This year’s event leaned more toward refinement than spectacle. Apple stayed absent, Fitbit and Garmin had little to say. But Withings, Zepp Health, Mobvoi and others used the stage to push the conversation forward.

The themes were clear: better insight into your long-term health, more natural interaction with devices, and fresh ideas about what wearables can actually look like. AI was everywhere, embedded into everything from sensors to software, turning once-passive devices into active coaching tools.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights. For more details, check out our complete CES 2026 coverage.

Withings focuses on longevity and glucose

Withings came into CES with two announcements that build on its long-term health ambitions.

Body Scan 2 is the company’s new flagship smart scale. It tracks over 60 metrics including heart age, arterial stiffness, nerve activity and visceral fat. It looks similar to the original Body Scan but includes a new dual-frequency BIA sensor, updated ECG functionality and improved metabolic algorithms. A scan takes just 90 seconds and gives a high-level view of your current cardiovascular and metabolic state. European availability began at the start of January, with US launch expected later pending regulatory clearance.

In parallel, Withings announced a partnership with Abbott. The Lingo continuous glucose monitor now syncs natively to the Withings app, allowing users to combine real-time glucose trends with their weight, activity and sleep data. This should make it easier to spot patterns and tweak behaviour without switching between multiple platforms.

RingConn Gen 3 adds haptics and health trends

The third generation of the RingConn smart ring made its debut at the show. While it doesn’t radically change the look or feel of the hardware, it adds a few features.

One of the biggest changes is the addition of haptic feedback. Users will be able to receive subtle vibration alerts for things like high heart rate, completed activity goals or bedtime reminders. This should make the ring feel more like an interactive tool rather than just a passive tracker. Blood pressure trend tracking will also be added. Instead of offering isolated readings.

Mind you, the device is not available for purchase just yet. But expect a launch later this year.

Luna and Mobvoi explore voice as a primary interface

Two companies stood out for going all in on voice-driven interaction.

Luna Band is a display-free wearable that focuses on spoken health tracking. It listens to your voice, responds with audio feedback and removes the need to look at an app. You can ask it for sleep advice, log how you’re feeling or get reminders to move. It runs on Luna’s own LifeOS platform and includes stress, HRV and sleep monitoring under the hood. All data stays local and there are no subscription fees.

Mobvoi took a different route with the TicNote Watch. The device builds on Wear OS but prioritises speech over screens. It captures voice notes, transcribes them and can even translate in real time. This isn’t just a smartwatch that records runs. It is designed for logging thoughts, recording context and turning voice input into something more useful than a daily summary.

Zepp Health brings glanceable data and food tracking into view

Zepp Health used CES to showcase two very different ideas. The first was Amazfit Helio Glasses, a heads-up display designed for runners and cyclists. The glasses project pace, heart rate and navigation prompts directly into your field of view. This means you don’t need to glance at your wrist mid-stride. The concept is still in development but shows the company has interest in lightweight alternatives to mixed-reality headsets.

The second was V1tal, a wearable camera that captures your meals. It’s designed to track food intake by analysing plate photos, then estimating macronutrients using AI. This builds on the company’s broader push into metabolic awareness and complements existing fitness tracking features in the Zepp Health app. It’s not yet in market, but feels like a logical next step.

Moto Watch returns with Polar tech

Motorola re-entered the smartwatch scene with a new Wear OS device built around Polar algorithms. The watch, which features a 1.43-inch OLED display and a stainless steel frame, brings back the Moto brand for a more health-focused audience. It includes Polar’s cardio load, training benefit and recovery metrics, plus VO2 Max and sleep tracking.

The design is clean and simple. The focus here is clearly on bringing sports science into a more mainstream smartwatch package.

Nuralogix and regulatory shifts point to what’s next

Outside of the bigger launches, CES 2026 included a few devices that hint at where health tracking could go next and how it might be regulated.

One of the more unusual examples was Nuralogix’s Longevity Mirror. This wall-mounted display estimates biological age, cardiovascular risk and metabolic health by analysing subtle changes in facial blood flow. There is no contact required. You simply stand in front of the mirror for around 30 seconds while it uses the company’s Anura AI platform to process over 80 biomarkers.

Its launch coincided with new guidance from the US FDA. The agency clarified that wellness-focused wearables and tracking tools can avoid medical device regulation as long as they steer clear of diagnostic claims. Products that focus on general wellness, such as sleep quality, stress, fitness or long-term trends, can continue without formal clearance.

That creates room for new ideas. Devices like the Longevity Mirror are unlikely to replace medical tests but could become part of a broader shift toward ambient tracking. Health monitoring may soon be built into mirrors, displays or other objects around the home, capturing data in the background and surfacing insights when needed.

Wearable tech at CES 2026 felt more embedded, less showy. Instead of trying to replace your phone or PC, most of these devices aim to support real behaviour change, often in the background. From glucose and sleep to mood and meals, the trend is clear: the next wave of wearables is less about adding features and more about making the ones we have easier to act on.

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Mobvoi pivots to AI-first wearables

The company has spent years refining its Wear OS-based TicWatch line. But the TicNote Watch marks a different direction entirely. While the company isn’t abandoning wearables, it’s clearly stepping back from the fitness-first approach that shaped its earlier offerings. Instead, it’s now anchoring its strategy around voice, productivity and cloud collaboration, with TicNote Watch acting as the wearable hub for this new system.

The watch is part of a broader product family that includes TicNote (a dedicated recorder), TicNote Pods (AI-powered 4G earbuds), and TicNote Cloud, a platform designed to process, organize, and act on real-world conversation data. It’s a different kind of ecosystem. One aimed less at step counts and more at turning meetings, ideas and spoken intent into outcomes.

What TicNote Watch is designed to do

At its core, the watch functions as a fast-access voice recorder. You press a button and start capturing whatever’s happening. Unlike other smartwatches that rely on companion apps or phone sync, this one handles everything on the wrist. You get live transcription. You get real-time translation. And you get summaries, reminders, and notifications tied to your day.

But what makes it interesting is how this information doesn’t stay trapped on the device. TicNote Watch is built to connect directly with Mobvoi’s new cloud platform. That’s where the voice events you’ve captured can be analyzed in the context of your daily movement, biometric data, and tasks. It’s less about logging what was said, and more about figuring out what it means and what to do next.

Mobvoi also claims that the system can generate insights by blending health data with spoken input. That could mean anything from connecting a stressful conversation with an elevated heart rate, to flagging moments of fatigue based on changes in voice tone, movement, or speech pace.

This suggests the company hasn’t entirely walked away from health features. But it’s repackaging them into something more contextual, rather than building a health dashboard in the traditional sense.

How the other TicNote devices fit in

The rest of the TicNote lineup supports the same vision. The TicNote recorder is the simplest of the bunch, built for high-fidelity capture during meetings or interviews. The TicNote Pods, on the other hand, are Mobvoi’s first AI earbuds with built-in 4G connectivity. They work even without a phone, offering ambient and in-ear recording modes depending on whether you’re in a call or sitting in a room full of people.

These devices feed directly into TicNote Cloud, which is where Mobvoi wants the action to happen. Files aren’t static. They evolve. The AI (called Shadow Agent 2.0) doesn’t just summarize, it builds structured documents, updates them over time and helps manage projects in real-time.

Our takeaway

Mobvoi’s TicNote Watch is unlikely to appeal to the same audience that buys a Garmin, Suunto or Fitbit. This isn’t a training tool. It’s not about VO2Max or sleep stages. But it does reflect something broader happening in wearables: the shift from passive sensors to active collaboration.

Instead of focusing purely on step counts or heart rate, Mobvoi is trying to link voice, context and intent. That’s a very different proposition. And it’s also a sign that the definition of a smartwatch is starting to stretch in new directions.

The TicNote Watch doesn’t yet have an official release date. But with TicNote Pods already live on Kickstarter, and the rest of the ecosystem in place, it’s likely not far off.

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It’s the end of the year, so now’s a good time to take stock – literally. The focus here is smartwatch and fitness band makers. We’re looking at how their publicly traded shares performed across the full 12 months of 2025, comparing opening and closing prices, and highlighting which names delivered the biggest returns for investors.

Table of 2025 stock performance

Here’s a snapshot of how major listed smartwatch and fitness band makers performed from the start to the end of 2025.

A volatile year for the standout winner

Zepp Health delivered the most eye-catching return of 2025. It began the year trading at 2.60 dollars, climbed to a high of over 60, and closed at 27.43. That’s a gain of 955 percent, turning every thousand invested into over ten grand.

But the path there wasn’t smooth. The stock was actually one of the most volatile in the sector, reflecting both speculative interest and uncertainty.

Its steep rise coincided with a broader push into hardware and work on developing its health tracking platform. Investors appeared to respond not just to products like the Balance 2 and Helio series, but to the shift in Zepp Health’s positioning from budget-focused brand to a company that is closing the gap on main players such as Garmin. It is also likely that its stock was undervalued at the beginning of the year.

So if you invested in Zepp Health 12 months ago you’d be much better off today. But if you invested in the middle of the year, you could be sitting on a big loss. Timing is everything.

Comparing general tech giants and wearable-first brands

While Zepp Health is a wearable pure play, many others on the list are not. Apple, Xiaomi, Alphabet and Samsung generate most of their revenue from smartphones, services, cloud infrastructure or chips. That means their stock movements reflect far more than just their wearable product lines.

Apple posted a modest 9.11 percent gain, ending the year at 273.23 dollars. It was a relatively quiet year for Apple Watch, and although new features arrived, investor focus remained on AI, Mac sales, and regulatory news.

Alphabet did much better, climbing 66 percent. The market rewarded its software convergence story as Fitbit and Pixel Watch moved closer together, backed by a cleaner wearables UI and better integration across devices.

Samsung doubled its share price and is closing the year at highs. Though wearable performance contributed, the result also came from strong memory sales, chip growth and AI tools baked into its Android ecosystem.

Xiaomi had a smaller rise, closing the year up just under 16 percent. It was helped by growth across its product categories, not just smart bands.

Citizen’s return of nearly 39 percent is notable given it rarely dominates headlines. The Japanese watchmaker continues to explore hybrid and connected watches in niche segments, and investor confidence seems to have ticked upward despite limited smartwatch exposure compared to others in the list.

Garmin and Mobvoi struggled to excite investors

Garmin’s stock dipped slightly across the year, despite strong product updates in its Fenix, Venu and Forerunner lines. It’s not a failure, but it reflects a flat investor response to premium multi-sport watches that increasingly face pressure from cheaper competitors and alternative form factors like rings and patches. Also, the market reacted negatively in October to lower growth projections.

Mobvoi saw a bigger drop, ending the year down 21.7 percent. Its TicWatch line remains active and competitive in terms of specs, but visibility in Western markets is patchy. The company may also be pulling back from the smartwatch space and focusing on AI devices, instead.

Fossil is publicly traded. But the once smartwatch player, has now stepped back from the space to refocus on traditional watches. Hence, we have not included it in the comparisons.

Key wearable brands missing from public markets

You’ll notice that some of the biggest names in wearables don’t appear in this kind of stock roundup. Huawei remains a private firm, as does Polar. Suunto is now owned by Liesheng and is not listed. BBK Electronics, the parent of OnePlus and Oppo, does not offer a way to invest directly in wearables as a standalone vertical.

Whoop and Withings are also not publicly traded companies. CEO of Whoop Will Ahmed indicated in late 2025 that a public listing is more likely within the next two years, targeting a 2027 window rather than 2026.

This limits investor access to several high-volume or long-standing wearable brands, making the list of trackable public stocks narrower than one might expect given the size of the market.

Our takeaway

2025 was a mixed year for wearable tech stocks. Zepp Health delivered the highest return by far, while Alphabet, Samsung, and Citizen also posted strong gains. At the other end of the table, Garmin and Mobvoi struggled to gain traction, closing the year below or near where they started. The rest fell somewhere in between, with modest positive returns that mostly mirrored broader market trends.

As we head into 2026, this snapshot provides a useful benchmark. Some companies will look to hold their ground, others will try to recover lost value, and a few may aim to sustain the momentum they built over the past twelve months. Share prices will continue to reflect more than just wearable performance, but the sector remains one of the more dynamic corners of consumer tech

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TicWatch lineup gets harder to find

Now Mobvoi hasn’t actually announced an official exit from the smartwatch market, but the signs are hard to miss. On Amazon US, the TicWatch listings have vanished or are marked as unavailable. Over on Mobvoi’s own site, the “Smartwatch” category has been removed from the top navigation bar. Models like the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro and Atlas still appear on the homepage, but cannot be purchased. Their store pages say they are not available at the moment. And regional availability is almost non-existent.

To remind, the TicWatch Atlas was released in October 2024, which means it has been over a year since any new hardware hit the market. When 9to5Google asked for comment, Mobvoi said only that there is no new information to announce about the TicWatch range. They did confirm that existing devices will continue to receive essential support. That leaves current owners in a bit of limbo, and it raises questions about where the company is heading next.

From hardware to voice-first AI

Mobvoi now refers to itself as an AI company, and the shift in product focus backs that up. Their new hero device is the TicNote recorder, a small voice-based AI assistant that requires a subscription for full functionality. The other hardware on offer is a line of smart treadmills, which pair with Mobvoi’s voice AI platform.

There is a clear pivot underway. Smartwatches have been moved out of sight, while products that lean into voice interaction and cloud AI are being promoted heavily. This mirrors a trend seen in Mobvoi’s financial reports, which show strong year-over-year growth in AI subscription revenue and stagnation in device sales.

Smartwatch hardware comes with real challenges. Mobvoi relies on Qualcomm chips, which often introduced delays in software updates due to longer integration timelines. And while the TicWatch line stood out for battery life and unique display tech, it faced stiff competition from vertically integrated players like Samsung and Google. These companies design their own chips and operate on faster development cycles.

A shrinking ecosystem

The statement about continuing essential support is open to interpretation. It likely means that devices will receive security patches and maintenance updates for a while. But users should not expect Wear OS 6 or major new features. There’s also the long-term question of server maintenance. Mobvoi’s watches sync health and fitness data through their own cloud system. If the company continues to distance itself from consumer wearables, those backend services could become harder to rely on.

Even if this isn’t a confirmed exit, the broader trend is clear. Fossil has already shut down its smartwatch business. Tag Heuer has moved to its own operating system. The list of independent Wear OS watchmakers is shrinking. With Mobvoi scaling back its presence, the market now revolves around Samsung, Google, along with a few regional players.

Mobvoi was one of the last companies offering something different. Their dual-layer display helped solve a battery life problem that most Wear OS devices still struggle with. If that innovation disappears, the platform becomes less diverse, and users lose a low-cost alternative to the flagship giants.

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On paper, they might look similar, but in real-world use they feel very different. One focuses on clean design and smooth software. The other is built for durability and battery life. Here’s how they compare across all the key areas.

One minute comparison

Both the OnePlus Watch 3 and Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas get a lot right, but they’re built for slightly different users.

If you want a more polished smartwatch experience with up-to-date software, advanced health sensors, and strong sports tracking, the OnePlus Watch 3 is the one to go for. It feels refined, performs smoothly, and delivers the kind of health and fitness data you’d expect from a premium WearOS device. The lack of wireless charging is a small drawback, but everything else works as it should.

The TicWatch Atlas is a better fit for those who care more about outdoor durability. It doesn’t offer the same level of health detail or third-party app support, but the dual-display setup and practical touches like the colour-coded heart rate zones make it ideal for day-to-day use and longer adventures. It’s a device that has a certain charm. And just like the OnePlus, it edges out the competition as far as battery life.

Both watches are Android-only, both skip LTE, and both come in at attractive price points. The OnePlus Watch 3 is slightly cheaper, though, at $300. The Atlas asks for $350.

View OnePlus Watch 3 on OnePlus; view Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas & Pro 5 Enduro on Mobvoi, Amazon.

Jump to

Design & materials tell two different stories
Display tech approaches
Battery life and charging types
Health sensors and tracking differences
Sports features and real-world accuracy
Smartwatch experience and connectivity
Tech specs comparison

Design and materials tell two different stories

The OnePlus Watch 3 is a sharp-looking device. It combines a stainless steel case, titanium bezel, and a 2.5D sapphire crystal cover plate. The design feels like a mix of classic and sporty, and that balance works well. I tested the Obsidian Titanium version and liked how comfortable it felt on my wrist. The dimensions are 47.6 x 46.6 x 11.75 mm, and everything feels tightly put together with a nice finish.

The TicWatch Atlas takes things in a more rugged direction. It has a sand-blasted aerospace-grade aluminium case, a surgical-grade metal bezel, and flat sapphire crystal on top. It’s slightly chunkier at 52.2 x 47.8 x 12.05 mm, but still comfortable enough for daily wear. Mobvoi has leaned into the outdoor styling with orange crown accents and a broader range of strap options. You get five different 24mm styles, including bright silicone colours like Jungle Green and Bonfire Orange, as well as more subdued leather options. It feels like a considered upgrade over the Enduro rather than a complete redesign.

Mind you, both of these devices are masculine looking. So keep that in mind.

Display tech approaches

The display is one of the highlights on these two watches, but they take very different approaches.

The OnePlus Watch 3 comes with a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display. It’s bright, sharp, and easy to read in any light. OnePlus says it peaks at 2200 nits, and based on testing, that figure seems about right. Even in direct sunlight, the screen stays clear. The sapphire glass gives it a bit more durability, though I did notice it can be quite reflective outdoors. Still, the overall experience is excellent and the display plays a big role in making the watch feel premium.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Mobvoi has gone with something more functional. The Atlas sticks to the company’s signature dual-display setup. You get a 1.43-inch AMOLED for regular use, and sitting on top of it is an Ultra Low Power (ULP) screen. Mobvoi is the only company with such a setup. That second layer shows key data like time, heart rate, steps, and even workout zones, without needing to light up the main screen. It’s also colour-coded during exercise, which makes it easy to tell what heart rate zone you’re in at a glance. This dual-screen combination is practical as it helps extend battery life far beyond what most Wear OS watches can manage.

Battery life and charging types

This is one area where both watches perform well, though in different ways.

The OnePlus Watch 3 packs a 500 mAh battery, and it actually delivers. You get around five days in normal use, and three with heavy usage. Power Saver mode stretches that to around two weeks, which is more than enough for most people. Charging is quick too. It uses a small USB-C puck and supports 10-watt charging. You can go from empty to full in under 50 minutes, and even a short top-up gives you plenty of extra life. There’s no wireless charging here, but the setup is reliable and easy to travel with.

Mobvoi has gone bigger with the battery, both in size and stamina. The Atlas includes a 628 mAh Li-Po unit, which helps it push up to 80 hours in Smart Mode. If you switch to Essential Mode, it can last up to an incredible 45 days. That mode shuts off Wear OS, but still gives you basic info on the ULP display. Charging is handled through a magnetic USB-A puck, and you’ll get about 65 percent in 30 minutes. It also supports wireless charging, which gives you a bit more flexibility if you already have a charging pad on your desk or nightstand.

It’s clear that both of these watches put to shame other WearOS devices as far as battery life. OnePlus Watch 3 pulls ahead as far as normal use. But the power-saving scenario of the Mobvoi is miles ahead.

Health sensors and tracking differences

Both watches cover the essentials, but OnePlus takes things a step further with its health tracking.

On the Watch 3, you get the usual metrics like heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep, and wrist temperature. It also adds a few extras that you won’t find on most Wear OS watches, including vascular health data, arterial stiffness, and even your vascular age. There’s an ECG sensor built in as well, though it only works in certain regions. It ties into the 60-second Health Check-In, which gives you a quick overview of multiple health stats in one go. Heart rate variability is available, though you do need to dig through the menus to find it.

Atlas sticks with Mobvoi’s typical sensor suite. That includes heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, a barometer, compass, and off-body detection. The basics are handled well, and the results seem consistent. But you don’t get ECG, HRV, or anything like vascular metrics. It’s more about dependable tracking than deep health insights. The data is all managed in the Mobvoi Health app, which is Android-only, just like OnePlus’s OHealth app.

Both watches support sleep tracking, snore detection, fall detection, and SOS alerts. These features have become fairly standard now, but it’s good to see they work reliably on both devices.

Sports features and real-world accuracy

In my opinion, the OnePlus Watch 3 pulls ahead when it comes to serious fitness tracking. It supports over 100 sports modes and includes advanced running metrics like stride length, cadence, vertical ratio, running power, and VO2 Max. OnePlus calls it “cardio fitness” in the interface, but it works just as well. Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) is built in, and satellite lock is quick. I ran several side-by-side tests with a Garmin, and the results were close every time. The OnePlus even beat the Garmin on lock speed occasionally, which I didn’t expect. Heart rate accuracy was also solid, only a couple of beats off from a chest strap.

The Atlas covers a similar number of sports modes, but without the advanced running data. It does offer VO2 Max and Recovery Time, and there’s also a Heat Map feature that uses GPS to create visual maps of your movement in certain sports. It’s not something you’ll use every day, but it’s a nice touch. GPS tracking is good, though not dual-frequency, and I found that it sometimes slightly overestimated distance compared to Garmin. Satellite lock was a bit slower, but never took more than a minute or two. Heart rate accuracy can vary depending on how snugly the watch fits, so it’s worth checking that before a run.

The colour-coded backlight on the Atlas’s ULP display is one of the most useful features during exercise. It changes colour based on your heart rate zone, which makes it really easy to keep track of intensity without needing to glance at detailed numbers mid-workout. That’s something no other brand is doing right now.

Smartwatch experience and connectivity

This is where the OnePlus Watch 3 shows its strengths. It runs on Wear OS 5, and the performance is snappy across the board. You get the full suite of Google apps pre-installed, including Wallet, Maps, Calendar, Messages, and Assistant. The rotating crown makes navigation easier, and there are three app drawer layouts to pick from. I liked the Panel view especially, since it lets you zoom in and see app names clearly. There’s also a handy “Transfer Watch” feature that lets you pair with a new phone without wiping your data.

The TicWatch Atlas runs on Wear OS 4+. You still get access to Google Wallet and Maps, and Spotify works fine too, but the experience is more limited overall. There’s no native Google Assistant, though Alexa can be installed manually. Mobvoi has included some of its own health and fitness apps, but the platform feels a bit more locked down. It works, but it doesn’t have the same flexibility as the OnePlus.

Both watches include a speaker, microphone, and NFC. They support Bluetooth 5.2 for pairing, and both connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. OnePlus also adds 5 GHz support, which makes downloads and updates a little quicker. Neither model includes LTE, so you’ll need your phone nearby for calls and full data use.

OnePlus Watch 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas vs TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: Tech specs comparison

Here is a tech specs comparison between OnePlus Watch 3 and Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas. I’ve also included the Pro 5 Enduro which I reviewed about a year ago. That one is not very different from TicWatch Atlas. The differences essentially boil down to that version being slightly smaller and lighter. And instead of Sapphire Crystal it has a Corning Gorilla Glass display, plus it lacks the Fluororubber strap in favour of a Silicone one.

View OnePlus Watch 3 on OnePlus; view Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas & Pro 5 Enduro on Mobvoi, Amazon.

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The post OnePlus Watch 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: Two ways to build a better Wear OS device appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Why fitness apps are so demanding

Why is this?

The thing is, fitness tracking apps often require multiple permissions to deliver a seamless experience. They need access to location and Wi-Fi to allow for Connected GPS, sync with wearable devices, and provide real-time updates. While these functions are necessary for the app’s core purpose, they run constantly in the background, making them significant battery drainers.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Unlike some social media apps, fitness trackers typically don’t need access to your camera or microphone. But their reliance on real-time tracking and data synchronization still demands a lot from your smartphone.

Social and dating apps aren’t much better

While fitness apps are prime offenders, they’re not alone in the battery-draining game. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn also rank high on the list.

In fact, seven of the top twenty most battery-intensive apps are social platforms, highlighting how connectivity often drains energy. Instagram is one of the worst culprits. It requires permissions to access the camera, microphone, location, and stored photos, making it one of the most power-hungry apps available.

Dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Grindr are similarly demanding, consuming over 70% of battery life in many cases. Their need to constantly refresh location data and send notifications keeps them running in the background, even when not in active use.

How to protect your battery while staying active

So what can you do about all of this? For starters, you need to get on top of managing app permissions.

For Fitbit, these include access to your identity for notifications like step goals or low battery alerts, location for tracking activities through GPS, and photos for setting a profile picture. Contacts are used to find friends using Fitbit, while Bluetooth facilitates syncing with trackers. Telephony and SMS permissions enable call and text notifications on certain Fitbit models.

While these improve the app experience, they aren’t mandatory—users can disable them, though it may limit certain features. Fitbit emphasizes that it doesn’t sell identifiable user data and only shares information when necessary to provide services, in aggregated forms, or with user consent. Permissions can be updated anytime, allowing users to control their data as they see fit.

What’s more, fitness apps also don’t always need continuous location tracking when not in active use. Adjusting settings to allow location access only when the app is open can help conserve power.

Similarly, social and dating app permissions can often be restricted without compromising too much functionality. Many phones now provide tools to identify battery-draining apps in their settings, allowing users to make informed decisions about what to keep running in the background.

So there you have it folks. If you are wondering why your phone’s battery is draining so quickly, now you have the answer. Fitness and social apps bring convenience and connection, but their impact on battery life is hard to ignore. With a few simple tweaks, you can get the most out of these tools without wearing out your phone too quickly.

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Design and build

The TicWatch Atlas retains the rugged appearance of earlier models but introduces slight design tweaks. Its strap has a marginally different texture, and the top button has a rounded design compared to the flat button on the Enduro and Pro 5. The design of the crown has also been changed slightly.

The bezel markings on the Atlas also differentiate it visually from its predecessors, which lack these details. Additionally, the Atlas is slightly larger, lending it a more masculine feel. Despite these changes, all three watches remain similar in weight, averaging around 45 grams.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Another notable distinction is in screen protection. While the Pro 5 features Corning Gorilla Glass, both the Atlas and Pro 5 Enduro upgrade to sapphire crystal for enhanced durability. That’s an important distinction.

Shared features and performance

Under the hood, there is little to separate Atlas from its predecessors. All three models boast the same display resolution, chipset, memory, satellite capabilities, and battery life. They also share identical water resistance and military-grade durability certifications.

As far as functionality – when the Atlas was first released, it came with a few exclusive features. This includes SOS alerts, fall detection, and heat maps for certain sports activities. However, these features have since been introduced to the Enduro and Pro 5 through firmware updates. As a result, functionality across the three models is now identical.

Price and target audience

The TicWatch Atlas enters the market at the same price point as its siblings, around $350. While this ensures affordability for a smartwatch packed with features, it also raises the question of what sets the Atlas apart. For Android users seeking a durable and reliable wearable, the choice among these models comes down to design preferences rather than any functional superiority.

Mobvoi’s choice to stick with small tweaks for the Atlas shows their focus on staying consistent. But in an increasingly crowded smartwatch market, playing it safe might not cut it next time. Bigger changes could help Mobvoi stand out, and offering a smaller version for those with slimmer wrists wouldn’t hurt either. For now, the Atlas delivers solid performance, rugged design, and good value – a great option for those seeking a wearOS watch.

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Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas: One minute review

If you’re looking for a quality Wear OS smartwatch under $400, the Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas is hard to beat. It offers rugged durability, excellent battery life, and the dual-display setup Mobvoi is known for. These features make it a great choice for anyone who needs a watch that can handle outdoor adventures while doubling as a stylish, everyday accessory.

That said, the Atlas is more of an all-rounder than a dedicated sports watch. While it covers the basics well and adds useful features like VO2 Max, Recovery Time, and a colorful heart rate backlight, it lacks advanced metrics such as HRV tracking and dual-frequency GPS. The absence of an LTE variant and iOS compatibility are other notable gaps in an otherwise strong offering.

Sharing the same internals and software as the Pro 5 and Enduro, the Atlas differentiates itself with its bold and substantial design. For Android users seeking a reliable, feature-packed smartwatch without stretching their budget, the TicWatch Atlas offers an excellent balance of performance and versatility.

View on Mobvoi / Amazon.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas review: Technical specs

The three iterations of the current generation all typically sell for $350. That’s because they are very similar, as shown in the table below. Pro 5 Enduro and Atlas have the same case build, while all three have identical display specs, chipset, memory, GNSS tech, battery life, water resistance and military standard certifications.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas review: Design, hardware

Look & feel

• Rugged, lightweight design with durable materials
• Dual-display with vibrant AMOLED and power-saving panel
• Scratch-resistant screen, ergonomic buttons, customizable band

The TicWatch Atlas sticks to the rugged DNA of its predecessors. And while it keeps the tough look, a closer inspection reveals a few cosmetic updates.

The build is as great as ever, with a sand-blasted stainless steel case, 7000-series aluminum, and fiberglass-reinforced nylon. The device is tough enough for just about anything, thanks to its 5 ATM waterproof rating and MIL-STD-810H certification, but still lightweight and comfy for all-day wear.

Like before there is only one case size. But its dimensions are a tiny bit chunkier than the other variants, giving it a stronger presence on the wrist. It seems Mobvoi has doubled-down on masculine looking timepieces.

The bezel now features a series of numbers, with bold orange accents pointing to the crown and single pusher. Which gives it a more purposeful appearance. This subtle refinements define Atlas as a thoughtful evolution rather than a dramatic departure.

Having said that, what I would like to see is a more feminine version of the same – a thinner and more lightweight timepiece. I suppose a sacrifice might be battery life, but I am sure there would be a market for such a device.

The display is where the Atlas really shines. In fact it is what Mobvoi is best known for.

The company has retained its signature dual-screen setup, featuring a 1.43-inch AMOLED paired with an Ultra-Low Power (ULP) panel. The AMOLED is vibrant and clear, offering excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The secondary ULP display provides essential information like time, health metrics, and notifications while conserving battery. It also changes in colour when you are exercising so you know at a glance what heart rate zone you are in.

Just like Pro 5 Enduro and unlike the Pro 5, Atlas has a sapphire crystal cover. This offers exceptional scratch and impact resistance, ensuring it remains pristine even in very demanding environments. That’s one upgrade to keep in mind.

Another noteworthy design element is the fluororubber band. It retains the comfort and breathability familiar from the Enduro, while its interchangeable nature allows for customization, whether you prefer a sportier or more formal look. This adaptability underscores the Atlas’s dual-purpose design, capable of transitioning seamlessly between outdoor pursuits and more polished settings.

Overall, the TicWatch Atlas is a great looking timepiece. It refines the rugged aesthetic established by the Enduro, tweaking it with a few subtle design changes. Think of it as another design iteration of the same device. Available in Black and Silver, the timepiece is built to handle rough conditions but still looks good enough for everyday use.

Under the hood

• Same internals as predecessors with Snapdragon W5+ and full sensor suite
• Exceptional battery life: 90 hours Smart Mode, 45 days Essential Mode
• Great for outdoor use with built-in GPS and efficient power-saving features

This is pretty much the third iteration of a watch with the same internals. Under the hood, the TicWatch Pro Atlas retains the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip found in the Pro 5 and Pro 5 Enduro. This ensures a smooth and responsive experience, with fast app loading.

The Atlas also inherits the comprehensive suite of sensors. These include PPG heart rate, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, skin temperature, and a compass. There appear to be no changes in this area. Satellite connectivity (GPS + Beidou + Glonass + Galileo + QZSS) support is also there, along with a built-in microphone, speaker, and NFC.

One of the highlights of this watch, though, is it battery life. As far as wearOS watches go, it is a beast. That’s largely thanks to the low-power secondary display and sizeable battery.

In Smart Mode, which is what you will typically use, the thing can keep going for up to 90 hours. Exactly how much – really depends on your settings and usage. A quick 30-minute charge provides nearly two days of use. Refuelling uses the same proprietary magnetic puck with USB-A as before.

With heavy GPS and health tracking, the watch still lasts several days, making it a solid choice for outdoor adventures or busy lifestyles—something rare among Wear OS devices.

There is also an Essential Mode. It keeps the thing going up to 45 days. This mode disables Wear OS, relying on the energy-efficient LCD to conserve power. Then there are other Battery-saving features. For example, you can enable auto-switching to Essential Mode during sleep, which can be reactivated with a long press of the flat button. So quite a few options to play around with.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas review: Health & fitness tracking

• Mobvoi Health app handles setup and tracking but is Android-only
• Sleep tracking is detailed, including a snoring feature
• SOS and Fall Detection are useful but can be overly sensitive at times

As far as basic health and fitness features, there are no real differences between Atlas and other watches in the Pro 5 range. Everything is managed from the Mobvoi Health app. Which means you do not need to fire up the Google Watch app for setup. Mobvoi’s proprietary software manages the initial pairing, syncs activity data, and provides detailed visualization and analysis of your health metrics.

Currently, the app is only available for Android users, leaving iOS users without support. Hopefully Mobvoi will release an iOS version at some stage.

The watch provides all the essential health data, and it appears to be fairly accurate. Most of this information is viewable directly on the watch, but for more detailed insights, your smartphone is the better option. Mobvoi Health organizes its features into three main sections: Statistics, Device, and Account. The Statistics section gives access to health and activity data, Device allows you to manage watch settings and faces, while Account handles user profile options.

Users can track a wide range of metrics, including steps, calories, heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, and stairs climbed. It’s worth delving into the settings to unlock additional features, like more detailed stress monitoring. After enabling every available option, I found it had minimal impact on battery life.

One notable omission, however, is heart rate variability (HRV) tracking and a comprehensive Recovery Metric. These are becoming standard features, even on fitness bands, so it’s disappointing that the TicWatch Atlas, like its predecessors, lacks them. Since HRV can be tracked via the optical heart rate sensor, there’s hope Mobvoi will address this with a future firmware update.

The sleep tracking is especially detailed, with a snoring function that works surprisingly well. It’s not activated natively from the watch, though—you need to enable it via the smartphone app before sleep and turn it off in the morning.

SOS and Fall Detection

TicWatch Atlas also brings SOS and Fall Detection to the table. Currently, a firmware update is being rolled out for the Pro 5 and Pro 5 Enduro, adding this feature to those devices as well.

This feature is handy when you’re exploring or exercising in remote areas. However, I found it can be a bit too sensitive when it comes to detecting falls. The good news is you can choose whether you want continuous monitoring or just during exercise. If it triggers a false alarm, the watch will ask if you’re okay and give you time to cancel the alert to your emergency contacts. You can also manually trigger a call by pressing the crown multiple times.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas review: Sports tracking

• Over 100 workout modes with variable GPS and heart rate accuracy
• Color-changing backlight tracks heart rate intensity in real time
• Heat Map feature visualizes sports activities via GPS

Shifting focus to sports, the TicWatch Pro 5 offers over 100 professional workout modes, with some featuring auto-recognition that performs quite well. TicMotion, the auto-workout detection, now displays real-time stats on the low-power screen before you confirm the workout, which is a nice touch.

Mind you, this is no sports watch. The device lacks dual-frequency GPS, the ability to pair with an external heart rate monitor or an option to export workouts as GPX files. Think of TicWatch Atlas as a smartwatch with some basic sports tracking functionality.

As a keen runner, I’m always most interested in run-tracking capabilities of devices. GPS is fairly good, typically it slightly overestimates the distance as compared to the Garmin on my other wrist. But I did test in heavily built-up areas in Central London, and the difference was not big. The Mobvoi was also a bit slower to acquire the initial satellite signal, but the wait was never more than a minute or two long.

As far as heart rate tracking, it is more of a mixed bag. Sometimes it is spot on, but I did have an occasion where one part of the run was clearly not being tracked accurately. I suppose it is to do with the positioning of the watch on your wrist. If you make sure the strap is tight around your wrist and you check that it is accurately capturing heart rate before you start your run – you should be ok.

One standout feature I really appreciate is the way the low-power display’s backlight changes color based on your heart rate during exercise. The colors shift through a gradient, starting with blue and moving to green, yellow, orange, and ultimately red, reflecting the intensity of your workout. This dynamic feedback makes it easy to see at a glance whether you’re within your target heart rate zone or if you need to adjust your pace. It’s an intuitive and practical way to stay on track, and notably, it’s a feature I haven’t encountered on any non-Mobvoi smartwatch.

The data that you get can be seen in the screenshots below. Its all the usual suspects. As far as more advanced performance metrics, you do get Vo2Max and Recovery Time.

Also worth a mention is the new Heat Map feature, also currently rolling out to Pro 5 and Enduro. Using GPS and network connectivity, the watch lets you create heat maps for various sports, including American football, Aussie rules, basketball, rugby, soccer, tennis, and even Frisbee. Your movements are captured and displayed as a satellite image, offering a visual representation of your activity. 

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas review: Smartwatch features

• Wear OS 4+ with Google Wallet, Spotify, and smart home controls
• Customizable with Alexa support but no Google Assistant

The TicWatch Atlas runs on Google’s Wear OS 4+, offering a smooth, intuitive experience with straightforward navigation. While Wear OS 5 hasn’t arrived yet, it’s likely to roll out in the coming months. Maybe not such a bad thing they are not rushing out considering the issues some watches are having with the latest version of Google’s operating system.

As a fully-featured smartwatch, the Atlas covers the essentials and more. It supports contactless payments via Google Wallet, offers media playback controls, and allows independent Spotify playback. Google Maps navigation is built-in, as is smart home management, providing a well-rounded suite of tools. Mobvoi has also included a variety of its own health and fitness apps, adding to the watch’s versatility.

Customization is a strong point, with an array of watch faces available to suit individual tastes. Users can even personalize the functionality of the physical button, which adds convenience. While you can install Alexa, there’s still no native support for Google Assistant. A curious omission in an otherwise comprehensive package.

On a final note, the TicWatch Atlas doesn’t offer an LTE option. Being able to stay connected without your phone would make a big difference, especially for those on the go. Hopefully, Mobvoi considers adding this feature as an option in the future.

Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas review: Should I buy?

Buy it if…

• You want a rugged, durable smartwatch with excellent build quality and a dual-display design.
• Long battery life, including up to 90 hours in Smart Mode, is a priority.
• You appreciate versatile features for both fitness tracking and daily smartwatch use.

Dont buy it if…

• Advanced sports metrics like dual-frequency GPS or HRV tracking are a priority.
• You need an LTE connection for phone-free usage.
• You’re an iOS user, as Mobvoi Health is Android-only.

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Fall detection and emergency SOS arrive on more devices

The most significant addition in this update is the Fall Detection and Emergency SOS feature. This safety-focused enhancement provides users with an additional layer of personal security, automatically detecting potential falls and enabling emergency communication when needed. Users are advised to update both their watch and the Mobvoi Health app to fully utilize this capability.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

For those who prioritize personal safety, this feature represents a meaningful upgrade. Once installed, there are various settings you can tweak. By default, pressing 5 times on the rotating crown calls emergency services. Fall detection can be switched off, it can be always on, or on only during exercise. You can also add your emergency contacts and choose whether or not to share your location with them when an SOS message is sent.

Fitness and sports tracking receive upgrades

The firmware also brings an expanded range of sports types in TicExercise. The new additions include soccer, rugby, and frisbee. These activities can be tracked across both outdoor and indoor venues, with heatmaps providing additional insights into performance. Again, the heatmaps is something that up to now has only been available on TicWatch Atlas.

Beyond these headline features, the update includes several system-level improvements. Users will find new system ringtones and enhanced display capabilities for the FSTN screen, particularly for sports tracking activities like swimming and rope skipping. The firmware also includes an important security update, bringing the security patch current to November 1st, 2024

Notable fixes include resolving problems with notification vibrations, correcting barometer app displays, and addressing silent heart rate alerts. Performance optimization has been a key focus, with improvements to watch face loading and battery performance.

Rollout schedule and what to expect

Mobvoi has planned a phased rollout of the update (version TMDB.240925.002), beginning on December 12th, 2024. The distribution will be gradual, reaching 10% of users initially, then expanding to 30% by December 13th, and ultimately covering 100% of eligible devices by December 18th.

All in all this seems like a useful update, particularly for owners of the TicWatch Pro 5 and TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro. It brings these devices on par with TicWatch Atlas.

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Remember when fitness trackers were the hot new thing and smartwatches seemed like gadgets from a sci-fi movie? That was 2014, and what a ride it’s been since then. Some companies that jumped into the wearable tech game hit the jackpot, while others probably wish they could turn back time. Want to know just how wild the journey has been?

Let’s start with Apple. It will probably come as no surprise that it is the standout performer in the sector. Of course, the company’s product range goes way beyond its smartwatches. So perhaps its not a fair comparison. Nevertheless, a modest $1,000 investment in the tech giant back in 2014 would have blossomed into an impressive $8,880 by now. Not bad. The Apple Watch, introduced in 2015, helped establish smartwatches as mainstream accessories rather than mere tech novelties.

Garmin is another success story. The same $1,000 invested in Garmin stock would have grown to $3,641, demonstrating the company’s successful pivot from GPS devices to premium fitness wearables and smartwatches. Garmin’s journey hasn’t been without turbulence – the stock climbed steadily until the Covid-19 pandemic struck, triggering a significant decline as global markets reeled from the uncertainty. However, the company demonstrated remarkable resilience, not only recovering but pushing to new record highs since then.

Samsung’s journey tells a more modest tale. While the Korean tech leader has maintained a strong presence in the wearables market, a $1,000 investment would have yielded approximately $1,725 by 2024. This return is not bad. But once again, the company’s product range goes beyond wearable tech.

What about the rest?

Perhaps no company better exemplifies the volatile nature of the wearable tech market than Fitbit. Its stock market journey reads like a cautionary tale of the risks inherent in tech investments.

After going public in June 2015 at $20 per share, initial investor enthusiasm pushed the stock to remarkable heights. Within just two months, the price had more than doubled to $50, creating paper millionaires. However, this euphoria proved to be short-lived. Increasing competition began eating into Fitbit’s market share. The stock price began a steady decline, eventually leading to Google’s acquisition of the company in 2021 at $7.35 per share. A $1,000 investment at the IPO would have dwindled to $367 by the acquisition date, representing a sobering 63% loss.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The wearable tech landscape extends beyond these public companies. Withings, known for its sophisticated health monitoring devices, has traveled a unique path. The French company was acquired by Nokia in 2016 and rebranded as Nokia Health, only to be bought back by its original co-founder in 2018, returning to its Withings identity. Throughout these corporate changes, the company has remained private, so there is no share price we can use for a comparison.

Similarly, Mobvoi, a Chinese company specializing in AI and wearable technology, only recently entered the public markets with its Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing in April 2024. While its products have gained traction in various markets, particularly with its TicWatch line of smartwatches, its recent public listing means long-term investment analysis isn’t yet possible.

So what’s the bigger picture here? Well, if you’d taken that same thousand dollars and just parked it in a boring old S&P 500 index fund back then, you’d be sitting on about $3,644 today – not too shabby for playing it safe. Garmin basically ran neck and neck with the market. But Apple? They left everyone in the dust.

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