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Review on BLU X Link - Silver Smartwatch Compatible with Android and iOS by Katie Bowers

Revainrating 2 out of 5

I don't see a market for this watch at all

I review about a dozen smartwatches a year and they vary greatly in price. When it comes to wearables in 2018, I unexpectedly revert to a simplistic approach. Watches like the Pebble 2 really gave users exactly what a wearable should have: push notifications, time of course, and some health-tracking apps. Where does X Link appear? This was released before BLU publicly acknowledged and announced the need for changes, particularly in their quality control. Rather than churn out "new" all-in-ones at low prices every month, the company has now decided to shift the focus to quality over quantity. This X Link watch is one of the last of BLU's old guard. At first glance this looks like a great product, similar to most BLU devices. But as in these cases, once you get your hands on the product and test it, much of what you're willing to forgive about the price quickly turns into resentment of the product. The watch is solidly built with decent materials. You're wondering why it's only like $50. Then you get access to all the features of this fundamentally redesigned Chinese generic smartwatch, and the user experience leaves a lot to be desired. The operating system falls short when compared to rivals in both the larger OEM space and the no-name brand space. That. For a few extra $10 you can get the Amazfit Bip which is not only a good budget smartwatch but a good period smartwatch. Battery life, functionality and everything that matters, X Link excels. It's just not a very good daily ride. The only reason I could think of buying this device is as a cheap gift for a kid and an introduction to a wearable. The problem is that you can forget about the child, they are bulky and heavy even for an adult. I don't see a market for these watches.

Pros
  • An absolute legend
Cons
  • Makes me nervous