TicWatch Pro 3 GPS Review: A huge leap in performance

With the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch, Mobvoi seems to be trying to make a name as something more than just a Wear OS watchmaker with low-cost devices that performs okay for the price. That started with the TicWatch E in 2017, but it wasn't until the Pro line of watches came shortly after that Mobvoi moved to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 series of processors that debuted in 2016. Unfortunately, the company stayed with that SoC for every watch since — that changes with the TicWatch Pro 3, and wow, is the change well worth it.

Now, I've owned watches from Huawei, Misfit, LG, and even going outside of the Wear OS platform with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. Unfortunately, outside of the Samsung watch, all of these have had the same fault — relatively sluggish performance. However, with the TicWatch Pro 3 sporting the newest Snapdragon 4100, the overall experience gets a massive upgrade.

The Pro 3 also brings a host of new sensors, improvements to its standout secondary display, a larger screen, an overall thinner and lighter watch body, and other useful changes that make using the watch daily much more enjoyable. All of these benefits were improved on when the TicWatch Pro 3 finally got its major Wear OS update this spring. Another boon for this top-tier smartwatch is that it has been comfirmed for the Wear OS 3.0 update in mid-2022.

TicWatch Pro 3: Price and Availability

Mobvoi launched the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS in September 2020 for $299.99 on Amazon and Mobvoi's own store. However, there has been little change in pricing as the watch is still $299.99 on Amazon and Mobvoi's store, though the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS is currently sold for $279.90 at Walmart.

TicWatch Pro 3: Design and display

The Pro 3 maintains much of the same design language as its predecessors in the TicWatch Pro 2020 and Pro 4G. It retains the familiar bezel with time designations, dual pushers, along with the two-tone metal against a matte plastic. However, the Pro 3's design upgrades become evident once you tighten the stitched silicone band — especially after wearing the TicWatch Pro 4G.

The first significant change is how much thinner it is in comparison to the Pro 4G. While the TicWatch Pro 3 is still a large watch, Mobvoi has managed to reduce the device's overall thickness to 12.2mm, .4mm thinner than the TicWatch Pro 4G or 2020. This change, along with a lighter weight of 42g, a reduction of 28%, makes wearing the Pro 3 much more comfortable. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 comes in at 11.1mm thick and weighs 53.8g.

Mobvoi, while making the device thinner and lighter, did make the display larger, and because this is part of the Pro line of TicWatches, it has Dual Display upgraded to 2.0. The enlarged screen improves the readability of text and allows for more information, such as health statistics.

The improved top-layer screen retains its excellent visibility in bright light, including the direct sun, and brings a few new tricks. In addition, Mobvoi added a few design lines to give the secondary display a bit of personality and change up to the battery indicator. The watch also gains a live seconds counter, and though it's a small change, it is a nice addition.

One of the few drawbacks to the secondary display is that if there isn't any ambient light from the outside, you cannot see the screen — the Pro 3 addresses that. With this release, Mobvoi adds in a backlight that is reminiscent of a Timex Indiglo watch. In the H-MR2 system update the watch got in April 2021, Mobvoi added the option to disable the backlight should you want to.

The lift to wake feature on Wear OS watches activates the full smart display when you raise your wrist. On TicWatch Pro devices, when you disable that feature, the LCD acts as your always-on display. If you enable always-on in the watch settings, you get the improved AMOLED Retina display instead. In addition, when you raise your wrist with the Pro 3 and always-on disabled, it activates a backlight for the top-layer display, making it visible in low-light situations.

While these can be categorized as somewhat small changes to a very familiar design, they are thoughtful and impactful updates. Perhaps the biggest drawback to the TicWatch Pro line of watches has been its chunky size and dated processor, and though it is still a large watch, the Pro 3 addresses much of that criticism.

TicWatch Pro 3: Performance and battery life

While the design changes are notable, the most significant update is to the processor being used. The TicWatch Pro 3 is the first smartwatch to use the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 chipset. Though it would have been nice to have seen the 4100+ used here, the 4100 proper brings some significant performance and battery improvements over the 2100 SoC used on the previous TicWatch Pro generations.

Similar to when smartwatches upgraded to 1GB of RAM, anything less felt nearly impossible to use. Now that I've used a watch with the 4100 processor, I can't go back to anything else.

Everything on the Pro 3 is so much smoother than watches running the 2100 and 3100 processors. From on-screen animations to opening apps and navigating through Wear OS, and using Google Assistant, it all just works. It may seem strange to be so excited for things to just work, but that's where we've gotten to in the Wear OS realm. Of course, it'll remain to be seen how Google and Samsung's co-developed Wear OS refresh is handled on the Pro 3 and the Snapdragon 4100 processor.

These performance improvements were realized before receiving the Wear OS version update and have only gotten better since. Among other improvements to the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS in the update, the Snapdragon 4100 processor landed some optimizations that have seemed to improve the already impressive performance and the battery life.

Compared to prior generation Pro models, another big improvement with the TicWatch Pro 3 is in the battery life department. While the Mobvoi's line of Pro watches has never been slouches when it comes to battery life, it only gets better with the newest addition.

Source: Chris Wedel/Android CentralAlways-on display diabled (left) Always-on display enabled

On my TicWatch Pro 4G, I would get around two or three days of usage before needing to put it on the charger. This is while using 24-hour heart rate tracking as well as Mobvoi's TicSleep for sleep tracking. With the Pro 3, I get over three days during 24-hour monitoring of my heart rate, SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) tracing, analyzing SDNN (Standard Deviation of NN intervals), and nightly sleep tracking.

Even when I disable the secondary display, which uses very little power, and use the AMOLED display with the always-on feature enabled, I get nearly three days between charges. If you don't need or want 24-tracking for some of the health features or don't care about sleep tracking, switching some of these features off will improve the TicWatch Pro 3's already impressive battery life.

One feature that I have been hoping for from any Wear OS watch is the ability to schedule the always-on display to be disabled during certain times, similarly to what the Amazfit T-Rex Pro does.

In the April update, Mobvoi added this feature — sort of. You can now schedule when the watch enters Essential Mode, which utilizes only the LCD display and saves a lot of battery life. Thankfully sleep and step tracking is still enabled during this mode; however, you won't have any alarms available to help you wake.

TicWatch Pro 3: Health tracking

The TicWatch Pro 3 brings along some new health sensors to the table. Mobvoi has included a night infrared static heart rate sensor with non-visible light for improved readings, a barometer, as well as a SpO2 sensor. With these additions, the hopes of more accurate monitoring of previously included health readings such as heart rate and sleep but new metrics like blood oxygen saturation levels become available.

Mobvoi combines the sensor set on the Pro 3 to track the ambient noise around you, stress levels using SDNN, and the ability to automatically track sleep and SpO2 with the watch in Essential Mode. Previously on TicWatch Pro devices, all that was tracked when the device was in Essential Mode was time, heart rate, and steps.

Of course, Pro 3 still offers basic fitness tracking, such as keeping a tally of your steps as well as reminding you to move around if you've been sitting too long. Whether you manually trigger one of the 15 workouts in the TicExercise app or let TicMotion auto-detect your exercise, the secondary display will show you key metrics during your training session. This is especially useful when getting your sweat on outdoors in the bright sun.

TicWatch Pro 3: Software

As mentioned before, the TicWatch Pro 3 did launch with the same version of Wear OS that has been on smartwatches for over a year, but the Android 11 update Wear OS version H-MR2 landed in April 2021. As with most of its watches, Mobvoi has made some changes itself. The Pro 3 is bringing updates to the Mobvoi companion app on the phone and changes to the apps on the watch.

Mobvoi brings a more comprehensive look at what is happening on the watch, starting with the phone companion app. While making changes to things like always-on display and gestures are done in the Wear OS app and on the watch itself, viewing all of your health data in one place is a welcomed addition to the app.

Source: Chris Wedel/Android Central

The Mobvoi app brings in the new tracking metrics offered by the TicWatch Pro 3 to your phone, offering a singular place to review them. From the home screen on the app, you see the device name and battery status. You see your steps, exercise, and active hours currently tracked in the Sports and Health section. You can also access a watch face center with all of the watch faces created by Mobvoi, although not all are compatible with every watch.

There's also a place to hear your audio notes recorded from your Pro 3. Here you can also convert the notes to text. Lastly, there's a place for screenshots from the watch and a help section to explain the various apps and watch functions.

By tapping on the Sports and Health section, it expands to show you the current health data tracked on the Pro 3. Each area shows you your last reading and can be expanded on to offer you a history of that data.

The TicWatch Pro 3 refreshes the existing Mobvoi apps like TicExercise, TicSleep, and TicPulse and adds in TicOxygen for SPo2 tracking, TicHearing for noise detection and alert, TicZen to track stress using heart rate, and TicBreathe for breath training. All of the apps are relatively straightforward with settings to make some of them monitor around the clock.

The updated TicExcercise 3.0 and TicSleep 2.0 are updated for Ticwatch Pro 3, Ticwatch Pro S, Ticwatch Pro 2020, Ticwatch Pro 4G, Ticwatch Pro. The changes to TicExcercise adds in automatic lap counting, heart rate range, Vo2 Max estimates, along with some visual changes to the UI. TicSleep 2.0 also gets a UI overhaul to go with deeper sleep analysis, a weekly report view, and better overall performance.

TicWatch Pro 3: What could be better

For all that the TicWatch Pro 3 gets right, there are still some downsides — nothing's perfect. Even though the watch has been trimmed down a lot over prior Pro models, it is still a large watch with its 1.4" display. Due to this, some folks with smaller wrists or people who simply prefer a smaller watch likely won't enjoy a device this size on their wrist.

While this is a somewhat small issue, I would like the ability to change what info is shown on the secondary display. I understand that the screen has predetermined areas that can be used for data, but allowing me to access that would be wonderful. For example, when using TicExercise, my heart rate is shown on the LCD screen. Why can't I enable that to show up when I'm not working out?

While on the dual-display subject, though I do appreciate the addition of the backlight, I would like the option to disable it when I don't want it. I like that the ability to schedule Essential Mode has been added in the April update, along with the option to disable the backlight. However, I'd like to see this taken a step further to only disable during scheduled times, like when sleeping. It's a tiny complaint, and more times than not, I want to have the backlight available, but I like options.

Essential Mode is fantastic in a lot of ways. It can stretch your battery with only 5% for days while maintaining step and sleep tracking. But what good is sleep tracking if I can't use an alarm with it? What about when I'm low on battery and my watch goes into Essential Mode, and I have something that I have set and alarm my watch for — it won't go off, and I'll miss out on what I set the alarm for.

For all of the updated health sensors, it would have been nice to have gotten the ability to do an ECG reading. It is a relatively niche thing in the Android smartwatch options. It is being added for devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and the new Fitbit Sense, so having it here would be nice. It's not a deal-breaker for me, but some people may really like to have it available.

TicWatch Pro 3: Competition

Firstly, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 come to mind. For a smartwatch that packs style, performance, and many health-forward features, this is the watch that will give the Pro 3 a run for its money. With its own unique feature in the rotating bezel, navigating the Tizen OS is a joy. It has all of the same health tracking metrics found on the TicWatch Pro 3, with the addition of ECG support coming in a future update. You lose out on a lot of app support for the watch on top of paying quite a bit more, but you do get a very advanced smartwatch.

A watch that could stake claim to your wrist that is health first and smartwatch second is the new Fitbit Sense. The Sense is a lighter, smaller device that integrates many health-tracking features, some that aren't found on any other smartwatches. One of the most unique options found on the Sense is the temperature sensor. It allows users to track changes in temperature to detect a fever or even the onset of a menstrual cycle.

For staying in the Wear OS ecosystem, a watch willing to fight for that spot on your wrist is the TicWatch E3 . Because it runs the same Snapdragon 4100 as the Pro 3, it's going to get the new Wear OS in mid-2022 as well. However, the E3 isn't going to have the same durability or dual-display tech as the Pro 3.

TicWatch Pro 3: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You want top-tier performance in a Wear OS smartwatch with excellent battery life.
• You want a smartwatch right now but want it to be updateable to Wear OS 3.0.
• You spend a lot of time outdoors. Dual Display 2.0 will keep your data visible.
• You want a durable fitness watch with capable health sensors to help with your fitness goals.

You shouldn't buy this if…

• You don't like large watches or have smaller wrists.
• You need advanced health metrics like ECG readings from your watch.
• You want to have the newest Wear OS software right when it launches.

The TicWatch Pro 3 is one of only two smartwatches currently available that uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 processor, and that means it will be upgradable to Wear OS 3.0 in mid-2022. Pairing this SoC with Mobvoi's Dual Display 2.0 technology provides the best battery life and performance of any Wear OS smartwatch. That display will also ensure that you can see your workout data while outside exercising.

However, it is a watch that isn't for those with smaller wrists. It's on the chunkier side even with the improvements in size over previous TicWatch Pro smartwatches. If you are someone who needs to have advanced health sensors, like ECG monitors, then the Pro 3 may not be for you. You also may hesitate if you are someone who needs to have the newest software as soon as it's available.

4.5 out of 5

The TicWatch Pro 3 is easily the best Wear OS device out right now. It's tough to say if it's the best Android smartwatch or not, but for me, it is.

In terms of Wear OS watches, it brings unmatched performance, fantastic battery life, and the Dual Display 2.0 is one that no other device has. While the first two items in this list may show up on other watches as more manufacturers release Snapdragon 4100 and 4100+ options, the Pro 3 has it now, and it's great. In addition, Mobvoi is doing some nice tweaks to its own software to bring options that aren't found on other Wear OS watches either.

As for overall smartwatches on the Android platform, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Active 2 are tough to beat. The performance is great, and health features are missing from the Pro 3, but Tizen has plenty of drawbacks. From the lack of apps to poorly managed notifications, the TicWatch Pro 3 has brought performance and Wear OS to a level that makes it a challenger for the crown. Plus, since the Pro 3 is confirmed for Wear OS 3.0 — it's got even more of a leg up on the competition.

TicWatch Pro 3 GPS review: Changelog, May 2021

This article was originally published in September 2020. It was updated in May 2021 with the following changes.

• Added price and availability section.
• Included information regarding the H-MR2 system update.
• Included information regarding updates to TicExercise and TicSleep.
• Added a changelog.

It was updated in August 2021 with the following changes.

• Added info regarding update confirmation for Wear OS 3.0 in mid-2022.