TicWatch C2+ vs. TicWatch Pro 2020: Which should you buy?

TicWatch Pro 2020

The TicWatch Pro 2020 is a large watch that utilizes that space very well. With a relatively large battery and the dual-layered display technology, you can get anywhere from 2-30 days of usage from the smartwatch. Since there is both a speaker and microphone built-in, you can hear responses from Google Assistant as well as calls when tethered to your phone. The military-grade durability and IP68 dust and water resistance mean your watch can handle almost anything you throw at it.

TicWatch C2 +

The TicWatch C2+ is a fantastic all-around watch from its size, speed, and design. The inclusion of 1GB RAM helps this watch run smoothly, whether you are using Google Assistant or tracking your workouts. Its design is capable of looking fantastic in a casual or professional setting, so you can always be sure your accessory matches your needs. Battery life could be better with only getting up to 2-days, you'll want to remember your charger.

Mobvoi has been making solid Wear OS watches for a few years now. Lately, the company's TicWatch line-up has been taking some fan favorites and bumping up the RAM to a full gigabyte to breathe new life into the watches. Now that the C2+ is out with increased RAM, you may be asking yourself which watch to go with, the refreshed C2, or the TicWatch Pro 2020? Let's take a look and see if we can help you out.

Is bigger really better?

For as different as these two smartwatches seem on the outside, they share quite a bit on the inside. They each share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, and more, but it's the differences that add up to the separation that can make choosing one a struggle.

So what do you get with the additional cost of the TicWatch Pro 2020 over the C2+? You get a more durable watch that can go much longer between charges, and you'll be able to view the screen in any lighting situation — so, quite a bit.

Some of the most significant pain points for smartwatches are the need to recharge them and not being able to see the screen in direct sunlight without cupping your hand over the display to read it. These are two of the Pro 2020's strongest attributes. Thanks to its dual-layer display, an AMOLED screen, and a Film compensated Super Twisted Nematic (FSTN) LCD display, the watch has the potential for up to 30-days of battery life.

Think of the FSTN LCD layer as a more traditional digital watch face from decades past that reflects light so you can easily read the time. Then when you want the colorful displays we are more accustomed to these days, it will go clear to reveal the AMOLED screen. This feature allows your watch to sip juice from the battery due to the very low power requirements of the top-layer display. So not only will your watch last longer, but it also means no matter the lighting conditions, you'll be able to read your watch.

Now, while it is possible to go 30-days between charges on the Pro 2020, it is only accomplished when in Essential mode. While in this mode, your watch will only be shown the time, date, and the number of steps — so not a very smartwatch in this mode. When using the watch in a more normal mode with the smart part of the watch turned on and using the secondary display when you aren't actively using the AMOLED display, you'll get between 2-5 days between charges.

However, to get the unique dual-screen setup, you'll be trading in a large amount of real estate on your wrist to do so. For a good number of people, the TicWatch Pro 2020 is going to be too big. The watch has an excellent big display as well as a large case around it, and while I personally like the style of it — it's bulky. This is where the TicWatch C2+ has a good edge on the Pro 2020 aside from just a price standpoint.

The C2+ offers a much more comfortable approach to the watch size with a smaller bezel to go along a display that's about a millimeter smaller. The overall style of the smartwatch is going to have a much broader appeal due to the more traditional look. The AMOLED color screen on it is colorful and offers decent visibility, although it is missing the ambient light sensor found on the Pro 2020. This means if you find yourself in a bright area, you'll need to brighten the screen manually.

Each of these two watches has 1GB RAM, which has all but become a pre-requisite in Wear OS devices these days. They both have an IP68 water resistance rating, but the TicWatch Pro 2020 brings Military Standard 810G durability with it. Each has NFC, a built-in heart rate sensor, GPS, and a microphone. However, the Pro 2020 also has a speaker that is helpful to hear Google Assistant responses as well as handle phone calls when connected to your phone.

While both of these smartwatches offer the full Wear OS experience, which includes Google Assistant, Google Fit, and the Google Play Store, only the TicWatch Pro 2020 has sleep tracking built-in. Even though there are apps you can download from the Google Play Store to offer a similar experience, the native inclusion on the Pro 2020 is much more straightforward.

Which one should you buy?

The decision really comes down to what's most important to you. If you want to be able to wear your watch in nearly any environment without worry of it being broken, go with the TicWatch Pro 2020. If you want to go multiple days, or even a month between charges, go with the TicWatch Pro 2020. If you want to be able to check the time and view your smartwatch's screen in all lighting conditions, go with the TicWatch Pro 2020. While the price difference isn't insignificant, the long term payoff for the conveniences offered from the Pro 2020 helps to offset the cost.

However, if you don't want to wear a large watch and have a preference for a more minimal style for your accessories, then you may be happier with the TicWatch C2+. With more color options to choose from and a more comfortable size, the sacrificed battery life and daylight visibility may be worth it to you. Both watches run Wear OS quickly and offer a great experience, but the TicWatch Pro 2020 suits a broader range of situations better.