The budget wearable market has become extremely cluttered. Within each price range, there’s a multitude of SKUs, all boasting similar specifications and an abundance of health and fitness features. It’s not uncommon to find that Product A from Brand B bears an uncanny resemblance in both form and function to Product X from Brand Y.
Having said that, our internal research and data indicate that buyers are increasingly inclined to choose a smartwatch based on their design preferences, given that all SKUs now encompass essential health-fitness functions and wearable conveniences like calendars, Bluetooth calling, stopwatches, and more.
Today’s spotlight falls on a smartwatch that embraces the rugged design trend. Ambrane’s Wise Crest Pro is an affordable smartwatch tailored for those seeking a rugged look in a smartwatch form factor. Let’s dive into its key features and performance to determine if it lives up to its promises.
Design and Build Quality
The Ambrane Wise Crest Pro draws attention with its bold design, reminiscent of the sturdiness seen in popular G-Shock watches. While it doesn’t replicate G-Shock exactly, the influence is noticeable. The budget smartwatch is IP68 water and dust-resistant, and its screen is protected by a layer of toughened glass. The sturdy metal case, substantial crown button, and robust straps come together to enhance the watch’s rugged appeal.
The rotary crown along with the other two buttons functions seamlessly without any hitches. They provide satisfying tactile feedback and appear durable for long-term use. It’s worth noting that the watch might feel a tad bulky on the wrist for certain users, potentially impacting its comfort during extended wear. However, for those who favor larger timepieces, the Wise Crest Pro’s design aesthetics should pose no concern.
We are testing the Wise Crest Pro in the Green camouflage color variant, which reminds me of some G-Shock watches- the GG-1000-1A3DR model to be precise. Additionally, the Crest Pro offers an array of four alternative color choices, each presenting a distinct aesthetic appeal.
Display and Touch Response
The smartwatch boasts a circular 1.52-inch display, offering a resolution of 360*360 pixels. This panel presents vibrant colors and ensures reasonable outdoor visibility, thanks to its peak brightness of 600 Nits. While the display’s brightness doesn’t severely affect outdoor use, it’s important to highlight that touch responsiveness leaves room for improvement. During our review, we noticed instances where the screen didn’t consistently recognize touch inputs.
However, it’s important to remember that, considering the Crest Pro’s price, not every aspect of the screen can match that of a premium wearable.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Similar to most budget wearables, the Wise Crest Pro also boasts a comprehensive range of health monitoring functionalities, encompassing a SpO2 monitor, continuous 24*7 heart rate monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, and alerts for heightened heart rate. This budget-friendly smartwatch extends its health-tracking capabilities to include aspects like menstrual cycles, sleep patterns, and breathing exercises. Moreover, it keeps tabs on your daily step count, calorie expenditure, and overall distance covered.
While the inclusion of these sensors holds promise, there is room for enhancement in their accuracy. For instance, during vigorous workout sessions, the wearable failed to send elevated heart rate alerts. Additionally, the step counter exhibited some discrepancies. This isn’t entirely unexpected, as most budget wearables struggle to deliver precise readings of vital metrics.
Utility Features and Controls
The Wise Crest Pro also provides a plethora of utility features such as Sedentary Alert, Weather updates, Alarm, Timer, and Find Phone functionality. It also boasts convenient Smart Controls, including Remote Camera and Music Player options, adding to its usability as a companion device. In addition, Ambrane has also integrated a rather useful feature- a compass, which can come in very handy during outdoor adventures such as trekking.
The Bluetooth calling feature also performed adequately on the budget-friendly wearable. With an integrated speaker and microphone, handling quick calls becomes convenient, especially if your smartphone isn’t within arm’s reach.
Battery Life
With a 400mAh battery capacity, the Wise Crest Pro delivers a decent battery life of up to 6 days on a full charge. It’s worth highlighting that opting for the Always-on mode and continuous heart-rate monitoring, which tracks throughout the day, could limit the battery to approximately 3 days at most. The smartwatch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, ensuring broad accessibility for users.
Techarc Verdict
The Ambrane Wise Crest Pro Smartwatch presents a compelling option for those seeking a rugged, budget-friendly wearable with essential intelligent features. While it may have room for improvement in terms of sensor accuracy and screen touch response, the device offers good value for money, particularly for users who appreciate rugged-looking watches. If you prioritize rugged aesthetics and a range of useful features without compromising your budget, the Wise Crest Pro deserves serious consideration.
