Home Reviews ,,,,, A totally independent smartwatch from the smartphone. This is the strength of Docooler NO.1 D5 +, a device that we have tested in recent weeks and that precisely stands out for the possibility of use without being paired via Bluetooth to iPhones and Android smartphones, an operation that is however available for those who want to manage notifications and other phone functions directly from their wrist.
In fact, thanks to the SIM slot it is possible to call, read SMS, surf the Internet, chat on Whatsapp (certainly with all the limitations of the small screen) and do most of the things that we are able to do today from a smartphone or tablet. With a particularly intriguing shape, it is well built even if the weight is felt on the wrist and if it is used for several consecutive minutes it heats up a little too much: between love and hate, we tell you how our field test went.
As did
The watch case is made of sturdy metal, in our case black and satin. Overall it is quite heavy (80 grams including the strap) and you notice it when you tighten it to your wrist. The writer is used to the classic Casio watch with steel mesh (50 grams) but in the past he has tried for several months Apple Watch Sport with 42mm case which, in size and weight (72 grams), is very close to Docooler NO.1 D5 +.
Despite the similarities this smartwatch seemed to us much more heavy , probably because the weight is not evenly distributed. Certainly also affects the low quality of the strap, whose leather is very rigid at the ends connected to the case (it has not softened in the slightest even after two weeks of use), while overall it is thin and very light.
On our slender wrist it is easily unbalanced, so much so that we were forced to squeeze it a lot to prevent it from continually tilting to one side even while we were working on the computer. Probably replacing it with a rubber strap, perhaps even slightly thicker, should solve the problem.
The rigidity of the strap is also reflected in the use of the magnetic plate to recharge the battery: in fact it is practically impossible to lay it out to be able to place it on a flat surface. Rather, the smartwatch will “rise” on the support surface, forcing us to place it on the side to prevent it from falling).
The case is also not too thick (exactly 1 centimeter) and the circular shape that is also reflected on the 1.3 inch display (3.3 centimeters in diameter) makes it more like a classic watch, especially if you choose one of the many vintage dials provided by the software.
An Android heart beats under the hood
Docooler NO.1 D5 + is an Android smartwatch. Mount version 5.1 of the software and, as anticipated, it can be used both in a totally independent way from the smartphone by inserting a SIM card inside it (supplied there is the small screwdriver to be able to unscrew the 4 screws that hold the cover that protects the internal components), either by pairing it via Bluetooth with an iPhone or an Android phone.
Paired use via Bluetooth to smartphone
If you connect it to a smartphone it mainly becomes a sort of secondary monitor for notifications: you lose some of the most interesting functions, such as the possibility of answering a phone call from the wrist or replying to a message received on Whatsapp (which is however, he will be able to read).
However, in addition to viewing all the notifications of the applications installed on the smartphone, it is possible to access some specific functions of the watch such as heart rate monitoring, the pedometer and everything acquired by the integrated sensors. It is also possible to set some alarms, listen to music (8 GB of ROM) and record a voice note.
Use with SIM card
Inserting a SIM card changes the music. It is still possible to pair it with your smartphone to receive notifications on your wrist, but you can access a series of exclusive functions, such as the ability to send and receive SMS, answer phone calls, surf the Internet, use GPS for navigation. with Google Maps, chat on Whatsapp and install applications.
It should be noted that many of these functions (SMS and phone calls excluded) can also be used by connecting via WiFi to the home router but, precisely, they are limited to the use of the smartwatch only in the presence of a WiFi router (unless that you do not hotspot with your cell phone).
How is it going
There is absolutely no comparison with the user experience of an Apple Watch or similar smartwatch. With Docooler NO.1 D5 + the interaction takes place only through the touchscreen, that is, there are no digital crowns or dials to move within the menus, an operation that takes place only through a few swipes on the screen.
With such a small display it is therefore clear that everything is sometimes a bit uncomfortable, especially if you have to type on the very small virtual keyboard. The side button has the sole function of awakening the screen, as well as to quickly return to the clock face. To move in the menu, especially to return to the previous tab, you will have to swipe downwards from the outside (a bit like you would on the iPhone to pull down the Notification Center).
The graphical interface is however very clear, the buttons of the individual functions are large and clearly visible, as well as the text is written in a sufficiently large and legible font. We liked the brightness of the screen less : in the classic example of the midday sun with a clear sky, in direct sunlight the screen is difficult to read even with the brightness set to the maximum level. Often one is forced to cover it with the other hand to be able to read the contents of a notification or simply to read the time.
On the other hand, the choice of quadrants is excellent made available by the software: there are 30 ranging from vintage ones, with some faithful replicas of existing watches, to simpler ones that show the time digitally and still others that show for example heart rate, number of steps, date, weather, battery level. It is also possible to add new ones by downloading them from the store.
Conclusions and price at public
As mentioned above, Docooler NO.1 D5 + is loved and hated. It is loved because it carries smartphone notifications on the wrist, and those who have already had experience with this type of accessories are well aware of the advantages of such a function. It is also loved because if you combine it with a SIM you can leave your phone at home, during a run out of town or a bike ride, while still remaining connected and traceable. But it is hated because the strap is uncomfortable (but nothing prevents you from changing it and the classic attachment opens up an infinite range of possibilities) and the user interface is sometimes a bit tricky.
Especially those who have had experience with Apple Watch clearly see all its limits: you miss even the function that automatically wakes the watch when you lift your wrist (here you have to click every time you want to look at the time).
Those who want to buy it must evaluate all this also according to the price: in the end it costs 113.99 euros, practically a third of the Apple Watch. It may therefore be worth the investment if the budget is limited but you are equally intrigued by the idea of the smartwatch. In this way it could be a valid and inexpensive test to understand if this type of device can be right for you – and in that case aim higher – or if instead you can easily do without it.
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