We were pretty impressed by the smartwatch experience offered by Mobvoi when the original TicWatch Pro launched in 2018, and now the company has moved into a new generation with its "most powerful TicWatch to date."
The TicWatch Pro 5 not only runs Wear OS 3 (though it's unclear when – or even if – the smartwatch will be updated to the recently announced Wear OS 4 platform), but Mobvoi has included its own Large Language Model called Sequence Monkey to enhance the smartwatch's AI CoPilot feature.
The aerospace-grade aluminum and nylon case is home to a 36.3-mm (1.43-in) always-on display topped in durable Corning Gorilla Glass. The dual-layer display's ultra-low-power display that sits above the main OLED screen allows wearers to view essential health metrics without waking the smartwatch, courtesy of switchable tiles controlled by a brand new rotating crown (which can also be used to launch apps, adjust volume, zoom in/out in maps and more).
This display mode can also pulse a wearer's heart-rate in different colors to match different activities. And the smartwatch comes with an included TimeShow app for more than a thousand watch faces to choose from. The Pro 5 measures 50.1 x 48 mm, and is 12.2 mm thick (1.97 x 1.88 x 0.48 in), and tips the scales at 44.3 g (1.56 oz).
It's reported to be the first smartwatch to be built round Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 platform, which is said to offer twice the performance of the 4100+ platform, along with improved power efficiency and a better feature set. Elsewhere, there's 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, Bluetooth 5.2, support for Google Pay and Wi-Fi.
The wearable is able to connect to multiple global satellite systems – GPS, Beidou, Glonas, Galileo and QZSS – for route planning and tracking accuracy, plus there's a built-in compass and a barometer as well.
It sports a PPG heart-rate sensor, and can also measure SpO2 levels and skin temperature. AI-powered sleep tracking is cooked in, with daily, weekly and monthly reports available, and the smartwatch can also assess fatigue and stress levels. Mobvoi has more than a hundred pro-level workout modes on tap too.
The Pro 5 has been tested to MIL-STD-810H durability standards and is waterproof to 5ATM, so it can accompany you on overland adventures or training laps in the pool. The 628-mAh battery is reckoned good for up to 80 hours of per-charge usage in that ultra-low-power mode, with a 30-minute fast top-up getting up to 65-percent capacity. And there's a built-in mic and speaker for taking and making calls direct from the wrist, via a paired Android smartphone.
"It's been an honor working with some of the world's leading global technology companies like Google and Qualcomm to create this next-generation TicWatch that integrates our in-house AI-based algorithms, setting a new standard for the category," said Mobvoi's VP of engineering. "Our team has spent countless hours perfecting these algorithms behind 24/7 continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep and fitness tracking features, and more to provide users with a seamless, enjoyable experience whether they are at home, in the gym, or on a hike. All of these bring our smartwatch closer to becoming a health copilot."
The TicWatch Pro 5 is on sale now for US$349.99, with five silicone watchband colors to choose from.
Product page: TicWatch Pro 5
