Misfit Vapor X Evaluate: Easy, Fuss-free, and Spectacular

Misfit Vapor X Evaluate: Easy, unfussy, and really spectacular

“The Misfit Vapor X’s unfussy, handsome design hides a high-performance smartwatch that is extremely straightforward to stay with.”

Unisex design

Robust efficiency from Snapdragon 3100

Simply offers all-day battery life

Quick charging

Software program expertise can nonetheless be irritating

Strap high quality disappoints

The Misfit Vapor X smartwatch is among the finest Put on OS by Google smartwatches I’ve used shortly. It’s a watch I’ve worn constantly all through my evaluation (even after I may have chosen a beloved G-Shock) as a result of it match into my life so effectively with out blighting it with these infamous smartwatch issues, like horrible battery life or annoying software program.

It doesn’t have a loud design both, with Misfit preferring an understated look that ensures it goes with every thing, particularly within the stealthy black coloration. With so many smartwatches disappointing as a consequence of little irritations, the Misfit Vapor X proves not all Put on OS smartwatches are born equal.

Minimalist design, small display

Misfit does minimalism higher than most, and the Vapor X is considered one of its finest. The design is effortlessly cool and easy with out missing identification, and though Misfit is a sports activities model, the Vapor X doesn’t look too sporty. It seems nice with no matter I put on, becoming comfortably whether or not I used to be on the gymnasium or at a restaurant typing on my laptop computer, and the colours accessible imply I can go for a stealthy look or embrace one thing a lot brighter.

Sensibly, Misfit has deserted the a number of mannequin strategy from the Vapor 2 and made only one Vapor X. It’s light-weight at 43 grams and the 42mm large, 12mm thick case is compact sufficient that you just by no means discover it in your wrist. The round display has a delicate curve across the edge that catches the sunshine and enhances tactility when swiping throughout it. Character comes from the outsized crown, which is each a button and an interactive scroll wheel, and the dimensions and texture imply it’s straightforward to make use of. It’s lots much less gimmicky than the touch-sensitive bezel on the primary Misfit Vapor. Clean buttons flank the crown, able to activate Google Pay and Google Match, however you may customise what every button triggers.

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The straight lugs connect to a easy 20mm silicone strap that does entice lint when underneath a shirt sleeve. It’s pliant and has channels on the underside to cease you sweating, they usually actually work. The clasp is metallic and fairly skinny, and after I was eradicating the watch to cost it, it did separate from the strap itself. Refitting it was straightforward, however the pin holding it on is a bit small. I needed to barely bend the clasp arm to ensure it wouldn’t come off once more.

The 1.2-inch AMOLED display is brilliant however tiny, and the bezel across the edge is sizable — it undoubtedly seems higher whenever you use a black background on the watch faces. While you don’t, the bezel is noticeable to the purpose of being distracting. I by no means had any issues seeing the face exterior, so daylight visibility is nice. I used the always-on display all through my evaluation, and paired with the suitable watch face it’s completely legible.

The Misfit Vapor X by no means seems misplaced, too massive, or too flashy both.

Appropriate for all wrist sizes, for women and men, the Misfit Vapor X by no means seems misplaced, too massive, or too flashy both. It strikes the suitable steadiness between model and value and doesn’t ignore the very fact some folks desire a colourful mannequin and never only a black one. I’ve not set the Vapor X apart on the weekend or on a night out in favor of one other watch as a result of it seems glorious, and that’s critical reward for a smartwatch.

Efficiency and battery life

Inside is a Snapdragon 3100 processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of space for storing. This implies it’s equivalent to the Fossil Sport, however doesn’t get the enhancements made by Fossil for its fifth era platform. Having just lately struggled although life with the Diesel On Full Guard 2.5, which desperately wanted extra energy, the Vapor X has been a pleasure to stay with.

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I’m seeing smoother scrolling, shorter wait occasions, and fewer frustration with the Vapor X. Sure, the smartwatch nonetheless has to lean in your telephone to finish sure duties — something that requires a knowledge connection — and this ends in some pauses, however they’re extra excusable when it’s not the 10th such pause in succession.

Clean, fast, and comparatively seamless efficiency is crucial to creating the watch straightforward to stay with, and key in my choices to put on it as an alternative of swapping to a different watch. I used to be getting worth from its existence, reasonably than avoiding utilizing it as a result of it’s annoying. That is then backed up by the battery life. On most days, even with a Google Match monitoring session and a gentle stream of notifications, I’d finish a full day — about eight a.m. to 11 p.m. — with between 30 and 40% remaining after beginning out with a full cost. Charging it again up is fast, taking a bit greater than hour.

You’ll nonetheless cost it day-after-day, however there’s a very good likelihood it gained’t die on you whenever you’re out and about. Precisely what I need.

Options and health monitoring

The Vapor X has GPS on board, a wide range of sensors together with an altimeter and a gyroscope, NFC, a small microphone, plus there’s a coronary heart fee sensor on the again. Misfit doesn’t make a particular app for the Vapor X, and it’s not listed within the present (and reasonably outdated) Misfit health monitoring app accessible within the Play Retailer. Google’s Put on OS software program is put in and I’ve used it paired with an Android telephone, however the Vapor X can even work with an iPhone, though you’ll miss out on a couple of options.

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Health monitoring is taken care of by Google Match, which is neatly built-in with Put on OS. A fast swipe to the left, or a press of a button, opens Match, the place there are a number of monitoring modes. Setting it up isn’t troublesome, and monitoring a exercise session is fast to activate. The information might be referred to as again on the watch, or larger element might be discovered within the app in your telephone. Coronary heart fee information can also be recorded right here.

I discover Google Match completely acceptable, though should you’re anticipating extraordinarily detailed reviews or in-depth health monitoring for extremely particular sports activities, it might not be sufficient. Match nonetheless has nice options although, and I particularly prefer it monitoring objectives and adjusting them primarily based on exercise and the probability of assembly them. There’s extra motivation on this than attempting to fulfill objectives which are unimaginable. GPS works very well, and Google Maps is a extra fluid expertise than on earlier Put on OS watches.

No nonsense, no fuss, and no annoyance.

Exterior of this, the Misfit Vapor X is freed from particular apps that serve no specific goal, no fancy options you’ll by no means use, and solely a smattering of Misfit watch faces. Slightly than be a unfavourable level, that is one other constructive facet of the watch — it channels every thing into performing the mandatory features, in a slick method, that we wish from a smartwatch. No nonsense, no fuss, and no annoyance.

Put on OS

It’s Google’s Put on OS onboard, and earlier than you run away along with your palms waving within the air, it has been dependable, helpful, and surprisingly speedy on the Vapor X. It ought to at all times be this manner, however on some smartwatches, it’s not. The Snapdragon 3100 undoubtedly helps the software program carry out effectively, and the dearth of flashy watch faces and power-hungry apps stops the pointless power drain.

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Google Assistant might be referred to as up with a protracted press of the crown, or by swiping proper on the display. There may be an always-listening mode, and even surrounded by the ambient noise of a restaurant, the Assistant acknowledged my voice after I raised my wrist. I didn’t have to shout both and will begin navigation and ship WhatsApp messages with out touching my telephone. It’s stable, however Assistant isn’t at all times dependable, and I nonetheless really feel self-conscious talking to my watch in public.

Most issues come up with ready round for Put on OS to attach by means of your telephone. Use the Play Retailer, and the expertise is ponderous. It’s sooner and fewer annoying to simply get out your telephone. Putting in apps and watch faces continues to be a protracted and infrequently difficult course of, and Put on OS hardly ever advantages from being stuffed filled with apps. Use it as Misfit intends — with restricted bloat — and it’s an important smartwatch. Give it an excessive amount of to do, and it turns into much less pleasing to personal and use.

Notifications from my Android telephone got here by means of in a well timed style, however usually repeated themselves if I didn’t look immediately, nearly just like the watch was nagging me. This occurred largely with emails. Additionally, should you didn’t test the message, on the next vibration alert the display wouldn’t present the brand new message, however as an alternative concentrate on the outdated one. Annoying. Put on OS continues to be a blended bag. It’s higher on the Misfit Vapor X than different smartwatches I’ve worn, however it’s nonetheless lower than WatchOS’ requirements on the Apple Watch, and even Tizen on Samsung’s Galaxy watches.

Worth, guarantee, and availability

The Misfit Vapor X prices $280 and is available in all-black, rose gold with a gray strap, champagne with a lavender strap, gunmetal with a inexperienced strap, and stainless-steel with a navy blue strap. Misfit additionally sells a wide range of different straps, together with a metallic hyperlink bracelet, plus nylon and NATO-style straps.

It’s accessible by means of Misfit’s personal web site, and it’s coated by a two-year guarantee. It doesn’t cowl the bracelet, battery, or regular put on and tear.

Our Take

The Misfit Vapor X does every thing I desire a smartwatch to do — ship notifications, observe my exercise, and never be a burden as a consequence of pathetic battery life — in an understated design that doesn’t lack character. I’ve worn it for a few weeks, and by no means as soon as felt the necessity to swap it for one thing else.

Are there any higher options?

Higher options? The $200 Apple Watch Sequence three and nearly definitely the $400 Apple Watch Sequence 5 are the most effective smartwatches you should purchase, and should you personal an iPhone, it’s actually the one possibility to think about. If in case you have an Android telephone, the Vapor X competes with the $255 Fossil Sport, and if you wish to spend rather less, Mobvoi’s $160 Ticwatch E2.

Don’t overlook the Samsung Galaxy Watch Energetic 2 both. It makes use of Samsung’s Tizen software program, which is extra user-friendly than Put on OS, and we just like the design and options too. If design doesn’t matter as a lot as health options, then contemplate Fitbit’s $200 Versa 2, and if you would like far more detailed working metrics, check out the $400 Garmin Forerunner 645.

How lengthy will it final?

Offered you’re pleased with the performance and don’t assume you’ll out of the blue desire a extra fitness-orientated smartwatch, the Misfit Vapor X will final for 2 years if not a bit extra. Don’t anticipate many software program updates throughout that point, a minimum of primarily based on Google’s present Put on OS replace schedule, however when new software program is launched it at all times arrives in a well timed style.

The watch is waterproof to 50 meters, and the aluminum physique ought to resist gentle knocks, however this isn’t an excessively powerful mannequin. I’m barely involved about how simply the strap clasp got here away too, and the necessity for my modification, which concerned a pair of pliers to tighten the clasp’s grip on the pin.

Must you purchase it?

Sure. No-fuss, no main annoyances, and a design that can go well with most individuals and conditions, the Misfit Vapor X proves not all Put on OS smartwatches are born equal.

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