Apple Watch has a new rival, and it’s one that Apple should be worried about. That’s not because the new Ticwatch is better, but because it’s ultra-affordable at under $100.
For that, you get a simple and colorful design, GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and Android Wear 2.0.
Ticwatch comes in two models — Ticwatch E and Ticwatch S — both of which give you pretty much everything you get from an Apple Watch for around a third of the price. They’re almost identical, but there is one subtle difference.
Ticwatch S (which stands for “Sport”) is the more expensive model, with its GPS antenna build into its fixed strap for better tracking. Ticwatch E (which stands for “Express”) is slightly more affordable, with its GPS is built into its body and replaceable straps.
The S is also a bit heavier at 45.5 grams, while the E weighs just 41.5 grams. Both offer the latest version of Android Wear with all of Google’s newest features, plus 1.4-inch OLED displays with 287 pixels-per-inch, Bluetooth 4.1 and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a 300mAh battery.
They also have heart rate monitors — something you don’t usually see in more affordable smartwatches — and they’re IP67-rated for water-resistance. Color options currently available include lemon, shadow black, and ice white.
To take advantage of the ultra-low pricing, you’ll need to pre-order Ticwatch through Kickstarter, where the E model is just $99 at early bird pricing, and the S starts at $119. When they eventually hit retail, they’ll cost $159 and $199 respectively.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
9 responses to “Why Apple Watch should be worried about its latest rival”
Here’s why Apple shouldn’t worry about this watch: No one who is seriously considering an Apple Watch is going to consider this. If price is your main concern, you wouldn’t be looking at an Apple Watch.
it’s ugly. definitely worth $99.
Do you really believe that normal people want to wear a dinner plate on their wrist? Seriously? Why is it that all of these supposed Apple Watch”killers” can’t get something as basic as size right? Just look at the size of that thing!
Notice how the circular face creates so much wasted space for anything that isn’t a copy of an analog watch face. A rectangular face by its very nature can display the most text or images.
Without tight integration with Apple’s other devices, why would Apple Watch buyers even consider this again?
Apple hasn’t been worried about cheap, low-end phones (sales of iPhone continues to sky-rocket), and it is also not worried about cheap, low-end smartwatches.
Besides, the margins on low-end devices (PCs, phones, smartwatches, etc.) are almost non-existent, which is why Apple enjoys 90+% of the worldwide profits in each of its product categories.
In a way Apple would do best if the competition was not bad, but not great- good enough for people who buy a cheap one to at least see the benefits of a smartwatch, but want an Apple level of quality with their next purchase. I like the way Apple have rethought things every year- hopefully the new context-sensitive face will be an improvement too- it is something I thought the watch obviously lacked,
The only thing that will affect iWatch sales (Apple Watch) is if a watch comes with like a weeks worth of battery life. This is the only thing a successful company needs….and Apple should also be trying its hardest to fix this obvious issue.
I think battery life is over-rated considering neither smartphones nor laptops have weeks worth of battery life.
You’re confused by the fact that the Apple Watch has the same form factor as a watch. It’s not a watch, it’s a personal computer on your wrist. I have no problems charging my Apple Watch every day or two alongside my laptop, my iPad and my iPhone.
What a bullshit. Clickbait by Killian ‘Ding-Dong’ Bell.
Irresponsible drivel from a scribbler. No journalist worth his salt would write such nonsense as ‘..(this device) ..gives pretty much everything you get from an Apple Watch’ and no competent editor should allow such an ill-formed comment to reach the printed page.
One thing this watch does get you which Apple Watch cannot compete with, however,…. exposure to every Android worm, virus, malware etc.
One of the huge losses we have to suffer since the advent of blog-style publishing on the web is the absence of knowledgeable and responsible oversight before crud surfaces. Nowadays a thought arises in some befuddled mind somewhere and in an instant it’s being published as though it were gospel.