Thinking of getting a Smartwatch but do not know which one to go for? Are you overwhelmed with the available smartwatch options? Today, Smartwatches are becoming extremely popular. Almost everyone is shifting from regular wrist watches to their smart alternatives. However, the better the features, the expensive are the models. Although, they look sleek and classy on your wrist, getting the one that suits your budget the best can be a struggle. The following Sony Smartwatch 3 review details on whether the model is worth your money or not.
To buy a smartwatch, you need to consider several features. From its specs to the build and display, every feature can play an important role in your overall experience. What is the point of spending a hefty sum on a watch that you are not comfortable using, right?
Key Features of Sony SmartWatch 3
The Sony SmartWatch 3 is packed with a range of features that work pretty well. To discuss some of the specs of the Sony SmartWatch 3:
Design
The Sony SmartWatch 3 comes with a square face and rubber straps. Although it is durable, the watch does not particularly stand out in terms of its aesthetics. The glass display has thick bezels that further dulls down the overall outlook of the smartwatch. If you are looking for an elegant and classy option, the Sony SmartWatch 3 might not be the best choice. However, if you are not too worried about the looks and want a watch for everyday use, it can be a good option.
The rubber strap is flexible and pretty comfortable to wear. It makes the watch look a little bulky though. However, the rubber design does make it more durable and capable of withstanding external pressures. Even if you drop it, the rubber can act as an insulating layer for the inner machinery.
The square face also has a micro-USB port built into it for direct charging, which is convenient to use. You can just plug in the charger without any external cradle. Further, you can also remove the watch unit from the strap, so you can customize the strap’s colours according to your outfit.
Display
The watch comes with a 1.6-inch 320 x 320 square display. The resolution is similar to most of its market alternatives, which is great. Further, the screen is reflective so you can see everything in high light environments as well. This makes it easy to use outside, in direct sunlight.
There are several brightness settings that you can tweak around with. The auto-brightness mode does a decent job as well, in case you do not want to change everything manually. The screen lights up if you tap on it or raise your wrist towards your face.
The watch does not offer wider viewing angles which can get annoying at times as you have to be at a certain angle to be able to read the screen. Although, the colours could have been better, the display delivers clear image quality and can work well for everyday use.
Currently, there are AMOLED displays available as well, so if you want a screen with great contrast and wider viewing angles, you might want to consider another option. They do come at a higher price point though.
Watch Faces
There is range of watch faces options that you can choose from. You can select one that fits your overall vibe. However, all of them generally follow the same sporty theme and have digital clocks. You can still get third party watch faces according to your requirements. They have to be downloaded separately though, which can be a hassle.
GPS
The GPS tracking system of the Sony SmartWatch 3 is probably one of its most standout features. If you are a fitness enthusiast who wants to keep track of his/her runs and exercise times, the watch can be a perfect fit for you. It provides you with a convenient way of tracking your runs without having to carry your smartphone.
Currently, there are several apps that support the watch’s GPS functionality, but Google’s My Tracks have shown to work the best with the Sony SmartWatch 3. If you sync it with the phone app, you can get detailed stats about your runs. However, the GPS takes a toll on the battery. In some of the test runs, it dropped by 10% in less than 30 minutes.
Waterproof
Another great feature of the Sony SmartWatch 3 is that it is completely waterproof. You do not have to worry about the time or depth of water it can withstand. You can wear it in your shower or go for an hour-long swim, and it will still function perfectly. Although the droplets might turn on your screen and pause whatever you are listening to, they would certainly not affect its machinery.
Android
Sony SmartWatch 3 is based on an Android OS. It is pretty similar to a phone, so if you are an Android phone user, the watch can be pretty easy to use. The platform works great at notifying you about your messages, calls or the latest social media updates. Further, you can also play music via a Bluetooth device directly from your watch.
Hardware
Along with android, the watch also supports NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity. It has 4GB of storage and features a 1.2GHz Arm A7, quad-core processor, which works pretty well. The android wear updates are also expected to improve the watch experience.
The only drawback is that it does not come with a heart monitor. Today, most smartwatches available in the market have a built-in heart monitor, which is a major selling point. However, if you do not care much about that, the watch can work pretty well.
Battery Life
The Sony SmartWatch 3 features one of the biggest batteries seen in any android based watch up till now. It has a 420mAh battery that is quoted to last for two days. You can also charge it via micro-USB, which saves you the hassle of handling external cradles. The wire can be plugged in directly.
[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”” apilink=”https://amzn.to/35UyUDw” new-window=”true” addtocart=”false” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”4″ imgs=”%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FSony-SmartWatch-Activity-Compatible-Smartphones-Black%2Fdp%2FB00N9OAQI0%2Fref%3Das_li_ss_il%3Fie%3DUTF8%26linkCode%3Dli3%26tag%3Ddigihelpdesk-21%26linkId%3Db61d77ff346bb72eb19f39cc070727e8%26language%3Den_GB%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20src%3D%22%2F%2Fws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com%2Fwidgets%2Fq%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26ASIN%3DB00N9OAQI0%26Format%3D_SL250_%26ID%3DAsinImage%26MarketPlace%3DGB%26ServiceVersion%3D20070822%26WS%3D1%26tag%3Ddigihelpdesk-21%26language%3Den_GB%22%20%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cimg%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com%2Fe%2Fir%3Ft%3Ddigihelpdesk-21%26language%3Den_GB%26l%3Dli3%26o%3D2%26a%3DB00N9OAQI0%22%20width%3D%221%22%20height%3D%221%22%20border%3D%220%22%20alt%3D%22%22%20style%3D%22border%3Anone%20!important%3B%20margin%3A0px%20!important%3B%22%20%2F%3E” link-imgs=”false” specs=”Accurate GPS tracking~~~Easy Micro-USB charging~~~48 hour Battery life~~~Built-in NFC~~~Completely waterproof” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”View on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”1200″]Sony SmartWatch 3[/amalinkspro]
Fitbit Versa 2 vs Samsung Gear S3: Top Smartwatches Compared!
Pros
- Accurate GPS tracking
- Easy Micro-USB charging
- Battery life is pretty decent
- Built-in NFC
- Completely waterproof
Cons
- The display is not the best quality.
- Lacks a heart rate monitor
Final Verdict
Overall, the Sony SmartWatch 3 is not the best in the market; however, it does have everything you might need for day to day use. If you do not need a high end watch that comes with a hefty price point, the Sony SmartWatch 3 can definitely work for you. You can customize its straps and go on runs without your smartphone. Further, you can connect your Bluetooth devices and listen to songs directly from the watch as well. It also features Wi-Fi connectivity, which is pretty great.
Is the Sony SmartWatch 3 waterproof?
The Sony SmartWatch 3 has one of the best waterproof ratings. It is labelled as a ‘completely waterproof’ watch as well. You can go for a swim or take a shower without taking it off. The watch is capable of withstanding long exposure to water without causing any glitches.
How do I add apps to my Sony SmartWatch 3?
Adding apps to your Sony SmartWatch 3 is pretty simple. It follows a similar pattern as a regular android phone. The apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store without any hassle.
- Go to the Google Play Store and select a category for the app you want to download
- To search for a specific app, type its name in the search bar and press the search icon
- Select your app and tap on the install button
- Wait for it to download
- One your app is downloaded, tap the ‘open’ button and your app will automatically be launched
Does Sony SmartWatch 3 have NFC?
Yes, the Sony SmartWatch 3 comes with a built-in NFC chip that allows you to pay for products directly from your watch. You just need to have an app installed to make the transactions. Although the feature is pretty great, it does take up a lot of battery.
How do I use my Sony SmartWatch 3?
The Sony SmartWatch 3 is pretty easy to use especially if you are an android phone user. The following steps can guide you through the whole process of setting up and pairing your watch to an android based phone.
- Turn on your Sony Smartwatch 3 and opt for the desired language
- Install the Android Wear App on your phone. You will automatically get a notification for this once you begin setup.
- Once the app is downloaded on your phone, open it and select all the checkboxes
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Turn on your phone’s Bluetooth
- Scan and pair with your SmartWatch 3
- Confirm the pairing request on your phone and watch
- Follow the instructions on your phone until you see the connected status
- Your watch will check for updates and reboot after installing everything
- Once your watch turns on, swipe to start using!
