Chinese tech brand Oppo has launched its new headline wearable device, the Oppo Watch X, in South Africa. It has done so just in time. With the departure of Fitbit from South African shores, the wearable technology landscape was beginning to look a little bare.
Oppo is obviously hoping that its new smartwatch will fill at least a few gaps in the market, having taken a few pages from Samsung’s book and partnering up with Google to include Wear OS on the device. Since Wear OS combines Samsung, Fitbit, and Google’s software, we suspect the experience will be good. It forms part of a “hybrid interface” (whatever that means) that we suspect is a little proprietary Oppo software tucked in there. Maybe it runs the Power Saver Mode?
Watch X for more info
The Watch X follows classic smartwatch design lines, offering users a 1.43in AMOLED sapphire crystal display layered over a Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor and a 500mAh battery. This is encased in a stainless steel body that conforms to the MIL-STD-810H US military specification. That means an IP68 rating down to five atmospheres is a given, so you should have difficulty killing it.
This is great because Oppo is touting advanced GPS support and extended fitness tracking features, a component of the Wear OS 4 operating system. Activity recognition, advanced running features (ground contact time analysis among other metrics), and even an in-house developed badminton mode (sure, why not?) make the Watch X a sporting powerhouse.
Other tracking features are also included. A full suite of sleep tracking, including breathing rate and blood oxygen levels, with Android Health Connect support, stress, and heart rate variability tracking, are included. Add to this the raft of Google apps on-wrist, like Maps, Wallet, Assistant, and Google Play (yup, you can download apps directly from the watch) and you’re looking at an advanced contender for your coveted arm space. We might be slightly less upset about Fitbit’s departure after hearing about the Watch X.
If you want to put a shiny new Watch X smartwatch on your wrist, you’ll find them at retail in South Africa as of 1 March. Expect to pay R6,000 for the device, free and clear, though we reckon the various mobile operators have a monthly installment option for you to explore too.