Nubia at MWC 2019: Wearable OLED Smartphone Coming to a Wrist Near You
by Anton Shilov on February 25, 2019 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Wearables
- Smartphones
- Nubia
- MWC 2019
Nubia, a division of ZTE, is prepping to release its first wearable watch-like smartphone. The device is currently being showcased at MWC in Barcelona, Spain, but the company is keeping the details about it under wraps until its official introduction later tonight (European time).
The Nubia α (alpha) is a wearable smartphone with an OLED-type display, which straps around your wrist and can then be controlled almost like a typical Google Android-based device. The watch-like smartphone has a camera and what looks like a fingerprint reader (probably coupled with a functional button) on the front. Meanwhile, there are two knobs on the right, which probably support some other functionality (Back, Home?).
The Nubia Alpha wearable smartphone will come in black and golden finishes. Both look very solid, but some may find them too bulky, even when compared to Apple’s Watch 42mm. Meanwhile, the smartphone will be shipped with wireless earbuds.
At present we have no idea what SoC the manufacturer is using for the smartphone, but we aren't expecting anything high performance due to space constraints for components and battery. Obviously, in a bid to provide a long-enough battery life, Nubia had to pick up a very energy-efficient application processor.
Stay tuned for our MWC coverage to learn more about the Nubia α and other upcoming devices that will be showcased during the trade show.
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PeachNCream - Monday, February 25, 2019 - link
Why? I can now have a lower performance, less capable phone with less battery life that I can't on-screen keyboard type with on my wrist instead of a more capable one in my pocket which are both within one arm's length distance from my face. I'd hate to try to use this thing for GPS navigation in my car, send a text message, or write an e-mail with it. That means I'll still have to carry around a phone in my pocket and if I'm going to do that anyway, why would I bother with a second one on my wrist at all? The only thing this might do is make a fashion statement for a limited slice of the population that is old enough to remember dreaming of a more functional Casio calculator watch and that's a pretty old, pretty dead cohort these days. Nubia may as well start shipping these things directly to graveyards in the hopes that a few zombies will take a passing interest in reliving their summers flipping through Dick Tracy comics.jordanclock - Monday, February 25, 2019 - link
"Why are companies making products that are not explicitly marketed to me and my use cases?" - PeachNCreamPeachNCream - Monday, February 25, 2019 - link
"I have no idea what to say, but I know I don't like Peach, so I'll just recycle this comment and hope no one notices." -jordanclockjordanclock - Monday, February 25, 2019 - link
Recycle? That was a fresh shitpost, my good sir. I don't doubt someone has lobbied the same complaint with you before, but I can't say I've seen it myself.But you are a negative nancy. I don't think I've ever seen a positive comment from you. It's always "Why would anyone want X?" "I don't need Y" and other PeachNCream-centric views.
Here's a rebuttal: Some people just don't look at their phones much. This form factor works great for that kind of person. All of the various assistants that are available are getting better all the time at doing things entirely verbally. A phone/watch like this with Bluetooth earbuds means that you can have all of the features of a modern smartphone (GPS, ubiquitous data, media, a plethora of contact methods) but it's just on your wrist.
Seriously, just because YOU don't think you could use something doesn't mean there aren't other people that could find it useful. Just because a product isn't meant to ship a billion units doesn't mean it's a failure, either. It's a niche product that is going to have a niche price tag and I'm sure Nubia is accounting for that.
God forbid a tech company actually try something new!
"The world revolves around my disgusting flavor combination. Bow before my demands or suffer the slings and arrows of my negative comments on AnandTech articles! Oh, and if you call me out, I am definitely going to make some snarky comment in response, which won't address the point at hand. " PeachNCream, everyone's least favorite flavor of bullshit
PeachNCream - Monday, February 25, 2019 - link
Hmm, you really do have a thing for me. Interesting. I'll be seeing you around, I suppose.mdrejhon - Monday, February 25, 2019 - link
I'm someone (due to my deafness) who only carries a smartwatch and an iPad -- I don't carry a smartphone as I have no need for voice.It still looks preferable to the Apple watch, so I can get all my incoming notifications I need, and perhaps lipread / fingerspell over Facetime-on-watch. I also need a portable vibrating alarm that I wear to bed, and other use cases.
jordanclock - Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - link
I'm sorry, but did you not see PeachNCream's comment? There is no use for this device. Stop talking about scenarios that aren't PeachNCream-oriented.