On November 21, 2016, after the introduction at the IFA 2016, the Asus Zenwatch 3 finally hit the Dutch shelves. The same day I ordered the watch from Coolblue. As usual, Coolblue's service was excellent and I was able to get started with the watch the next day.
Unpacking the watch feels like unpacking a real watch. The Zenwatch 3 comes in a neat blue box, containing the watch, a charger, some documents and an insignificant rubber holder to put the watch on.
The design of the watch is beautiful and deserves a compliment. The brown leather complements the Gunmetal case nicely and the red copper elements give the watch a chic look. I understand the comparison of Asus to a corona when you look at the case. With the interchangeable straps you can still adjust the watch to taste, but for now that is not necessary for me. I think he's beautiful just the way he is.
After turning on and starting up the watch, the setup can begin. This is fast and clear. After installing two apps on your phone, establishing a connection between them and some language settings, you can start using the watch within 10 minutes. Immediately after commissioning, you will receive the first tips on the screen to familiarize yourself with Android Wear and the possibilities of the watch.
The display of the watch is easy to read and adapts to the ambient light. The OLED screen is very sharp and rich in contrast and a joy to the eye. Images, maps and/or profile photos are clear and sharp and colors are displayed beautifully. The touchscreen registers well and responds quickly.
Dials, or watch faces, on the watch can be set to your own taste. You can choose from a few dozen as standard, which is more than enough choice to personalize the watch. Hundreds of other watchfaces can be downloaded via the Play Store. You can adjust the information on the screen, for example about the weather or battery status.
Notifications from apps on your phone come in clearly, both visibly and with a vibrating signal. The vibration signal could have been a bit stronger for me, especially when you are in motion you can miss the vibration signal. The settings for notifications are in many cases taken over from your phone, so that little extra need to be set. In the menu you can immediately see which apps you have on your phone also work with Android Wear. For example, I can control my Nest thermostat with Zenwatch 3. Do you need it? New. Is it fun and useful? Of course! The same goes for apps like Google Calendar, Google Keep, Outlook, and many more. Thousands of apps for your watch can be found via the Play Store, with which you can make the watch and its convenience your own.
A big plus is a technique that Asus calls HyperCharge, or super-fast charging of the watch. Asus claims that the watch charges 60% in 15 minutes and my experience is the same. It's going really fast. The magnetic charger fits snugly on the back of the watch and the display shows the charging status. The watch's battery can easily last more than a day, depending on the screen settings and usage. I have set the watch so that the screen is not always on, which benefits the battery life. With a wrist movement, the screen switches on and you can read the time and your notifications.
The watch runs on Android Wear. Personally, the software could be even more intuitive for me, because I sometimes swipe in the wrong direction or get lost in the settings. I am therefore curious what Android Wear 2.0, which according to Google will be launched at the beginning of 2017, will add to the watch for extra functionalities and ease of use. But the ease of use is also great with the current version of Android Wear.
After a few days with the Asus Zenwatch 3, I am very satisfied with the ease and use. It is a beautiful, solidly built watch that stands out and makes others curious. The on-screen notifications are a relief for those who check their phones a lot to see if they've missed anything. HyperCharge is very nice and keeps the promise. Finally, the ratio between price and quality makes the Asus Zenwatch 3 highly recommended for me.
