Alright, so I decided to dive into this whole “swatch phone watch” thing a while back. You know, I was kinda fed up with my big ol’ smartphone. Always in my pocket, always buzzing, always needing a charge. I thought, hey, maybe something simpler, something that just does the basics, you know? Like, tell the time and maybe, just maybe, let me make a call if I’m in a real pinch. That’s how this whole adventure started.
Getting My Hands On It
So, I ordered one. Didn’t break the bank, which was a plus. When it arrived, the box itself was pretty unassuming. Popped it open, and there it was. First impression? Kinda plasticky, not gonna lie. Bright colors, though, which I guess is the “swatch” part of its name. Felt super light, like a toy watch I had as a kid. I wasn’t expecting a luxury item, but still, it was… noticeable.
The setup, oh boy, the setup. The manual was a tiny booklet with even tinier print. I swear, I needed a magnifying glass. And the English in it? Let’s just say it was creative. Took me a good hour of fiddling, poking at tiny buttons, and just generally guessing what to do next. Connected it to my phone for some basic sync stuff, which was another round of “is it working yet?”. Eventually, it sputtered to life. Success? I guess.
So, How’s It Work?
Using it as an actual phone is… an experience. Yes, you can make calls. You stick a SIM card in this little slot. But talking into your wrist? Still feels weird, man. And the speaker quality? It’s tinny. Really tinny. Everyone around you can hear your conversation, and you gotta hold your wrist right up to your ear to hear them properly. Not exactly discreet. Texting? Forget about it. The screen is tiny. Trying to tap out a message is a special kind of torture.
As a watch, it’s… okay. It tells the time. Most of the time. Sometimes the screen takes an extra second to wake up when I flick my wrist. The watch faces are pretty basic, nothing fancy. But hey, it does tell the time. And the date. So, points for that, I guess.
- Battery life: This was a big one for me. It’s not terrible, but it’s not amazing either. If I use the phone part, like make a couple of short calls, I’m definitely charging it every night. Just as a watch, maybe two days? It’s another thing to plug in.
- Comfort: It’s light, so you barely notice it on your wrist, which is nice. The strap is some kind of silicone, pretty standard. Does get a bit sweaty if it’s hot out.
- The “Swatch” vibe: Yeah, it’s got that. It’s colorful, it’s casual. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you want something that looks fun and different, it ticks that box.
The Real Deal With This Thing
So, after using this swatch phone watch for a while, what’s the verdict? It’s a gimmick. A fun gimmick, maybe, but still a gimmick. It’s not gonna replace your smartphone. Not even close. It’s not even a great smartwatch if you’re into all the fitness tracking and app integrations. Those are super basic here, if they exist at all.
Who is this for? Maybe a kid’s first “phone”? Or if you really, desperately want to make a call from your wrist and don’t care about much else. Or if you just want a colorful watch that can occasionally surprise people because, look, it makes calls! For me, the novelty wore off pretty quick. I found myself reaching for my actual phone for anything more than checking the time.
It’s one of those things, you know? An interesting idea on paper. But the execution? It just leaves you wanting more. Or maybe, wanting less complexity and just a good, simple watch. I’m back to my old dumbwatch for daily wear, and my smartphone stays in my bag, a bit less annoying now that I’ve tried the alternative. Sometimes, you gotta try these things to realize what you actually need. Or don’t need. This swatch phone watch thing? Probably in the “don’t need” pile for most folks, including me, in the long run.
