely limits its usability whereas out and about. In fact, you possibly can hotspot out of your cellphone, nevertheless it’s nowhere close to as seamless.
Battery life & charging
- 628mAh battery
- True multi-day battery life
- Spectacular charging speeds
Inside the TicWatch Professional 5, you’ll discover a 628mAh battery. That’s one of many largest you’ll discover in any smartwatch, and larger than even Apple’s rugged Watch Extremely (542mAh).
So, you possibly can see why I had excessive hopes for battery life. Did Mobvoi ship? Sure, and emphatically so.
The corporate claims as much as 80 hours of utilization on a single cost – properly over three full days. It is best to truly be capable to get near that determine, supplied you’re not utilizing GPS or monitoring exercises on a regular basis. Even should you use it for sleep monitoring, count on true multi-day battery life.
Nevertheless, you won’t like how Mobvoi achieves this. By default, the Professional 5 shifts to its ultra-low-power (ULP) show after 10 seconds, providing solely fundamental info in black and white. You possibly can improve this to 30 seconds or change it to a real always-on show, however battery life gained’t be anyplace close to pretty much as good.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It’s additionally value noting that standby time isn’t nice. After initially setting it up, I left the Professional 5 on a desk for a number of days, with round half its battery left. By the point I began testing it, the gadget had run out of cost. In case you solely use a smartwatch sometimes, it’s value being conscious of.
By default, the watch shifts to ‘Important mode’ once you hit 5%. This limits you to the ULP show till you plug it in, maximising what you may have left. You may also set Important mode to mechanically allow whereas sleeping or off your wrist for greater than half-hour.
If you do finally get spherical to charging, it’ll be utilizing the proprietary cable within the field. Robust magnets safe it to the watch, however you’ll want one thing to plug the USB-A into on the different finish.
Charging speeds are superb: I went from 32% to 92% in half-hour. That’s spectacular.
Value & availability
The TicWatch Professional 5 is a premium smartwatch, and its value actually displays that.
For a 48mm case and silicone strap, the one model obtainable, you’ll pay $349.99/£329.99. You should buy one direct from Mobvoi (US/UK) and at Amazon (US/UK)
Amongst rugged smartwatches, the Apple Watch Extremely ($799/£849) is extra succesful but in addition way more costly. The Watch Sequence 8 (from $399/£419) is a extra sensible choice, however neither work properly with Android gadgets.
Due to this fact, your greatest alternate options are the similarly-priced Google Pixel Watch (from $349/£339) and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Professional (from $449/£429), which additionally makes sturdiness a high precedence. There are different nice smartwatches, however the Professional 5 can maintain its personal.
Verdict
The TicWatch Professional 5 is Mobvoi’s greatest smartwatch but, making a compelling case for anybody with an Android cellphone.
That begins with the design, which meets army requirements for sturdiness but nonetheless seems to be fashionable and classy. Its OLED show is arguably much more spectacular, serving to content material to return alive regardless of the scale of the display.
Battery life, a weak point of 2022’s TicWatch Professional 3 Extremely, now turns into a significant energy, whereas Google’s Put on OS software program is optimised for each contact and use with the bodily button and rotating crown.
Nevertheless, Mobvoi’s companion app is cluttered and complicated, and there’s no digital assistant help. A scarcity of LTE choice additionally means it’s very reliant in your cellphone when out and about.
However should you’re in search of an alternative choice to smartwatches from cellphone firms, the TicWatch Professional 5 is properly value contemplating.
Specs
- WearOS 3.5 (requires Android 8 or newer)
- 1.43in, 466×460 AMOLED show, 326ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 + Gen 1
- 2GB RAM
- 32GB storage
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.2
- GPS
- NFC (funds by way of Google Pay)
- Mic
- Speaker
- Coronary heart charge sensor
- Blood oxygen sensor
- Accelerometer, gyroscope, pores and skin temperature sensor, off-body sensor, barometer, compass
- 100 train modes
- 628mAh battery
- Water resistant to 5ATM / 50m
- MIL-STD-810H
- Aluminium, nylon and fibreglass case
- Corning Gorilla cowl glass
- Rotating crown
- Facet button
- 44.3g (physique solely)
- Obsidian end (physique)