Chapter 1: Introduction to the TicWatch Pro 5

It has been nearly a month since I began using Mobvoi's latest smartwatch, the TicWatch Pro 5, and it has been quite an experience! I'm currently sporting the Sandstone variant, which features a lovely blend of gold and light brown hues that give the watch a natural appearance. Initially, I wasn't overly fond of this color scheme, but it has grown on me, and I genuinely enjoy it now.

For newcomers to my blog, I have been using the Google Pixel Watch as my daily smartwatch since late December of last year, and I consider it to be an exceptional device. Consequently, the TicWatch Pro 5 had some stiff competition to contend with.

My journey with Mobvoi smartwatches began with the TicWatch C2 and later progressed to the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, both of which were highly satisfactory. I understand the concerns surrounding the WearOS 3 situation; after some investigation, it appears that Samsung had a limited-time exclusivity agreement for WearOS 3 that delayed its rollout to other manufacturers. Hopefully, we won't see a repeat of this with the current generation of devices, especially with the growing number of smartwatches adopting this platform, including Google's own Pixel Watch. This has motivated me to give Mobvoi another shot.

So, without further delay, let's dive into my thoughts after nearly a month of daily use. How does it hold up in practical scenarios?

This might be a controversial opinion, but I believe that WearOS smartwatches are still in their infancy. It seems that Google didn't fully commit to the platform until the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. I've had experience with various WearOS devices, including the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5, the TicWatch C2, Pro 3 Ultra, Pro 5, and the Pixel Watch, along with several early Android Wear models. I feel that WearOS is just beginning to thrive, particularly with the introduction of the Pixel Watch.

I anticipate that, in the coming years, this platform will be robustly supported with numerous applications and outstanding smartwatches. Returning to the main subject, my experience with the TicWatch Pro 5 over the past few weeks has been excellent, especially regarding its impressive battery life.

Section 1.1: Impressive Battery Life

When it comes to smartwatches, battery longevity is paramount. After all, it's meant to function as a watch! I was quite pleased with the battery performance of my Google Pixel Watch, primarily due to my charging habits. Each morning, I would place it on the charger while going through my routine, which typically yielded about a day and a half of battery life—adequate for daily activities. However, during longer outings, like hiking in the Tatra mountains this summer, I switched to the Garmin Instinct, as I doubted the Pixel Watch could effectively track a 10-mile hike.

In contrast, the TicWatch Pro 5 has astounded me with its battery longevity. On average, I achieve around three days of usage from it, which is remarkably impressive! The manufacturer claims up to 80 hours of battery life on a single charge, which varies based on configuration and usage, but I feel my experience aligns with the advertised duration.

So far, I haven't tested the watch during extended activities, but I plan to do so soon.

Subsection 1.1.1: Performance Insights

The TicWatch Pro 5 exhibits excellent performance, showing no significant lag. I would even argue that it outshines every other WearOS smartwatch I've tried, thanks to the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip. While my experience with the Pixel Watch has been smooth without serious lag or freezing issues, the TicWatch Pro 5 feels faster and more responsive.

This speed becomes particularly noticeable in resource-intensive applications. Speaking of performance, I appreciate how swiftly this watch charges. You can reach 65% battery life in just 30 minutes, which is crucial for those on the go, such as when hiking. If I notice the battery running low, I can quickly connect it to a power bank during breaks for extra juice.

Chapter 2: The Smartphone Experience

Before moving on, it's worth noting that I am using the TicWatch Pro 5 with the Google Pixel 7 Pro, and the synergy between the two is impressive. The Mobvoi Health app manages the smartwatch and its health features. Overall, I find the app to be quite effective, offering all the information I need in an easily navigable format, complete with useful graphs and maps—something I wish FitBit could emulate.

The app also includes a "Device" tab, where you can access all necessary settings and options, along with some great free watch faces! Overall, I am quite satisfied with the app.

Final Thoughts

Though I haven't had the watch for long, I am genuinely impressed with its performance and the array of useful features, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts. My only critique is the absence of Google Assistant integration; although I don't frequently use it on my Pixel Watch, it’s one of those things that you miss when it’s gone. However, I don't consider this a dealbreaker. I hope to see it included in a future update!

On a positive note, I was delighted to receive an update within the first few hours of using the watch, and I hope more updates are on the way! Overall, I believe this is an outstanding smartwatch, and I will be sharing more insights about it on my YouTube channel, so stay tuned!

While you’re here, check out my 1-Week Review on YouTube…

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