Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro: Honest Thoughts After a Month
Have you ever felt like your smartwatch stops in the middle of the day? It’s similar to the feeling when you find yourself on a desert island, but instead of sand, you’re surrounded by notifications that you never answered. That’s why I was excited when I picked up the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro. The watch promised a long battery life, and to be honest, I was skeptical. But after a month of daily use, I’m ready to tell you whether the hype was true or not.
First Impressions: Sturdy and Ready to Go
When I first took the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro out of the box, I was struck by its rugged appearance. It doesn’t try to be sleek and thin. The obsidian black aluminum case feels massive and the sapphire crystal display feels solid. I have a fairly narrow wrist and was a little concerned that the watch would look ridiculous, but it fits surprisingly well. The silicone strap is comfortable to wear, and since it’s a standard 24mm, I appreciated being able to swap it out for something fancier during the day. The packaging is simple and no-frills, which can’t be beat.
Diving into Features: Dual Display is a Winner
The main advantage of this watch is the dual display. Most of the time you’re looking at a low-powered screen that displays the time, date and some basic stats. This is similar to an always-on display, but uses much less power. When you use an app or go into settings, a bright OLED screen appears. The switching is smooth, and it’s a smart way to save battery life. The rotating crown is a nice touch, providing easy access to menus and notifications. Notification support is excellent, they are not annoying and buzz loud enough to get my attention. I can reply to messages with emoji and use voice input, which is very handy. The adaptive brightness works well and never once required manual adjustment. There’s also a flashlight mode, which is brighter than expected. The watch has enough space - 32 gigs - to store apps and music, and I was able to connect Bluetooth headphones and listen to music while working out.
- Dual display: great battery saver.
- Rotating crown: makes navigation easier and smoother.
- Notification support: responsive and customizable.
- Storage: 32GB is enough for my needs.
Real-world Use: From the Gym to the City
This watch fits into my life very well. I use them to track my workouts at the gym and have found that the heart rate monitoring is pretty accurate. I like that I can see my heart rate zone while running just by looking at the watch. I use the Google Maps feature in unfamiliar places so I don’t have to constantly reach for my phone; Google Wallet is convenient and I can pay with a simple tap on my wrist. It’s a great feature. I like that the watch face can be customized and various complications and widgets can be added, such as heart rate and a handwash timer. I’ve worn this watch on long hikes and it’s held up great. The rugged construction made me confident in using it outdoors. Also, when the phone rang while cooking, I was able to answer it thanks to the built-in microphone and speaker.
Minuses: There Are a Few Minor Flaws
Step counting is a bit choppy at times, updates take a bit long or give weird numbers, and the lack of Google Assistant is a bit disappointing. There is a workaround, but it’s not as smooth as the built-in one. The charging dock is magnetic, connects well but disconnects easily. It would have been better to install something that can be attached to the entire back panel. There were also times when the watch fell apart completely. This could be fixed by plugging them into the charger and pressing and holding the button, but it wasn’t pleasant. Sleep tracking is good, but not revolutionary. It provides some information but no useful tips. The watch uses an older version of Wear OS, which is a shame as a newer version has been released.
Comparison with Other Wear OS Watches
I’ve had the opportunity to try other Wear OS watches like the Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy devices, and what really makes the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro stand out is the battery life. It easily outperforms them. The only other watch I’ve tested that comes close to this figure is the OnePlus Watch 2. The dual display technology is unique to the Ticwatch and makes a big difference. The watch is built better than others I’ve tested, and the sapphire crystal is a nice addition. If battery life is important to you, you should consider this watch. If you want the latest and greatest Wear OS features, however, you may want to look at other options.
Final Conclusion: A Solid Choice for Those Who Care About Battery
After a month of using the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro, I can say that it’s a pretty reliable smartwatch. The battery life is excellent, usually lasting 4-5 days on a single charge. The watch has a solid construction, so there is no risk of it getting scratched. The dual display is a great idea, the rotating crown is a nice touch, the Google integration is great and the health tracking is quite adequate. There are a few drawbacks, such as the lack of Google Assistant and occasional software glitches, but they don’t outweigh the pros. If you want a Wear OS watch that you can use for days without recharging, this is the one for you. It is priced at $379.0 USD. It’s a good choice for active people who value durability and long battery life. If you’re looking for something more stylish or with the latest software features, you should look for something else.
