Asus Zenwatch Review | 126 Data compared

The WIRED review highlights the ASUS ZenWatch as a stylish, well-built Android Wear device featuring a 1.63-inch AMOLED display and a premium leather strap. Pros include its sophisticated design, attractive metal trim, and IP55 water resistance. However, the device is criticized for unimpressive battery life, a "fiddly" clip-on charging dock, and a front-bezel heart rate sensor that requires inconvenient, manual usage. While excelling in aesthetics and offering a "classy" alternative to industrial competitors, it suffers from typical first-generation issues like limited software functionality and an awkwardly placed power button.

The Verge review praises the Asus ZenWatch for its stylish design, featuring a curved 1.63-inch AMOLED display, stainless steel construction, and comfortable leather strap, marking it as a visually superior option to competitors. Despite its good looks, the device suffers from large display bezels and a lack of an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment. Performance is solid with smooth software execution, though the proprietary charging cradle is inconvenient and the front-facing heart rate sensor is awkward to use. Ultimately, priced around $200, the ZenWatch is deemed the best value, aesthetically focused Android Wear device of its time, despite having a loud vibration motor and average battery life.

Edward Chester's review praises the Asus ZenWatch for its sophisticated, well-thought-out design, featuring a 320x320 AMOLED screen and a comfortable, curved profile that stands out among early Android Wear devices. The watch is highlighted for its appealing aesthetics, offering a more refined look compared to bulkier competitors of its time. Key pros include a reliable battery life lasting over a day, a high-quality leather strap, and a range of customisable watch faces via the Asus ZenWatch Manager. However, significant drawbacks are noted, specifically the large screen bezels, an awkward, ineffective heart rate monitor, and the absence of a dedicated physical button for easier navigation. Ultimately, the ZenWatch is recommended as a stylish, competitively priced, and functional option for early adopters, despite the limitations of the Android Wear platform, such as poor sunlight visibility. While the software has immature quirks, its superior design makes it a strong contender in the smartwatch market.

The Android Central review highlights the first-generation ASUS ZenWatch for its stylish design, featuring a premium stainless steel body, curved profile, and comfortable, stitched leather strap. Performance is reliable with standard internals, and the ZenWatch Manager app provides unique, useful features like a remote camera shutter and phone unlocking. However, notable cons include large display bezels and a lack of an ambient light sensor, requiring manual brightness adjustments. Android CentralWhile the device offers health-tracking features, the biosensor is less convenient to use compared to competitors as it requires touch input on the bezel. Battery life lasts a full day, but the proprietary charging cradle is considered less convenient than wireless alternatives. Despite these shortcomings, the review concludes it is a stylish and affordable choice.

The Asus ZenWatch is praised for its stylish, stainless steel design with a curved Gorilla Glass 3 display and a comfortable leather strap, offering a premium alternative to bulky competitors. Key pros include excellent build quality and a bright, readable OLED screen, though the device's size and significant bezels may be too large for smaller wrists. Performance is swift, driven by a Snapdragon 400 processor, and features a unique 'Remote Camera' app for smartphone control. However, a notable con is the absence of physical buttons, forcing reliance on touchscreen navigation, and the heart-rate sensor requires an awkward two-finger grip, limiting its utility for active, continuous monitoring. While the watch offers roughly one day of battery life and includes IP55 water resistance for splashes, it necessitates daily charging via a proprietary dock. The final verdict highlights the ZenWatch as a fashionable, sophisticated option that prioritizes style over rugged, comprehensive fitness tracking.

The ASUS ZenWatch is a stylish, comfortable, and affordable Android Wear device, distinguished by its slim 9.4mm profile, curved stainless steel body, and interchangeable 22mm leather strap. Its primary pros include a refined design and exclusive ASUS apps like Wellness and remote camera control. However, the device lacks an ambient light sensor, and the 320 x 320 resolution screen can appear slightly pixelated upon close inspection. Powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor, the wearable offers solid, albeit standard, performance for its time. A notable drawback is the fitness tracking approach, as the sensor is on the front bezel and requires placing two fingers on the frame for readings, rather than continuous monitoring. Additionally, battery life requires daily charging using a specialized plastic cradle.

In a 2015 review for IGN, the Asus ZenWatch is praised as a stylish and affordable Android Wear option, featuring a high-quality stainless steel construction, a curved glass face, and a comfortable 22mm leather band. The AMOLED display provides rich colors, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective smartwatches available at the time. However, the device is held back by a "clumsy" Android Wear interface that requires excessive navigation, and its tall, bezel-heavy design may be too large for some users. While the battery is functional, it generally requires nightly charging, particularly with the always-on display feature active. Ultimately, the ZenWatch received a 7.6 "Good" score for being a well-made, attractive accessory with a "limited purpose," as many functions still require a smartphone to complete.

The ASUS ZenWatch is highlighted for its elegant design, featuring a slim, curved stainless steel case, rose gold accents, and a comfortable leather strap. Key benefits include a responsive gesture-based display and accurate voice recognition. However, it lacks a front navigation button, possesses a subpar vibration motor, and features large bezels, according to Tech Advisor. Functional drawbacks include an awkwardly placed power button on the underside and a frustrating touch interface. The 1.63-inch AMOLED screen lacks an ambient light sensor, requiring manual brightness adjustments. While IP55 rated, the watch's usability is hindered by these design choices. Battery life lasts approximately 22 hours, requiring daily charging with an proprietary cradle. Despite the extensive sensors and the functional ZenWatch Manager app, the review concludes the device struggles to compete with rivals like the Moto 360.

In his March 2015 review for The Guardian, Samuel Gibbs identifies the ASUS ZenWatch as a stylish, comfortable alternative in the Android Wear market, boasting a stainless steel body and a 1.63-inch AMOLED display. Key pros include its premium design, a comfortable leather strap with a secure clasp, and a bright, "always-on" display. However, notable cons include an average two-day battery life, a finicky proprietary charging cradle, and non-removable bloatware.

The Asus ZenWatch is lauded for its stylish design, featuring a slim 9.4mm stainless steel body with rose gold accents and a 1.63-inch AMOLED display, making it a standout in early Android Wear devices. It offers a comfortable, premium feel with a 22mm strap, though it lacks an ambient light sensor and is difficult to read in direct sunlight. Key pros include a relatively strong battery life, capable of lasting up to two days, and accurate voice recognition, while key cons include an awkward rear-mounted button and an sometimes-clunky user interface. The device features a Snapdragon 400 processor that delivers snappy performance, even if limited by the early Android Wear OS. While the watch includes a heart rate sensor, its design requiring two-finger contact with the bezel makes it impractical for active fitness tracking. Ultimately, the review concludes the device is best suited for style-conscious users over those seeking a dedicated fitness wearable.

The Asus ZenWatch is highlighted by MobileTechReview as a stylish, affordable early Android Wear device featuring a stainless steel body and leather band, designed with a curved, comfortable fit. It houses a 1.63-inch AMOLED display with large bezels, powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor that delivers snappy, consistent performance. While praised for its premium look, unique software additions, and decent 1.5 to 2-day battery life, the watch faces drawbacks such as a cumbersome heart rate sensor requiring two-finger touch, lack of an ambient light sensor, and an inconvenient charging cradle.

The ASUS ZenWatch (WI500Q) features a premium, comfortable design with high-quality materials and extensive customization options, including specialized apps for camera control, according to GadgetGuy. However, the device is hindered by significant software instability, a complex two-app setup process, and frequent crashes. While offering a superior aesthetic, the watch suffers from unresponsive wake gestures and limited one-day battery life, resulting in a moderate review rating.

The Asus ZenWatch is lauded as a stylish, premium Android Wear device, featuring a curved stainless steel design with a comfortable 22mm leather strap. While the 1.63-inch AMOLED screen is crisp, it is bordered by thick, distracting bezels, and the device's masculine design may feel too large for some users. Performance is marked by unique features like a bezel-embedded heart rate sensor and a remote camera viewfinder, although the heart rate readings can be inconsistent. A major drawback is the requirement of several different apps to access all of the watch's functionality, though it does offer useful IP55 water resistance. Battery life is typical of the era, lasting around one to one-and-a-half days and requiring nightly charging via a frustrating, proprietary dock. Despite these limitations, the £199 price point makes it a compelling, feature-rich, and stylish choice for Android users seeking an early smartwatch.

The Asus ZenWatch (Wi500Q) features a premium design with a stainless steel casing and replaceable 22mm leather strap, focusing on a traditional aesthetic rather than a strictly high-tech look. It provides a smooth, lag-free user experience with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 512 MB of RAM, complemented by a sharp 1.63-inch AMOLED display. Unique software features like "Remote Camera" and "Remote Link" are highlighted as notable pros, along with functional, though occasionally cumbersome, wellness tracking capabilities. Conversely, the device faces limitations with a low IP55 rating, protecting only against water splashes rather than submersion, and suffers from poor outdoor readability. The 369 mAh battery generally requires daily charging, and the absence of an ambient light sensor demands manual brightness adjustments. Despite these drawbacks, it represents a stylish, functional first-generation entry into the smartwatch market.