Asus announced that its ZenWatch 3 is now available for preorder, beating its own promise that the device will be up for grabs in the early part of November.
As of this writing, however, it seems that supply for the preorder has been snapped up. In the Asus store, it is labeled "Temporarily Out of Stock." At B&H, which is the only announced retailer-partner so far, the device is still up for preorder, but the information regarding the shipping schedule is no longer available. It is not yet clear whether demand proved overwhelming that preorders are now sold out.
The ZenWatch 3 has 1.39-inch rounded screen with 400 x 400 AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The case, which also has multiple buttons, boasts of a jewelry-grade stainless steel construction, which is claimed to be 82 percent stronger than traditional steel. It encases impressive specs dominated by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 processor.
The wearable device is also water resistant and is powered by a 340 mAh battery that could last up to 2 days at full charge. Asus also touts the ZenWatch 3's quick charging technology. It is said to immediately juice up to 60 percent within 15 minutes.
So far, only one variant was available for preorder at $229, the ASUS ZenWatch 3 WI503Q-GL-DB. This is the smartwatch that sports the dark case and brown leather strap. Aside from the brown variant, however, consumers will soon be able to choose from other color options such as Gunmetal, Silver and Rose Gold.
Regardless of the color, any of the ZenWatch variant is not shabby at all. Asus has taken pains to craft a winning piece here, which the company said is largely inspired by the annular solar eclipse.
"ASUS ZenWatch 3 follows the tradition of fine watchmaking with its luxurious, detail-focused design and construction from high-quality materials," Asus said. "It provides timely information at a glance, offers a wealth of useful features that make your life easier, and features a customizable design so you can create your own perfect watch."
The design itself should already encourage those who are still holding out for other smartwatch releases. It should be one of the most stylish especially when the third-generation Moto 360, which is expected to sport the same circular form factor, will not probably roll out this year. The same could also be said about LG's own smartphone lines. This means that the only notable wearables have already been released such as Apple Watch Series 2. The Samsung Gear S3, however, will ship in the United States mid-November.
