The Noise Origin smartwatch, launched in India on Wednesday, promises a very different software experience than we've come to expect from the company's other, if less premium, offerings. While it looks and feels like a premium laptop, it also packs some cool features, including a new EN1 processor, improved haptics, and a bright 600-nit AMOLED display. It's also priced considerably higher than any previous Noise smartwatch (except the Noise Fit Voyage).
Notably, the Noise Origin smartwatch is priced in India at Rs. 6,499 and is available in a single size variant with two strap options – leather and silicone.
The crown of the Noise Origin can be used to navigate the menu
I've been using the Noise Origin smartwatch for a while now and the experience has been pretty good, except for a few hiccups. In terms of looks, it's one of the best choices in the sub-R. 10,000 segments: with a circular dial, metal case and rotating crown. It also features a button on the side that can be configured to perform various functions. The smartwatch is IP68 rated and promises water resistance up to 3 ATM. We have the silicone strap variant, which feels quite comfortable.
It has a 1.46-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz, but the experience is not always smooth. Considering its price, brightness levels also seem average, especially during Delhi's peak summers when the Sun is overhead. Noise has introduced a new Nebula user interface with the smartwatch, and while it feels familiar compared to the user interface found on other similarly priced smartwatches, the brand claims that offers many more features. And like other smartwatches, swiping right brings up various health monitoring graphs, swiping down opens notifications while swiping up opens the quick action window. The punchy colors and vibrant graphics of the user interface seem to be aimed at the youth.
The Widgets screen provides a view of multiple health metrics in one place
As you'd expect, there are plenty of health and fitness tracking options. These include 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, which has become a staple even in today's budget smartwatches. That said, Noise claims that the Quick Health feature can be useful as it allows a person to monitor multiple health metrics with a single tap. Gestures, to mute calls and capture photos with the flick of the wrist, also work pretty well.
While I haven't used it extensively yet, Bluetooth calls seem fine so far with the listener on the other end receiving clear audio in most cases. That said, background noise suppression is average at best.
Pairing the Noise Origin with a smartphone is simple, even for those with an iPhone. There's a NoiseFit app on the App Store that lets users set watch faces, switch Bluetooth calls, access biomonitoring metrics, set SOS contacts, and more. There is even a Step Streak feature that encourages the user to complete their step goal and earn coins and badges.
Noise Origin can be paired with the NoiseFit companion app, available on both Android and iOS
The charging cable magnetically attaches to the back of the smartwatch. But with a slight shift, it slips easily, meaning you'll have to carefully plug in the watch at night if you want to fully charge it in the morning. Noise says the smartwatch can run for up to 7 days on a single charge. To find out if Noise Origin lives up to its promise, stay tuned for the in-depth review.
