Top 7 wearables at IFA 2023: picture gallery

The wearable tech presence at IFA 2023 was notably quieter than in previous years, yet it wasn’t devoid of intrigue. In this article, we spotlight the standout devices that captured our attention.

IFA, or Internationale Funkausstellung, is Europe’s leading technology event held annually in Berlin, Germany. This year, the event is taking place from September 1st to 5th at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

Originating in 1924, IFA has evolved from a showcase for radio waves and early television sets into a global platform for technological innovation. The event draws a diverse crowd, with recent editions attracting over 150,000 attendees. Companies from various tech sectors, ranging from consumer electronics to cutting-edge smart devices, converge at IFA to unveil their latest products and innovations to a global audience.

A subdued affair: IFA 2023’s wearable tech landscape

In contrast to previous years, the wearable tech segment at IFA 2023 in Berlin was notably subdued. Some key players hosted their presentation outside the official gathering. They join Apple which traditionally prefers to hold its own events. In fact, it has one scheduled for September 12th.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The absence of Garmin at IFA, a stalwart in the wearable tech industry, was a surprise. Their decision to skip the event altogether suggests a strategic reevaluation of the platform’s importance. Similarly, Amazfit’s choice to hold an independent presentation could indicate a growing trend among companies to seek more controlled environments for their unveilings. These moves could be interpreted as a sign that the industry is maturing, finding its own avenues for product launches and consumer engagement, independent of large-scale, general tech events.

Fitbit was there – but for the first time it had nothing new to show. Its display was exactly the same as last year – consisting of Sense 2, Versa 4, Charge 5 and Inspire 3.

This recalibration doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the industry’s relationship with IFA; rather, it may be a natural evolution as companies adapt to a changing landscape. It could also imply a shift in focus towards more specialized events that cater specifically to wearable technology, rather than broader tech shows.

Top 7 wearables of IFA 2023

Withings Scanwatch 2

The next generation of Scanwatch is our pick for the best wearable of IFA 2023. The device now includes 24/7 body temperature monitoring. This addition allows for continuous tracking of body temperature, not just skin temperature, providing valuable insights into early signs of illness or bodily responses to activities and stressors. The device also introduces heart rate variability (HRV) as a new metric, menstrual cycle tracking, and automatic recognition for over 40 different activities. It retains the 30-day battery life and comes with an upgraded HealthSense OS that includes PowerSense Pro for optimizing health measurements to extend battery life.

ScanWatch Light serves as a more budget-friendly alternative. It lacks some of the advanced features like body temperature monitoring, blood oxygen levels, and atrial fibrillation detection via ECG recording. However, the device still offers a comprehensive range of health metrics including respiratory rate measurement and menstrual cycle tracking.

Amazfit Balance

The Amazfit Balance, introduced by Zepp Health on the opening day of IFA, aims to be a comprehensive wellness companion. It goes beyond standard metrics by offering features like mental and physical readiness scores, AI-driven wellness services, and body composition measurements.

The device also includes contactless payment functionality through Zepp Pay. Its design is both stylish and functional, featuring a 1.5-inch AMOLED screen, two buttons for easy navigation, and 5 ATM water resistance. The Amazfit Balance runs on Zepp OS 3.0 and offers a battery life of up to 14 days, extendable to 25 days in saver mode. It’s priced at $249.99 and is available for purchase on the official Amazfit website.

RingConn

Moving quickly on and we come to RingConn. The device has emerged as a compelling contender in the smart ring market. As noted in our hands-on review, the device excels in tracking recovery statistics, showing high correlation in resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and sleep tracking compared to established competitors like Whoop. The company’s proactive updates and community engagement indicate promising future improvements. Priced at $279 with no monthly subscription fees, RingConn stands as a cost-effective and feature-rich alternative to its main rival, the Oura Ring, making it a strong option for those seeking a less intrusive wearable focused on recovery.

Garmin Venu 3

Ok, we know Garmin wasn’t at IFA. But it did launch Venu 3 in the days leading up to the event. The series, priced at $449.99, offers several upgrades over its predecessor, the Venu 2 Plus. It comes in two sizes, Venu 3 and Venu 3S, and features a lighter fiber-reinforced polymer casing. The display is larger and more vibrant, with improved battery life—up to 14 days in smartwatch mode. Noteworthy new features include Sleep Coach, Nap Detection, and Jet Lag Adviser, along with more activity profiles and an updated heart rate sensor.

However, the series lacks the Garmin ECG App, a feature present in the Venu 2 Plus. It was also widely expected that skin temperature tracking would be part of the feature-set. But we expect this, along with ECG, will be enabled via a firthcoming firmware update. Despite some omissions, the Venu 3 series presents a well-rounded package that caters to a broad audience.

TicWatch Pro 5

The TicWatch Pro 5 by Mobvoi emerges as perhaps the best wearOS watch right now. Backed by a robust design and advanced technology, it features the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset and Google’s WearOS 3, elevating its performance and user interface.

As noted in our hands-on review, the device sets a new benchmark in battery longevity for future WearOS watches, coupled with an efficient and precise charging mechanism. While it excels in many areas, it’s not without shortcomings. The sleep tracking could be more refined, and the GNSS connectivity speed leaves room for improvement. Additionally, its size may not be ideal for those with smaller wrists. Despite these minor drawbacks, the TicWatch Pro 5 stands as a high-performing, feature-rich smartwatch that offers solid value for its price point.

Proudly displayed at IFA is a recent introduction to the series. A new color choice that comes in the form of the Sandstone edition (pictured below).

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Samsung is a regular at the Berlin event. In fact, it has a huge building reserved at IFA to showcase its devices. One of these is the Galaxy Watch 6 series. Introduced at the recent Galaxy Unpacked event, it consists of Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

Both models run on Google’s new Wear OS 4 and Samsung’s One UI 5 Watch, offering enhanced performance, user-friendly interfaces, and better Android smartphone integration. They are powered by a 1.4 GHz Exynos W930 chip and come with a variety of health and fitness tracking features, including Samsung’s BioActive Sensor technology.

The watches differ in design and sizes, with the Watch 6 available in 40mm and 44mm, and the Classic in 43mm and 47mm. The later comes with a physical rotating bezel. Both devices feature larger, brighter screens than their predecessors and introduce a new one-click mechanism for easy band swapping. Battery life is also improved, with up to 40 hours of usage and a quick 8-minute charge providing an additional eight hours. The Galaxy Watch 6 starts at $299.99, while the Classic starts at $399.99.

The company has recently introduced a special Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Astro Edition – a device inspired by the stars.

Huawei Watch 4

Huawei is another regular at IFA. A few months ago it introduced advanced health features in its Watch 4 series, featuring a premium build with aerospace-grade TC4 titanium alloy and sapphire glass.

The Pro model boasts a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with a higher screen-to-body ratio and narrower bezels than its predecessor. The series offers over 100 workout modes, including unique features like TrueSport technology and an AI running coach. Health monitoring is comprehensive, covering metrics from respiratory checkups to arterial stiffness. Battery life ranges from 3 to 4.5 days in regular use, extending up to 21 days in ultra-long battery life mode for the Pro version. The watches also support eSIM for independent 4G communication and include a fall detection feature. Pricing starts at 449 Euros for the standard version and goes up to 699 Euros for the Pro model with a titanium strap.

That’s it for this year. See you at IFA 2024!

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