Comparison Amazfit Arc vs Meizu Bong 2S

The type of display installed in the watch/bracelet.

— Colour. Such displays are often found in classic smartwatches and are almost mandatory for watch phones (see "Type"). They allow you to display a wide variety of types of information — not only numbers or indicators, but also pictures, videos, web pages, etc. Among the shortcomings of colour displays in this case are high power consumption (which negatively affects the battery life of the device), as well as a rather high cost.

— Monochrome. There are two types of screens in this category. The first is single-colour displays, like those sometimes found on miniature MP3 players. They are significantly inferior in versatility to full-colour versions and can display only text and simple graphics, but they are cheaper and consume less power. This option is found among fitness trackers (see "Type"). Another variety of "monochrome" is e-ink, "electronic paper", known primarily from electronic books. Such displays can even be used in smartwatches — in addition to the actual colour, they are inferior to the colour versions only in the refresh rate, while consuming much less energy. The main disadvantage of e-ink is the rather high cost.

— Is absent. The complete absence of a display is typical primarily for fitness trackers (see "Type"): the main purpose of such accessories is to collect inform...ation, and other methods are often enough for notifications — the simplest light indicators, sound signals, vibration, etc. Another specific type of non-display device is the smartwatch in the form of a conventional "hand watch" supplemented with indicators on the dial and/or other means of notification.

— TFT. The simplest type of liquid crystal panel used in colour displays. They provide a relatively low, but generally sufficient image quality, while they are much cheaper than more advanced options. This type does not require backlight — more precisely, the backlight is part of the screen itself and turns on with it. Of the unequivocal disadvantages, it is worth noting that many TFT panels have rather limited viewing angles; however, as technology improves, this drawback is gradually eliminated.

— IPS. A variety of LCD panels created in an attempt to eliminate the shortcomings of TFT. There are many subspecies of IPS panels, but they all feature high colour reproduction quality, excellent brightness and wide viewing angles. The disadvantage of this option is the relatively high cost.

— OLED. In this case, we mean the technology used to create the simplest monochrome displays. In such screens, each segment that makes up the image is a separate LED, which eliminates the need for external illumination (and even the display itself can be used as a flashlight).

— AMOLED. Screens based on a panel of active organic light emitting diodes. Similar to various types of TFT, this technology allows the creation of high-resolution colour displays. Its key feature is that the screen doe...s not require a separate backlight system — in AMOLED panels, each pixel glows independently, resulting in somewhat lower power consumption. At the same time, such screens are distinguished by good colour reproduction quality, excellent brightness and wide viewing angles, however, they are much more expensive than TFT.

— Super AMOLED. An enhanced version of the AMOLED technology described above, delivering more expansive colour reproduction and brightness, as well as improved touch accuracy and speed, all at a thinner display and lower power consumption. In addition, the degree of reflection of external light is reduced, such a panel gives less glare and is better visible in sunlight.

— E-Ink (E-Paper). Displays made using "electronic paper" technology; in addition, this category also includes screens such as Memory LCD. The classic E-Ink screen is black and white, does not have a backlight (however, it can be built into particular gadgets), has a very low refresh rate and is poorly suited even for stopwatches, not to mention videos or animated pictures. On the other hand, "electronic paper" is perfectly visible in bright light and has a very low power consumption: it requires electricity only when the image is changed, while a still image remains visible even when the power is completely turned off. Memory LCD screens, in turn, with the same advantages, are almost as good as classic LCD panels in terms of refresh rate, but for a number of reasons they are not widely used.

— Transflective. A specific type of LCD panels that can work both due to its own backlight and due to reflected light. In bright external light (for example, in the sun), such a screen effectively reflects it and does not require a separate backlight — however, it is still included in the design and turns on in low light. This type of operation can significantly reduce power consumption compared to traditional LCD screens, where the image is not visible without backlight; in addition, good visibility in bright light is also an important advantage. The main disadvantage of panels of this type is their high cost; in addition, they are made mostly monochrome.

- LTPO. OLED and AMOLED matrices with an adaptive refresh rate that varies over a wide range based on the tasks performed. When rendering dynamic frames, screens with LTPO technology automatically raise the refresh rate to the maximum values, while viewing static images, they automatically reduce it to the minimum. At the heart of the technology is a traditional LTPS substrate with a thin TFT oxide film on top of the TFT base. Dynamic control of the refresh rate is provided by controlling the electron flow. The key benefit of LTPO screens is their reduced power consumption.

The size of the display installed in the gadget; for round screens, respectively, the diameter is indicated.

A larger screen, on the one hand, is more convenient to use, on the other hand, it significantly affects the dimensions of the entire device, which is especially critical for wearable gadgets. Therefore, manufacturers choose the display size in accordance with the purpose and functionality of each specific model — so that there is enough space on the screen and the device itself is not too bulky.

It is also worth mentioning that screens with a similar size may have different aspect ratios. For example, traditional smartwatches are usually equipped with square or round panels, while in fitness trackers, screens are often made elongated in height.

The capacity of the battery that is installed in the gadget.

Theoretically, the higher the capacity, the longer the battery can work on a single charge. However, in fact, the battery life of the gadget also depends on its power consumption, and it is determined by the specs of the display and the hardware. Therefore, only models of the same type with very similar specs can be compared in terms of battery capacity; and for an accurate assessment of battery life, it is better to focus on the directly claimed operating time in one mode or another (see below).

It is also worth mentioning that high-capacity batteries inevitably turn out to be quite heavy and bulky. So the capacity of batteries installed in wearable gadgets is also greatly limited by size and weight.

The time that the gadget can work on one battery charge (or the supplied battery) in normal use.

Normal mode, as a rule, means working with a relatively low load. At this time, the display can display some data, and basic functions can also work (counting steps, periodically checking heart rate, etc.), but in any case, power consumption is low. Therefore, the operating time in normal mode can be quite impressive, up to several weeks, or even months. However, when choosing, it doesn’t hurt to also pay attention to the stated time in active mode (see below) — especially if a long operating time is critical, or you plan to use the gadget intensively. The actual autonomy of the device will most likely be somewhere in between these two values, depending on the actual load. If only the time in normal mode is indicated for the gadget, you should choose with a certain reserve.

The time that the gadget is able to work on one charge of the battery in the active mode of use.

For watch-phones (see “Type”), this usually means a talk mode, for other gadgets, an intensive work mode when numerous features and sensors are used and there is a constant exchange of data with a smartphone/tablet. However, the specific understanding of the "active mode" for different manufacturers may vary: some indicate the time at maximum performance (that is, in fact, guaranteed battery life), others — in some kind of "average mode". However, anyway, this is a fairly clear parameter that describes the battery life of a particular model quite well (and is much closer to real indicators than the time in normal mode mentioned above).

Note that for models with a GPS sensor (see "Navigation"), the specifications may additionally specify the time of active operation using such a sensor. See "Operating time (GPS)" for details.

The type of clasp used on a gadget's strap or bracelet.

The most common types of clasps today are the classic buckle, folding clip, folding lock, magnet, snap fastener, and Hook-and-loop. If several options are indicated in the specs at once, it means that the gadget is supplied or can be supplied with different strap options using different types of fasteners. Here is a detailed description of each type:

– Classic (with buckle). Clasp resembling a belt buckle; originally used in traditional wristwatches, but nowadays it has become widespread in smart gadgets. On one half of such a fastener there is a U-shaped or similar frame with a special pin, on the second — a row of holes. When fastening, the second half is threaded through the frame, and the pin is fixed in one of the holes. At the same time, by choosing a particular hole, you can adjust the size of the strap. In addition, the advantages of the classics are reliability, neat appearance and compatibility with many strap materials (with the exception of metal bracelets).

— Clip (unfolding). An option for metal bracelets. The most widespread type of clip, consisting of two curved plates connected by an axis. When unfastened, they open like a book, increasing the overall length of the bracelet and allowing you to easily r...emove the watch from your hand, and when fastened, they fold close to each other and are fixed, securing the bracelet on your wrist. Another, less popular variety is the “butterfly”, which has two flaps that, when opened, rise like wings. In general, the clips are very easy to use, but difficult to set up. They fasten and unfasten with literally one click, but it’s impossible to reconfigure the size of a bracelet with a clip “on the go” — you have to disconnect and reconnect special latches, which requires an additional tool and some skill.

— Magnetic. A fastener in which a strong permanent magnet plays the role of a latch. Such devices are simple and convenient both in use and in adjustment: for fastening and unfastening, it is enough to “stick” or “unstick” a magnet, and size adjustment is carried out right at the time of fastening — by tightening the strap to the desired length. The main disadvantage of such a clasp is that it can only be used with metal bracelets made of magnetic alloys — for example, steel.

— With lock. A clasp that resembles the buckle described above, but has a slightly different principle of operation. On one side of the strap with such a clasp there is a latch pin, on the other side there is a loop of a D-shaped or other shape, as well as a number of holes. When fastening, the side with the pin is threaded into the loop and then fixed in one of the holes; By choosing one or another hole, you can adjust the length of the strap. This design is especially suitable for rubber straps, it is simpler and at the same time more reliable than the buckle, which can also be used with such straps.

— Hook-and-loop. Classic hook-and-loop closure, used exclusively with fabric straps. Like magnetic clasps (see above), such clasps allow you to very accurately adjust the length of the strap right in the process of fastening. Among the disadvantages of Hook-and-loop, in addition to restrictions on the materials of the strap, it is worth noting the tendency to reduce reliability as it wears out. Therefore, nowadays, this type of fastener is quite rare, and is almost never used as the only one available — usually Hook-and-loop is supplemented with another option, for example, a latch.

— Folding lock. Clasp in the form of a detachable lock, the halves of which are on different halves of the bracelet. It is used with finely woven metal bracelets, the so-called "Milanese" ones; at the same time, one half is fixed motionless, and the second can move along its part of the bracelet — in this way the length is adjusted. A tool may be required for adjustment, but the procedure itself is simple — much easier than with clips. And the low prevalence of folding locks is mainly due to the fact that Milanese bracelets are rarely found in smart wearable gadgets.

In most cases, the weight of the watch body itself is indicated as the weight of the model, since the strap is removable and can be replaced with another one. However, there are also models when the weight is presented with an included strap. Anyway, if the manufacturer indicates a specific method of measuring weight (with or without a strap), we add this information.