Android electronic watch for Asus. Review of ASUS ZenWatch smartwatches: this is a must see

After the famous Pebble company disappeared from the smartwatch market this year and postponed Android launch Wear 2.0, fans of these devices have gloomy prospects that they will go into oblivion. This fact is also confirmed by the fact that some companies, such as Huawei and Motorola, have not updated their models for a long time smart watch and it seems that they don't even have such plans. Although, Samsung is actively developing its wrist devices, adding more than enough new features, but this causes little enthusiasm among users.

Smartwatch manufacturers are trying various ways to attract the attention of consumers: expensive design, a lot of functions, a round dial, sensors, etc... But, alas, most of these devices are only suitable for receiving notifications on the wrist and they still do not have any “killer function” , which would revolutionize the market, and the long-awaited “Year of Smartwatches” would finally come.

However, these problems do not stop ASUS from developing new smartwatch models with innovative features. The company's latest development is ASUS ZenWatch 3 - this is the most ambitious watch on Android Wear (until Wear 2.0 devices appeared).

Before we begin this review, we should note that the ZenWatch 3 was originally planned to launch with Android Wear 2.0. However, the watch runs on Android Wear 1.5, which was caused by the delay in the release of Wear 2.0. Most likely, the ZenWatch 3 smartwatch will receive Wear 2.0 in the future, but don't expect a radical redesign original Android for wrist devices.

Housing, build and design

Modern smartwatches offer a fairly wide selection of designs - from natural electronic gadgets to classic chronometers. The ZenWatch 3 looks like a traditional watch, but it's not one your mom would like. In general, the design of ZenWatch 3 can be described in one word - steampunk (science fiction direction). For what reasons - we will write below, but even without them this is a fairly apt description. Let's look at all the elements of ZenWatch 3 and evaluate their impact on appearance smartwatch.

Looking at the device from the front, we see the typical solar eclipse design - a gold stripe around the screen and a body made of sleek black 316L stainless steel.

The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 2.5 (not sapphire, as previously reported). The bezel around it is quite thick, but the gold ring and smooth transitions make the watch look more sophisticated. The bottom and top of the case bends into too large strap holders. They are also smooth and black, but are not as highly polished compared to the bezel. However, unlike smartwatches from other companies, ASUS managed to position the holders at the ideal angle - they do not squeeze the wrist or hang over it.

On the side of the ZenWatch 3 you will find three buttons, typical of traditional timepieces. The functions of the buttons can be customized, but we will discuss this in the section on software hours.

On the back there is a speaker and a port for fast charging(more details below), but there is no heart rate sensor.

We should also note that the ZenWatch 3 is quite thin at just 9.95mm, so it looks much more compact than many of its competitors.

The 18mm wide strap is made of dark brown leather, which appears black in most cases. It is very comfortable, but unfortunately it has a non-standard type of fastening, so replacing the strap can cause problems.

Technical specifications

Let's move on to the internal parameters. The watch is protected from dust and water according to the IP67 standard. The round screen has a large diameter of 1.39 inches, an AMOLED matrix, very a high resolution 400*400 dots (287 dpi density) and ambient light sensor. The image is quite juicy and bright, although the light sensor does not work as quickly and accurately as we would like, so the brightness sometimes has to be adjusted manually.

And finally, ZenWatch 3 is one of the first devices equipped with the latest Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip, which promises 25% more efficient power consumption. At the same time, this watch has 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of memory for user files. Unfortunately not available in ZenWatch 3 GPS modules, NFC and GSM, but there is WiFi and Bluetooth LE 4.2. Let us remind you that ASUS ZenWatch 3 does not have a heart rate sensor, despite the fact that the company is developing its own fitness application ZenFit.

Specifications

Iron

• Manufacturer: ASUS
• Model: ZenWatch 3
• Processor: 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100
• Memory: 512 MB RAM, 4 GB ROM, no memory card support.
• Communications: there is only WiFi, Bluetooth, but no radio, USB, GPS.
• Camera: none.

Functions

• Accelerometer.
• SMS.
• Email.
• Hypercharge (60% in 15 minutes).
• Player.
• Voice control.

Other parameters

• Cellular connection: not supported, no GSM module.
• Battery: 341 mAh, lithium-ion, non-replaceable, autonomy up to 48 hours (mixed load).
• Platform: Android Wear OS 1.5 (can be upgraded to 2.0).
• Price, $: 229.

Physical parameters

• Housing, mm: 45 x 45 x 9.95-10.75
• Strap, mm: 18
• Weight, g: 192
• Material: stainless steel steel.
• Protection: IP67.

Screen

• Type: multi-touch.
• Gorilla Glass 2.5.
• Martitsa AMOLED.
• Number of flowers, million: 16.
• Screen diagonal, inches: 1.39.
• Resolution, pixels: 400x400.

Programs, interface, user experience

ZenWatch 3, more than any other smartwatch, is packed with different functions. This is indicated by a hidden light sensor and 3 customizable buttons.

The core functions of the ZenWatch 3 work absolutely fine. Performance is very fast. The device screen has 2 advantages. Firstly, it is a completely round AMOLED matrix with a light sensor. And secondly, these are the built-in ASUS watch faces, which demonstrate all the beauty of the display.

On the street, the image on the screen is quite clearly visible, but not on sunny days.

A full battery charge is enough to keep the smartwatch powered for a couple of weeks (in standby mode), but even if the screen is constantly on, this does not reduce the time much battery life. Unfortunately, the design of the dial itself has not been updated, i.e. it still lacks a second hand, ticking dots, or any other moving elements. But there are more than 50 watch face styles available, mostly classic (brown, black, gray, gold) that match the physical aesthetics of ZenWatch 3. Of course, you can also download your favorite watch face from Google Play, if suddenly none of the built-in options are suitable.

Now let's discuss the buttons on the ZenWatch 3. They can be configured to launch specific applications (after installing ZenWatch Manager). By default, the top button launches ZenFit (ASUS's fitness app), while the bottom button enables ECO mode (details below). For example, you can reconfigure a button to launch a social network application to quickly check messages, or attach it to a navigator, calendar, etc. Other users can use buttons to configure fast access to more important applications for them - a stopwatch, calculator or translator. The smartwatch has a decent amount of RAM (512 MB), so switching between running applications happens quickly and smoothly.

To unlock the full potential of the ZenWatch 3 smartwatch, you need to download the ZenWatch Manager application from Google Play. Among key functions It is worth noting watch search (using vibration and sound), protection against losing your phone, calls through the watch, SOS signal, camera control, etc.

We didn't try out all the features of the ZenWatch manager app, but we really liked the watch face settings and control of information widgets.

The ZenWatch 3's speaker was surprisingly loud during various alarms and music playback, although we didn't test it during phone calls.

Autonomy, battery

As for autonomy, during 24 hours of active use of ZenWatch 3 we did not experience any serious problems. Moreover, the selected dials did not have pure black colors to save battery power thanks to the AMOLED display. If you turn off the smartwatch screen at night, it will almost certainly withstand even 2 days of operation. But this is not necessary, because... ZenWatch 3 has a really very fast charging function that allows you to reach 60% charge in 15 minutes. Our tests confirmed this. It will take about 40 minutes to charge to 100%. But we think that a 15-minute charge in the morning will be enough to stretch the clock until the evening.

We did not notice any limitations in the battery life of the ZenWatch 3 smartwatch, however ASUS offers an additional external battery, which prolongs the performance of the device by 40%. In addition, there is also an “ECO” energy saving mode, which can extend the battery life of smartwatches by 2 times due to some limitations in functionality. A useful thing in extreme cases, although the high charging speed is still more pleasing.

Video

Serious competitor

At the moment, the ASUS ZenWatch 3 smartwatch is the most advanced Android Wear-based device. ASUS offers stylish watches with a huge amount functions. ZenWatch 3 is a light, thin and comfortable smartwatch. They are superior to the previous generation thanks to the Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip. The charging mechanism is also convenient and insanely fast. True, I would like the cable to be made longer.

Disadvantages of ZenWatch

This has already been mentioned above, but let us remind you once again that the disadvantages of the device are the absence of some key sensors, for example GPS, NFC, heart rate sensor, GSM radio module.

Price

The price tag for the ZenWatch 3 smartwatch is very reasonable - only $229. This is much lower than similar devices.

The company's first round watch on Android Wear

operating room Android system Wear is going through hard times. Lenovo from the release of the Moto 360 line; LG, Huawei and Sony have not announced any new products on this OS for more than a year and have clearly lost interest in the smartwatch market... In addition to this, Google postponed the release of the long-awaited second one for six months Android versions Wear. The picture would have been completely critical if it weren’t for Asus, which showed ZenWatch 3 at IFA 2016 and released them for sale towards the end of the year.

If in the previous generation - ZenWatch 2 - the manufacturer relied on affordability (the official price of the younger model was only 15 thousand rubles in Russian retail), then in the new model it was decided to find a balance between price and style. For the first time in the line, the screen and watch case became round, and the price tag increased significantly.

But, however, the cost of the gadget still remained lower than the second generation Moto 360, Samsung Gear S3 and Huawei Watch. Therefore, those who wanted to get the most impressive appearance of a smartwatch for minimal money should now pay close attention to the Asus ZenWatch 3.

We received a new product for testing and decided to study it in detail.

Let's take a look at its specifications.

Specifications Asus ZenWatch 3 (WI503Q)

• SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100, 4 cores @1.2 GHz
• Touchscreen 1.39″ AMOLED, 400×400 (407 ppi) with Gorilla Glass 3
• RAM(RAM) 512 MB, internal memory 4 GB
• Bluetooth 4.2 LE, Wi-Fi
• Two microphones
• Gyroscope, accelerometer, light sensor
• Lithium polymer battery 340 mAh
• Android Wear operating system
• Compatible with devices under Android control 4.3 and later / iOS 8.2
• Compliant with IP67 protection standard
• Removable genuine leather strap (width 20 mm)
• Dimensions ∅45×9.95 mm
• Weight (with strap) 59 g

*according to manufacturer information

The characteristics show that the screen of Asus ZenWatch 3 has the highest pixel density, and in addition, the body thickness is less than that of all competitors. However, the battery capacity is far from record-breaking, there is no GPS and serious water protection, which the Apple Watch Series 2, and there is also no choice of straps.

Now let's move on directly to testing.

Equipment

The claim to high style and luxury is already visible in the packaging. The watch is supplied in a striking dark blue cubic box.

Inside - power supply, charger USB cable with magnetic cradle and brief instructions. Perhaps, for a flagship device there are not enough accessories or particularly sophisticated design of the internal space of the box, but, apparently, this is where Asus decided to save money.

Special mention should be made about nutrition. To recharge, you need to hook the round cradle to the back of the watch case, ensuring that the contacts match. This isn't fancy inductive charging like Apple or Samsung, but it does support fast charging, which we'll test in detail later.

Since we tested a sample and not a commercial copy, the charging unit here has an American standard plug. Naturally, the copies officially sold in Russia come with a plug that is more familiar to us. Note also that the cable itself is flat.

Design

Appearance is one of the main advantages of the device. As already noted, Asus is releasing a round smartwatch for the first time. In addition to this, the case and buttons are made of stainless steel, and the strap is made of Italian leather with stitching.

An important point: the watch case does not seem thick. It doesn't feel bulky like the Samsung Gear S3 or LG Watch Urbane.

Partly, apparently, due to the rounding of the edge of the case. In part, this is due to the screen being recessed into the body, which makes it seem that the overall design is not so massive. True, it is worth making a reservation here. Asus claims in its watch description that it uses 2.5D glass. Perhaps formally this is the case, but we are accustomed to the fact that this term refers to a screen with a rounding of the glass itself, and not the body. Here the glass is straight.

Another detail worth noting is the golden bezel around the screen. Thanks to him, the appearance becomes even more impressive.

The control buttons on the watch are located on the right. Moreover, there are three of them: the top one is programmable, it can be assigned to your favorite applications, the central one is “Home”, and the bottom one is for launching the energy saving mode.

In everyday life, you are unlikely to actively use all three buttons, so it is difficult to escape the idea that their purpose is more decorative than functional. However, this may not be a bad thing. At the very least, their symmetrical arrangement and striking appearance add flair to the rounded contours of the watch. The buttons are very hard to press, but that has its own charm.

One more detail: there is no heart rate sensor on the back. Unlike competitors, Asus believes that this is unnecessary. Although, say, in the VivoWatch model this feature is implemented very successfully.

Other revealing details include large hinges oriented downward (at an angle to the body).

The halves of the strap are attached to it using a knitting needle threaded into the leather. And although the straps themselves are removable, it will not be easy to find replacements for them from third-party manufacturers. But we were unable to find branded straps for sale.

And the choice of options when purchasing is small: beige or dark brown. In addition to this, in the new model, Asus has completely abandoned silicone and metal straps. It is difficult to understand the logic of this decision, but if you evaluate the strap that comes with the watch, then it is worth recognizing it as very successful.

It is made of medium-hard (or rather soft) genuine leather, with stitching, and a traditional steel clasp. The holes on the strap are sufficient to securely fit the watch on an adult hand of any size.

Summarizing our impressions, we note that the appearance of the Asus ZenWatch 3 seems to us one of the best among Android Wear watches. The advantages of the design are a round screen, lack of bulkiness, noble and high-quality materials (the case is entirely made of stainless steel, the strap is made of genuine leather), a good solution with a golden bezel and a screen slightly recessed into the case. The downsides include the lack of a heart rate sensor and the inability to choose straps (except for one of two colors). However, these are not such significant points as to greatly adjust the assessment of the model as a whole.

Screen

The watch is equipped with a color touchscreen round AMOLED screen, and with a very high pixel density: 407 ppi. This is currently a record among Android Wear watches. The Huawei Watch has the same resolution (400×400), but the Chinese gadget has a slightly larger screen, so the pixel density is slightly lower. Another important aspect: like the Huawei Watch, the Asus ZenWatch 3 has no dead zone at the bottom. That is, the entire screen area is useful.

Editor of the “Projectors and TV” section Alexey Kudryavtsev held detailed testing screen. His expertise is below.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, noticeably better than that of Google Nexus 7 (2013)), so fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than in the case of regular glass. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are slightly worse than those of the Google Nexus 7 2013 screen. For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected when the screens are turned off:

The screen of the Asus ZenWatch 3 is a little brighter (brightness according to photographs is 122 versus 110 for the Nexus 7). Note that from bright objects reflected in the screen, in addition to the main reflection, there is a certain phantom magnification. The reflection ghosting is weak, which indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. When the white field was displayed in full screen, the maximum value (5 on the scale) of brightness was about 330 cd/m², the minimum (1 on the scale) was 45 cd/m². Given the good anti-glare properties, on a sunny day outdoors, screen readability should remain at a more or less acceptable level. You can enable automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor, which is presumably located under the screen. In complete darkness, the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 9 cd/m² (normal), in an artificially lit office (about 550 lux) it sets it to 160 cd/m² (suitable), in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more), the brightness increases to 330 cd/m² (to the maximum - this is how it is needed). It turns out that the auto-brightness function works adequately. On the graphs of brightness (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis) for high, medium and minimum brightness, you can see a significant modulation:

The modulation frequency is approximately 235 Hz. The frequency is not very high, so the presence of modulation can be seen in a test for the presence of a stroboscopic effect or simply with rapid eye movement. However, in the case of watches, such flickering is unlikely to cause increased fatigue.

This screen uses an AMOLED matrix - active matrix organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B), but there are half as many blue subpixels, as confirmed by a fragment of a micrograph:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

In the fragment above you can count 4 green subpixels, 4 red (2 whole and 4 halves) and 2 blue (1 whole and 4 quarters), and by repeating these fragments, you can lay out the entire screen without breaks or overlap. The spectra are typical for OLED - the primary color areas are well separated and appear as relatively narrow peaks:

Accordingly, the coverage is noticeably wider than sRGB, and there are no attempts to reduce it:

Note that on screens with a wide color gamut, without appropriate correction, the colors of regular images optimized for devices with sRGB screens look unnaturally saturated:

Pay attention to the tomatoes and the shade of the girl's face. The color temperature of the white and gray fields is approximately 7000 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is 3.4 and 0.1 units, respectively. Color balance is acceptable. Black is just black from any angle. So black that the contrast parameter is simply not applicable in this case. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the white field is excellent. The screen has excellent viewing angles with a much smaller drop in brightness when looking at the screen at an angle compared to LCD screens. In general, the quality of the screen can be considered quite high.

Operating system and software

As we have repeatedly noted, on all existing smartwatches with Android Wear operating system works the same and is available in latest version. Asus ZenWatch 3 is no exception. True, the second version of the OS should be released very soon, and judging by the available compatibility information, the very first watches on Android Wear (Moto 360 of the first generation, LG G Watch and some other models) will not receive the update. And, of course, they will receive Asus ZenWatch 3. But for now we are content with what we have.

The smartphone application is traditionally minimalistic (both in the iOS version, screenshots of which you see above this paragraph, and in the Android version below). There are no surprises here: only a selection of dials (quite extensive, including exclusive dials for Asus watches) and basic settings. But traditionally, Asus offers a number of additional applications: ZenWatch Manager, FaceDesigner, Remote Camera...

We talked about them in detail in our review of Asus ZenWatch 2, so we won’t repeat them here. However, along with the applications we already know, something new has appeared: Asus ZenFit. By default, the top start button is set to ZenFit.

This is a simple fitness application that allows you to start a workout on your watch and see your results by the number of steps, distance traveled and calories burned, and on your smartphone you can also measure your heart rate using the rear camera.

Performance and battery life

The new watch is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 SoC, the first SoC designed by Qualcomm specifically for smartwatches. Let us remember that previously most models on Android Wear used Snapdragon 400. And now, Asus ZenWatch 3 became the first product on the new SoC. True, the main parameters (number of cores and their maximum frequency) of the Snapdragon 400 and Snapdragon 2100 are identical, from which we can conclude that, in fact, the Snapdragon 2100 is just a slightly modified Snapdragon 400.

It is clear that it is problematic to feel any differences in performance on the watch - models on the Snapdragon 400 also did not slow down, and nothing more is required here. Another thing is autonomous operation. The manufacturer claims that its duration should be 25% longer than in the case of the Snapdragon 400. Perhaps, hypothetically, this should be the case, and we will notice this in future firmware versions. But for now, battery life is perhaps the weakest aspect of the model. The watch can work for just over a day with moderate active use (that is, notifications are turned on, we periodically check the time, but we don’t use Google Now or any applications).

If you enable energy saving mode turning off everything network interfaces and, in fact, turning the Asus ZenWatch 3 into a regular watch with a built-in pedometer, we get one and a half to two days, but it is obvious that it is hardly advisable to use such a mode for any long time.

Simply put, if you plan to wear your watch constantly, you will have to charge it every night.

However, there is good news. Fast charging support is not a marketing gimmick, but a really working option. When using proprietary charger The watch is fully charged in less than an hour. In 15 minutes we managed to charge them by 53% - slightly less than the promised 60%, but also very good. And in half an hour the watch is charged by 71%. In general, if you are getting ready for work in the morning and realize that you forgot to charge your watch overnight, it is enough to connect it to the power supply for just half an hour to last until the evening. And this is a big plus. The main thing is to remember to do this :)

conclusions

New items on Android Wear have been so rare lately that the very fact of the appearance of such watches is already pleasing. But even without taking this circumstance into account, one cannot help but admit that the model turned out to be very successful. It has a great design, a round screen with no dead zones, and a very reasonable price. The official Russian price is 21 thousand rubles, and this is cheaper than Huawei Watch or Samsung Gear S3.

Of course, we are a little confused by the battery life situation, but we want to believe that it will be fixed with the release of Android Wear 2. After all, this is the first watch equipped with a Qualcomm SoC designed specifically for smartwatches, so theoretically everything should be better here with autonomy than models on other SoCs, and for the Snapdragon Wear 2100 the operating system simply did not have time to be optimized. Hence the problems.

Well, and most importantly: the Android Wear operating system is now “at a crossroads”, and it is not entirely clear what will happen to it next: products based on this OS have not yet become widespread. Perhaps the situation will improve after the release of the second version of Android Wear, announced on February 8. By the way, Asus ZenWatch 3 will support Android Wear 2, so you can safely buy them. In the meantime, the entire market for watches on Android Wear looks half-dead - there doesn’t seem to be much success, but it’s too early to talk about the failure of the project.

Therefore, ultimately, purchasing a watch on Android Wear depends on how you personally assess the prospects of this OS. And if it’s positive, then you probably won’t find a better option than the Asus ZenWatch 3 right now. Unless you set yourself the goal of saving money, then it makes sense to look at ZenWatch 2. But from a style point of view, the new product is certainly more interesting.

Not long ago, a new product with an improved set of options and characteristics entered the market; these are special watches from the manufacturer Asus. The article provides an overview. The product is a progressive digital device, manufactured according to long-standing traditions. Only high-quality parts are used in the production process.

Demonstration of the exact time is not the only option that the Asus ZenWatch 3 smartwatch is equipped with. The list of its functions includes much larger number opportunities. First of all, they are associated with the personalization of the interface, through which the user gains the ability to customize it in accordance with his own preferences. And the long battery life, along with the presence of instant charging technology, makes this product indispensable in terms of mobility.

Specifications

The Asus ZenWatch 3 wi503q smart watch is equipped with a number of the following technical parameters, options and characteristics:

• Qualcomm SoC class working mechanism with 4 1.2 GHz cores;
• touch-type display class 1.39 AMOLED units size 400 * 400, which contains Gorilla Glass 3;
• built-in 2 microphones;
• there is Bluetooth 4.2 LE, as well as Wi-Fi transmission;
• RAM is 512 MB, internal memory is 4 GB;
• In addition, the device includes a light sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer;
• the operating system present in the device is based on Android Wear;
• The watch has a polymer lithium battery with an indicator of 340 mA * h;
• the product has 100% compliance with the IP67 protection standard;
• the strap can be removed if the user wishes and needs it; it is made of natural leather material;
• the weight together with it is 59 g.

The Asus ZenWatch 3 wi503q Leather watch will delight users with high power, extensive functionality and an affordable price. Numerous applications make the device's operation comfortable and convenient.

Equipment

A hint of luxury and dignified style is present, starting from the packaging. The product is delivered in a special dark blue box with a cubic shape. The following units are located inside:

• device power supply;
• a flat cable for charging USD watches, equipped with a magnetic cradle, which must be attached to the back of the case so that the contacts match;
• brief user manual (instructions).

Many experts and just amateurs believe that for a product to be “fashionable,” it lacks accessories or sophistication in the design of the interior space. It follows that the company, a global giant in the production of equipment, decided to save on these aspects.

Design

The new product is very bulky and impressive in size, since it is not yet possible to fit a large mechanism into a thin case. However, it’s nice that the engineers have been honestly engaged in development all this time in order to win back even hundredths of a millimeter from their competitors. Thus, the thickness of the Asus Zenwatch 3 wi503q smart watch is 9.95 mm, which is not bad for such a smart accessory.

Talented designers also came to the rescue of the developers, who proposed streamlined shapes, slightly beveled outlines that are visible to the naked eye. And the display seems to be buried inside the case, which favorably emphasizes the insignificant in size, but significant in beauty, thickness of the case. Due to its discreet and elegant appearance, the watch looks good on both men's and women's hands.

The case is made of stainless steel and is offered in three color options - metal, silver and gold with a pinkish tint. Italian techniques were used to produce the strap, which gave it a non-standard and at the same time original appearance. There are only two branded products - one is made of light beige leather, the other is made of dark brown. In practice, it is also common to use a silicone accessory, but it is not mentioned on the official website.

Screen

Another significant advantage that the Asus ZenWatch 3 Smart Watch is endowed with is the screen. It is a significant advantage, because it is an AMOLED with a decent appearance and optimal characteristics. The display consumes almost no energy, has a resolution of 400*400 pixels and a round shape. Due to high-quality technologies used in the manufacturing process, the screen provides a good viewing angle, as well as decent brightness and contrast parameters.

Natural transmission deprives the device of excessive acidity; black and white colors are free of all kinds of impurities and image inaccuracies. There is also a light sensor that helps regulate brightness parameters in manual and automatic mode.

operating system

The functioning of the device is based on the use of Wear OS, which is designed specifically for smart watches. This allows you to integrate features and get more options. This platform is compatible with square and round watches.

Performance and battery life

The manufacturer promised consumers an impressive increase in battery life over time. Despite these assurances, miracles did not happen, and the clock still lasts a little more than a day. Many tricks have emerged among users that can be used to extend this period by double or even triple. But there is little point in this, since the functionality is reduced in economy mode.

This situation is saved by the presence of instant charging. As the manufacturer himself reports, in 15 minutes it is possible to recharge the battery by 60%, but in reality the results are more modest (slightly above 50%). A full charge requires about 55 minutes of valuable time from the user.

Reviews

Daria:
I received this wonderful product as a gift from my boyfriend. I didn’t order such surprises, so when I received them I was slightly taken aback. In the end, the result exceeded all expectations!

Ivan:
One minus is that the watch does not have the ability to wireless charging, for the rest, I personally see solid advantages for myself: low cost, a large number of functions, original design, and battery life lasts for a day.

Dmitriy:
A good invention that is worth the money. I don’t have such a personal watch yet, but I plan to buy one in the near future. I think that the price of just over $200 for such a toy is simply ridiculous.

Tatiana:
My husband really wanted such a watch, and I decided to give him this surprise for his 30th birthday. He was very happy, although I still don’t understand all their tricks and goodies.

Conclusion

A review of the Asus ZenWatch 3 wi503q indicates that this new product will be particularly popular on the market due to the opportunities it provides to the average user.

Video review of ASUS ZenWatch 3:

Smartwatch manufacturers quickly encountered a strange paradox. Potential buyers were, of course, very concerned about the mind. But they were even more excited about the aspects characteristic of traditional watches: the prestige of the brand, the quality of materials, combination with clothing, etc. That is, the watch, having acquired the filling of a smartphone, has not ceased to be an accessory. And then Apple played a very nice trick on everyone with its Watch. The company has the very prestige of the brand and the careful selection of materials on its side, and the abundance of straps and bracelets simply dazzles the eye. I’m afraid that if the Apple Watch worked with Android smartphones, other manufacturers would have almost no room for maneuver...

But, fortunately for many, Apple is currently only developing its own platform. I don’t know how long she will engage in self-restraint. But let me remind you that once upon a time iPod players only worked with Mac computers. No, I'm not idealizing Apple, and Watch no different from best models on Tizen and Android Wear (and in some ways they are inferior to them). But Apple's smartwatch = accessory approach is definitely closer to the average person's heart. And there are much more ordinary people than technomaniacs.

Why am I doing all this? Moreover, ASUS also employs very intelligent people. And the new generation of ZenWatch 3 watches was made so cool that you can’t immediately distinguish it from expensive mechanics.

In the first two generations, ASUS experimented with rectangular shapes. I wrote about them and. In short, the experiments were successful, and the second generation was the cheapest member of the Android Wear watch family (from $165). But it was still impossible to confuse ZenWatch and ZenWatch 2 with “just a watch”. But ZenWatch 3 is easy.

The new model is produced in three cases – “metal”, “silver” and “rose gold”. I was given “metal” for the experiments, and in English this version is called much cooler - Gunmetal. The body is made of 316L stainless steel. It is commonly used in the jewelry and medical industries - for the manufacture of jewelry and surgical instruments, respectively. That is, strength, resistance to corrosion and oxidation - that’s all. When polished, such steel is indistinguishable to the eye from white gold. The Gunmetal version has black anodizing, which also looks very solid. Personally, I associate the gold rim around the dial with Movado watches, although, of course, they were not the first to come up with this, and they were not the last to use it. The round case is framed at the top and bottom with composite strap mounts. The latter is made of leather “processed using traditional Italian technology.” The good news is that the strap is really very good, looks great and fits comfortably on the hand. The bad news is that it has a proprietary design, and if it fails, you will have to buy a new one from ASUS or the good Chinese on eBay (if they come up with a hint, there are no offers yet).

The back of the case, if it were not for the charging connector, would also closely resemble a regular watch. Yes, the watch does not have an optical sensor that measures the pulse, and the watch does not detect the heart rate. Considering the very questionable accuracy of sensors of this kind, this is not really a pity.

Otherwise, the electronic filling is very decent. The watch runs on SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100, it has 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of onboard memory. An AMOLED matrix with a resolution of 400x400 pixels is used, which is slightly above the average level (for comparison, the Moto 360 v2 has 360x325). There are no strange black areas on the screen, the image occupies the entire surface, and the picture quality, as you might guess, is excellent. Considering that most watch faces now show a color image even in standby mode, from the outside you won’t immediately understand whether it’s a smart watch or a regular one. The glass has a Corning Gorilla coating, which should protect against accidental scratches. And it is quite difficult to smash the screen on the watch due to its light weight.

You may ask - why three buttons? Well, first of all, it's beautiful. And secondly too. It seems to me that the buttons were added precisely to resemble a real chronometer, because in practice one is quite enough. And so the top button is designed to launch your favorite application (optional), the middle one is common for all watches on Android Wear, and the bottom one turns on the energy-saving mode. In general, yes. They are for beauty.

Battery capacity 340 mAh. In normal mode, by the evening approximately 65% ​​of the charge remains, and, in principle, there is a chance that the watch will last until the evening of the second day. But I have a habit of charging gadgets every evening, so I won’t lie, I didn’t check it. Unfortunately, ASUS again did not make charging wireless, and we are greeted by a circle with a contact pad, which is quite convenient compared to its peers, but still requires a certain dexterity. Unlike Moto and Samsung chargers, the circle is proprietary. If it breaks/gets lost, contact ASUS for a new one. The proprietary interface allowed for faster charging (from 0 to 60% in 15 minutes), but the ability to simply put the watch on the charging stand without having to monitor the position of the contacts is much more convenient.

The watch has a speaker and microphone, so it can be used as a wireless headset. But we don’t have our own GPS receiver; we didn’t install it. Provides moisture protection according to IP67 standard. It's not worth swimming in the sea, but the shower and freshwater pool will last you hours. Although, to be honest, I wouldn’t vouch for the strap. The skin does not like to bathe.

ASUS ZenWatch 3 comes pre-installed with more than 50 watch faces, half of which can also be customized. Some of them I liked, some not so much. In general, the number of preinstalled watch faces cannot be considered either an advantage or a disadvantage, because there are simply an incredible number of them on Google Play, and you will definitely choose an option to your taste. It’s just a pity that Google monitors copyrights so closely, and there are no clones of “Komandirskie” or other Soviet watches on Android Wear, like on .

Well, about the operating system itself. Google is delaying the Wear 2.0 update for most manufacturers, but it's coming. In the meantime, you can use Wear 1.6, it is a very convenient operating system.

Total

ASUS watches are getting better and better. In the third series, the materials are excellently selected, the workmanship is excellent, and the design has gone towards strict classics, which can only be welcomed. In the end, there are a lot of smart watches for youth, but for serious wealthy guys - you can count them on your fingers.

With that said, the price of the new watch is quite reasonable. In the States it’s 229 dollars plus taxes, our official price tag is 21,990 rubles, but you can find it for a couple of thousand cheaper. For comparison, the already discontinued second-generation Moto 360, which looks noticeably simpler (although there is a heart rate sensor), costs the same amount. The Huawei Watch also looks good (and has a heart rate monitor), but the platform is older and the battery is weaker. That is, it’s not cheap, cheap, as it was with ZenWatch 2, but, as they say, “on the market.” After all, even mechanical watches of this quality rarely cost less. And here they are smart!

I recently bought a special “attachment” for regular watches called Chronos, which turns them into almost smart ones. I really missed the classic design. I won’t try, I just can’t get around to it. But if you don’t have a collection of mechanics, and generally don’t feel like experimenting, ASUS already has a ready-made option with an absolutely classic design. Try it on if necessary.

Asus Zen Watch 3 is a well-known representative of the line of smart devices from a relatively young manufacturer. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of every detail during development, the third watch model of this company quickly won the trust of users on the world market. Below is a detailed description of the Asus ZenWatch 3 sample.

Equipment

Smartwatch manufacturer Asus has taken into account all aspects of using the device. The packaging is equipped with a set of all necessary parts. The buyer does not have to purchase important components himself. Everything is included in the set.

The package includes:

• Instructions for use
• Charger (dock or cradle)
• Charger cord
• Watch stand

The device stand may be lost. When purchasing an Asus ZenWatch, you should inquire about the availability of all components of the set. The stand is important when charging the model.

Design and materials

The Asus Zen Watch 3 smartwatch represents a classic example of device styling. Due to the materials used in the development of the model and the massive design of the case, this device is not suitable for a woman’s hand.

Frame

The dial of the Asus smart watch has a large diameter. The body of this model is made in a round shape. He's massive. The material of manufacture played a role here. The gadget is made of stainless steel. Its brand is 316L, which indicates high quality.

A colored coating is applied over the stainless steel. Its shade is dark, the color is black-brown. This combination is called “weapon metal”. There are two more versions of the case – “red gold” and “silver”.

There are raised buttons on the side of the case. Their massiveness complements the design with a brutal element. There are bronze rings under the buttons. They complement the overall style of the model well. There is nothing superfluous in the design; the device looks organic.

Strap

Each version of Asus smartwatches is equipped with a strap of a specific color. This was done for an organic appearance:

• "Gun Metal" has a black strap
• “Red gold” is equipped with a light brown strap
• The case strap “Silver” is painted beige

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The difference in the color of the strap of the last two models is almost invisible. The material is different. There are two possible options - elastomer and leather. When choosing between two strap materials, preference should be given to elastomer.

Each Asus Zen Watch smart watch strap made of elastomer has a relief pattern. Visually, this creates the illusion of a textile covering. In addition to the design advantage, there are 5 more advantages:

• Tightness of fit to the hand
• Softness and imperceptibility to wear
• Durability
• Color preservation
• Ability to repel moisture and odors

The leather strap looks presentable. This is its only advantage. The disadvantages are the following facts:

• Skin absorbs sweat from hand
• With proper tension it rubs your wrist
• When the strap is loosened, it fidgets on the hand

A leather strap quickly loses its luxurious appearance and acquires an unpleasant odor. The saturation of the color scheme is quickly erased.

The bracelet can be changed. On both sides of the case, the strap has small fastenings - locks. With their help, you can carefully remove it and replace it with another one.

Design Features

The design of the Asus Zen Watch 3 is simple. Thanks to this, managing the watch is easy. Rear end The case is equipped with a speaker and charging contacts.

The dial is equipped with three side buttons:

• Upper
• Central
• Lower

Each of the buttons has its own purpose. The top button can be customized for various actions. Each owner uses it differently, in accordance with their requirements for comfortable use. Most often, she is entrusted with the function of launching applications.

The button located in the center is responsible for power. You can use it to turn the clock on or off. It also allows you to instantly access main screen or reset. The bottom button is responsible for two actions. It will help you quickly enter airplane mode. You can also use it to activate battery saving.

The design of the watch does not allow it to be placed on a table with the dial facing up. It's all about the transition of the case to the strap. The manufacturer has developed the design of the device so that this border is invisible on the hand. The illusion of a continuous line is created. However, this reduced the stability of the watch.

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For comfort, a special stand has been added to the package. It is made in the form of a small rectangle with a semicircular cutout. The side part of the device body is placed in this recess.

Other Features

The gadget model in question is equipped with protection. Unlike most Chinese models, Asus Zen Watch 3 has Gorilla Glass.

This is a special protective type of coating. Glass is distinguished by a slight convex surface. Its importance lies in the reliable protection of the device’s display from scratches, impacts, etc. Availability of additional protective film optional here. Thanks to Gorilla Glass, the gadget does without this.

The Asus Zen Watch is also equipped with a waterproof casing. The moisture protection here complies with the IP67 standard. This indicates the possibility of bathing, washing hands, etc., without removing the gadget from your hand.

Technical capabilities

The Asus Zen Watch 3 line of smart watches is considered one of the best on the global market. This is due not only to the stylish design and convenient construction. This model gained popularity due to its technical features. Let's look at them.

Model characteristics:

• Dimensions are 45×45×9.9-10.6mm
• With strap, the device weighs 60g
• Without strap, weight is 48g

An important role is played by the processor and RAM capabilities. Let's look at this issue in more detail.

Sample Internal Contents

Noteworthy is the processor of the Asus Zen Watch 3 WI503Q smart watch. This is a powerful example of Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 (APQ8009). The device works great with it.

The base operating system is Android Wear. The model under consideration is capable of working with all its versions. It is worth noting the impossibility of working with other systems. RAM 512MB. That's not a lot. However, the built-in memory expands the capabilities of the gadget – 4GB.

The device is equipped with two sensors - an accelerometer and a 6-axis gyroscope. There is also a built-in microphone. This sample has the ability to connect to wireless network Internet.