Mobvoi’s TicWatch Pro 5 and Pro 5 Enduro are both getting updates to Google’s WearOS 4, the watchmaker announced Tuesdayand the operating system will include a number of features that will make both watches more user-friendly.
TicWatch Pro 5 owners of both editions get a backup and restore feature, and notably also get the ability to unpair and sync a watch with a new phone without having to perform a factory reset. I ran into that last issue when I swapped Android phones while reviewing the TicWatch Pro 5and by simplifying that transfer, we hope to save time when switching to another phone.
TicWatch Pro 5 owners will also get some of the improvements found in the Enduro modelwhich will feature a revamped TicHealth app that combines the tracking features of several other apps into one more streamlined location. This was one of the biggest complaints I had when reviewing the TicWatch Pro 5 , and I was glad to see it fixed for the first time on the Enduro model. That earlier watch also gains the ability to customize what the side button does, adding some additional customization beyond its default action of pulling up a list of recent apps.
The WearOS 4 update comes after a beta period for TicWatch owners, and it arrives much quicker than the years-long wait TicWatch 3 owners had to endure for their update from WearOS 2 to WearOS 3. The TicWatch’s WearOS 4 update also arrives as a number of new smartwatches launch WearOS 5, including Google’s Pixel Watch 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7. But what sets the TicWatch apart from those watches is its low-power secondary display, which offers quick information without having to fire up the OLED screen to its full power.
It’s also nice to see a smartwatch manufacturer actively supporting their devices being compatible with a wide variety of devices, rather than trying to sell you a compatible phone. Since Fossil exited the smartwatch market earlier this year, the selection of watches from such companies has dwindled.
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