Heena Sharma Blog

  Amazfit GTR 3 , the successor to the Amazfit GTR 2 , seems a promising entry in this year’s smartwatch line-up, bringing several upgrades such as a brighter screen, better battery life, and more. Amazfit has been good value for money, but the only issue, as we have seen earlier, is weak software support that spoils the experience. Has Amazfit managed to cross the barrier with GTR 3? Let’s find out this and more about in this review: Amazfit GTR 3: Build and design Amazfit GTR 3 Straight out of the box, I set my eyes on this sleek smartwatch with a large round screen curved at the edges meeting aluminum alloy case giving this watch a pristine look. The GTR 3 has a 1.39-inch AMOLED HD touch display (454x454 pixels) with 326ppi pixel density. it offers crisp and bright colorus even in direct sunlight. The display has a 1,000nits peak brightness and features tempered glass with an anti-fingerprint coating. The display feels really good in daily use and clearly, this is one of t

  Homegrown earwear and wearables brand boAt on Wednesday launched an affordable smartwatch called Xtend that offers seven-day battery life, over 50 Watch faces, heart rate, SPO2 and sleep monitoring. The boAt Xtend is available at an introductory price of Rs 2,999 with a one-year warranty on Amazon and boAt website, the company said in a statement.   The smartwatch comes with built-in Alexa voice assistant. "We are thrilled to introduce a smartwatch with built-in Alexa which adds a whole new dimension and capabilities to the smartwatch category as whole," said Aman Gupta, Co-Founder, boAt. The audio brand in January raised approximately $100 million (over Rs 731 crore) from an affiliate of Warburg Pincus, a leading global private equity fund, towards ramping up manufacturing and go global. The significant investment will enable boAt, that has emerged as the leading brand in India's true wireless stereo (TWS) market, further fortify its leading market positio

  Fossil recently launched the new smartwatch Gen 5E, a stripped-down version of the Fossil Gen 5 launched in India in November 2019. The latest smartwatch features a set of sensors to measure key health metrics, a bright screen, stunning looks, and more. Besides, it allows you to receive calls and the option to shuffle among various battery modes. Despite a fresh look and several improvements over predecessor, the Gen 5E is priced competitively to suit those looking for a premium lifestyle smartwatch. We reviewed this smartwatch to see if it balances looks and performance in everyday use. Let's see what we found: Looks and design Fossil Gen 5E The Fossil Gen 5E has good looks with a metal strap holding the 1.19-inch AMOLED circular touchscreen with slim bezels on a 44mm stainless steel case, and a crown on the right to wake the watch up. All this in a black finish gives this smartwatch a premium appearance. The body is not too bulky, either, and the sensors sit at the bo

  Apple has launched a limited-edition Watch for the 'Black History Month , with a unique band and a new face. Available from February 1, the new hardware is part of what the company is calling the Black Unity Collection , a group of products designed to "celebrate and acknowledge Black history and Black culture." Apple says the limited-edition Watch will be available in "over 38 countries and regions." It hasn't yet confirmed international prices, but the $399 Watch starts at 379 pounds or AU$599. The band will also be available separately for $49. Apple Watch users can participate in a new 'Unity Activity Challenge' and earn the limited-edition award by closing their Move ring seven days in a row during February. As part of this effort, Apple is supporting six global organisations to help advance their missions in promoting and achieving equality and civil rights in the US and around the world: Black Lives Matter Support Fund via the T

  Google has completed its USD 2.1 billion acquisition of fitness-gadget maker Fitbit, a deal that could help the internet company grow even stronger while US government regulators pursue an antitrust case aimed at undermining its power. Thursday's completion of the acquisition comes 14 months after Google announced a deal that immediately raised alarms. Google makes most of its money by selling ads based on information it collects about its billions of users' interests and whereabouts. Privacy watchdogs feared it might exploit Fitbit to peer even deeper into people's lives. But Google wound up entering a series of commitments in Europe and other parts of the world pledging it won't use the health and fitness data from Fitbit's 29 million users to sell more ads. It insists it is more interested in adding Fitbit to its expanding arsenal of internet-connected products, which include smartphones, laptops, speakers, cameras and thermostats. Read More

  Chinese technology company OnePlus on Monday launched in India the OnePlus Band , its first health and fitness wearable. The move follows the company’s revised product strategy, announced last year, to foray in to products categories beside smartphones and smart televisions. The OnePlus Band will be available for purchase via an early access sale for Red Cable Club members, from 9:00 AM (IST) on January 12, exclusively on OnePlus India web portal and the OnePlus Store app. Open sale for the OnePlus Band begins on January 13 OnePlus web portal, OnePlus Store App, Amazon India, Flipkart, OnePlus exclusive offline stores and partner outlets. The OnePlus Band will be available at Rs 2,499. The OnePlus Band is an entry-level health and fitness wearable with blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitor, heart rate sensor, and 13 in-built exercise modes, including Yoga and Cricket. It is touted to offer an array of display faces. Though it comes with standard black strap out-of-the-box, the On

  Samsung seems to be one brand in the Android ecosystem that is making true smartwatches, even as many others simply pass off wristwatch-shaped health and fitness trackers as smartwatches. Samsung’s recently launched Galaxy Watch 3 justifies its smartwatch moniker, and it works right on point. It does double up as a health and fitness tracker, too, but its overall utility goes far beyond that. Unlike smartphones, smartwatches are a lifestyle accessory, so their design plays an important role. Thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm mystic black variant with leather straps) manages to impress with its classic circular design, which looks retro but premium and polished. The watch has a 1.4-inch super AMOLED touchscreen which is bright and vivid. It supports gesture-based navigation; swipe down from top to access quick settings, swipe inwards from left for notifications, and swipe inwards from right for quick-view windows. It also supports the wrist gesture for the screen wake

  Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi on Tuesday launched in India its Redmi Smart Band at Rs 1,599. The entry-level health and fitness band is the first one under Redmi product portfolio. The Redmi Smart Band will be available starting September 9 at 1 pm through Xiaomi online portal, Amazon India, Mi Homes and Mi Studios. “In May 2020, we had announced our aim to expand Redmi India’s portfolio in categories that not only help democratize the market, but also bring an accessible connected ecosystem for the consumers. With the launch of Redmi Smart Band, we are foraying into the wearable market with an aim to make personal fitness tracking accessible to a larger customer base. In today’s extraordinary times, it is important for one to prioritise fitness and wellness. Redmi Smart Band brings with it the functionalities to do just that by covering all possible fitness activities of an individual,” Raghu Reddy, Chief Business Officer, Mi India, said in a statement. Read More

  Wearables brand Fitbit has introduced an advanced smartwatch called the Fitbit Sense, which comes with electrodermal activity (EDA) to measure daily stress and comes with a heart rate tracker, electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor and skin temperature sensors. The company also introduced Versa 3 and Inspire 2 wearables. All three wearables will be available globally starting late September and will arrive in India in the festive season, according to the company. Fitbit Sense is priced at Rs 34,999 while the Fitbit Versa will cost Rs 26,499. The Fitbit Inspire 2 fitness band is priced at Rs 10,999. "Our new products and services are our most innovative yet, coupling our most advanced sensor technology and algorithms to unlock more information about our bodies and our health so you can be in control," said James Park, co-founder and CEO, Fitbit. Read More

Amazfit T-Rex is Huami's first offering in the rugged smartwatch segment. Priced in the sub-10,000 range (Rs 9,999 to be exact), the T-Rex's price is clearly a talking point, but the smartwatch has also been touted for, as the name suggests, its robustness. It is available in four colours -- Rock Black, Army Green, Camo Green, and Khaki. We reviewed a rock black unit, and this is our impression of the T-Rex: Design The Amazfit T-Rex is a beautifully crafted smartwatch with an old-school round dial. It is a bit bulky (13.5 mm thickness), and has pronounced bezel, but it is deceptively light at 58 g since most of the material is polymer. Moreover, the makers have also used the raised bezel for a few metal screws and some fine detailing work which, combined with the distinct angles and strong texture, give the T-Rex a solid look. The four etched metallic buttons (two on either side) are fairly responsive. Read More

Xiaomi-backed fitness wearables brand Huami on Wednesday launched in India its Amazfit Bip S smartwatch. The Amazfit Bip S made a debut at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020, where Huami also unveiled the Amazfit T-Rex smartwatch, PowerBuds and ZenBuds wireless earbuds. Priced at Rs 4,999, the Amazfit Bip S will be available on Amazon, Flipkart and Myntra. Besides online platforms, it goes on sale at Croma, Reliance Digital and Poorvika Mobiles in offline market. The Amazfit Bip S is an affordable smartwatch equipped with a power-packed on-battery time, and built-in compass and sleep tracking feature. Though it looks similar to the Amazfit Bip, it was launched with colourful straps options – carbon black, red orange, warm pink, and white rock. The watch features a colourful transflective display, 5 ATM water resistance, battery life of up to 40 days, Bluetooth music control, and built-in GPS and GLONASS for location service. Read More

Chinese smartphone brand Realme is set to foray in consumer electronics segment with the launch of its first smart television on May 25. Besides, the company will also introduce its first full-sized smart wearable, the Realme Watch . Both the products will be part of company’s AIoT products ecosystem, which will get around 20 products under tech-lifestyle category in this year. While there is still time for the official unveiling, home-grown e-commerce platform Flipkart has already published the products landing pages with information on products' key features. Realme Smart TV The Realme Smart TV is touted to feature a bezel-less design for immersive TV viewing experience. The TV will feature Chroma Boost Picture Engine, which is touted to push its screen brightness up to 400 nits from standard 250 nits. The brightness boost indicates that the Realme Smart TV will support HDR10. Read More

The Realme Band is an affordable fitness wearable, and a new entrant in an already congested market of entry-level health and fitness wearables which is currently dominated by Xiaomi. For Realme’s first such product, the Band seems to offer a motley mix of design and features. Priced at Rs 1,499, this fitness tracker features a tiny colour display, heart-rate sensor and ingress protection (IP68) rating for water and dust resistance. Design and display The Realme Band looks identical to other affordable fitness bands available in the market. It has a minimal design which looks simple but premium. Light in weight (20g), the band has a plastic body. It has a replaceable silicone strap -- you can choose a green, yellow or black option, too. These straps add some zing to the band’s otherwise minimal design. Read More

It has been an eventful year for fitness enthusiasts, especially those who wanted an ideal companion to track their workouts and offer insights. The year 2019 saw smartwatches becoming part of daily life for many. These devices not only help you keep track of your daily steps and heart rate but also measure other fitness metrics crucial for overall insights. What’s more, you get regular notifications on apps ranging from WhatsApp to Instagram, and you can reply to them from your watch itself. They can also store music, so you wouldn't have to carry your phone during workouts. With some smartwatches, you could even attend calls. Of the many launches this year, Business Standard lists top 5 smartwatches that stood out in 2019: Apple Watch Series 5 Apple Watch The Apple Watch Series 5 does a lot to ease your everyday life — it is not only a phenomenal lifestyle gadget but also a proactive health support. The addition to an always-on display, a compass, and an electrica

Huawei Consumer Business Group India on Thursday launched its much-anticipated Huawei Watch GT2 with two weeks of battery life, Bluetooth calling and in-device music in the country in 42mm variant (with 1.2 inch AMOLED display) and 46mm variant (with 1.39 inch AMOLED display). The Huawei Watch GT2 46mm Sport (Black) has been launched for Rs 15,990, 46mm (Leather) for Rs 17,990 and 46mm (Metal) for Rs 21,990. In terms of heart rate monitoring, the user will be notified if heart rate is above 100bpm or below 50bpm for more than 10 minutes. The watch is also powered with sleep monitoring function. "This versatile smartwatch Huawei Watch GT2 further underlines our focus on health and fitness and help our customers manage it better. The watch scientifically monitors heart rate, physical activities and sleep pattern with help of accurate positioning feature," Tornado Pan, Country Manager (Huawei Brand), Consumer Business Group, Huawei India, said in a statement. The

With the new series of smartphones it introduced for India’s price-conscious buyers this year, South Korean electronics major Samsung also brought to the country its full portfolio of smart wearables. From fitness bands to smartwatches, this new range of Samsung wearables caters to users in all price bands. The latest addition to the portfolio, the Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE , a smartwatch with eSIM support, serves as a standalone device rather than a smartphone companion — just like the Apple Watch. With this device, Samsung seems to have offered Android users everything that Apple Watch offers iOS users. But does it perform equally well on all metrics? Let’s find out: Design The Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE is no design marvel. It lacks the charm of most current-generation smartwatches, even the Samsung Active (review). One culprit is its thick and bulky stainless steel case (Silver, 46mm review unit), which looks neither classic nor modern. And its black silicone strap looks r

It has not been long since Chinese smartwatch maker Huami’s much-appreciated Amazfit GTR was launched. The company’s new offering, the Amazfit GTS, does possess an elegant look and sport one of the brightest screens in the segment. It appears to be a promising entry in the price range sitting just above the budget segment. But does it have all the makings of a great smartwatch? We used the watch for a few weeks to see if it is only looks or does it have commensurate substance, too. Here's what we discovered about this Apple Watch lookalike: Design and display Amazfit GTS smartwatch Bulky smartwatches stuffed with too much features are a turn off. Amazfit GTS doesn't follow any of it. Its square display may not be what you expect in a smartwatch, but it does enhance the overall look of the watch and the silicone strap is one of the best we have seen. Also, unlike most feature-laden smartwatches in budget and mid-range segments, this one has a great battery life.

The premium smartwatch segment seems empty with very few options that can take on the exalted Apple Watch or Samsung S3 gear. However, some players now want to carve a niche for themselves. We recently came across Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro, a premium smartwatch with one of the best displays and a bag full of features. We felt the watch can easy give premium smartwatches a run for their money, but does the first impression stick on after almost a month of use? Let’s find out. Design and build quality Mobvoi TicWatch Pro smartwatch Mobvoi TicWatch Pro looks like a premium smartwatch from every angle. It has hybrid leather straps on the outward side, while the inner side has a silicone layer. You can carry the watch with formals and casuals, it complements both the looks. The smartwatch has a large face (1.39-inch) with a carbon fiber case. It looks bulky but isn't heavy on the wrist. There are two buttons on the right, one for navigation and the other is dedicated to

Wearables have seamlessly blended in our everyday life and unsurprisingly, the number of companies making them have proliferated. One of the latest in the fray is a Delhi-based tech start-up 'PLAY' who recently launched its PLAYFIT SW75 Smartwatch. We reviewed it for a few weeks and here's how it fared. Design From the get-go, you can see that the smartwatch's design is inspired by the best there is -- Apple Watch. Right from the square-shaped body to curved edges, PLAY's SW75 smartwatch is Apple Watch through and through complete with stainless-steel casing. When the screen isn't lit, it gives the look of a bezel-less watch. At 2,999, you wouldn't normally expect such a premier look. There is a metallic button on each side (left to enter an option, and right to exit it). For display, you get a 1.3-inch touch LCD panel with a resolution of 260x260 that's bright enough even in full daylight. The display is protected by 2.5D Corning Gorilla Gla