Square smartwatches are dead. Or at least they will be when Apple decides to join the circle party. As expected, ASUS does have a new ZenWatch 3 here at IFA 2016 and, also as expected, it has ditched the straight, angular face of its predecessor. Sporting what ASUS bills as a “timeless” design, both in form and in materials, the ASUS ZenWatch 3 focuses on becoming a fashion statement as much as a wearable device, with better power management that leaves it on your wrist rather than on a charger.
Beauty is in eye of the beholder, as they say. Or in the eye of the buyers. As far as the latter is concerned, the market seems to have gravitated towards round smartwatches. Or at least most of them. Far be it for ASUS to keep on denying that market as it has done for two ZenWatch generations. But the ZenWatch 3 isn’t simply just a circular smartwatch. ASUS wants you to know the intricate design process and materials that went into crafting this third gen wearable, like the tougher than steel 316L stainless steel material, rose gold bezel, and stitched Italian leather, or high quality rubber, wrist straps.
Inside, the ZenWatch has changed significantly as well. This time around, ASUS adopted the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100, the chip specifically designed for wearables, instead of the Snapdragon 400 that was shoehorned to fit the need. It has a 1.39-inch 400×400 AMOLED screen, protected by a gently curved Gorilla Glass 3, not the new SR+. The rest of the specs remain the same though, like 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of eMMC storage. Still, the processor change is touted to have a substantial impact on battery life, promising 1-2 days before needing a recharge.
Customization is the name of ASUS game, as it knows one size never fits all when it comes to watches. It offers, among other things, a choice of Gunmetal, Silver, and Rose Gold watch bodies, and a choice of leather or rubber straps, in dark brown or beige colors. Add to that the ability to change watch faces to suit your taste or need, displaying different types of watches or different pieces of information. ASUS will even let users design their own, using a FaceDesigner smartphone app.
But ASUS also wants you to know that the ZenWatch 3 isn’t just a pretty face. It claims that its tracking technology has 95% accuracy, definitely a bold assertion that deserves some honest to goodness testing. With the ZenFit app, the smartwatch can track walking, running, and all sorts of activities. No mention of sleep though. Even in functionality, the ZenWatch 3 is still customizable, with the topmost of three buttons providing customizable functionality.
The ASUS ZenWatch 3 will sell for 229 EUR, roughtly $255 converted. No word yet on its planned rollout to international markets.
R.I.P Motorola 360
Less than $200 please
Wow, those 3 big buttons are ugly! That kills it for me!