Puma goes after Nike and Adidas with a self-branded smartwatch powered by Wear OS

Publish date: 2024-05-25
It's no longer a big secret that Wear OS smartwatches aren't exactly selling like hotcakes, as proven by the latest global vendor chart, dominated by Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit, neither of which is using Google's software platform for your wrist. But the search giant still has quite a few active hardware-making partners, the most important and prolific of which sells its smartwatches under many different brands, including Michael Kors, Diesel, Emporio Armani, Kate Spade, and of course, Fossil.

Instead of three side-mounted buttons, you only get a large and stylish crown imprinted with the Puma logo, while the 44mm cut-out case is made of an interesting combination of aluminum and nylon to stay relatively light but also decently robust. A textured silicone strap completes a decidedly sporty look that aims to "easily transition from the gym to the street" without turning a lot of heads.

The list of features seems pretty straightforward as well, with no major omissions or surprising advantages over the fitness-centric smartwatch competition. You have your built-in heart rate monitor, standalone GPS functionality, NFC support for wrist payments, swim-proof design, all the activity tracking basics, as well as everything that makes Wear OS great... on paper, including Google Assistant integration and Play Store access.

The Puma Smartwatch is not particularly affordable, at $275, but with a sharp 1.19-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, and up to 24-hour battery life also in tow, the value for money seems fair. Not impressive but certainly not bad either. Hardcore fans of the world's third largest sportswear brand should look forward to a November release.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.

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