14 DAY TRIAL // The Exetech XS-3 smartwatch from, well, Exetech, has made its way to the market, or very nearly, and we feel that it might help to disabuse you of some preconceptions that might crop up about it before anything else is said and done.
We say that because the look of the watch might put people off. After all, it's a pretty bulky piece of work, almost 2 centimeters tall on the wrist. Also, it has some drawbacks that we'll get to later.
Anyway, the watch, despite being white and smooth-looking, from above at least, might look and hang a bit heavy off your wrist.
But there's a good reason for that: Exetech decided to turn it into one of the closest things to a smartphone replacement so far.
Normally, smartwatches need a smartphone to be connected via Bluetooth. Sure, they have their own apps, but a companion phone can help them do a lot more, like help relay messages and notifications, that sort of thing.
Yet the Exetech has its own dual-core MediaTek processors, as well as 2 GB of on-board storage and its very own 3D radio.
Also, it runs the Android 4.0 operating system, and can even access the Google Play app store on its lonesome.
Furthermore, there is a GPS chip included in the design, although its use will draw greatly on the power of the 420 mAh battery.
Normally, the battery can last for 18 hours, but the duration falls to 6-7 hours if you use it a lot (that 1.54-inch 240 x 240 capacitive LCD touchscreen needs its electricity after all), and 2.5 hours if you employ it as a GPS tracker.
Also, we presume that equipping the microSD card slot will further tax the reserves (it's near the micro-SIM slot).
And so we reach one of the concerns: the battery also doubles as a back cover, which means that it might sputter and die if you sweat too much. Now, the battery is user-replaceable, but it's not a fun possibility regardless. And we won't even get started on the rain.
The navigation buttons on each side of the bezel seem exposed to the elements as well, and the 2-megapixel camera is not in any better position, up there in the center of the right hand side. Then again, waterproofing isn't as prevalent as the media makes it sound, and it does tend to add to the price significantly.
Other features of the watch include a microUSB port hidden under the left middle button (can recharge the battery or connect headphones via an adapter) and a black overall frame (the white one will only come later). The price is of $485 / €350, or will be once sales begin.