Review: Tozo S3 Smartwatch – Time flies when you’re having fun!

Like many of my peers around the world, James Bond was a childhood hero of mine. Well known for his gadgets, I always coveted his watches for getting him out of a sticky situation. Wrist-worn gadgets have been a prolific mainstay in popular culture over the years. So, it’s no surprise when life inevitably imitates art.

Whether you’re considering a career in espionage or simply want to benefit from the wealth of features a smartwatch offers, The S3 smartwatch from makers Tozo is worth a look for your first foray into this techno-laden niche.

In the box

The first thing that I noticed was the size of the box. A square, flat box that didn’t seem heavy enough to carry a watch. There was no indication of the contents, so I opened it with anticipation. Inside, the box contained several smaller boxes that tessellated to fill the available volume. These boxes contained the 1.83″ touchscreen watch face with a 240×284 pixel ratio, the rubber strap, the manual and a USB charging cable.

Setting up

I began by attempting to attach the straps to the watch face. This was an exercise in how dexterous my stubby fingers are. It required some patience and perseverance but was not insurmountable.

The peelable sticker that covered the touchscreen instructs the user to charge the watch before first use. Unlike USB cables I have used before, the charging cable has a USB-A connector at one end and an unusual (to me) magnetic connector at the other end which attaches to the back of the watch. Plugging the USB-A end into a compatible power adaptor (not supplied) was a breeze and the LED screen lit up and indicated the percentage charged. The watch was fully charged in less than an hour, to my relief.

Features

Reviewing techy gadgets is a passion of mine. I always feel a buzz when a new product arrives and I can never wait long to dive into what the product has to offer. Being a watch, I naturally presumed it would tell the time! I know other smartwatches can do a whole lot more besides. Sadly, resorting to the manual for help was a fruitless exercise not least because the type is so small. I headed to the Tozo website for enlightenment.

First things first, the S3 is compatible with Android and iPhone.

The user is required to download the Tozo Health app which allows the watch to be customised in so many ways to the user’s liking. For example, there is a variety of dial themes that can be chosen. These themes vary in design and what and how they display information. Once chosen, the theme has to be synced with the watch which is a quick transfer & install process which takes seconds. The Tozo S3 is equipped with Bluetooth Calling. This allows you to make and receive calls with the watch. How cool is this!? Once connected to your phone, you can link a handful of regular contacts to the phone. To me, this was a novel feature but I would have preferred to have linked all of my contacts to the watch.

With a 1.83 inch HD Color Touch Screen I found the screen size to be ok for basic visual feedback. A larger 2” screen would be better in my opinion.

The S3 has Heart Rate, Sleep, Blood & Activity Tracking. Much like other smartwatches, there is a (green) sensor on the reverse side of the touchscreen which is in contact with your arm and displays some body function readings. It’s important to note that the accuracy of these readings is not guaranteed. I tested my blood pressure with the watch on my left wrist and a normal blood pressure monitor on my right arm. Both readings were different by around 25-35% which for me, as a person with a health condition, is less than ideal.

The watch has a long-lasting battery life which should give around ten days of charge. The actual length will depend on how intensively you use the features.

Being IP68 Waterproof the watch should emerge unscathed after a regular gym session or a hike through rainy weather.

Step & Calorie Counter seem to be a given on smartwatches. The S3 is no exception. The S3 can also be programmed to remind you when to hydrate and also when to take your medication. A sleep monitor is also included as well as Stress and weather indicators.

Sum up

The Tozo S3 is a nice smartwatch if you want an entry-level device that has features that can be found on more pricier smartwatches. A product that was a figment of our imaginations just a few decades ago, the S3 is great value for money compared with its rivals Fitbit, Apple and Samsung. The S3 could even have you enacting the downfall of Bond villains and their cohorts!…maybe.

Where to buy and cost

Currently at a snip under $40, the Tozo S3 is ideal for your first entry into wearable technology.

To learn more or buy the Tozo S3, head on over to their website here.

Or check them out on Amazon here: