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Crossbeats Nexus Review: Since ChatGPT revolutionised the AI landscape across global borders, people have been keen to use the conversational bot on their tech gadgets. Although you might have heard of the smartphone app and web experience, Crossbeats introduced a solution that enables you to access the viral model on your wrist with the Ignite Nexus smartwatch.

We received the product for review and have been using it for a while now. The watch offers ChatGPT AI assistant, Dynamic Island-like capsule, E-Book Reader and more segment-first features for the price. However, it has a set of stumbling blocks, which buyers should know if they plan to purchase a smartwatch in the sub-Rs 5,000 range or invest in the ChatGPT buildup. So, let's start with the design and go category-wise.

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Design and Build

Straight out of the box, the metallic dial seems inspired by the latest Apple Watch. From a distance, a typical user may mistake it for a product from California due to the widgets on the home screen (more on software later). The meticulous exterior, including the strap design and rotating crown, are appealing and will likely be one of the selling points of the watch.

The watch has a metallic frame and silicone straps. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

The strap has a soft and comfy feel, making the Ignite Nexus an excellent companion throughout the day. The package also includes a protective plastic case to safeguard the rims of the watch and the secondary button. A rotating dial sits on the frame, which has good integration across the watch's UI.

Display

The watch offers a 2.1-inch 'AMOLED' screen with 700nits peak brightness, according to Crossbeats. However, the display does not perform like an OLED panel. The pixels stay lit even when the Always-On feature is enabled, which affects the black parts of a watch face and the UI.

I was informed (by a PR representative) that the company is "actively inspecting this to address and resolve the issue promptly", and the problem is likely linked to "new features and settings". However, in its current state, I cannot endorse the fact that the Nexus offers deep blacks.

Crossbeats Nexus offers uniform bezels around the display. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

On the bright side, the Nexus offers narrow bezels around the screen, which are uniform. The touch response is good too. Colours are produced well, and the sharpness is decent. However, minor pixelation is noticeable in white text. Nevertheless, this is not a deal breaker as such.

UI And App Support

The "MActivePro" app is where the heart of the watch rests. This application delivers a feature-rich experience. However, there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. The app provides health reminders for drinking water, avoiding sedentary posture and taking medications, which can be helpful for a select set of users.

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Weather, Altimeter and Calculator are some of the in-built apps on the Ignite Nexus. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

The raise-to-wake gesture works perfectly. Other nice-to-have features include alarms, weather forecast, QR code storage for social media apps, Emergency SOS, watchOS 10-like info widgets and more. I particularly appreciate the option to store local music and images via the app, which can be accessed from the watch.

While the app presents basic health data, the metrics and its health monitoring sensors should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. The pedometer and distance sensor are slightly on the lenient side when measuring steps. But they are useful for reference. The UI offers enough room for experimentation to monitor physical activity.

Ignite Nexus also gets a Sound Recorder and E-Book Reader, which are a great addition. However, the small display and lower battery life due to constant screen time can limit their usefulness. The Dynamic Island-like notch can help in catching up on notifications and ongoing activities like music and more.

The MActivePro app offers a wide range of paid and free watch faces. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

While the app offers a rich OS experience, users may find the presence of full-screen advertisements and horizontal ad placement on the home screen a bit overwhelming. Also, it would be great if the app could be further tailored for Indian users. Some suggestions include: listing the price of paid watch faces in rupees and accepting QR codes from Indian payment apps. Additionally, some users may find the overall design and text in the app a bit complex and could benefit from a simpler UI.

Crossbeats Nexus: ChatGPT Experience

Now let's discuss the blue whale in the room - how it feels to have OpenAI's ChatGPT on the wrist. Crossbeats Nexus' AI chatbot can be helpful in unique circumstances for one-word and short answers. There are some limitations to the character limit of responses. I noticed this when it ended an answer abruptly while discussing the third destination on "Best places to visit in New Delhi".

ChatGPT on the Nexus smartwatch can be helpful to solve quick queries without using your phone. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

The smartwatch's voice engine works well with short and easy words. But it struggles with complex Hindi words, such as "Qutub", when questioned about the height of Qutub Minar. Plus, it takes about 8-10 seconds to answer responses when linked to a Wi-Fi-connected smartphone. In all, the AI-based chatbot can be helpful for quick answers on the go.

Battery And Connectivity

The watch offers a 250mAh battery. It can survive for about 2-2.5 days with medium usage ranging from calls, casual music listening, occasional ChatGPT Q&A and more. If you switch on the Always On features, the battery lasts anywhere between 5-7 hours depending on the brightness level and other activities you perform on the watch. You can recharge the battery to 100 via the charging cable that ships with the watch (and attaches magnetically) in about three hours.

You can charge the smartwatch via the wireless charging cable provided in the box. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

Pairing with the timepiece is fast with the app, thanks to Bluetooth 5.3. I faced no connection or range issues with the watch. As for calling, the input was pristine indoors and I did not face any problems outdoors either. The watch gets a thumbs up for Bluetooth calling. Considering the price, Ignite Nexus' speaker is also loud and clear to deliver sound.

Should You Buy Crossbeats Nexus Smartwatch?

Priced at Rs 4,999, the Crossbeats Nexus is available in two shades: Black and Silver. This smartwatch gets a good build, smooth UI, segment-first features like ChatGPT and a feature-rich UI. However, the concerns in the display and the ads situation in the app do obstruct the premium feels. If Crossbeats can solve these two and make the price more competitive, this can be a good pick.

Ignite Nexus is a decent pick if you can digest the fact that it does not offer black levels like an OLED panel. (Image:Vikas Yadav/JE)

But, if you prefer a better display, cleaner software support, and can compromise on features, look for other options in the market.