Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 Review: Smartwatch Worth Buying?

Noise ColorFit Ultra 3: First Impressions

The smartwatch market in India is exploding, with new entrants popping up every week. This week, I got my hands on the Noise ColorFit Ultra 3, the latest offering from the homegrown brand Noise. My first impression? It's a looker. The bright AMOLED display and sleek design immediately caught my eye. But does it have the substance to match the style? Let's dive in.

Design and Build Quality

The ColorFit Ultra 3 boasts a metallic finish around its rectangular dial, giving it a premium feel that belies its price point. The silicone strap is comfortable enough for all-day wear, even during sweaty workout sessions. I particularly like the rotating crown on the side, which makes navigating the interface a breeze. It feels solid in hand, and after a week of fairly rigorous use – including a couple of accidental bumps against doorframes – it's held up remarkably well. It's also IP68 water-resistant, meaning you can take it for a swim without worry. In comparison to other smartwatches in this segment, the build quality feels noticeably superior.

Display: Vibrant and Crisp

The 1.96-inch AMOLED display is undoubtedly the star of the show. Colors are punchy, blacks are deep, and the screen is bright enough to be easily visible even under direct sunlight. The 332 PPI resolution ensures that text and images look sharp. I enjoyed using it to read notifications, check the time, and even browse through my workout data. The raise-to-wake feature is responsive, and there's also an always-on display option for those who prefer it. However, the always-on display does take a toll on the battery life.

Performance and Features

The ColorFit Ultra 3 offers a decent array of features, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep tracking, and various sports modes. In my testing, the heart rate and SpO2 readings were generally accurate, although I wouldn't rely on them for medical diagnosis. The sleep tracking feature provides detailed insights into your sleep patterns, including deep sleep, light sleep, and REM sleep. The smartwatch also supports Bluetooth calling, allowing you to make and receive calls directly from your wrist. The call quality is surprisingly good, even in noisy environments. Notifications are delivered promptly, and you can customize which apps are allowed to send notifications to your watch.

Battery Life: A Mixed Bag

Battery life is where the ColorFit Ultra 3 falls a little short. With normal usage, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and receiving notifications, I was able to get around 4-5 days of battery life. However, with the always-on display enabled, the battery life dropped to just 2-3 days. This is quite average compared to some of its competitors, like the Realme Watch 3 Pro, which offers significantly better battery life. While testing, reportersays, I found that continuous GPS use during workouts drains the battery even faster. So, if you're a heavy user, you might need to charge it every other day.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Vibrant AMOLED display
• Premium design and build quality
• Bluetooth calling
• Accurate heart rate and SpO2 monitoring

Cons:

• Average battery life
• Software could be more polished
• GPS accuracy can be inconsistent

Alternatives in the Indian Market

The Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 faces stiff competition in the Indian smartwatch market. Some noteworthy alternatives include:

• Realme Watch 3 Pro: Offers better battery life and built-in GPS.
• boAt Wave Ultima: A more budget-friendly option with a similar feature set.
• Fire-Boltt Phoenix Pro: Known for its stylish design and affordable price.

Verdict: A Solid Contender

The Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 is a well-rounded smartwatch that offers a good balance of features, design, and performance. While the battery life could be better, the vibrant AMOLED display, premium build quality, and Bluetooth calling make it a compelling option for the price. If you're looking for a stylish and feature-rich smartwatch without breaking the bank, the ColorFit Ultra 3 is definitely worth considering.

Rating: 4/5 stars