Versatile Hybrid Smartwatch Maintains Aesthetic Appeal in Various Settings Whilst Monitoring Crucial Health Parameters
Smart Hybrid Watch: WiThings ScanWatch Light
Say goodbye to obtrusive smartwatches and welcome the WiThings ScanWatch Light. Track essential health and wellness data effortlessly without being too showy.
The ScanWatch Light boasts a stylish profile with interchangeable bands suited for casual users who crave the simplicity of an analog watch over constant smartwatch notifications. With a price point of $250, it offers a more elegant approach to health and wellness tracking.
Perks of the ScanWatch Light
- Feather-light to wear for all-day, all-night comfort
- Long battery life in analog mode for longer usage
- Period tracking available on the watch itself
Downsides
- Font on the screen may seem too small for some
- No built-in GPS feature for outdoor activities
- Lacks sensors found in similarly-priced smartwatches
A Desirable Alternative for Apple Watch Users
Wearing the ScanWatch Light in public was a delight. Apple Watch enthusiasts couldn't help but inquire about its functionality, especially those with a penchant for iOS devices. The ScanWatch Light is compatible with iPhones, though I was testing it with Android during the review period.
The ScanWatch Light was enjoyable to use, catering to those balancing between intense workouts and training periods, as it's stylish while accruing valuable health data typically collected with a fitness band or traditional smartwatch. Additionally, it's a great starting point for wellness tracking without being an extreme aficionado, all at a reasonable cost.
The ScanWatch Light Falls Short
When it comes to more nuanced data about your runs and walks, the ScanWatch Light may miss the mark. Although it tracks steps, sleep, breathing, and heart rate, features like GPS are nowhere to be found. During a hike, the ScanWatch Light will register the activity but may miss vital information such as elevation gain. I found myself missing the data offered by more feature-rich smartwatches, such as the Google Pixel Watch 2, once I switched back to it.
ScanWatch Light Design
A watch-sized smartwatch
The 18mm ScanWatch Light fits comfortably on smaller wrists, with a watch chassis measuring 37mm in diameter, smaller than the standard 40mm size of most other smartwatches. The silicone band is suitable for both rigorous activities and casual wear, making it a versatile fashion accessory. However, when swapping bands, opt for ones that don't overpower the watch's petite chassis for an optimal fit.
The ScanWatch Light is available in various colors, including sand, blue, and green. It is water resistant up to 5 ATM, so it's suitable for swimming laps or quick showers post-gym.
ScanWatch Light Display
A compact screen
The ScanWatch Light consists of a hybrid watch design, relying on its hour and minute hands to display the time. However, you can also see the time digitally on the 1-inch grayscale OLED display when raising your wrist. This simplicity minimizes distraction from unwanted notifications.
Notifications shown on the tiny screen are brief, revealing the sender and app, but not the entire message or context. This minimalist design helps keep the ScanWatch Light from becoming overly distracting.
The primary functions accessible through the watch screen include viewing steps, setting alarms, cycling through workout options, and adjusting settings for battery efficiency. Advanced features such as respiratory scanning and quick look will need to be accessed through the WiThings mobile app.
ScanWatch Light Performance
Plenty of data, yet limited functionality
The ScanWatch Light gathers daily activity, sleep, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and stress level data. It also detects sleep apnea. Specifically, it consistently reminded me of potential breathing obstructions. If they persist, I can generate a detailed sleep report to share with my healthcare provider regarding my average heart rate, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency through the night. While the data is simple, it can still provide valuable insights gaining professional advice.
The WiThings app offers a premium subscription, WiThings+, which unlocks extra features like a Health Improvement Score and various offerings found on the "Achieve" tab within the app. However, you don't need the subscription to access daily health data such as general activity levels and sleep patterns.
Syncing third-party services such as Samsung Health and Strava with the ScanWatch Light is an option, though some limitations exist. For example, Strava requires GPS data to provide an accurate assessment of trail walks. I missed several weeks of workouts due to this limitation, which I only recognized a week into wearing the device. Nonetheless, Google Fit proved to be a compatible alternative for Android users like myself to gather basic health data and track my progress.
Ultimately, the ScanWatch Light is suitable for users who prefer a more subtle approach to wellness tracking without diving headfirst into advanced fitness metrics. If you're pursuing a more dedicated fitness regimen and require GPS tracking, consider other smartwatch options like the ScanWatch 2 or Google Pixel Watch 3.
- The ScanWatch Light, without being showy, tracks essential health and wellness data, making it a desirable alternative for those who crave simplicity over constant smartwatch notifications.
- Featuring a compact 1-inch grayscale OLED display, the ScanWatch Light offers a minimalist design that minimizes distraction from unwanted notifications.
- With a high-tech health tracker inside its thin, watch-sized chassis, the ScanWatch Light consistently reminds users of potential breathing obstructions, offering valuable insights for professional advice.
- Despite a lack of GPS feature and some compatibility limitations with third-party services, the ScanWatch Light serves as a great starting point for wellness tracking at a reasonable cost, ideal for those seeking a more subtle approach to health and fitness monitoring.
