At the end of May 2023, Chinese manufacturer Mobvoi officially unveiled the TicWatch Pro 5, which we discussed on that occasion. While Apple and Samsung are undoubtedly the names that most readily come to mind when talking about smartwatches, Mobvoi is a manufacturer that offers solid sales points, notably by using a dual-layer display to extend battery life. Already a hit with previous versions, this new version offers some very interesting developments, such as the new rotating crown, which makes navigating apps much easier. Impressive battery life, comprehensive activity and health tracking, support for hands-free calling, and more, make it an extremely comprehensive smartwatch. Having spent all summer on my wrist, I invite you to discover this Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 in more detail. Unboxing and Presentation of the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 arrives in a sleek packaging, simply showcasing the smartwatch:
On the back, however, we find all its features, which are quite numerous! Particularly noteworthy are the use of the new Snapdragon W5+ processor dedicated to connected objects, the dual-screen system, the MIL-STD-810H certification which guarantees rock-solid durability, water resistance up to 5m, integrated GPS and barometer, as well as heart rate and VO2 monitoring, etc.
Inside, of course, we find the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5, accompanied by its charging cable and instructions.
The TicWatch Pro 5's case is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, providing maximum strength and lightness. The 1.43″ OLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, like the one found on many smartphones, making it resistant to fingerprints and shattering. The screen is, of course, touch-sensitive.
But the unique feature of Mobvoi watches is, of course, the use of a dual-layer display. Above the color OLED display is a monochrome FSTN LCD screen, which is very energy-efficient. This screen allows you to display permanent information (like the time, of course, without needing to “wake up” the watch), but is also used for Essential Mode, which, as its name suggests, displays essential information during workouts, for example, all with minimal power consumption. This is Mobvoi's secret, allowing it to offer a battery life of up to a week!
A major new feature on this v5: the presence of a rotating crown, as found for example, Apple or Samsung. Simply turn the button to navigate smoothly through the menus, which is very convenient to use.
Another physical button above the central crown also allows you to control other watch functions.
Below the watch face are the various sensors for health monitoring: heart rate, blood oxygen level, temperature, etc.
This is also where the charging connector is located. No inductive charging here; you'll need the manufacturer's cable.
Fortunately, installation is made easier by a magnetic connection to the watch:
Other important features include the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5's 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, a speaker and microphone (especially for hands-free calling), an NFC chip (contactless payment), Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, and a vibration motor for silent operation.
Finally, while this model comes with a black (obsidian) silicone strap, it's interchangeable with any standard 24mm strap.
Standard 24mm strap with quick release
Mobvoi has also been offering a sandstone version for a few days now.
To operate, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 will require a connection to your smartphone. This requires pairing with your smartphone and using the Mobvoi app. Indeed, although running WearOS 3.5 (currently with the July 5, 2023 security update), this model does not currently work with the WearOS app; you'll need to use the manufacturer's app.
During setup, you can automatically copy your Google account, which allows you to retrieve your Wi-Fi connection, passwords, and usual apps if they're available on WearOS. This makes getting started a breeze!
You're also prompted to set an unlock method for the watch. This step is skippable, but if you want to use contactless payment with Google Wallet, you'll absolutely need to set an unlock code or pattern. For security reasons!
Once you've completed these few steps, you can customize the smartwatch if you wish. The most eye-catching aspect, of course, is the dial, which can be chosen from hundreds of different models (free or paid):
Some dials even allow you to customize the color and select the information to be displayed:
But the smartwatch can display multiple screens to navigate through to display different information. These are called “cards.” You can activate up to 10 different cards to display various information or functions, such as a calculator, timer, alarm, but also GPS navigation or music control.
You can then adjust various settings, such as the notifications you want to receive, so your wrist doesn't vibrate every second :p
Using WearOS is a big advantage over smartwatches using a proprietary system, since it gives you access to the Play Store and numerous available apps.
We've mentioned contactless payment, but also GPS navigation via Google Maps, a very practical feature when cycling or hiking, for example, which eliminates the need to walk around with your phone in your hand. We also have music control, such as Spotify:
Moreover, it's even possible to store some songs directly on the watch, so you can listen to them even offline and without a smartphone:
Of course, this Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 also focuses on the health and activity tracking aspect, where it proves to be extremely comprehensive! The watch itself allows you to track numerous indicators:
Daily step tracking, with evaluation against the set goal:
Daily heart rate tracking:
And also over several days, with alerts for the slightest anomaly:
This Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 can track everything currently trackable with a smartwatch, thanks in particular to an HD PPG heart rate sensor and an SpO2 sensor for analyzing blood oxygen levels. It doesn't have an ECG sensor to monitor blood pressure, like Withings, for example, but it will still be able to detect various problems such as cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, irregular heartbeat, tachycardia (less than 60 beats/minute) or bradycardia (more than 100 beats/minute), for example.
While different “cards” allow you to track these indicators, you'll appreciate the one-click measurement, which in just a few seconds measures your current heart rate, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, stress level, and overall heart health. All at once. Very useful for getting a quick overview of your current status! Compared with a blood pressure monitor and another Garmin heart rate monitor used for running, the results are almost identical, to within a beat. We can therefore say that this Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is very accurate in its measurements.
It's also worth noting that this smartwatch is capable of measuring body temperature, atmospheric pressure (barometer), and altitude (altimeter), features less common on other competing smartwatches.
Of course, all this data can also be used in the Mobvoi health app, which is also very comprehensive. For example, the sleep tracking is one of the most comprehensive I've seen:
It naturally includes the different stages of sleep (light, deep), but also resting heart rate and blood oxygen levels. All this without having to do anything, as the watch automatically detects whether you're lying down or napping.
Sleep duration, bedtimes, wake-up times, and even a monthly representation of our sleep quality!
In short, it's extremely comprehensive!
Of course, we also have tracking of our various sports activities, like walking sessions here, which are automatically detected by the watch:
This smartwatch is capable of recognizing around a hundred different physical activities, which can also be selected directly on its dial:
The LCD screen, used in particular for essential information (time, activity time, heart rate, distance covered, etc.), is really practical for outdoor sports, as its screen is perfectly readable even in direct sunlight. And on this model, the manufacturer has added a very thoughtful new feature: 6 different screen colors that indicate heart rate zones. You can see at a glance how you're doing in your training, without even needing to read the information on the screen. A smartwatch to control your home
There are also many apps for controlling your smart home, from Nuki to unlock your front door to Hue to control your lighting :) This is the big advantage of having the Android Play Store, unlike more proprietary systems like Samsung, for example.
No need for a key when you have a watch and Nuki :)
Control Hue lights with the watch!
The only drawback: despite the built-in microphone and speaker, voice control via Google Assistant is not possible. However, Mobvoi has announced that it plans to include this feature in a future update. It's a feature that was available on the previous version, and I must admit that having your voice assistant on your wrist to control your home by voice is super practical :p
And the battery life?
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is equipped with an impressive 628 mAh battery, which is huge in the smartwatch world. This, of course, means better battery life.
A full charge takes about 45 minutes (65% in 30 minutes according to the manufacturer), which is very fast. The only regret is the lack of wireless charging in 2023, which will require carrying the (proprietary) cable with you. Fortunately, you can go on a few days without a cable without worrying about running out of power.
Conclusion
I've always really appreciated Mobvoi watches, which were ahead of the competition thanks to their innovation. This time, the manufacturer is back with a model featuring the latest processor dedicated to connected objects, which improves power and battery life, a rotating crown for navigating menus, the latest WearOS 3.5 system, and more comprehensive features than ever before. In short, this version 5 is close to perfection. I only regret the lack of wireless charging, but the watch's excellent battery life puts that into perspective. And I'm eagerly awaiting the update adding Google Assistant, which I found really practical on the previous model.
Personally, I love it, and given the choice between a Samsung or Pixel model, for example, my choice is easy: Mobvoi! Especially since its price of €300 remains quite reasonable compared to the competition.
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