Buying a smartwatch in the under Rs 1,500 price category can be challenging. An average shopper is sent into a la-la land of options when they dare to find that perfect wrist companion crammed with features yet easy on the pocket. But worry not. We have a capable pick for you.
We received the Hammer Cyclone smartwatch a few days back, and it has been ruling my wrist since then. So does this deserve a place on your hands too? We'll find this together in this detailed review.
Also Read: Hammer Ace 3.0 Smartwatch Review: Packed With Style And Features Yet Easy On Pocket
Hammer Cyclone Design:
Right out of the box, I was amazed at how lightweight this watch is. The dial has a polycarbonate body, and the straps are constructed from silicone. It feels sturdy and well-built. Plus, the combo makes it extremely comfortable on the hands.
It does have considerable bezels around the 1.39-inch display. But since they are uniform, it did not bother me much. Cyclone's rotating crown adds to the premium touch and simplifies navigation throughout the UI. The vibration motor and the feedback from the side button are decent.
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UI and Features:
With no room for disappointment, the UI is feature-packed. It has heart rate, SpO2, Blood Pressure (BP) monitoring and female-oriented health features, which I can applaud loudly. I gave it to a person on BP medications for a short while. He seemed convinced by the readings but said the numbers were indicative. They are no replacement for a professional medical device.
Further, I manually monitored 100 steps and then cross-checked the accuracy with the Hammer Cyclone data. The results were accurate. It delivered a reading of 102. Adding to the features list is an IP67 rating against water and dust to ensure you stay worry-free during workouts and intensive exercises.
Connectivity and Call Quality:
I intensively used the watch for calls both outdoors and indoors. While the user complained of call quality outdoors, things were fine in a silent environment. I did sometimes crave higher volume outdoors from the speaker.
Bluetooth 5.2 ensures you do not lose touch with your Android or iPhone device. In my opinion, the calling features of the watch fall in the "Does The Job" tier.
Battery Life:
The watch can easily stretch for three days during medium usage. I connected the device to my phone in the morning, answered calls, listened to songs and played around with the UI throughout the day. In the end, it went from 100 to 70 per cent. This indicates the battery is well-optimised.
Scope of Improvements:
I'm among the advocates of metal build quality, but plastic may be a choice for users who prefer lightweight devices. One thing that the brand can reconsider in its future offering is extended warranty support. This watch ships with a six-month warranty, which can be stretched to one year. Further, fine-tuning the calling experience for outdoor surroundings should be on the list of future updates.
Hammer Cyclone Price and Availability:
The smartwatch retails for Rs 1,299 on Amazon and is available in four trendy colours: Ash Grey, Coral Peach, Midnight Black and Navy Blue. Hammer deserves appreciation for making the user manual available online and cutting down on paperwork in the box package.
Hammer Cyclone: Should You Buy?
Wristwatches have evolved from being more than a time-tracking device. If you are ready to step into this world, the Hammer Cyclone can be your foundation stone. The watch packs features such as BT calling, health monitoring, a customisable UI, and more that justify its affordable price tag. In short, without striking a massive blow in your purse, this wristwatch offers probably everything you can expect in return for your investment. However, if you are ready to stretch your spending, you can invest in a more premium build and extended warranty.