ASUS introduced its third generation ZenWatch at the IFA trade show on Wednesday. The ZenWatch 3 wearable features a new case design with round display and uses a more energy-efficient hardware platform when compared to its predecessors. The manufacturer claims that its new timepiece can work for two days on a single charge, which is longer than many contemporary Android Wear-based devices. Besides that, it can be charged quicker thanks to HyperCharge technology.

The ASUS ZenWatch 3 (WI503Q) will be one of the industry’s first devices to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC (APQ 8009w) with four ARM Cortex-A7 cores, an Adreno 304 GPU, integrated wireless connectivity (802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, GPS, etc.) and so on. ASUS says that the new SoC consumes 25% less energy when compared to the Snapdragon 400 (which was used for the previous two generations of ZenWatches) and therefore stretches out the battery life of the new device. The new processor is accompanied by 512 MB of LPDDR3 memory, 4 GB eMMC NAND flash storage, six-axis gyroscope and accelerometer as well as an antenna for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The new SoC is not the only improvement under the hood of the ZenWatch 3. The manufacturer claims that the new smartwatch has higher precision activity tracking than predecessors and competitors, which means that the novelty is equipped with improved sensors.

ASUS ZenWatch 3 Specifications
  WI503Q
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100
4×ARM Cortex-A7
Adreno 304 GPU
802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, etc.
RAM 512 MB LDDR3
Storage 4GB eMMC NAND flash
Display 1.39" AMOLED
400×400 resolution
287 PPI pixel density
2-point touch
Display Protection 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Wireless Bluetooth 4.1
Wi-Fi
Sensors 6-axis (G+A), ambient light sensor
Battery 340mAh with quick-charge (15 mins for 60% battery)
Battery life: 1–2 days
Battery pack: 200mA (optional)
Charging Magnetic charging cable
Water Resistance IP67
Color Silver, Gunmetal, Rose Gold
Strap Rubber or leather
Dimensions Diameter: ≦ 45mm
Height: 9.95-10.75mm
Inputs Three buttons, touchscreen
Price €229/$229

Besides changing the hardware platform, ASUS also changed the design of the ZenWatch 3. The new smartwatch comes in a classic round case made of 316L stainless steel that is 9.95 to 10.75 mm thick. Because of the new form-factor, ASUS also had to change the display of its ZenWatch 3 and equipped its device with a 1.39” AMOLED 2-point touchscreen with 400×400 resolution (287 PPI). The case is IP67 water resistant and the display is protected with curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3. ASUS plans to offer three color schemes for its ZenWatch 3 — silver, gunmetal and rose gold, as well as rubber and leather straps. All three versions of the ZenWatch 3 have a distinctive rose gold bezel around the screen to further emphasize the new classic look.

Unlike its predecessors as well as other Android Wear-based smartwatches, the ASUS ZenWatch 3 comes with three buttons. Right now, we do not know what each button does, but the addition of extra two buttons may mean either certain new functions or just improved comfort when using existing ones.

Since the ZenWatch 3 timepiece is Google Android Wear-based, it will be compatible with smartphones running modern versions of Apple iOS and Google Android OSes.

ASUS plans to begin shipments of its ZenWatch 3 this fall. The price in Europe will start at €229 and the price in the U.S. should be similar in USD.

Source: ASUS

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  • Drumsticks - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link

    Honestly, it probably is. If you can multi-thread everything, you can probably run every core at really low voltage/frequencies. And if you can turn all but one off during normal walking, you won't be losing much. That seems like the idea, as the Snapdragon Wear 2100 (what a long name!) is clocked pretty low.
  • Zingam - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link

    What is smart about watch that drains the battery in 1 day?
  • kyuu - Saturday, September 3, 2016 - link

    You're running that screen, the SoC, and the sensors all in a cramped body that can only fit a tiny battery.
  • Ultraman1966 - Sunday, September 11, 2016 - link

    True but no one wants all the functionality of a smartphone on a wristwatch as we're no where near there with the battery tech yet. Actually, I still don't get the point of a smartwatch...
  • jebo - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link

    It says the SOC has GPS but GPS isn't listed in the table of features?
  • Meteor2 - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link

    Looks a nice upgrade from my Moto 360 -- rather better looking! And quick-charge will be a godsend.
  • VaperMonkey - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link

    I have the bigger Zen watch 2 and love everything about it really wish it would have the same clasp as the ZW2

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