We tested the priciest VolkanoX budget smartwatch we were sent earlier this month, but there was more than just the one stashed in the box Stuff received. Several other models, most of which you’ll find in various South African retail stores, also arrived.
These were the Solaris fitness smartwatch, the Kronis GPS smartwatch, and the Syncra GPS smartwatch. As their names suggest, the latter two have integrated GPS units. The Solaris, the cheapest of the bunch, doesn’t include this feature. It’s a closer competitor to Huawei’s Watch Fit range, but at a fraction of the price.
VolkanoX Solaris – A thousand bucks for fitness
The Solaris is the most affordable of the VolkanoX range, though the company’s standard Volkano imprint will put some kind of tracker on your arm for less than R200. Here, the maximum price is R1,000. Allegedly. Temporary price drops happen all the time, so you can have this one for less if you’re patient.
There’s a 1.83in squircle screen to play with, along with the same software you’ll find running VolkanoX’s other watches. You’ll find that’s a common feature across the range. So is the included charging cable, which uses the same magnetic jumper system. If you do wind up buying watches for the whole family, everyone gets to share.
Tracking options are common across the range, so heart rate, blood oxygen, and movement are all monitored here. The weird thing about this one? It arrives disassembled. Apparently, for R1,000, you’re expected to do the last bit of work yourself. Sticking the straps on is easy enough in theory, but the included silicone bands can be a bugger to jam into place correctly. Still, you’ll nab a significant portion of a fitness tracker for a fraction of the usual cost. That’s worth some DIY, right?
VolkanoX Kronis – Almost Fit for R1,800
Stepping up to the Kronis model, which is also the next jump up in price, gets even closer to the Watch Fit squircle design. There are significant differences — rounder edges on the casing, and a plastic build compared to Huawei’s habitual metalwork. You’ll also have to put this one together. As before, the software and charging cable are identical to the rest of the range, and you’ll use the same app to sync the Kronis to your smartphone.
An internal speaker and mic (which is included in the brand’s cheapest option as well) allow for on-wrist calls via a connected smartphone. Said smartphone should be in Bluetooth range, of course. The difference here is a nominally smaller AMOLED display (1.75in) and onboard GPS tracking. The screens all seem sourced from the same location. Wherever VolkanoX spits these out, they’re not super keen on variety.
Officially, Huawei’s Watch Fit 5 is R3,500. For R1,800, around half that, you could grab this one. It’s a decent photocopy, but without the polish in build or software execution that the larger Chinese company provides. Still, if that’s your budget… stretch it.
VolkanoX Syncra – Bigger, better plastic for R2K
Arriving fully assembled and sporting a noticeably more premium build is the R2,000 VolkanoX Syncra. It’s not as fancy as the company’s Quantum (or the Nexus we seem to have misplaced), but it’s also… cheaper. It’s the largest of the squircle designs we’ve seen from the company at 1.97in.
That’s also an AMOLED, naturally. But the plastic casing veers towards a more solid design, though its thickness is also prominent. It’s not uncomfortable to wear, but you will be aware of its presence.
In terms of function, it’s almost a clone of the VolkanoX Quantum, though that wearable has a 450mAh battery compared to the 350mAh found here. Even so, uptime and performance are about the same. The Quantum runs a beefier screen in a larger chassis, which makes up the difference.
At R2,000 (often cheaper), it’s an even closer match to Huawei’s gear. While it’s serviceable, you’ll still have a better overall experience from the more experienced brand. But if you’re just getting into fitness trackers, these are all surprisingly good starting points.
