Samsung got the Apple Watch to have rivals to reckon with after launching its Galaxy Watch4, the first “smart” watches from the South Korean company to reuse Google’s operating system for this type of device, Wear OS.

This movement, arising from a direct collaboration with Google, was a declaration of intent: Wear OS was still alive and they were going to get their act together with new features (The next big Wear OS 4 update is coming soon.) Since then, more models with this system and applications as interesting as WhatsApp have gone on sale.

Apart from the Galaxy Watch or the Google Pixel Watch, some of the most valued proposals with Wear OS come from Mobvoi with its TicWatch watches. The company has announced the TicWatch Pro 5, its new flagship, which packs a powerful processor and many functions related to health and sports. Is it a good alternative to the Apple Watch Series 8? We put them face to face to know their characteristics, differences and prices.

Features TicWatch Pro 5 and Apple Watch Series 8

• Screen: Apple Watch Series 8 is available in two sizes, with the 41mm version having a 1.69-inch LTPO OLED panel and the 45mm having a 1.9-inch panel. They reach a maximum brightness of one thousand nits and have the AOD function. The TicWatch Pro 5 mounts a double screen. The most important is 1.43-inch AMOLED, and the secondary is low consumption, for when you want to use basic functions such as checking the time and health metrics. This saves energy and your battery lasts longer.
• Chip: The TicWatch Pro 5 incorporates the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1, which features improvements in autonomy, performance and connectivity. This processor is intended for use in the latest “smart” watches. The Apple Watch Series 8 is committed to the dual-core S8 chip, one of the best on the market and which provides extraordinary performance to the Series 8.
• RAM and storage: watchOS and Wear OS manage RAM differently. 1 GB on the Apple Watch Series 8 is more than enough for a smooth experience. In smartwatches with the Google operating system there are different configurations, but Mobvoi has decided to use 2 GB of RAM in the TicWatch Pro 5 so there are no performance issues. Both watches mount 32 GB of storage, being a milestone in Wear OS watches.
• connectivity: both proposals have WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC. There is a higher model of Series 8 with Cellular LTE/4G connectivitybeing non-existent in the TicWatch Pro 5.
• sensors: the two “smart” watches offer similar health measurements (without going into which is more accurate), but Apple Watch incorporates ECG for electrocardiograms, a function that can be very useful for some users.
• Battery: Apple ensures that the Apple Watch Series 8 has a battery life of approximately 18 hours with a mixed use of sport and daily physical activity. The TicWatch 5 Pro, according to the brand, can hold up to 80 hours.
• OS: Apple Watch Series 8 comes with watchOS 9 and the TicWatch Pro 5 comes with Wear OS 3. Both operating systems are developed for this type of device and have useful apps for “smart” watches.
• Price: the TicWatch Pro 5 is available for 359.99 euros. The Apple Watch Series 8 starts at 499 euros (GPS, 41 mm).

Apple Watch Series 8 VS TicWatch Pro 5, which “smart” watch to buy?

The Apple Watch Series 8 is one of the best “smart” watches on the market, but it has a “problem”: can only be used if you have an iPhone. Users who do not have an Apple smartphone cannot use it because it is not possible to pair it in any way, so it is ruled out for any owner of an Android terminal.

However, the TicWatch Pro 5 yes it offers compatibility with iPhone, but not all its functions are available by pairing it with the bitten apple phone. For example, the quick response, reserved for Android phones, is lost. If for some reason you don’t like the Apple Watch, perhaps due to design or another reason, at least you will find an alternative in the TicWatch Pro 5, although it does not offer even remotely the same level of integration as the Cupertino watch with its ecosystem.

Round or square screen?

The design is one of the main differences between both watches, since Apple’s is square and Mobvoi’s is round. This one makes the screens have these shapes. It is believed that square panels display information better by not having to cut it out, but round panels offer a more classic and conventional design that makes watches more inconspicuous, which is something that some users look for.

While the screen on the Apple Watch Series 8 looks spectacular and has a very good level of brightness, the TicWatch Pro 5 has two: one AMOLED for when you want to make use of the “smart” functions, and another with low consumption, transflective, in which you can consult data such as the time and health metrics without negatively impacting the battery of the watch ( since this is another point that we are going to deal with later and it is important).

WearOS or watchOS?

Wear OS has long been in limbo, but Google has put the batteries with the news, and manufacturers have returned to bet on “smart” watches with this operating system. The TicWatch Pro 5 is one of the best Wear OS smartwatches for performance and features and battery life, plus it’s not tied to any one smartphone brand to unlock all the features.

The level of customization in Wear OS is much higher than in watchOS, and it is possible to find some apps that Apple would not allow in its app store. But, broadly speaking, both systems offer similar possibilities, although with Apple’s updates and improvements are more common, as is Apple Watch support. They hold up better over time.

sensors. Is the ECG necessary?

We are used to the fact that the most popular “smart” watches have similar functions: heart rate measurement, sleep monitoring, counting calories lost during the day, blood oxygen… but there are some, such as the ECG to perform electrocardiogramswhich is available on a limited number of devices, and the Apple Watch Series 8 has it, while the TicWatch Pro 5 lacks it.

Is it strictly necessary? No, although with nuances. Although it should not be used for medical purposes, there are many people who have discovered that they suffer from some pathologies thanks to it, because the measurements gave rise to thinking that something was not right. It is a nice addition, and for certain users it may be essential if they have certain ailments.

Regarding the other sensors, the Apple Watch has a good reputation for having very good. Especially the heart rate, which is quite accurate even when exercising. Those used in TicWatch watches in the past have not stood out for their precision when doing sports.

Autonomy, charge it every day?

“Smart” watches that have operating systems in which you can answer messages using the keyboard or install applications have a very limited autonomy. Rare is the smartwatch that lasts a little more than a day and a half without going through the plug. Samsung has managed to pass this barrier with its Watch5 Pro, and Apple with its Ultra, but this is not the case with the Series 8… although it is the case with the TicWatch Pro 5.

The use of the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor and mounting a battery over 600 mAh It has been the key for the TicWatch 5 Pro to reach 80 hours of autonomy. This, of course, depends on the use made, because the longer the GPS is active or the screen is on, the faster the battery will drain. And also to mention that the low consumption screen plays another fundamental role in this feat.

The Apple Watch Series 8, according to Apple, is around 18 hours with normal use of daily life and sport. This translates into about a day and a half, which is not much, and it will be less if we use it for many races with geolocation. This is undoubtedly one of the weakest points of this Apple watch.

And the price

The TicWatch Pro 5, without being a very cheap “smart” watch either, is available for 359.99 euros, which puts it at the level of other proposals coming from Samsung or Huawei. The Apple Watch Series 8 in its 41mm version with GPS, which is the one with the lowest price, starts at 499 euros.

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“This approach has not served you well in the past, as evidenced by your poor graphics architectures and performance. Maybe you should think about changing it for the future…” Thus began a curious exchange of emails between Steve Jobs and Andy Grovesthe CEO of Intel at the time.

The year was 1985 when Steve was at Pixar, and Intel was very interested in knowing certain data that the animation company obtained using its processors for different projects. Jobs asked to be paid for it, but Intel had no intention of this.

The man who made Steve Jobs change his mind

If the thesaurus of the Royal Spanish Academy of Language included images, Steve Jobs’s would appear next to “stubborn”. His decisions were firm and it was extremely difficult to make him change his mind. When someone did, it was quite an achievement. Not so much for the fact itself but because of the rarity with which it happened.

Andy Groves was the complete opposite. His emotional intelligence was known to all, to the point that managed to make Jobs change his mind. He was the CEO of Intel for almost 20 years, as well as one of the original founders of the company. He was an engineer, and his specialty was semiconductors.

When an engineer from his company contacted Jobs to see if they could get that data we talked about earlier, he asked how much they would be willing to pay for them. The Intel engineer then replied that: “we have not reached any financial agreement in exchange for good ideas for our microprocessors in the past and we have no intention of doing so in the future.”

Steve was furious. He replied that this way of doing things had not gotten them anywhere, and that perhaps they should consider that it was time to change it. He wrote directly to Andy saying that this engineer’s stance was too arrogant, and heand asked if he could take action on the matter.

Groves, far from cowering or berating his employee, told Jobs: “I am firmly on the engineer’s side in this case. He’s taking your offer to help us very seriously, has assembled the best techies, and was ready to go when you brought a new element into the discussion: money. You and I have talked many times about this topic; you never suggested or insinuated that it was a commercial exchange. I took your offer to help us exactly as that: help, not an offer of business relationship.

“You may remember that, from time to time, he offered you suggestions related to your business. Examples range from the porting of NextStep to the 486 – which we were also interested in – to my presentation to your staff about repositioning NextStep beyond that. I’m not suggesting its value is comparable to your graphics expertise, but I gave what I had, reflected on the problem you were facing, and it never crossed my mind to charge for it. In my opinion, that’s what friendly companies (and friends) do to each other. In the long run, these things even out. I’m sorry you don’t think so. We will lose out, and so will the industry.”

It is a hard message. The tone is disappointing. Of the one who thinks he has a friend and sees how he betrays him at the moment of truth. Steve realized the situation, and although he did not reply to the email at the time, he did he did it four days laterand that’s when his opinion “changed 180 degrees.”

“I have many defects, but one of them is not ingratitude. And I agree with you that “in the long run, these things balance out.” Therefore, I have changed my position 180 degrees – – we will help you for free to make your processors much better for 3D graphics. Please have your engineer call me, and we’ll set up a meeting as soon as the appropriate Pixar technicians can be released from production. Thanks for a clearer perspective.”

It’s funny how he ends that email: “thanks for a clearer perspective.” Jobs knew that he was not realizing something, and as soon as it was explained to him, he understood it. He changed his way of thinking, acted accordingly and helped the one who was once his friend and who was now his mentor.

Andy Grove was born in Hungary, went to study in the United States and co-founded Intel. He launched the company to the top of semiconductors, which was his passion, and rubbed shoulders with the greats of the industry. He passed away in 2016 and was a friend and mentor to Steve, and albeit indirectly had an impact on Apple. Together they improved the tech industry, and all for a couple of emails. How curious is life.

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WWDC 2023 will officially start tomorrow from 7 p.m. French time, and this year, Apple should unveil a veritable avalanche of novelties. iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, new Macs, XR Reality Pro mask, announcements should follow one another at breakneck speed. A few dozen hours before this event eagerly awaited by the small world of tech, it is therefore probably time to clear up the many probable announcements. And then after all, it doesn’t hurt to salivate in advance on the dishes that will (probably) be served to us.

iOS 17:

This will undoubtedly be one of the very big pieces of WWDC 2023. iOS 17 is expected to have many new features, including:

• A brand new logging app integrated into the Find My app
• A Smart Display mode intended only for the iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro models, which is in fact a mode Always On (screen always on). This mode would also have a horizontal display. The iPhone user will finally be able to check notifications, weather or upcoming appointments, etc. without even having to turn on his precious.
• A new Health app capable of detecting the daily emotions of the user. Ophthalmological information can also integrate the app.
• Sideloading and alternative App Store: this should be THE big announcement for iOS 17, the one that will also allow Apple to comply with the European rules in preparation. iOS open to third-party application stores, this is no longer a fantasy (but you will have to assume the security risks that will go with it). Sideloading and alternative App Stores would however only concern versions of iOS 17 distributed in Europe.
• A big update to the Maps app as well as AirPlay and SharePlay functions.

iPad OS 17:

Few big changes are expected for the next version of iPadOS, except that this new version of the iPad operating system should integrate some of the new features of iOS 17, namely the journaling app, the big update of the Health app, and perhaps Sideloading for iPads sold in Europe.

macOS 14:

Almost nothing has leaked, but again some new features of iOS 17 should be available for the next macOS (logging in particular)

tvOS 17:

Not even a rumor to get your teeth into, nada.

watch OS 10:

The Apple watch OS should get a big boost this year. In particular, we expect:

• The main interface would be deeply modified and should finally display Widgets (including Widget Stacks), which means that it will be possible to navigate in certain Widgets and of course the widgets of Apple apps (Health, Stocks, Weather, Calendar, etc.)
• The Digital Crown of the Apple Watch would also be used to display the Widgets rather than to access the home screen.
• A deeply redesigned Stocks app to accommodate the larger screens of the latest Apple Watch models.
• The scan of the user’s daily emotions (synchronizable with the Health app

15-inch MacBook Air:

According to Bloomberg, Apple would unveil a MacBook Air model with a 15-inch panel, but a panel with the same resolution as the current 14-inch model (so we would lose a little pixel density) . This MacBook Air would also be equipped with an M2 processor.

Mac Studio M2 Max and M2 Ultra:

This is the most recent rumor. Apple would therefore have a new Mac Studio under its arm, this time equipped with the powerful M2 Max and M2 Ultra. As a reminder, the M2 Max has 12 CPU cores and 30 GPU cores and can support up to 96 GB of RAM. The M2 Ultra is twice those specs (24 CPU cores, etc.)! The price should of course be particularly salty.

Apple Reality Pro:

The highlight of the keynoteit is the first XR mask from Apple, which will be announced with an absolutely monstrous technical sheet: 4K or 5K micro OLED screens at 4000 dpi and 5000 nits, 120° FoV, Pancake lenses, 2 processors including a equivalent to the M2 (with boosted GPU part), around fifteen sensors or cameras including a LiDAR and two color cameras for the pass-through (AR), a remote battery (2 hours of capacity) to maintain an ultra thin and light design (between approximately 300 grams), automatic IPD, functions of eye tracking, hand tracking and face tracking, an interface dedicated, a revamped App Store for the mask and of course a large part of Apple’s software ecosystem adapted for the new precious (Apple Arcade XR, Plans XR, Apple Music XR, Apple TV XR, Apple TV+ XR, Fitness + XR, Creative and office suite, multi-screen etc.). A dedicated development kit will most likely be available to developers as soon as the conference is over. The device would be offered in several colors and its price should be around 3000 dollars.