Mobvoi is just one of many lesser-known companies trying to make it in an Apple-dominated smartwatch world with affordable, feature-packed, and sometimes ingenious Wear OS options.Based in China and financially backed by Western giants like Google and Volkswagen, the increasingly popular wearable device manufacturer last caught our attention with the October announcement of the TicWatch C2.
This is now officially up for grabs around the world, although it still needs a couple of weeks before it can start shipping to its early US adopters. Priced at $199.99, the fashionable timepiece pretty much offers everything brand-name smartwatches have going for them at $300 or so.
That includes full access to Google’s special Play Store for your wrist, as well as built-in GPS, a heart rate monitor, Google Pay-enabling NFC support, and a respectable 400 mAh battery rated at 1 to 1.5 days of autonomy.
Unfortunately, the Mobvoi TicWatch C2 uses an ancient Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor instead of embracing Qualcomm’s hot new Snapdragon Wear 3100 “platform”, but bizarrely enough, there are still very few Wear OS watches powered by the latter SoC.
Above all, the TicWatch C2 stands out with a “classically” stylish design, sporting a circular 1.3-inch AMOLED beaut with 360 x 360 resolution, resisting water immersion, and catering to both men and women.
A rose gold version comes with a thinner case and 18 mm strap, while bulkier “Onyx” and “Platinum” models feature interchangeable 20 mm genuine leather bands. It goes without saying both Android and iOS phones are supported, although making and receiving calls on your wrist is not possible.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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