As speculated before, HTC is indeed coming out with a wearable together with its new fitness partner, Under Armor. Here at MWC 2015, we saw on HTC’s floor, not at a smartwatch, but at a no-nonsense smart fitness device. The HTC Grip, like the HTC One M9, is a curious beast, simple, somewhat ingenious, and probably too plain, all at the same time. So will the Grip grip active mobile users’ hearts? We took a dive to find out just what it is all about.
As a fitness band, the HTC Grip is, admittedly, almost too ordinary. You have a 1.8-inch PMOLED flexible display. While it is sensitive to touch, don’t expect it to function like a smartwatch. It has your basic functions of showing you information relevant to your activity as well as calls and messages, and barely little else. That definitely makes it a more focused device that some might prefer over complicated smartwatches. Those hoping HTC would have a smartwatch by now will undoubtedly walk away disappointed.
The Grip’s uniqueness, however, can be found in its design. Unlike some fitness trackers that you clasp on your wrist like a watch, the Grip comes together at the ends like those odd USB bracelets. Though that may arouse a bit of worry, the snapping mechanism is quite safe. And if in the rare case that it does unlock, the grippy inner material of the band offers a bit of reassurance that it will stay in place, at least for a while.
That locking mechanism serves a multiple purposes. It connects to a charging cradle, more like a stub really. The “cradle” itself then connects to a micro USB cable for charging. It’s definitely more portable and less wieldy than a real cable of charging pad. And lastly, that lock can also connect to an extender. HTC will be offering the Grip in three different sizes, but if you have the misfortune of falling somewhere in between sizes, you at least have an option.
As a first wearable, the HTC Grip might be underwhelming for those expecting a smartwatch. But given its new budding friendship with Under Armor, that wasn’t really unexpected. That said, HTC is entering into a market that is even more saturated than the smartwatch market, and as a newcomer, it will definitely have a lot to prove beyond simply being associated with a well known fitness brand.
