Review: Emporio Armani smart health connected – fashionable hybrid smartwatch

Smartwatches are for technology enthusiasts: the watches look futuristic, have to be charged once a day and the fashion aspect often takes a back seat. That it can be done very differently shows Emporio Armani with the EA smart health connected Series. We tested what the hybrid watch can do with the technology of the Fossil Group and how it performs in everyday life.

Emporio Armani smart health connected: design

Our Review model looks really classy: black leather strap, black clasp with engraved logo and black stainless steel case. The sun-polished dial, which is also black, works without frills and digits. Instead of the twelve, the watch has a striking silver Armani logo instead.

Otherwise, the Emporio-Armani-smart health connected lettering and the display for the fitness target can be discovered. Neither the screen nor the USB connection are available: the hybrid smartwatch looks like a classic analog wristwatch.

The case has a diameter of 43 millimeters and a height of almost 12 millimeters. In contrast to the almost identical but significantly cheaper Fossil Q Grant, the 22 millimeter wide bracelet does not have a quick release fastener. Neither the pointer nor the dial are luminescent – reading in the dark is therefore not possible.

Emporio Armani smart health connected: equipment

The EA smart health connected is waterproof; but only after ATM 3. That means: washing your hands is still ok, you should remove them in the tub for safety reasons. The watch definitely does not tolerate swimming or diving.

Smart functions include the integrated pedometer, sleep tracker, alarm clock, notifications, music control and remote camera trigger for the paired smartphone. In addition, the watch can represent a second time zone and the progress of the personal fitness goal.

Due to the lack of a screen, the user of a hybrid smartwatch has to accept some restrictions: The displays are reduced to an absolute minimum and only work with the help of the analog hands, the vibration alarm and the small additional display.

The lack of a monitoring has a huge advantage over a conventional smartwatch: the watch does not have to be smart health connected to the charger every day. According to the manufacturer, the built-in button cell (CR2430) lasts for more than half a year and can be replaced by the user. The cost of a new button cell is around six euros. The app indicates that the battery life will be shorter if the vibration alarm is used very frequently.

Emporio Armani smart health connected: Armani app

To use the functions of the watch despite the lack of displays, you need the EA smart health connected app for Android or iOS. Although this is free of charge, it requires registration. By waiving the obligation to register, Armani could certainly have opened up more customers with its hybrid smartwatch: All those who cannot get used to the business models from Apple and Google.

After activating Bluetooth, we start the app and choose add device. To do this, we place the watch and cell phone side by side and press the middle button for five seconds. The watch vibrates briefly three times and a message appears a few seconds later that the devices have been paired. After entering your height, weight and gender, the synchronization starts. The time and date come directly from the cell phone and cannot be set on the clock. The supposed crown for adjusting the hands is actually a third button.

On the main screen of the app we see the three tabs sleep, activity and goals. With a swipe of the finger, we can switch between daily, weekly and monthly overviews. The tracked data is very easy to access. If you want, you can forward the tracked data to other health and fitness apps by sharing them in the app.

In the menu we find the other functions notifications, alarm, second time zone and the so-called Emporio Armani Link.

With the EA smart health connected, you can use the upper button to switch between the date and progress display. With the middle button we switch between time and a second time zone.

In contrast to the Q-Grant, only the lower button can be freely assigned. Specifically, he operates the so-called Emporio Armani Link. This either offers the possibility to track the personal goal, control music or camera from the smartphone or trigger an alarm on the cell phone.

Firmware updates are not a problem. The app shows when a new version is available and conveniently transfers it to the watch.

Emporio Armani smart health connected: practical experience

The personal goal is a nice gimmick: the watch counts every push of a button and shows the result in the app. In practice, this works reliably – but we only really used it as a Review. We find the smartphone search, which plays a ringtone on the cell phone and thus helps to find it quickly, much more practical. The remote release for the smartphone camera is also often helpful.

What we lacked was feedback for the goal achievement button. You can only see whether you actually pressed in the evaluation within the app. A feedback via vibration is unfortunately missing.

The alarm function sounds rather banal at first – in practice, however, it offers real added value compared to any analog clock. Instead of a striking cell phone ring tone, a subtle vibration on the wrist reminds us. A really great thing, especially in the office or in a meeting.

The notifications work for up to six stored contacts. When we get a message or call from one of these numbers, the watch vibrates and the hands show who tried to reach us.

Emporio Armani smart health connected: Variants

The Emporio Armani smart health connected is available in different colors and with leather or stainless steel bracelets. In addition to the completely black watch, there are variants with a silver or rose gold case. The dial is also available in different colors. Not all variations are on the market yet.

Leather black

Stainless steel black

Leather-silver

Leather white

Stainless steel silver

Emporio Armani smart health connected: conclusion

We really like the EA smart health connected. The design is high class and the smart functions are nice and inconspicuous. The fact that the watch does not want to be constantly reloaded is a huge plus; especially for wearers of classic, analog watches.

For those who do not want a small computer on their wrists, a hybrid smartwatch is clearly a successful alternative to Apple Watch and Co. Even those who have previously used a fitness tracker without a pulse sensor will be very satisfied with the EA smart health connected.

Only the price makes us think: the Fossil Q Grant costs far less. And that, even though the technology used is identical. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether the surcharge for the brand brings this added value.

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AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW