Put down your phone and put on the $200 TicWatch C2 smartwatch

Mobvoi, the company we know for producing low-cost, high-quality smartwatches, has launched its latest model — the TicWatch C2, and it’s tying both the watch and a new pair of true wireless headphones into the current trend towards digital wellbeing, and the need to lessen the time we spend on our phones.

Price and availability

If the TicWatch C2 looks good to you, it’s available to buy now in the U.S and the U.K.. All three models — onyx, platinum, and rose gold — cost $200 or 180 British pounds through Mobvoi’s own website, where you also get a 30-day money back guarantee. Great if you’re not sure if the watch will be for you once you try it on. The TicPods Free are available to buy online through Mobvoi’s website too, and cost $130 or 120 British pounds.

You can read our review of the TicWatch C2 here, and the TicPods Free in-ear headphones here, to find out if they’re suitable for your needs.

TicWatch C2

The C in TicWatch C2 stands for Classic and fittingly, the watch has a minimalist design that will suit most wrists. To ensure it does, Mobvoi made two slightly different versions of the TicWatch C2 in three finishes. While the face and screen size are the same, the rose gold model has a thinner 12.8mm profile compared to the 13.1mm thickness of the platinum and onyx versions and also has an 18mm strap rather than a 20mm strap.

All TicWatch C2 watches have a 1.3-inch AMOLED screen with a 360 x 360-pixel resolution and are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 processor. No, the newer Snapdragon 3100 is not available yet, so you’ll have to make do with the older version here. The battery has a 400mAh capacity, and Mobvoi says it will last around a day and a half, but in our experience, only a day of use is likely, unless you’re very careful.

The TicWatch C2 has GPS and a heart rate sensor to increase its fitness tracking ability, along with NFC for Google Pay use, which is great news. The body is made from both plastic and stainless steel, and has an IP68 water resistant rating, while the straps are leather. Google’s Wear OS is installed, making the C2 compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It’s the latest version of Wear OS too, so the software easier to navigate, and has improved notifications.

Mobvoi’s idea is for the smartwatch to become a device that helps us look around, enjoy life as it goes on without staring at our phones, while still remaining connected and aware of incoming notifications. It’s a similar tactic to Palm and its Palm (2018) companion phone. However, the TicWatch C2 costs $200, or 180 pounds, and is available without a contract.

TicPods Free

Mobvoi also has a pair of true wireless headphones called TicPods Free. Originally launched on Kickstarter in the summer, where they were successfully funded, these $130 in-ear ‘buds connect with Google Assistant or Siri, and have gesture controls built into the stems.

The design means they isolate the wearer from outside sounds, automatically detect when they are inserted or removed from your ear to pause or play audio and are resistant to sweat and rain. Battery life is quoted as four hours, or 18 hours with recharges from the case, and a 15-minute charge will return 85 minutes of use.

Combining the TicPods Free and the TicWatch C2 together means you’re still connected to your phone, and a virtual assistant; but not completely disconnected from the outside world.

Updated on December 7, 2018: Added in availability for the Mobvoi TicWatch C2