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TicWatch C2 Review

The C2 isn't an amazing smartwatch but it is a good upgrade pick if you are shopping on a budget
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TicWatch C2 Review (The TicWatch C2.)
The TicWatch C2.
Credit: Mobvoi
Price:  $200 List
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Manufacturer:   Mobovoi
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jan 15, 2019
57
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Ease of Use - 30% 6.0
  • Smart Functions - 20% 6.0
  • Display - 20% 6.0
  • Fitness Impact - 15% 5.0
  • Battery Life - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

While the TicWatch C2 does improve on the performance of its predecessor, the TicWatch E, it doesn't do well enough to earn an award. While it is better overall than the TicWatch E, it is also quite a bit more expensive, making it much less of a value option and unable to supplant the E as the Best Buy Award winner. However, while the C2 is quite a bit better than the E, it can't compare to the top products — some of which don't cost that much more — leaving the C2 in a bit of an awkward place. We do love the looks of this smartwatch and it has a solid set of features, making it a decent value if you are shopping strictly in the $200, but overall there are other products that we vastly preferred.
REASONS TO BUY
Supports mobile payment
Good value
Looks great
REASONS TO AVOID
Touchscreen didn't seem terribly responsive
HR monitor wasn't terribly accurate in our tests

Our Analysis and Test Results

The TicWatch C2 finished a bit ahead of the TicWatch E and just a point behind the Fitbit Ionic. The TicWatch C2 is a bit easier to use and has a more impressive set of smart functions than the Ionic, but doesn't match it in terms of fitness tracking abilities, display, or battery life. However, the C2 is quite a bit less expensive than the Ionic. The main differences between the C2 and the E are the addition of mobile payment capabilities and a much sleeker and more stylish design, but it does cost about $40-$50 more than the E does, making it a much less attractive bargain buy.

ticwatch c2 - the ticwatch c2.
The TicWatch C2.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Performance Comparison


To determine which wearable are really worth your time, we bought all the best smartwatches and tested them out head-to-head, scoring their performance in tons of different tests to pick our winners. We grouped these tests into five weighted rating metrics, with the TicWatch C2's results in each of these metrics outlined below.

ticwatch c2 - the touchscreen on the c2 can be a little wonky.
The touchscreen on the C2 can be a little wonky.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Use


The set of tests that constitute our ease of use metric are the most significant of our entire testing process, accounting for 30% of the final score for each smartwatch. We looked at how easy it is to use the touchscreen and navigate the menus, as well as charge the watch and swap between different wristbands. We also took into account how water resistant each watch is. The C2 did fairly well, meriting a 6 out of 10 for its performance.

The C2 is quite easy to charge, having a connector that attaches to the back of the watch with a reasonably strong magnet. You do have to take a little bit of time to line it up properly, but it isn't jostled loose from minor movements. It still isn't as secure as the watches that have actual charging cradles.

ticwatch c2 - the c2 is relatively secure on its charging base.
The C2 is relatively secure on its charging base.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The screen is a little slower than we would like to wake up when you raise, taking a full second before it illuminates. In terms of navigating menus, the touchscreen is decently responsive, though it can be a little finicky and register a swipe as a click. This is the only interface for scrolling on the C2, as it lacks a rotating crown or bezel.

It is super easy to swap wristbands, utilizing the typical watch mechanism, but the C2 isn't the most water resistant watch we have seen. While it is rated for IP68 — an improvement on its predecessor — it states that it shouldn't be taken swimming or in the shower, but is fine with rain and sweat. Unfortunately, we found it to be a bit finicky to take screenshots of the content on the watch and never really got it to work reliably through the WearOS (formerly Android Wear) app.

ticwatch c2 - the c2 uses wearos.
The C2 uses WearOS.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Smart Functions


Our next group of tests focused on the different features and abilities that set these products apart from regular watches and earn them their “Smart-” moniker. We looked at the compatibility with popular apps, if you can make phone calls from your wrist, control your music, or use it for payment options, as well as if it has a standalone GPS. Altogether, these evaluations account for 20% of the final score for the C2, which earned another 6 out of 10 overall when it came to smart functions.

The TicWatch C2 runs on WearOS, so it has the same amount of app compatibility as the other Android watches, with standalone versions of apps like Uber, Messenger, Spotify, Strava, and IFTTT all working normally. However, it doesn't come close to matching the library of available apps for the Apple Watch.

The C2 has an integrated microphone for voice command, but not a speaker, so you do need to use your phone to make or answer calls and can't rely on the watch alone.

We did like that this watch has a built-in GPS unit for navigation and fitness tracking, as well as NFC for mobile payment applications using Google Pay (Android Pay). It also has the standard set of basic controls when you are listening to music, letting you play/pause, adjust volume, or skip to the next track.

ticwatch c2 - the c2 has a nice display, but not as good as the top models.
The C2 has a nice display, but not as good as the top models.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Display


Our display metric is equally important as smart features, also making up 20% of the final score. We compared the screen quality of each watch and how easy they are to read in different lighting conditions, as well as if the brightness automatically adjusted or if you could set the backlight to be always on. The TicWatch C2 continued a trend, earning another 6 out of 10.

This watch has a 1.3" circular AMOLED screen that is actually quite high-quality, but it can't compare to the quality of the top Samsung or Apple watches. It's super easy to read in the dark, but it can be a bit of a pain to see in bright light.

You don't have the option to set the backlight to automatically adjust, but you can set it to be always on — at the expense of your battery life.

ticwatch c2 - the c2 utilizes wearos's fit activity app to track your fitness.
The C2 utilizes WearOS's Fit Activity app to track your fitness.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Fitness Impact


Next, we compared the different fitness tracking abilities of each smartwatch. We looked at the accuracy of the step counter, stairs climbed sensor, and the heart rate monitor, as well as the different types of workouts tracked and the data recorded. The TicWatch C2 did about average in this metric, which is worth 15% of the final score.

This watch has a fairly accurate step counter, but the average discrepancy between the recorded count and the true count was about 40 steps over our mile-long trials.

ticwatch c2 - the c2 was an average of 2% off during our step trials.
The C2 was an average of 2% off during our step trials.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

We weren't huge fans of the HR monitor, as it would usually differ from the chest strap by about 5 bpm when stationary and would be wildly off when exercising.

ticwatch c2 - the c2 has a built-in optical heart-rate monitor.
The C2 has a built-in optical heart-rate monitor.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The TicWatch doesn't have track the flights of stairs climbed, but will track a variety of different workouts.

It uses the Fit Activity app for this by default or you can use a third-party app, like Strava or Runkeeper for activity tracking. It records a decent amount of data and has an integrated GPS unit so you can go on a run and leave your phone behind without sacrificing the quality of the data recorded.

ticwatch c2 - the c2's battery should make it through the day.
The C2's battery should make it through the day.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Battery Life


Our last metric, responsible for the remaining tenth of the total score, assessed the battery life of each smartwatch. We scored each product based on how long it lasted with normal use and how quickly it can be recharged, with the TicWatch C2 meriting another 5 out of 10.

This watch lasted between 24-30 hours with normal use, so you can expect to charge it every night. Compared to the other wearables we have reviewed, this is slightly below average. However, it does charge quite quickly, reaching a 50% charge in only 36 minutes and completely refilling a dead battery in about 80 minutes.

Value


This watch isn't a great value, as it isn't that much better than some considerably less expensive models.

Conclusion


All in all, the C2's performance puts it in a bit of an awkward spot. It is a little too expensive to be a great bargain option, but it can't match the top products. It is our favorite watch for $200, but only if you are spending exactly $200. There are watches that are quite a bit better that retail for only $30-$50 more and watches that aren't that much worse that retail for $30-$50 less. If you want the best, it's worth it to pay more or we would recommend going with a different model if you are shopping for a bargain buy.

David Wise and Austin Palmer