Is it worth spending money on Sony Smart Watch 3? Every potential device buyer is interested in this question. You must have already studied the reviews about the accessory, but there was not enough information in them. In this case, we recommend reading our review to find out what a “smart watch” from Sony is.
The review covers almost everything about the accessory. You will learn about what comes with the device. Familiarize yourself with the appearance of the watch and find out the location of the control elements (in simple terms, buttons). Without fail, we will talk about the functionality of the accessory and partly about third-party applications that can be installed on it.
If you are thinking about purchasing a third generation Smart Watch from Sony, be sure to read all the information below. In the text, we will talk in detail about all the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony Smart Watch 3 in more detail than the reviews written by customers. Enjoy reading!
Story
Sony was one of the first on the market to experiment with wearable accessories, long before all the commotion over rumors of Apple developing its own smartwatch. The developers were not afraid to implement their ideas, and the results of their work reached store shelves.
The first try was the Sony Ericsson MBW-100, released back in 2006. The accessory was a very nice wristwatch with an analog dial and a small built-in screen for displaying notifications (calls/SMS) from the phone.
Sony Ericsson MBW-100
The following year, the Sony Ericsson MBW-150 model was released with a slightly modified design and slightly expanded functionality. The cost was too high and the popularity was low, but the company did not count on resounding success. There was an opportunity to create - they created.
Sony Ericsson MBW-150
Next was the fashion watch Sony Ericsson MBW-200.
Sony Ericsson MBW-200
And much later, already in 2011, at that time Sony introduced LiveView. There was a color display, it became possible to track statuses on social networks and so on. Everything is serious!
Sony LiveView on hand
Later, against the backdrop of periodically emerging information that Apple was preparing its watches in its kitchen, other manufacturers wanted to jump on the train that had moved. The first to furiously rush into the market were the guys from Samsung with their miracle Gear. The product was extremely raw, but they were the first. There was no other task.
The Japanese hastened to answer, which they called SmartWatch. And in 2013 they introduced the second generation of their “smart watches”. Both models had their own identity, a recognizable design, and most importantly, a platform of their own design, not without nuances, but relatively easy to use.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately (time will tell), the hero of today’s review is a device running on Android Wear. Sony decided to abandon their developments and join the industry. The price for this is simple - the functionality of all existing watch models on Google's OS is almost identical. The difference is mostly in design. The rest is more or less similar.
Well, let's see if the Japanese company managed to create a product with its own face or is it just another smartwatch.
Design
If the first and second Sony SmartWatch were similar in appearance, then in the third generation the design changed, the screen became more elongated, and the Sony inscription disappeared. I received a smartwatch with a white rubber strap, which, as it turned out, goes well not only with sportswear, but also fits under a shirt.
Even though the model is not the smallest, it looks neat and shows with its appearance that this is not an ordinary watch, which cannot be said at a quick glance at the Samsung Gear S2 or HUAWEI Watch. Whether this is good or bad, everyone decides for themselves; I personally liked the appearance of Sony’s solution.
Equipment
Like the SmartBand SWR30 fitness tracker, the hero of today's review comes in a beautiful, almost exhibition box made of transparent plastic. Inside, the gadget itself flaunts on a kind of pedestal, and all other additions: a Micro USB cable and waste paper rest in the lower compartment.
Sony SmartWatch 3 packaging
A separate power supply is not included in the kit, so you have to be content with connecting to a computer USB port or a third-party charger.
What's included?
In the accessory package you will find:
- Directly the clock module;
- Wireless strap;
- USB to microUSB cable;
- Documents and operating instructions.
The watch is sold in a nice transparent box, so there is no shame in presenting it as a gift.
Appearance and ease of use
The appearance of the watch is very simple. There are no decorations or special design refinements typical of classic watches.
On the hand, the SWR50 looks like some kind of screen on a cheap bracelet, and it’s difficult to understand whether it’s an expensive thing or a cheap craft from China.
Why the engineers decided to abandon the branding of the accessory is unknown. For many, the Sony logo means quality and a certain style, and here it would only benefit sales.
The base is a core that can be removed from the strap with a screen on the front side and a metal cover on the back. The watch unit boasts moisture protection according to the IP68 standard (half an hour under water at a depth of up to one and a half meters). The question is, what would it be like without this?
Removable clock block
The strap is made of silicone-based material that is pleasant to the touch. However, there is also a negative point, or rather two.
Firstly, the skin under the watch sweats and does not ventilate in any way.
This applies, first of all, to the classic version with a black bracelet. The model for athletes (bright light green color) has a wide cutout along the axis of the bracelet, thanks to which this problem is partially solved.
Regarding the metal version of the bracelet, which was presented at the last consumer electronics exhibition CES 2015, it is difficult to say anything without trying it in use.
Secondly, the soft silicone base collects all the surrounding dirt and dust, as a result of which the gadget does not look very aesthetically pleasing. I would like more practicality.
Dust on the bracelet
In addition, the corners of the strap are slightly rubbed, which also does not have the best effect on the appearance.
The strap coating is peeling off
A heavy metal latch is attached to the back of the bracelet. The design is reliable and, overall, very comfortable. The length of the accessory is easily adjusted.
Latch mechanism
You can control the watch through the touch display and one single physical button on the right side. The movement of the latter is completely indistinguishable, no clicks are felt. In addition, the key dangles in all directions.
Gadget control button
Above the screen there is a microphone, and below it is a backlight sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display depending on the ambient light. The sensor works correctly for the most part, and automatic backlight adjustment can be disabled in the menu.
Backlight sensor and microphone
There is a small frame around the display, which protrudes quite a bit above the front surface. Its edges are a little sharp, and therefore not very pleasant to the touch.
Protruding frame around the edges
The Micro USB connector is located on the back side and is covered with a plug that protects it from moisture. The design of the port is not very convenient, but this is not essential. The main thing is reliability and charging speed, and there are no problems with this.
Micro USB connector
The thickness of the gadget is usual for this type of device - about 10 mm. Yes, the accessory sticks out quite noticeably on the wrist, but this is a price to pay for relatively good battery life and functionality. So far this is the only way.
When wearing it every day, no discomfort was noticed.
The weight of 75 grams is felt on the hand, but this does not affect the comfort in any way. The only caveat is that there are inconveniences with clothes that have narrow cuffs on the sleeves. However, this is typical not only for digital accessories, but also for the most common analog watches.
Customer Reviews
Smartwatch users leave their comments on various sites. Most people are impressed by the Sony SmartWatch3; it has become a favorite due to its simple design and versatility. The shock resistance and moisture resistance are especially attractive, because the owners are usually young people leading an active lifestyle. I also liked the ability to listen to music without headphones, build routes if you don’t know how to get to a certain place, and fast charging.
There are also negative comments about battery life; I wanted it to last longer. For the swr50 black model, the downside is that dust is very visible on it.
Display
There is a 1.6-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels. The picture is not exactly smooth, individual pixels can still be seen, but this is not critical. The device is needed to quickly view notifications, weather, and so on, and not to constantly peer at it.
Display Sony SmartWatch SWR50
Considering that there is a non-IPS panel installed here, viewing angles and color richness are at an average level. I recommend paying attention to this point before purchasing.
Viewing angles of the SmartWatch 3 screen
When you rotate the gadget, the picture fades a little. For this class of devices, this is not a fundamental point, but for a thing worth 9,000 rubles, I would like more.
Fitness
SonySmartwatch 3 is positioned as the sportiest smartwatch, although it lacks a heart rate monitor. The presence of GPS and moisture resistance allows you to leave your phone at home while jogging through the autumn forest or even swimming
Today SonySmartwatch 3 does not have many applications using GPS, but one of them is MyTracks, which measures the distance traveled and the duration of the workout. However, the accuracy of the measurement leaves much to be desired, and an hour-long training session using GPS can halve the battery charge
With a built-in pedometer, smartwatches provide more options for activity monitoring. Sony'sLifelong app shows not only the distance traveled, the number of calories processed, but also the number of hours of sleep and listening to music.
These apps show a day's activity but don't save results, so the user can see where exercise was in their life that day, but can't track their progress.
The watch is also compatible with other fitness gadgets like GoogleFit, which also counts steps and allows you to set daily goals. But still, SonySmartwatch 3 cannot become a complete replacement for a real fitness bracelet and remains just a smart watch that you can take with you for a run.
Compatibility
SmartWatch 3 can only be used with devices running Android 4.3 or higher. Communication is via NFC or Bluetooth 4.0. The latest protocol supports only two profiles:
- Advanced Audio Distribution Profile 1.2
- Audio/Video Remote Control Profile 1.3
For correct operation, you need to install the proprietary Android Wear application, which, traditionally, will not start immediately. First you need to update some Google services and only then start setting up your equipment. It’s not very thoughtful, but this is already the cost of the entire platform.
Specifications
- display: TFT LCD, 1.6″, 320×320 pixels, touch screen;
- operating system: Android Wear;
- wireless interfaces: GPS navigator, NFC, Bluetooth0;
- processor: 1.2 GHz, ARM A7, quad-core;
- RAM: 512 MB;
- internal memory: 4 GB;
- battery: lithium polymer, 420 mAh;
- sensors: digital compass, accelerometer, gyroscope;
- weight: with strap – 85 g, base – 40 g;
- main unit dimensions: 58×39×10 mm;
- cost: from 9000 rub.
Functionality
We have already described in detail the functionality of the Android Wear system in our LG G Watch review earlier. Today the system has already been updated several times and has become more convenient to use. Some things have changed for the better, but some have not.
In any case, using SmartWatch 3 you can:
- track your total physical activity with the Lifelog app
- search for something on the Internet using Google Now
- view the weather, incoming messages (only part for emails), exchange rates, train schedules, etc.
- manage navigation
- control music playback from your phone
- listen to music via Bluetooth headset without using a smartphone
- create notes and calendar reminders by voice
- set a timer, alarm clock, start a stopwatch
- remotely control photography.
The main purpose of such a device is to notify its owner about everything that happens on his phone, and in the world around him. Google has provided many scenarios for using alerts, and the screenshots below show how it all looks in reality.
Of course, a lot depends on the Internet giant’s own services. Only using the “right” applications can reveal 100% of the functionality of the watch. However, if the developer of, for example, your favorite calendar did not care about how the notifications from its utility would look on your watch, most likely the result will be poor. You need to be prepared for this.
Now let's look at the remaining possibilities in more detail.
How to add music to SmartWatch 3
What's special about the SWR50 is that you don't need to install Google's Play Music app to add tracks to your watch. All management, synchronization and music settings go through your own Walkman player, which is much more convenient than the Google utility. Thank you Sony!
When the device is connected to a smartphone, an additional playlist appears in the music player settings: “Music on a wearable device.” In this tab you can manage downloaded music: add/delete each song individually, etc.
After copying songs to the watch’s memory, you need to connect a Bluetooth headset to it and you can start relaxing with your favorite songs. The downside of this approach is that there is not much available memory in the watch: about 2.6 GB out of the declared 4. And the playback settings in the gadget are too few.
In progress
In most cases, the watch will offer to continue viewing on the smartphone, but you can also spy something on the screen of a portable gadget. So, with the voice request “Who is Michael Jackson,” the gadget first provided a brief biographical information, and only then moved on to a list of links found in the search engine. They, of course, need to be viewed on the head unit.
Any other functionality is, of course, very limited. For example, when moving around the city using GPS, you can only follow simple directions from the navigator on the watch screen, and full-fledged work with the route takes place on the phone.
It's nice that you can now customize the font size. Standard size symbols are very small, so you can enlarge them from the settings menu.
Dials
Now on Google Play you can find, if not dozens, then hundreds, and maybe even thousands of different watch faces created by third-party developers. There are paid ones, but there are also plenty of free shells.
Moreover, applications have appeared that provide almost complete freedom to customize the main screen of smartwatches. You can replace the background, add additional status icons, add something similar to widgets, etc. My head is spinning, but that's good.
Screen
The screen is probably the most important element of SmaWatch 3. Here Sony did not try to be clever, installing a regular TFT IPS touchscreen display with a resolution of 320x320 pixels, but equipping it with a special transflective layer, which greatly increases visibility (due to the absorption and reflection of sunlight) in the open air, especially in bright daylight.
A good example of how a transflective layer works. Even in the direct rays of the bright winter sun, the information on the screen is perfectly readable.
A few words about the graininess and “fading” of the display. Unlike many critics, I didn’t notice anything bad. Yes, the screen is not as bright as the AMOLED of the Samsung Gear, but this is a feature of the TFT matrix, which Sony did a great job of using a reflective layer, making the display as readable as possible in bright sunlight, which cannot be said about OLED. The number of pixels per inch, of course, could be higher, but apparently everything depends on the capabilities of the low-power Snapdragon chipset used in most smartwatches of the current generation.
The light sensor located on the top frame of the display helps a lot. Without it, there would be no auto-brightness function; by the way, it works correctly in most cases (except in pitch darkness). It turns out that not all current smartwatch models have a light sensor. Well, one can only sympathize with the owners of such gadgets, since going through the settings every time to change the brightness is a dubious pleasure.
The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which has proven itself to be excellent - after two months of use, scratches have not appeared on it. I couldn’t find any mention of an oleaphobic coating on the glass, but apparently they didn’t forget to apply it. If fingerprints do appear, it is quite easy.
The display is extremely responsive to finger touches and can be operated even with thin gloves. This is not mentioned anywhere, I had a chance to find out from personal experience.
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Autonomous operation
It is stated that the device will be able to work on a single charge for up to 2 days in “normal” use mode and up to 4 days in standby mode.
In reality everything is the same. With very active use (activity tracking, constant notifications, navigation through a gadget, etc.), the device will work for one and a half to two days. If you use them less actively, you can last up to 4 days. In general, not bad.
Using a third-party power supply (5V, 2A), the gadget charges significantly faster - in more than 30 minutes the battery reaches 100%. From a PC, the device is fully charged in just over an hour.
What to expect from Sony SmartWatch4?
The latest development pleased us with its functions, interface, ease of use and classic appearance. This is simply a necessary thing for people, because having a watch like this means making your life much easier.
SmartWatch4 will be presented on the market in the near future, let's see what Japanese developers have come up with this time.
The release of smart watch 4 is planned for the end of 2022, the company has not yet disclosed many innovations, but something has already been found out:
- 4th generation smart gadgets will also be based on Android Wear, but the version will be updated to 2.0;
- no changes are expected in memory volume and battery capacity;
- an altimeter and a heart rate monitor will be added to the main sensors;
- the design will be similar to the previous version, only slightly modified: the body will become thinner and longer;
- According to preliminary forecasts, the cost will be around 17,000-20,000 rubles...
Surely many more surprises are expected, we will wait, the model will be presented very soon.
Summary
People's opinions about innovative technologies always differ and the third generation watches were no exception. Some people miss the functions they perform, while others are delighted with such an invention, but more detailed reviews are provided below.
Everything that a watch can do does not change a person’s daily lifestyle, behavior or habits. Even with this functionality, life does not become easier, although the device still brings some benefits.
Voice control, according to scientists, will appear on all gadgets very soon, but this watch is already equipped with it. The well-known command “Okay, Google” works the first time and allows you to go to any application.
The cost of an innovative gadget varies between 10-15 thousand rubles, although sometimes there are price jumps. For such functionality, this price is quite acceptable to many buyers, but it is not yet possible to call this watch universal.
General impressions
The device is very nice.
In normal mode, it works for 2-3 days without recharging, is not afraid of getting wet, saves the battery of the “big brother” (you will be less likely to take out the main device to see what it is “buzzing about”), and most importantly, it makes it so that you really stay always in touch. With a smart watch, it is very difficult to miss a call or lose your main device, not receive an SMS, a calendar reminder, or oversleep an important meeting: vibration on your hand perfectly signals that certain events require your attention, without annoying others with loud melodies or lack of your attention (when you are completely immersed in your smartphone).
Sensors
Sony Smartwatch 3 has more advanced functionality when compared with other gadgets of this generation. This is expressed in built-in devices, thanks to which you can measure or adjust something, receive a signal, and so on.
These built-in extras include everyone's favorite sensors:
- GPS. Thanks to this module, you can accurately determine the location and also calculate the route taken. This feature is especially useful when riding a bicycle, skateboard, car or any other vehicle. And with the help of voice control, you can find a short route before you start your journey.
- Pedometer. This function works in tandem with the previous one and provides all the necessary data for trackers. This helps to systematize the information that was collected over the past 24 hours.
- Compass. It is also an auxiliary addition for the navigation module and shows the cardinal directions, which can also be used to determine the upcoming path.
- Accelerometer. It is an activity sensor that shows what kind of sport, that is, physical activity, the owner of the watch is engaged in.
- Gyroscope. Helps the previous sensor determine the position of the user’s body in space in order to determine the type of activity as accurately as possible. Not every person believes that these sensors actually do all their functions correctly, but they actually do it quite well.
- Ambient light sensor. This sensor is especially important when it is necessary to save battery power. Smart watches are able to independently analyze the level of external illumination, after which, when moving to a darker space, reduce the brightness, and when moving to a well-lit place, increase it again. By turning on this sensor in automatic mode, there is no need to switch the brightness manually
- Timer. As a rule, it is used during training, although it is perfect for other user functions.
- Stopwatch. Another indispensable device that allows you to control not only the load during exercise, but also the operation of the camera.
The timer and stopwatch provide decent control of a photo or video camera that is located at a distance. Thanks to these sensors, you can set the time after which shooting will begin or end. In addition, the Sony Smartwatch 3 device, reviews of which are provided below, supports previewing photos from a camera located at a certain distance.
The downside is the lack of a heart rate monitor. After all, it is this sensor that athletes really need to measure heart rate and regulate loads during training.
