Earlier this week, Apple started rolling out the watchOS 7.3.1 for its Apple Watch Series 5 and Watch SE models. This new update would bring a fix that would prevent a bug which caused these wearable devices to get stuck in the Power Reserve mode.

As per a new support document shared by the Cupertino based giant (Via 9To5Mac), the company gave out additional details regarding this bug. For those unaware, the Power Reserve mode allows users to see the time on the Apple Watch while preserving battery life. However, it shuts off the communication between users’ wearable and their iPhone. In otehr words, various features and functionalities are unavailable in this mode.

Despite the fix being rolled out, the company also announced in the document that a “very small number” of the owners of these devices have “experienced an issue with their watch not charging after it enters Power Reserve.” The OEM stated that the watchOS 7.3.1 that was recently rolled out will help prevent “this issue from happening to other Apple Watch Series 5 or Apple Watch SE devices.”

Unfortunately, this implies that those this would only prevent anyone from receiving this bug, and not help those that are already suffering from it. But, the company is ready with a solution. Users suffering from this issue can simply contact its official support team, for a mail in repair, which will be free of charge. Although, the device will be examined before the service to verify whether or not its eligible for the free repairs, as stated by the iPhone maker.

RELATED:

• Apple Watch’s user base hits 100 million since it first launched
• Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor can predict COVID-19 a week before a Swab Test: Report
• Apple approached Nissan for its autonomous car but talks ended after branding disagreement: Report

The post Apple Watch Series 5 and SE users are eligible for free repairs over Power Reserve bug appeared first on Gizmochina.

Despite the wearables market seeing a decline in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Apple Watch is still seeing great sales. According to a Counterpoint Research report, the wearable is dominating the global smartwatch market for 2020.

The Cupertino based giant’s wearables have dominated the market, especially its latest Apple Watch Series 5. According to the report, the Apple Watch series accounted for an estimated 51.4 percent of global smartwatch market revenue during the first half of 2020. In other words, the company’s offering alone accounted for more than half of the entire market.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung Galaxy S21+ to reportedly come packed with a 4,600mAh battery

Furthermore, no other OEM came even close to Apple’s dominance, with Garmin and Huawei products arrived in second and third with 9.4 percent and 8.3 percent respectively. In other words, the iPhone maker had a commanding lead through the first half of this year. While the viral outbreak did slow the industry down, the global smartwatch market still saw a 20 percent year on year growth and is expected to grow even further in the near future.

We had previously reported on the market which was said to double by 2024, and Apple might have a big role in it. Counterpoint Research estimated that a total of 42 million smartwatches were shipped in the first half of 2020. Notably, the company’s Apple Watch sales also grew in Europe and North America by 22 percent, with the Apple Watch Series 5 being the best selling smartwatch during this period of time.

UP NEXT: Realme 7, Realme 7 Pro leak reveals configurations, color variants and early September launch in India

The post Apple Watch accounts for more than half of all global smartwatch sales in 2020 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Earlier today, Xiaomi launched its first Google WearOS powered smartwatch which is simply called the “Mi Watch“. The key highlighting features of the smart wearable include a square 1.78-inch AMOLED display, heart rate monitor, NFC and support for e-sim which allows it to make phone calls directly, without having to connect to a smartphone.

In this article, we will put the newly launched Mi Watch against some of its competitors which include the Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm) and Huawei Watch GT 2 (46mm). Consequently, you will be able to choose the right smartwatch for yourself based upon your requirements.

Here is a specification comparison of all 4 smartwatches:

Design and Display

Xiaomi’s Mi Watch draws a lot of design inspiration from the immensely popular Apple Watch Series 5. Both of these devices sport a 1.78-inch square-shaped display with a ceramic back. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and Huawei Watch GT 2 have a round-shaped display that measures 1.4 inch and 1.39 inch respectively. Consumers who prefer a smartwatch that is not very distinguishable from a conventional wristwatch can choose either of these two.

Chipset, Software and Features

The newly launched Mi is equipped with the Snapdragon 3100 series SoC which is developed by Qualcomm. Rest of the three smartwatches in this comparison pack a chip that is developed in-house by their respective manufacturers. In terms of OS, the Mi Watch and Apple Watch Series 5 have MIUI based on Google WearOS and Apple’s WatchOS, both of which can be navigated via a crown and multifunction buttons which are mounted on the sides of the two devices.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 runs on Samsung’s WearableOS 4.0 which is based on top of Tizen. Finally, the Huwaei Watch GT2 has a custom OS which has a very vanilla feel and looks similar to stock WearOS from Google.

All of these smartwatches support fitness tracking features like step counter, sleep tracker, and can display notifications from the smartphone. The Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch Active 2 support ECG functionality. Whereas one distinguishing feature of the Mi Watch is its SpO2 sensor which can be used to measure oxygen in the blood.

Battery

In terms of battery, the Mi Watch which is the most affordable smartwatch out of the bunch packs the largest battery which is rated at 570 mAh. In contrast, most expensive out of the pack, the Apple Watch Series 4 has the smallest battery which is rated at 296 mAh. The Huawei Watch GT 2 and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 are also equipped with decent sized batteries which are rated at 455 mAh and 340 mAh respectively.

Editor’s Pick: Chuwi UBook Pro battery performance test reveals all-day battery life

Price

The non-cellular variant of the Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm) starts from $ 429 while the 4G enabled variant starts at $ 529. However, with premium strap options, it goes all the way upto $ 1399. The Mi Watch is currently limited to China and it is offered in two variants which includes standard and premium. The affordable variant costs Yuan 1299 (~$ 185) while the top of the line variant costs Yuan 1999 (~$ 257). Cheerfully, innards of both the variants remain the same but the premium variant has a stainless steel strap, sapphire glass protection, and a stainless-steel frame.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44 mm) starts at $ 299 for the non-cellular variant, whereas the variant with 4G is priced at $ 449. Last but not least, the Huawei Watch GT 2 is offered in just one variant that skips on 4G and it costs Euro 249 which roughly translates to $ 277.

All of these smartwatches have their own USP’s but the Mi Watch from Xiaomi seems like the most value for money offering in this competition. All in all, the support for e-sim, a large battery and a swift chipset makes it a praiseworthy product which the Chinese corporation has managed to price aggressively.

Which one out of these 4 smartwatches do you thing is the most well-rounded package? Let us know in the comments below.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi Note 10 now listed on GearBest, sales to commence November 6

The post Xiaomi Mi Watch vs Apple Watch Series 5 vs Huawei Watch GT 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 : Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple has officially launched the Apple Watch Series 5 with a number of new features. The smartwatch comes with an Always-On Retina display that never sleeps, making it easy to check the time and other important information, without having to raise or tap the display. The screen intelligently dims when a user’s wrist is down and returns to full brightness with a raise or a tap.

The Watch Series 5 also presents with international emergency calling feature which allows customers to call emergency services directly from Apple Watch in over 150 countries, even without iPhone nearby. There is equally a new location feature which helps users better navigate their way.

The Watch Series 5 comes with the industry’s only low-temperature polysilicone and oxide display (LTPO), ultra-low power display driver, efficient power management integrated circuit and new ambient light sensor. The display and several other advanced technologies work together to deliver the new Always-on feature. Also, each watch face has been carefully optimized for the new display and to preserve battery life. The Apple Watch Series 5 offers all-day 18-hour battery life, thanks to a combination of hardware innovation and incredible software design.

Apple Watch Series 5 is available in a wider range of materials, including aluminium, stainless steel, ceramic and all-new titanium build. It runs on watchOS 6 which empowers to take charge of their health and fitness with new features like Cycle Tracking, the Noise app and Activity Trends. The new OS also shows current elevation. The watch has a new built-in compass and updated Maps app which allow users to see which way they are facing.

With watchOS 6’s International Emergency Calling for added personal safety while traveling, users with cellular models of Apple Watch Series 5 can now complete international calls to emergency services, regardless of where the device was originally purchased or if the cellular plan has been activated. International emergency calling also works with fall detection, if enabled, to automatically place an emergency call if Apple Watch senses the user has taken a hard fall and remains motionless for about a minute. The new Emergency Calling feature displayed on Apple Watch Series 5.

Additional health and fitness features come with watchOS 6, including the new Cycle Tracking app, which gives customers the ability to log important information related to their menstrual cycles and see predicted timing for their next period and fertile windows using the convenience of Apple Watch. The Noise app helps users understand the ambient sound levels in environments such as concerts and sporting events that could negatively impact hearing.

Pricing and Availability

As for the pricing, the Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS) starts at $399 (US) while the Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) starts at $499. Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS) is available to order today from apple.com and in the Apple Stores. Both models will be available in stores beginning Friday, September 20.

UP NEXT: Mi MIX 4′s tempered glass reveals no notch, no punch-hole, no waterfall display

The post Apple Watch Series 5 unveiled sporting an Always-On Retina display and several new features appeared first on Gizmochina.