Noise ColorFit Ultra 5 Smartwatch Review: Style Meets Substance?

The smartwatch market in India is booming, with new entrants popping up every other week. This week, I got my hands on the Noise ColorFit Ultra 5, the latest offering from the popular Indian brand. My first impression? It’s sleek, stylish, and packed with features, but does it deliver on its promises? After a week of rigorous testing, here's my detailed review for News Reporter Live.

Design and Build Quality: The ColorFit Ultra 5 boasts a premium design with its metallic finish and rectangular dial. The 1.96-inch AMOLED display is vibrant and bright, even under direct sunlight – a must-have for us in India. The single button on the side is responsive, and the overall build feels solid. It's also lightweight, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day and even during sleep. The watch comes with a silicone strap, which is comfortable but can get a little sweaty. I wish Noise had offered a leather or metallic strap option in the box.

Display: As mentioned, the 1.96-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature. The colors are punchy, the text is sharp, and the viewing angles are excellent. The touch response is smooth, and navigating through the menus is a breeze. There’s also an always-on display feature, which is handy for quickly glancing at the time and notifications. However, it does take a toll on the battery life.

Performance and Features: Smooth Operation for Daily Use?

The ColorFit Ultra 5 comes loaded with features, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep tracking, and a variety of sports modes. In my testing, the heart rate monitor was fairly accurate, consistently providing readings close to my chest strap monitor. The SpO2 tracking seemed a bit inconsistent, though. The sleep tracking is decent, providing a breakdown of sleep stages, but it's not as detailed as some of the more expensive smartwatches. The watch supports Bluetooth calling, and I found the call quality to be clear, both indoors and outdoors. The watch also supports voice assistants, but I didn't find it particularly useful.

Speaking to News Reporter Live, a Noise spokesperson said, "We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible smartwatch experience at an affordable price point. The ColorFit Ultra 5 is a testament to that commitment."

Battery Life: Battery life is always a crucial factor, and the ColorFit Ultra 5 delivers decent performance in this area. With moderate usage, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and notifications, I was able to get around 5 days of battery life. However, with the always-on display enabled, the battery life dropped to around 3 days. Charging is relatively quick, taking about 2 hours to fully charge.

Camera Performance and Comparisons

The ColorFit Ultra 5 doesn't feature a camera. This is a common omission in this price range, but it's still worth noting for those who prioritize this feature. For comparison, the Realme Watch 3 Pro, which is in a similar price bracket, also lacks a camera.

Pros:

• Vibrant AMOLED display
• Premium design
• Decent battery life
• Bluetooth calling

Cons:

• Inconsistent SpO2 tracking
• Silicone strap can get sweaty
• No built-in GPS

Noise ColorFit Ultra 5 Alternatives in India

The Noise ColorFit Ultra 5 faces stiff competition in the Indian market. Some notable alternatives include:

• Realme Watch 3 Pro: Offers a larger display and built-in GPS, but the design isn't as premium.
• boAt Wave Ultima: A more affordable option with a similar feature set, but the display isn't as good.
• Fire-Boltt Phoenix Pro: Another budget-friendly option with Bluetooth calling, but the build quality is questionable.

Verdict: The Noise ColorFit Ultra 5 is a solid smartwatch that offers a good balance of features, design, and price. The vibrant AMOLED display and premium design are definite highlights. While the SpO2 tracking could be more accurate, and the lack of built-in GPS is a drawback, it's still a compelling option for those looking for a stylish and feature-rich smartwatch under ₹5,000. I reportersays give it a 4 out of 5 stars.