Hey everyone! I’ve been living with the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro strapped to my wrist for about two months now, using it as my daily driver.
Mobvoi was kind enough to send me a sample for review, and I’m ready to share my real-world experience.
I already considered the original TicWatch Pro 5 to be one of the best Wear OS devices out there, so the big question for me (and probably for you!) is: Is the Enduro worth upgrading to from the Pro 5, or even worth getting if you’re new to the TicWatch family?
Key Takeaways
- The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro’s sapphire crystal display and MIL-STD-810H rating ensure it’s built to last through rough environments and outdoor activities.
- With up to 45 days in Essential Mode and 90 hours in Smart Mode, the Enduro is perfect for those seeking minimal charging interruptions.
- The combination of a low-power monochrome screen and a bright AMOLED display offers superior outdoor visibility and a sleek, traditional watch aesthetic.
- Powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, the Enduro delivers smooth and responsive performance with minimal lag.
- Despite its strengths, the Enduro lacks Google Assistant, wireless charging, and the latest Wear OS versions, which could deter some users.
Unboxing and Initial Setup of the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: A Seamless Experience
Unboxing the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro was pretty standard. You get the watch itself with the band already attached, a proprietary pin charging cable (USB-A on one end), and some documentation.
The initial setup process was incredibly seamless. As soon as I powered it on, it popped up on my phone, ready to pair.
It quickly synced all my settings, apps, and Google accounts, making it ready to go in about 10 or 15 minutes, super nice and hassle-free.
Rugged Design of the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: A Premium Outdoor Smartwatch
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro comes in a sleek Obsidian color. Right away, I noticed its rugged, outdoor-focused look, thanks to its stainless steel, aluminum 7000 series, and nylon construction.
It also feels heavier than the original Pro 5, which I actually prefer as it gives it a more premium feel, it genuinely looks and feels more expensive than it is.
The watch features a 1.43-inch display within a 48mm case. For me, it hits a sweet spot in terms of screen size and real estate on my wrist.
However, it is on the larger side, so if you have smaller wrists, it might be something to consider. The upside of that larger display? Reading text is much easier.
Now, let’s talk durability, because this is where the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro truly shines!
Super Durable Sapphire Crystal
The screen is covered in Sapphire Crystal, a huge upgrade from the Gorilla Glass on the original Pro 5.
This makes it significantly more resistant to scratches and impacts. I’ve definitely knocked my watch against door handles and desks a few times, and the screen still looks crystal clear and brand new.
For anyone who’s tough on their tech, or loves outdoor activities and races, this is a game-changer.
Raised Bezels
The display is protected by raised bezels, which add an extra layer of defense against knocks.
MIL-STD-810H Standards:
It meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards, meaning it’s built to withstand rough environments.
5 ATM Water Resistance
With a 5 ATM water resistance rating, I can comfortably shower with it or go for a swim. There’s even a handy water eject feature for when you’re done.
Mobvoi also made some great tweaks to the physical controls and band.
The bezel has a different type of edging, which you can feel when you rub your finger around it. On the Enduro, the pattern on the bezel is flipped compared to the Pro 5.
The rotating crown and programmable button are noticeably larger than on the previous model. This makes navigating the watch much easier, especially during workouts. The programmable button is super versatile, I’ve set mine to open recent applications, but you can customize it for various activities or apps, including Google Pay.
The watch band is one of Mobvoi’s most comfortable yet. It feels thicker, more rigid, and more durable than the previous silicone band. It uses a standard 24mm size, so swapping it out for a third-party band is easy. The band’s unique design, which curls up slightly, prevents it from flapping around, and its rigged underside helps reduce sweat during workouts.
These “minor details” really add up when you wear a watch every day and even sleep with it for tracking.
Dual-Layer Display Technology: AMOLED + Low Power Screen for Optimal Viewing
One of the standout features of the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is its unique dual-layer display system. It combines an ultra-low power FSTN (monochrome) display with a vibrant AMOLED panel underneath.
The monochrome screen is truly remarkable in direct sunlight, it’s incredibly readable. It shows essential information like time, heart rate, steps, battery life, and connection status.
During workouts, it even has a cool feature where its backlight changes color dynamically based on your heart rate zones, which is fantastic for quickly knowing where you stand.
When you want something fancier, the AMOLED panel beneath delivers a bright, colorful, and sharp display (466×466 pixels) .
It boasts deep blacks, which I love, and the auto-brightness works on point most of the time. You can even choose to use the AMOLED as an always-on display.
I personally love how the layered display and the glass reflection make the watch resemble a more traditional timepiece. Mobvoi clearly prioritized this aesthetic, which is a big plus for me.
All the built-in apps are also well-optimized for the circular display.
Hardware Performance: Snapdragon W5+ Chip and Fluid User Experience
Under the hood, the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM.
These specs are more than sufficient for a smartwatch, as you’re not typically doing heavy gaming or complex tasks on it.
In my experience, this watch is incredibly snappy, smooth, and fluid. I’ve rarely noticed it struggling to open applications or lagging when navigating the UI.
There have been very rare instances of choppiness when switching between essential and standard modes, and just once, it froze on low charge, but overall, performance has been impressive.
Software Limitations of the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: What’s Missing and What Works
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro runs Wear OS 3.5. Here’s the catch: This is technically an older version of Wear OS, as Wear OS 4.0 is already out, and Wear OS 5.0 is just around the corner.
Mobvoi’s track record for software updates is notoriously slow. For instance, my Enduro shipped with a February 2024 security update, while the Pro 5 was on October 2023, and it’s already July.
A significant omission is the lack of Google Assistant. While I personally haven’t missed it much, if you rely on voice commands, this could be a dealbreaker for you. It also doesn’t support wireless charging, which I really wished it had.
On the positive side, it fully supports mobile payments via Google Wallet/Pay, allows you to download music and a wide variety of applications, and integrates seamlessly with Google Maps and Gboard for message replies. It also has a built-in speaker and microphone for taking calls.
The user interface feels very user-friendly, smooth, and highly customizable. While the initial collection of built-in watch faces might seem limited, the pre-installed “Time Show” app is a treasure trove.
It offers an extensive list of functional and stylish watch faces, both free and premium. The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro also comes with new default watch faces like “Mystic Ridge”.
Comprehensive Health & Fitness Features: Tracking Vital Stats with the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is packed with a comprehensive suite of sensors for health and fitness tracking. It provides:
• 24-hour heart rate monitoring
• Blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking
• Stress monitoring
• Sleep analysis (including stages, average heart rate, blood oxygen, and respiratory rate)
• Skin temperature tracking (during sleep).
• And for outdoor enthusiasts: Compass, GPS, barometer, and altimeter. One notable absence is ECG (electrocardiogram) readings.
Mobvoi has consolidated many health tracking features into their “Tick Health” app, which I found makes monitoring much easier with its cleaner UI. You can view five vital health metrics within 90 seconds of wearing the watch.
For exercise tracking, the “Tick Exercise” app offers a wide variety of activities. It gives you detailed statistics like average heart rate, distance, calories burned, average speed, recovery time, heart rate zones, cadence, stride length, lap records, and even maps of your routes.
The app has an updated UI with grouped exercises and a custom list. While the custom list is great for personalizing, if you want to do a one-off exercise you’ve never done before, you’ll need to add it to your list first.
In terms of accuracy, I found the health tracking to be generally accurate and on par with other devices I’ve used.
Heart rate accuracy is very good for consistent activities like outdoor runs, but can be a bit erratic during strength training due to wrist movement.
Sleep tracking impressed me with its spot-on start times, though end times were occasionally off if I lingered in bed (a “non-tracking time” setting can help with this).
The VO2 Max calculation is available and seems to improve with continued use. I also appreciate that it supports continuous 24-hour heart rate, SpO2 (I set mine hourly), and stress monitoring, which surprisingly has had basically zero impact on the battery life.
A note on GPS: It can take a few seconds to connect at the start of an activity. Starting without a GPS connection can lead to inaccurate distance and speed data.
Unmatched Battery Life: How the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro Outshines Competitors
This is where the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro truly excels. It boasts a massive 628 mAh battery. Mobvoi claims up to 90 hours in Smart Mode and an incredible 45 days in Essential Mode.
In my real-world usage, even with continuous heart rate and stress monitoring enabled, I’m consistently getting about 4 days of battery life.
With heavy use, including Spotify, Bluetooth earbuds, and GPS tracking during runs (about 30 minutes), I’ve seen it last two to three days. For a Wear OS device, this is incredibly impressive.
Charging is also surprisingly quick. It takes about an hour for a full charge. Even better, just 30 minutes on the charger can give you around 60-70% battery, or even two full days of use.
I’ve found that a quick charge while I shower for 15-20 minutes is usually enough to top it up to 100%. Battery life is simply not a concern with this watch.
TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro Pricing and Value
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is priced at around $350. The original TicWatch Pro 5 can often be found cheaper, typically between $230-$260.
So, the big question: Should you upgrade if you already have the TicWatch Pro 5? Honestly, I’d say no, not really.
Unless you’re someone who is extremely rough on your watch and desperately needs that Sapphire Crystal screen for increased durability, the improvements aren’t massive enough to justify the full price difference.
If you could sell your Pro 5 for a good price (maybe around $250) and make it about a $100 upgrade, then it might be worth considering.
However, if you’re looking to upgrade from an older Wear OS watch or buying your first Wear OS smartwatch, the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is a fantastic option.
For its price, considering the premium materials like aluminum 7000 series and Sapphire Crystal, it feels like a great deal. If battery life and durability are your top priorities, this watch should definitely be on your shortlist.
Ticwatch Pro 5 Endure VS Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 VS Oneplus Watch 2
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | OnePlus Watch 2 | Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro |
| Build Material | Armor Aluminum, Sapphire Glass | Stainless Steel, Sapphire Glass | Stainless Steel, Gorilla Glass |
| Strap Width | 20mm | 22mm | 24mm |
| Display | 1.5″ Super AMOLED, 2000 nits, 480×480 | 1.43″ AMOLED, 600 nits, 466×466 | 1.43″ AMOLED + low-power layer, 600 nits, 466×466 |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 (3nm, 5-core) | Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 + BES 7200 (dual) | Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 |
| RAM / Storage | 2GB / 32GB | 2GB / 32GB | 2GB / 32GB |
| Battery (mAh) | 425 mAh | 500 mAh | 628 mAh |
| Battery Life (Realistic) | ~2.5 days | ~4 days | ~5 days |
| Charging Time | ~75 mins (USB-C) | ~60 mins (USB-A) | ~55 mins (USB-A) |
| Weight | 33g | 79.4g | 63.5g |
| OS Version | Wear OS 5 + One UI 6 | Wear OS 4 | Wear OS 3.5 |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Bixby | Google Assistant | Not Supported |
| Health Features | Full suite + Temp + ECG + BP | Most sensors; no Temp/ECG/BP | Full suite + Temp; no ECG/BP |
| Water/Dust/Mil Durability | 5 ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810H | 5 ATM, MIL-STD-810H | 5 ATM, MIL-STD-810H |
| Connectivity | 5 GHz Wi-Fi | 5 GHz Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi |
| iPhone Compatibility | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Rotating Crown | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro?
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is undeniably a solid watch with great hardware. It offers excellent battery life, impressive durability thanks to the Sapphire Crystal and rugged design, and comprehensive health and fitness tracking capabilities. It’s a very snappy, smooth, and fluid device to use.
However, its biggest Achilles’ heel is the software support. Being stuck on Wear OS 3.5 when 4.0 is out and 5.0 is coming, along with Mobvoi’s slower update pace and the lack of Google Assistant, can be disappointing.
If you’re coming from a Pixel Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, you might find yourself behind on the latest Wear OS features.
Despite the software being a bit outdated, if you’re looking for a Wear OS smartwatch that provides great fundamentals, gives you everything you need on your wrist, and boasts exceptional battery life and build quality, the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is a strong contender.
It’s particularly well-suited for those who prefer a more rugged, chunky look and prioritize durability for an active lifestyle.
For me, it’s definitely become one of my favorite Wear OS devices, and I’ll continue rocking it!
