The fashion of smartwatches is never new on the technological landscape, and there are no longer any exponents on the market. On the one hand there is Apple Watch, to act as a counter-altar to Google's wearables, on the other there are a myriad of smartwatches with a customized operating system, almost always based on Android. Among these the one on test in this article, Finow X7, which defends itself with several weapons in its bow, including support for Sims, and an AMOLED screen.
Let's start from the technical characteristics, even if to tell the truth when it comes to smartwatches they are not always the real needle of the scale. Finow X7 has a large 1.39-inch screen, especially important on the wrist, an MT6739 processor from MediaTek, 1 GB of RAM and 16 of integrated ROM. The supporting battery is 600 mAh, while under the body there is the Sim compartment, with 4G support.
To move the clock a modified version of Android 7.1.1. Among others, there is not even a side camera, set between the two buttons in the ring, from 2MP, useful for secret photos. In terms of connectivity, it offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS, which allows you to navigate via Google Maps already pre-installed, listening to the turn by turn commands directly from your wrist.
Unboxing
The smartwatch arrives in a small white box, where the sketch of the watch itself is carved. Inside the smartwatch, with a pre-applied film, to be honest with a few too many bubbles, so much so that we preferred to remove it immediately. Below the watch is the battery charger, a small circular base above which you can fit the watch for recharging. Also included in the kit is a small Torx screwdriver and, of course, the charging cable.
Appearance and degisn
As already mentioned, Finow X7 has an important aesthetic and does not go unnoticed on the wrist. The measurements are quite generous, the display very large, and the weight of about 100 grams. It is not a featherweight and you can feel it on the wrist. Aesthetically it is pleasant, it has a classic look, thanks to the large circular display and the two side buttons.
Probably the quality of the strap is a bit out of place, not to be discarded, but certainly improved. Fortunately, it is possible to replace it easily, through the traditional coupling and release system, so you can choose a higher-end strap, to give the watch an even more premium imprint.
For each bike, the strap offers 11 holes, fits small and large wrists, and offers a mixture of leather on the outside and plastic on the inside. It is probably designed to be more comfortable to wear, without giving up an elegant appearance on the outside.
Performance
To be a low-cost Chinese smartwatch it's really good. It will be thanks to the processor combined with 1 GB of RAM, the fact is that the system appears reactive, with the screen inputs that are immediately perceived by the system.
The graphic interface is really minimal, mostly with black backgrounds, also thanks to which the smartwatch manages to maintain consumption. The UI is not very modern and among the most sought after, but in any case the icons arranged in a semi-circle are functional, and navigation through the menus is absolutely convenient.
Some of the pre-installed watch faces are beautiful, modifiable via the WiiWatch 2 application (free in the App Store and on Google Play), while the always on function is a little less pleasant, but very useful.
This allows you to keep the screen always on, to see the time at any time without having to wake up the display: the watch face in this case is not insufficient, but it is not possible to replace it. So, either you are satisfied with the default one, or you disable the always on function, which in a watch is still essential.
What they definitely like is the display. The AMOLED screen has a good resolution, equal to 400 x 400 pixels, reacts extremely well to touches, and the whole system appears fluid and responsive, at least in the main menu screens.
On the back he insists. a reader for calculating the heartbeat: without any claim to be a medical instrument, we have however ascertained that the calculation always occurs correctly, or at least occurs in line with what is reported by numerous other higher-end wearables. In short, the data it returns is absolutely plausible.
Finow X7 has IP67 protection, therefore in theory also suitable for swimming pool activities. Honestly, we do not recommend this use, also because due to its rather heavy and flashy design and conformation, it does not lend itself to water activities: it is more of an evening watch, not even for jogging. You can therefore wear it safely in the rain, or while washing your hands, but use in water does not seem to be among the preferable.
Software
As already mentioned, Finow X7 runs on Android 7.1.1. This basically means having a complete operating system, complete with a Play Store from which to install applications.
Certainly the system is not optimized properly, because the circular screen often cuts the various screens, but all in all many operations are able to be carried out, also thanks to a full keyboard that appears on the lower part of the screen. Of course we do not recommend that you completely replace your smartphone with this smartwatch, but theoretically it would be possible.
As already mentioned, in fact, it enjoys Micro SiM support, to install a sim on board, thus being able to make and receive phone calls, send messages, even on WhatsApp and similar apps, as well as being able to install email clients and surf on their social networks.
During our tests we even tried to play it, installing Clash Royale on it. The experience is certainly not the best, and we do not recommend anyone to go to the arena with this smartwatch, but we have succeeded in our intent.
Useful, for example, can be navigation via Google Maps on the wrist. The watch enjoys speakers that naturally allow apps to play sound, then voice commands for turn-by-turn navigation.
The sound is very loud and shrill, which helps during telephone conversations. Similar speech also for listening to music: we installed Spotify on board without any problem, being able to listen to all the streaming music from the wrist, without any limitations.
The watch also supports voice search via the Google assistant, which unfortunately we were unable to call up with the voice command “Ok, Google”, nor with the quick press of a few buttons. To activate it you will need to scroll through the list of Apps and click on the voice search icon. Too bad, because it takes several taps on the screen before you can dictate the voice command, which would have been much more useful if it had been possible to recall it on the fly.
The 600 mAh battery manages to keep the clock running for up to 2 days, at least with moderate use, for example giving up BT and Wi Fi always on. In case of heavy use the battery becomes an Achilles heel.
Fitness
A little further on we advised against the use of this watch for sports activities. Not because it isn't equipped for the purpose, but because the aesthetics look like a night out watch, rather than a jogging watch.
Either way, Finow X7 is equipped to track physical activity, from running to basketball, from ping pong to jumping rope. The data returned by the various methods are rather standard, but in any case they are functional to a standard activity, without too many competitive pretensions.
Conclusions
Finow X7 is a smartwatch with a good value for money. On the surface it is quite elegant, but generous in size. It is quite versatile considering the possibility of inserting a Sim and transforming it into a smartphone, complete with support for the Play Store, therefore potentially able to run many applications that are normally installed on a phone.
Certainly the circular screen is not the best for the use of the various apps, which will for the most part be cut at the edges. Some of the pre-installed watch faces are very beautiful, some with animated backgrounds that stand out in a display with excellent resolution.
At the moment it costs about 130 euros and can be purchased directly at this address in the completely black variant or with silver case.
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