Mobvoi is making a habit of launching mid-cycle rethinks; this time producing the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro close to a year after the arrival of the original TicWatch Pro 5.
The Pro 5 was a smartwatch we loved, rivaling the best Wear OS smartwatches released in 2023 despite not running the latest software, only being offered in one case size, and omitting key features like cellular support and Google Assistant.
With the $349.99 Enduro, Mobvoi has addressed some of the problems - chiefly, the bloatware - and provided an updated model that gives fans a realistic option to consider against the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series and Google Pixel Watch 3 lineup.
Does it do enough, though? We've spent the last few days with the latest member of the TicWatch family, here's our initial thoughts ahead of a comprehensive test coming soon.
Spot the difference
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Mobvoi has been keen to point out the refined design of the Enduro - a reimagining that includes a more premium-looking band, altered crown, new bezel details, a sapphire glass screen, and a slimmer case profile.
Sounds great, right?
Well, the problem with these changes is that they're very characteristic of a mid-cycle update.
The Enduro's case is slimmer than the Pro 5, but the difference is infinitesimal. Mobvoi has only shrunk the older model from 12.2mm to 11.95mm with this update - with the 50.15 x 48mm height and width remaining.
Oddly, the slimmer Enduro is also slightly heavier (44.7g) than the Pro 5 (44.3g) - but, again, you'll be hard-pressed to notice any difference when holding them in either hand.
The theme extends to the rest of the watch. It actually took us picturing these devices next to each other to notice how the bezel's etchings have moved to the outer edge (rather than the inner edge with the Pro 5), while the 'redesigned' crown is now just a bit bigger.
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Interacting with the crown wasn't necessarily an issue we found when testing the Pro 5, so we're not really wowed by this change. The move to a matte finish is a bit more to our taste, though.
And that's also true of the new-style strap. While the Pro 5 featured the most basic fluororubber band imaginable, Mobvoi has pushed the boat out a little here and added some neat details to the outer.
We'll reserve judgment on the new sapphire glass display until we can put the Enduro through the wringer properly, given that the big benefit here is scratch resistance, but we will say that visibility appears to be unchanged to the naked eye.
All in all, then, we're a bit underwhelmed by the Enduro's design changes.
Mid-cycle design changes will never be as significant as what we see with new generations, but we still hoped for a little more - especially as the Pro 5 lineup is crying out for a smaller edition.
Solid software fixes - but Wear OS 4 is scarce
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The design changes may not be much to shout about, then, but Mobvoi has thankfully addressed some gripes we had with the software during our testing of the Pro 5.
Instead of individual apps for features like blood oxygen, heart rate, stress, and sleep (which now includes snoring detection), we now have a consolidated TicHealth - hallelujah.
It means scrolling through apps is no longer a chore, with all your day's stats viewable from a neat Glance. It's still a little jarring to see the 'Tic' trademark before standard functions like the compass or breathing app, but we can forgive this for a major rework of the app setup.
Speaking of, TicExercise has also been given a tweak. More workout profiles are now available, while the UI has been modified to allow for easier exercise re-ordering.
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It's nothing game-changing, and we're not overly sure why anybody would need a specific exercise profile just for crunches, but it is a bit neater and wide-ranging with the Enduro.
Ultimately, everything still centers around the same GPS setup and post-workout metrics like recovery time and VO2 Max, and we'll be testing out how these compare to our gold-standard devices in the coming weeks.
The more interesting addition is that workout data from third-party apps (like Strava and Nike Run Club) can now be viewed from the ultra-low-power display.
It means the major unique feature of the Pro 5 is now even better, with users able to see the likes of live heart rate, pace, and distance without actually waking the screen.
Again, we're looking forward to testing this out properly.
Unfortunately, but perhaps unsurprisingly given Mobvoi's history with getting up to scratch with Google's software updates, the Enduro doesn't run on Wear OS 4.
It's still limited to Wear OS 3.5 here, which, while not the end of the world, does mean users miss out on some of the latest features, like cloud backups.
With Wear OS 5 reportedly looming, too, this gap could open further over the summer.
Still a battery leader and display innovator
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It's easy to forget when focusing on the minimal changes of the Pro 5 Enduro that the original Pro 5 was - and still is - an extremely capable smartwatch for those with an Android phone.
A year into its cycle, the TicWatch's four-day battery life is only now being matched by the OnePlus Watch 2 (and its newer Nordic Blue Edition) - and our early estimates show very similar performance for the Enduro.
Given the fanfare OnePlus made about 100-hour battery life when launching its second-gen watch, we don't blame Mobvoi for reminding everybody with the Enduro that it arrived at comparable battery life a year ago, thanks to that dual-display tech.
It's still an ingenious alternative to a true always-on display - and in some cases, like the heart rate zone backlights, a better solution - and an innovation that unlocks the true potential of Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip.
Initial verdict: Did Mobvoi do enough?
We're interested in testing how the design tweaks and software refinements Mobvoi has delivered shape up against the 2024 crop of Wear OS watches.
After our initial time with the smartwatch, though, we think Mobvoi has missed an opportunity here.
Rather than a minor retool of last year's watch, we would have loved a smaller edition (that still boasts competitive battery life) or a bolder, outdoor-ready watch to rival the rumored upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra.
With that said, the Enduro is still an improvement on the original - and, perhaps more crucially, ensures those looking for a long-lasting Wear OS aren't choosing between the shiny new OnePlus Watch 2 and a TicWatch model from early 2023.
How we test
Conor joined Wareable in 2017, quickly making a name for himself by testing out language translation earbuds on a first date, navigating London streets in a wearable airbag, and experiencing skydiving in a VR headset.
Over the years, he has evolved into a recognized wearables and fitness tech expert. Through Wareable’s instructional how-to guides, Conor helps users maximize the potential of their gadgets, and also shapes the conversation in digital health and AI hardware through PULSE by Wareable.
As an avid marathon runner, dedicated weightlifter, and frequent hiker, he also provides a unique perspective to Wareable’s in-depth product reviews and news coverage.
In addition to his contributions to Wareable, Conor’s expertise has been featured in publications such as British GQ, The Independent, Digital Spy, Pocket-lint, The Mirror, WIRED, and Metro.