Withings' new hybrid smartwatch, the Scanwatch Nova, might knock my favorite Garmin hybrid off my wrist

Date:
Tue, 05 Dec 2023 15:00:47 +0000

Description:
The new Withings Scanwatch Nova looks like a sleek, stylish way to fuel my hybrid smartwatch addiction.

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Withings has unveiled the Withings Scanwatch Nova, the latest entry in its series of hybrid smartwatches with an emphasis on heart health. This
iteration uses the heart health and smart-tracking capabilities of its recently-released Scanwatch 2, with a case, bezel, face and strap that are more akin to a premium dive watch.

The Scanwatch Novas main point of difference from the Scanwatch 2 is the materials used in its construction: its still an analog watch, with physical hands and a small OLED screen within the watchs face, but its now got a ceramic and stainless steel rotating bezel, along with Luminova hollow watch hands and thick raised indices that glow in the dark. Its case and strap are also made of stainless steel, and the screen and face of the watch are protected by anti-reflection sapphire glass.

The overall feel is that of a premium dive watch with a metal strap (or an optional workout-friendly alternative strap) that, at first glance, doesnt look like one of the best smartwatches around, but its packing all of the Scanwatch 2s smarts including an electrocardiogram (ECG) heart-scanning functionality. Most smartwatches above a certain price range come packing
ECGs these days (the best cheap smartwatches don't tend to have the feature), but few of them are approved by the US Food & Drug Administration, and the Scanwatch range is one of the few given medical-grade clearance. (Image credit: Withings)

The watch has a massive 30-day battery life, and is said to track advanced cardiovascular vitals including, heart rate, heart rate variability It is
also able to measure SpO2, breathing disturbances and track sleep patterns, providing a Sleep Quality score similar to those from the best Fitbit or best Garmin watch .

Withings TempTech24/7 temperature sensor looks at the differences between ambient and skin temperature during sleep and during exercise to gain a
better understanding of your health; this can indicate the onset of illness. Again, none of these features are particularly new, but Withings, like the Oura Ring , places wellness and health above fitness or smartwatch functionalities.

The Withings Scanwatch Nova is available now priced at $599.95 in the US and 549.95 in the UK, with Australia pricing TBC. Analysis: hybrid watches are here to stay (Image credit: Matt Evans)

Way back in January, I reviewed the Garmin Instinct Crossover and loved it.
Im a real G-Shock person, and it completely scratched that itch for a smart, but not too smart, but still stylish analog watch. It had real, physical hands, bags of running metrics, advanced GPS credentials, sleep tracking and
a very long battery life the last two of which features it shares with the Scanwatch Nova.

Now I can get a metal dive watch for 550 with real analog hands (sorry,
Huawei Watch GT 4 , but thats what you were missing) and plenty of great
smart capabilities? Sign me up. It may not be a running watch per se it
lacks GPS but with an accurate heart rate monitor, itll certainly do for a quick morning workout or a swim (its rated at 10ATM).

I love the look of the watch based on the images weve seen so far, and its a smartwatch that wouldnt look out of place when worn with, for example, a proper two-piece suit, in the way one of the best Apple Watches or the Instinct Crossover might. As much as I love it, it is a bulbous, ungainly thing, more suited for a trail run than a wedding. In much the same way as
you might not go to prom in a dirt-covered pickup truck, Id rather wear a metal dive watch to a formal event than the Instinct Crossover.

Still, whatever their setting, I love smartwatches with analog hands, and Im glad hybrid smartwatches continue to carve out their own niche in the genre. I'm looking forward to reviewing the Scanwatch Nova. You might also like
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/withings-new-hybrid-smar twatch-the-scanwatch-nova-might-knock-my-favorite-garmin-hybrid-off-my-wrist


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