CMF watch pro 2 : Insiderās Review
I had the incredible opportunity to test the Watch Pro 2 before its launch, and here are my initial thoughts:
Disclaimer:
The Watch Pro 2 units we tested were pre-production models running beta software, so the final product might differ. We also didnāt have pricing information.
Design
The first thing that caught my eye was the new circular form factor, a big change from the Watch Proās rounded rectangle. While I liked the original shape, I prefer circular smartwatches for their traditional feel, making them very similar to wearing regular watches.
The Watch Pro 2 has a sleek aluminum case, offering a light and premium look. CMF has nailed their brand identity with this design. However, I did notice a slight color difference between the main body and the removable bezelāminor but worth mentioning. This might be different in the final version.
The silicone band on my unit was similar to most stock smartwatch bands. I might switch to a more comfortable option, especially for exercising. Fortunately, the Watch Pro 2 supports standard 22mm bands (not proprietary!!), making it easy to swap them out for another band that you want !
A notable new feature is the crown (scroll wheel), which I loved for navigating the software without covering the screen. However, some areas of the software didnāt support the crown, so I had to use the touchscreen. Iād love to see full crown functionality in the final version.
The standout design feature is the interchangeable bezels. Although I didnāt swap them during testing, the mechanism felt solid, and Iām excited about the customization possibilities.
Display
The new circular screen is bright with vivid colors, making everything look crisp. CMF has done a great job optimizing their software and watch faces for this display, though the widget pages could use some improvement to better fit the circular design and have more widget options.
Health Tracking
Iām not much of a health enthusiast, but here are my thoughts on the features I used:
- Sleep Tracking: I wore the Watch Pro 2 to sleep for a week. The data seemed accurate, though the sleep start time was often off by 10-20 minutes
- Pedometer: Reliability of the data isnāt the best yet in my experience. Though Iām sure itāll be fixed soon by the CMF team !
- Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, and Stress Monitoring: These features were consistent and comparable to other smartwatches. You can track some metrics 24/7 for real-time data.
- Workout Detection: The automatic detection triggered about 10-15 minutes into my walk, which felt delayed. Dismissing the notification didnāt stop the detection, which was a bit annoying. Also the auto-detect features sometimes turns on asking me if Iām cycling while Iām actually driving š. But nothing crazy bad that canāt be fixed.
-Workout: The GPS still have some big delays before connecting (about 10-15 min) which is pretty annoying when going on a walk or run. Otherwise metrics are pretty accurate!
A major new feature is the ability to share health data with third-party apps via Health Connect or directly to Strava. This makes it easier to view all health data in one place, and syncing was fast and reliable.
Software
The Watch Pro 2 runs the same base software as the Watch Pro, not Wear OS. The Watch Pro faced criticism for bugs and disconnects, but CMF has made significant improvements. I encountered some bugs, but these were promptly addressed by the team.
New to the software are widgets, accessible by swiping left or right on the watch face, offering quick access to steps, music controls, sleep information, heart rate, and more.
There are still areas needing improvement, like the inability to exit the timer app without it resetting.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting up to two weeks with average use !! I never found myself scrambling for a charger. At first I was getting poor battery life, maybe 2-3 days, but the more I wore it, and as updates came through, the battery life went insane !
Summary
Hereās a quick rundown:
- New circular design
- Useful dial for navigation
- Sleek, light, and premium design
- Fun, interchangeable bezels
- Amazingly bright display
- Third-party health data sharing
- Improved software, though some areas need refinement
- Stellar battery life
If you have any questions or want more details, feel free to ask me or other community members who have tested the Watch Pro 2. Huge thanks to the team @Natalie āØ and @Rob ā”ļø for this opportunity. Hope to be testing other devices soon š¤
