TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra vs TicWatch Pro 3 review

The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra follows the Pro 3 from spring 2021. We compared the successor with the Pro 3. 

The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra is not much different from the normal Pro 3. In this review we will only look at the differences between the two smartwatches. Everything else has remained the same and can be found in my detailed review of the TicWatch Pro 3 can be read. 

Technical data:

Design of the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra:

A first look at both watches reveals that little has changed in terms of design. The watch looks a little smaller because the edges with the arrow have been removed, meaning the frame has been completely grooved. The case is made of stainless steel and feels a lot more high-quality on the arm than that of the Pro 3. This is also due to the new strap, which is now made of rubber. The material is supposed to be a lot more robust than the silicone of the Pro 3, but that will only be apparent after a while. At least the watch has a certification according to MIL-STD-810G get what officially makes them resistant to "sand and dust, rain, solar radiation" and much more.

Display of the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra:

As with the Pro 3, Mobvoi has installed two displays in the Ultra model. Above the 1,4 inch AMOLED display is a dedicated FSTN display for the Always On Screen. This ensures a longer battery life and can now be illuminated in different colors in "Essential Mode". There are a total of 18 colors to choose from, including a simple white or blue. The display itself is now equipped with Gorilla Glass and is therefore also more resistant than the non-Ultra model.

The FSTN display can now be illuminated in color (GIF: Mobvoi)

New tracking functions:

While the normal Pro 3 did not have a compass, Mobvoi has made improvements to the Ultra model. Otherwise, you have access to all the important positioning systems (GLONASS, Galileo, Beidu, QZSS), so that the GPS was found quite quickly when jogging. A barometer (for measuring altitude) has also been installed, but this was also already built into the normal model. The 21 sports modes in the "TicÜbung" app are also "more or less new". These are introduced with the Ultra model, but have now also arrived on my normal Pro 3 watch. New are: HITT, Pilates, basketball, football, badminton, taekwando, table tennis and ice skating.

The Pro 3 Ultra shows you how mentally/physically tired you are. (Image: Mobvoi)

There are also two new health features. The first is “24 hour monitoring of physical and mental condition”. Every half hour the watch measures the heart rate variability and thereby calculates the mental and physical fatigue. This is then divided into five levels, which can be viewed in the "TicGesundheit" app. The second function is the detection of fast or slow heartbeats. If the heartbeat is irregular, a notification will be sent out. I could not test this function (luckily) and should still not be seen as a "medical recommendation".

And finally ...

The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra is a good smartwatch and starts at the same RRP of €299 as the Pro 3 (which now costs €255). Should you go for the Pro 3 or the Ultra? For me, that depends on your personal priorities. Do you need a more durable model? Do you want the color FSTN display? If you don't absolutely need that, then the regular Pro 3 is still a very good option. If you already have that, you don't need to upgrade, it's definitely not worth it.