14 DAY TRIAL // This year at the CES show, the Chinese-based firm Mobvoi announced the latest additions to its smartwatch lineup: TicWatch E2 and TicWatch S2.
As we’ve already told you in our TicWatch E2 review, both models are pretty similar, and their official monikers are more or less living proof in this regard.
Mobvoi says the E in the E2 stands for elegance, while the S model represents its sporty variant. And while at first glance the two are only slightly different in terms of looks and features, there’s so much more to discover about the S2, so stay with me for the next paragraphs as we dissect this new Wear OS device.
Before anything, it’s worth mentioning that this review would focus mostly on the actual hands-on experience with the TicWatch S2 and less on the technical part. This is because the two models announced at CES come with the same specifications, so you can read more about their hardware in the TicWatch E2 review linked above.
The TicWatch S2 comes with a more rugged design than its more elegant brother, despite the fact that, surprisingly, it’s actually a little bit smaller at 46.6 x 51.8 x12.9 mm versus 46.9 x 52.2 x 12.9 mm.
Furthermore, the S2 has a slightly different case design, with a small bezel that appears to be made from carbon fiber, though the case itself is manufactured from polycarbonate. Just like the E2, the S2 is very light, and this is quite a major benefit given that you’re supposed to wear this 24/7.
The device features a rectangular button that allows you to access installed apps and to go back to the home screen, just like the round sibling on the E2. 22mm straps are also being used, and the device comes by default with a 22mm silicone version that’s soft and feels good on the wrist. You can, however, replace it with any band you want, as the device boasts standard lugs.
The TicWatch S2 costs £165.99 / €179.99 / US$179.99 at Mobvoi and it is available only in black, with a white version to be added later this quarter.
As a sporty smartwatch, the TicWatch S2 comes with the all-new TicMotion suite of fitness features, which is based on what the Chinese company calls “invisible AI algorithms.” If you didn’t know, AI is one of Mobvoi’s main focuses, and the company is backed by giants like Google and Volkswagen, so it’s not surprising that its products are based on assets that the company already owns.
TicMotion is supposed to push the tracking capabilities of the TicWatch at a completely new level. And in some regards, it manages to do this, though I still think there’s plenty of work that needs to be done in this area.
First and foremost, just like the E2, the TicWatch S2 comes with a waterproof rating of 5 ATM, which means that it can withstand the pressure of being submerged in water up to 50 meters. To help users benefit from the improved water resistance, Mobvoi has also added swim monitoring and analysis, so you can get stats like laps, burned calories, and even detection of stroke types.
One particular highlight here is that the TicWatch S2 is capable of calculating the SWOLF. For starters, this is an abbreviation for Swim Golf, and it refers to a score that’s based on the strokes per length and the time of the length. The S2 calculates the SWOLF for you and displays it at the end of the swimming, providing guidance on how to improve.
Also, TicMotion includes an improved activity recognition system, again based on AI algorithms and supposed to help you never miss logging a single step. This is a feature that’s available on other fitness trackers too, including those from Fitbit and Garmin, and it automatically starts tracking your workout without any input from the user.
One thing that the TicWatch S2 lacks is sleep monitoring. Mobvoi told us that it’s already working on this feature and it will be added at a later time in a software update.
While it’s missing from now, sleep tracking should complete the activity tracking package on the new TicWatch models. However, one potential issue that some users might encounter refers to sleeping with the watch on their wrist. As I said in the TicWatch E2 review, the size of the watch doesn’t make it appropriate for people with small wrists, and because of this, going to bed with the device on the wrist could be rather uncomfortable. I’ll circle back when the sleep monitoring system is enabled and tell you how it works.
Like fully-featured activity trackers, the TicWatch S2 can help you fight laziness, so it offers hourly recommendations to get up and move. The device suggests 250 steps every hour, but you can disable these notifications completely.
Needless to say, in terms of sensors you get nearly the full package, including an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a heart-rate sensor, plus a low-latency off-body sensor that detects when you remove the watch from the wrist and pushes it into standby for battery saving. This comes in quite handy, as the 415 mAh unit can get you through the day, but could really need some extra juice if you work out like a professional athlete.
The S2 is a different beast from the E2, and it’s all thanks to the fact that it meets the US military standard 810G. This means that it can withstand temperatures between -30 degrees Celsius and up to 70 degrees Celsius, work between -20 degrees Celsius and 55 degrees Celsius, support 57 kpa pressure, 44 degrees Celsius solar radiation, and 95 percent humidity. Plus, it’s salt fog, sand, dust, and shock resistant. This is quite a rugged watch!
Truth be told, the TicWatch S2 doesn’t feel so durable on your wrist, so it’s impressive that Mobvoi managed to get such a balanced mix of a refined design and super-advanced ruggedness.
The 1.39-inch AMOLED display has a resolution of 400x400 pixels, and this is one of the areas where I’d like the company to insist on its next-generation products. The quality of the screen isn’t really the best, and while I understand manufacturers need to maintain a well-optimized balance between graphics and battery life, there are moments when you can actually see the pixels on the display.
Also, I observed some screen flickering on the ambient display, and this is most noticeable with third-party watch faces, such as the ones powered by Facer. I know this has been a problem with previous models too, but it remains to be seen if it’s hardware or software-related.
And speaking of watch faces, there are plenty to choose from, though from my experience, the best ones are not available for free, so be ready to spend a few bucks if you want the watch to look really good. Also, it’s worth having in mind that some faces affect the battery life, so keep an eye on how they run on your device if this is a problem.
One of the best things is that you get a super-advanced GPS package that includes GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo. As the E2, the S2 typically locks the signal in less than a minute, though the same warning applies here too: depending on your area or how tall buildings around you are, it could take longer until the signal is strong enough.
Like the TicWatch E2, the S2 lacks an NFC sensor and it doesn’t feature a speaker, so while you can answer your calls, you still have to use the phone to talk to your contacts.
For smartwatch capabilities, everything is exactly how you'd expect Wear OS to be. Notifications are spot on with no significant delays, you get tons of apps and customization options, and you can easily access information like the weather forecast, emails, and even reply to messages from the device.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The TicWatch line of smartwatches has improved surprisingly in the last few years, and I really think that Mobvoi won’t just stop here. The TicWatch E2 and the S2 are living proof that the company needs to continue investing in more advanced devices, and by the looks of the things, major improvements are on their way.
Mobvoi appears to be heading in the same directions as wearable giants like Apple. The Chinese brand has already announced new fitness and tracking features, including the said sleep monitoring tool as well as a fall detection system that would issue an alert in case of an emergency.
The two models announced at CES are part of Mobvoi’s adventure towards becoming one of the biggest smartwatch manufacturers on the market, and given the rapid release pace in the last couple of years, the company could reach the top of the market rather sooner than later.
There are areas to be improved, that’s for sure. For example, I’d like the watches to look and feel more exquisite, but this is obviously a matter of costs. Also, I’d love a higher quality display, but again, all of these come at a price.
For now, Mobvoi appears to be sticking with what it does best: build affordable smartwatches that pack premium features based on its favorite thing – AI technology.
