SMARTWATCHES

Since I am unable to blog about my travel adventures to Swiss & Italy (scheduled from 3 - 21 May 2020 but was canceled) due to the COVID-19 pandemic status presently, I would like to share my experiences using smartwatches.

I purchased a Fossil Q smartwatch on 20 October 2017 (RM1,200).

I had used it till November 2019 when suddenly the back cover of the watch pops out. 

I sought to get it repaired at the outlet in IOI Mall (the shop I purchased the watch) but was told to visit the service center in Petaling Jaya as they were incapable to remedy the issue. So I drove to the service center to get the watch checked and fixed. But to my dismay, I was told that the watch was economically beyond repair as the battery had swollen causing the whole watch to be faulty😞. I was informed that the basis of this issue was due to the prolonged charge (overnight charge). The technician further informed me that the proper way to charge a smartwatch should not exceed more than 2-3 hours (or till its 100% charged). To put salt to the wound, the warranty period was only a month over. If the problem were to befall earlier I would be compensated with a new watch.

As I am used to wearing a smartwatch, I had to find a replacement immediately from a variety of brands namely Apple, Samsung, and  Huawei. I had chosen Fossil over Apple previously due to the design factor (prefer smartwatch to look like a conventional watch). This time around I had to choose between Samsung and Huawei. After much consideration, I favored Huawei Watch GT 2 based on my preferences and cost. The Huawei Watch was purchased at RM899 and had the same features as my previous Fossil but with the addition that I could answer calls directly on the watch (not on Fossil). The battery usage was superb as I only need to charge it once in 10-14 days. It also comes with a spare strap. Overall, I am satisfied with the watch.

Based on my experience using smartwatches I can finally conclude that battery care is of utmost importance (including mobile phones). Never charge your watch/phone overnight. I had learned this the expensive way.