Ticwatch 2 hands-on: Forget expensive Apple and Google watches, this $200 smartwatch packs it all in
Kickstarter campaigns sometimes never deliver, Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Core, but we also see successfully funded products that end up providing what was promoted. The Ticwatch 2 campaign began in late July and reached its funding goal of $50,000 in just 10 minutes.
While I surprisingly did not back this new smartwatch, I was recently sent an evaluation Ticwatch 2 Active to test out. I've used it over the past couple of weeks and think it is a watch you may want to consider if you are interested in wearables, but don't want to commit $300 to $1,000 or more to see if you really need a companion to your smartphone.
Specifications of the Ticwatch 2 include:
- Processor: 1.2 GHz MediaTek 2601 dual-core
- Display: 1.4 inch 400x400 pixels resolution MOLED, 287 ppi
- Operating system: Android 5.1 with Ticwear OS layer on top
- RAM: 512MB
- Storage: 4 GB internal storage
- Wireless technology: 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1
- Sensors: Optical heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS
- Other features: IP65 dust and water resistant, integrated microphone and speaker
- Battery: 300 mAh battery with wireless charging dock
- Dimensions: 42 x 42 x 11.95 mm and 44 grams
The Ticwatch 2 is lighter than the Apple Watch and Samsung Gear S3. I can wear it comfortably for long periods of time and barely even notice it is on my wrist.
HARDWARE
The Ticwatch 2 is constructed primarily of polycarbonate material, matte finish on the top and glossy on the bottom. A standard size 20mm silicone band is included with the active version, but there are other strap options available. Quick release pins are positioned on the strap too.
It doesn't appear as anything particularly remarkable when you look at the watch, but when you make a gesture to turn on the display you see that the 1.4 inch OLED looks fantastic. There's an always-on mode too so you can see the time and other information without turning on the display.
The OLED is bright with crisp, colorful icons and text. The display is touch-enabled with a single crown button serving to take you back to the watch face.
On the side opposite the physical button you will find the "tickle strip" that lets you control the device without covering the display. With this strip you can scroll, select, and change the volume.
An optical heart rate monitor is found on the back and unlike some watches it is flush with the back of the watch.
WATCH SOFTWARE
The Ticwatch 2 is based on Android 5.1 with the custom Ticwear layer powering the user interface. When you first turn on the display you are taken to the watch face. There are 35 watch faces to choose from on the smartphone app, with the ability to download more watch faces too. I've been quite pleased with the available options. Some watch faces provide various status updates, but none of these areas of information can be tapped or are actionable.
Swipe from left to right to launch the included voice control interface. Swipe from right to left to open the app launcher. Swipe down to view the status screen and then scroll right to left to view the quick cards. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to view your notifications.
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