When people think of Android Wear they normally think of devices like the Moto 360, the LG G Watch, or the range of devices offered by Samsung. There are, however, other devices on the list, such as the newly released Asus ZenWatch.
The ZenWatch was released Nov. 9 with a price tag of $199, and so far it's been getting some pretty good reviews which suggests the device is one of classier-looking smart watches on the market.
"The ZenWatch's design is the biggest reason to own one -- it's subtly stylish and comfortable in a way that other players' efforts just aren't," said one review.
The ZenWatch has a slim, stainless steel design with a classy looking brown leather band boasting a nice metal clasp. It looks like something that could be worn by someone with a fashion sense, which is in stark contrast to many other Android Wear watches on the market.
If the ZenWatch only looked good, however, there wouldn't be a need to buy a smart watch over a normal one. Thankfully, Asus has included a number of features such as heart-tracking and mood measurement to give it functionality. Top that off with the fact that it runs Android Wear, and we have a very nice device indeed. It's got a display of 320 x 320 (that's a pixel density of 278 ppi), making it a bit crisper than the G Watch R, although Sony's SmartWatch 3 still beats it by a hair.
Yet the reviews of the device aren't all good, with some suggesting that despite the fact the large bezels were likely included for housing many of the device's parts, making them smaller would have greatly improved the design. That, coupled with a rather poor battery life and the fact the heart rate monitor seems to be hit-and-miss, potential users certainly have a balanced list of pros and cons to consider.
"Unfortunately, there's quite a bit of bezel separating the ring of steel trim from the screen itself, and it's probably the most disappointing thing about the ZenWatch's looks. All that unused space makes the screen seem smaller than it actually is, and it doesn't help that the bezel has a slightly textured look, as if it's just begging to be noticed," continued the reviewer.
It is clear wearable device makers are starting to be a little more fashion conscious. Motorola and LG have both made round watches, which certainly helps devices look more like traditional watches, with other companies, such as Asus, are experimenting with premium-looking materials. The future of wearables is bright, with the next generation of smart watches likely to look, and perform, a lot better than those currently on the market.
