IFA 2016: Asus Introduces Round ZenWatch 3
Asus has unveiled its ZenWatch 3 at IFA 2016, sporting a round watch face, powered by Android Wear, and decked out with a range of features providing for customisation.
The ZenWatch 3 is the first Asus wearable to sport a round face, crafted from 316L stainless steel, with Asus stating that it “serves as a smart assistant for Android and iOS devices”, delivering information at a glance and providing for voice and touch commands.
Asus states that the ZenWatch 3 is equipped with advanced power management features, delivering battery life of up to two days, with it powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and coming with HyperCharge technology, taking 15 minutes to reach a 60 per cent charge.
In terms of design, Asus states that the ZenWatch 3’s round watch case “has a low-profile design that is just 9.95 mm thick and accented by a narrow, rose-gold bezel”.
“Three crown buttons adorn the case and provide quick access to frequently used functions, including opening the ZenFit activity tracking app and changing the display modes,” Asus states.
The ZenWatch 3 sports a 1.39” AMOLED display with 400 by 400 resolution and 287 ppi pixel density, covered with curved 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass, providing for smooth swiping gestures and protection against scratches and damage.
It comes with a strap made from either stitched Italian leather or high-quality rubber, available in dark brown or beige, with Asus stating that it has an assortment of case finishes, strap materials and colour choices.
More than 50 software watch faces can be changed using the ZenWatch Manager smartphone app, many of which support customisable widgets, displaying information such as current weather, daily step counts and missed call notifications, while users can create their own watch faces with the FaceDesigner smartphone app.
The ZenWatch 3’s top crown button, meanwhile, can be assigned custom functionality, providing access to a specified feature.
Asus states that the new ZenFit app automatically counts wearers’ steps throughout the day, delivering 95 per cent accuracy, and provides reminders to move after periods of inactivity, with ZenFit tracking a range of activities, including walking, running, push-ups and sit-ups, working in conjunction with a companion smartphone app, providing “summaries and graphs for a complete picture of physical activity”.
Asus states that the ZenWatch 3’s IP67 water resistance makes it “impervious to sweat and inclement weather, so it can be worn during the most vigorous workouts”.