## Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro vs. Garmin Vivoactive 5: Detailed Comparison
Choosing the right smartwatch can seem like a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Today, we’ll take a detailed look and compare two popular candidates - the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro and the Garmin Vivoactive 5. Both offer a wide range of features, but cater to slightly different needs and preferences. Let’s take a look at what each of these smartwatches has to offer.
Design and Build Quality
The Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro immediately stands out for its rugged design. It features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a reinforced bezel that can withstand daily wear and tear. The watch looks bulky on the wrist, and it may appear a bit bulky to some, but its sturdiness is a big plus. The included silicone strap is comfortable but is a standard 24mm size, so it can easily be replaced with a more stylish one.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 watch, on the other hand, has a bright and colorful AMOLED display. It’s sleek and lightweight, so it’s comfortable to wear all day long. However, the plastic buttons can feel a bit flimsy, and the lack of smaller size options can be a drawback for people with small wrists.
Display Technology
The Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro features a unique dual display technology. The low-powered screen is used to display the time and basic statistics, saving significant battery life. When the full functionality of the smartwatch is required, the bright AMOLED display is activated. This setup is a smart way to combine visibility and power efficiency.
However, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 uses a single AMOLED display. It’s bright and colorful, but can be reflective and hard to read outdoors without brightness adjustment. The always-on display mode is useful but affects battery life.
Under the hood of the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro is a Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. This combination ensures smooth performance and plenty of space for apps and music. It’s easy to navigate thanks to the rotating crown and customizable side buttons. The watch also provides comprehensive health tracking, including continuous monitoring of heart rate, SpO2, stress, and sleep.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 also offers a good balance of features, including new sleep metrics like Sleep Coach and sleep tracking, accurate GPS tracking, support for offline music playback, and Garmin Pay. However, they use the older Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor and lack a barometric altimeter, which can affect tracking activities like climbing a floor.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro really shines. The watch runs for 4-5 days on a single charge with normal use and up to 80 hours with the low power display. This is a huge advantage over many other watches on Wear OS.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 also has good battery life: 7-8 days with normal use and 3-4 days with a constant display - not as long as the Ticwatch, but quite good for a smartwatch with an AMOLED display.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Both watch models offer various health and fitness tracking features. The Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro can continuously track heart rate, SpO2, stress, and sleep. However, some users have noted unstable step tracking and less accurate heart rate readings during strength training.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 also offers comprehensive health tracking, including new sleep indicators such as Sleep Coach and Nap Tracking. GPS tracking is accurate, but the accuracy of sleep stage tracking is questioned by some users.
Software and User Experience
The Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro runs on an older version of Wear OS (3.5), so it lacks some new features and Google Assistant. The watch is generally smooth and responsive, but the lack of up-to-date software is a drawback for some.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 uses Garmin’s own operating system, which is known for its stability and focus on fitness tracking. The interface is intuitive but may not be as good as Wear OS in terms of apps.
Pros and Cons
Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro
Pluses:
- Outstanding battery life: 4-5 days in normal smartwatch mode and up to 80 hours in low power mode.
- Resistant to scratches and shocks thanks to sapphire crystal and reinforced bezel.
- Unique dual display technology: Low-power screen for continuous display of time and health statistics.
- Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage.
- Customizable side buttons and rotating crown: Easy navigation and app access.
Disadvantages:
- Outdated Wear OS 3.5: Lack of new features and Google Assistant.
- Unstable step tracking.
- Heart rate tracking during strength training: Can be inaccurate due to wrist movement.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Pluses:
- Vibrant AMOLED display: Bright and colorful, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- A strong competitor in this price range.
- New sleep indicators: Includes sleep coach and sleep tracking.
- Accurate GPS tracking: Not inferior to higher-end Garmin models.
- Lasts 7-8 days with normal use.
Disadvantages:
- No barometric altimeter: Affects tracking when climbing floors and descending mountains.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Does not support ECG and may be less accurate when exercising at high intensity.
- Plastic buttons feel flimsy to the touch.
Final Thoughts
The Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro and Garmin Vivoactive 5 are great smartwatches, but they solve different problems. If battery life and durability are important to you, the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro is a great choice. Its dual display technology is innovative, and its rugged construction can withstand a lot. However, if you’re looking for a more stylish watch with an emphasis on fitness tracking and a bright AMOLED display, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a great choice. It has a good ratio of features to price, and accurate GPS tracking is a plus for outdoor enthusiasts. Ultimately, the best choice depends on personal preferences and priorities.