Fobase Watch 6 0039
Smartwatches

Fobase Watch 6 Review – A DIY Smartwatch?!

There are a lot of DIY items for sale. Built your own model airplane for example, but I’ve never heard of a DIY smartwatch. The Fobase Watch 6 is sort of a DIY smartwatch. You can change the dial to make it fit the situation, and of course, you can change the watch face. What more does the Fobase Watch 6 have to offer? Let’s have a look at this DIY smartwatch.

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Conclusion

The Fobase Watch 6. I had no idea what to expect from this unknown brand. They kind of surprised me with the hardware and software. If we compare it to the BlitzWolf BW-HL2, they are kind of similar. The software in the BlizWolf BW-HL2 looks better but function-wise, they are almost identical.

I really like the option to change the dials and customize it even further than just changing the watch faces. The Fobase Watch 6 also offers a watch face that you can edit yourself, which I highly like. This way, you can really make it your own and personalize the Fobase Watch 6 even further.

The price of this watch is OK, and I think it is a fair price. Just realize that the heart rate sensor, blood pressure, and blood oxygen are not accurate. Besides that, it works really well, and connecting it and configuring the Da Fit app is super simple. Overall, I like this watch, even though it is a bit bulky, but I see a wide audience for this. People who just want a working and normal looking smartwatch that does not cost that much. In the end, Fobase created a good product with the Fobase Watch 6.

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Introduction & Specifications

I have never heard of Fobase, but looking at the specifications and the watch itself, I must say I’m impressed. The design is good and the specifications are good too. Also, the unique aspect of the changeable dial is something that makes it stand out. Let’s find out how good this Fobase Watch 6 really is.

Specifications
Brand:Fobase
Model:Watch 6
Bluetooth: 4.0
CPU:NRF52832
Screen Size:1.3", 240x240
Software:iOS 8+, Android 5+
Language: Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese
IP Rating:IP67 (not for diving)
Battery:280 mAh
Battery Usage:Around 10 to 14 days
Charging Time:Around 1 to 2 hours
Sensor:Heart Rate Sensor, Sleep Sensor, Blood Pressure, Blood Oxygen
Sport Modes:Running, Swimming, Football, Basketball, Badminton, Skipping, Cycling, Walking
Product Size:13.1mm thick, 46.5mm wide
Package Content:1x charger, 1x manual, 1x strap, 1x watch, 2x extra dial

Unboxing

The Fobase Watch 6 does not come in a super fancy box. Even the name of the company is not on the box. This makes me think that it is not an own designed/developed watch by Fobase, but they just bought it and sell it under their name (which is fine). On the sides we find the different dials that are in the box and on the other side, we find some of the features (those are also on the bottom).

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Inside, we first see the two extra dials, which kind of confused me in the beginning. Underneath, we find the watch, with a personalized dial on there! Lovely touch by Fobase. Below that, we find the strap (fake leather), the charger, and the manual. All you need, just very simple packaging without branding.

Hardware & Design

I love the fact that you can change the dials, which is truly a unique selling point. Besides that, the button is easily clickable. The materials, like the dials, feel a bit cheap, but that is OK. The watch itself does not cost the world and I don’t expect all premium materials. The strap is of fake leather, at least not completely leather, but that is fine by me. You can easily click them on or replace them (just like the dial).

At the back, it looks like it is made out of carbon, which I highly doubt. I think it is just plastic made to look like carbon. We also find the heart rate sensor on the back and the charger port. This charger port is made waterproof so you don’t have to worry. The materials could improve in later versions, for now, it is OK but not outstanding.

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How To Operate?

On the Fobase Watch 6, we have one button. This is the return button or wake/sleep button. It does not matter on what widget you are when you press the button, you will go to your watch face. When you press and hold it, you will be prompted with the questions if you want to turn it on or off.

All other navigation or selection is made with touch. You can swipe up and down between the widgets. If you swipe from right to left, you get the options and if you swipe from left to right, you get the Fobase Watch 6 information. Swiping down will show your notifications.

Fobase Watch 6 0039

It works easy and smooth and I like the touch way of operating. The touch on the Fobase Watch 6 works well, which I did not expect.

Battery Life

The Fobase Watch 6 comes with a 280 mAh battery, which is good enough to last around 10 to 14 days, with regular use. If you just use it as a watch (no extra features like heart rate or sports tracking) you can even extend it to 25 to 30 days! For me, a smartwatch must last at least 5 days on a single charge, and the Fobase Watch 7 is scoring well beyond that. Very well done!

Charging the Fobase Watch 6 goes pretty quickly. On around 1 to 2 hours, the watch is completely charged and you are good to go for another 7 days, at least. The charger snaps on easily, due to the magnets in there, and you can not misplace it. Super handy. The design of the charging port is waterproof, so don’t worry about that. More on the waterproof design and IP score below.

Want to change your dials too? Click Here To Get Yours!

Software

In order to use the Fobase Watch 6, you need the DA Fit app. This looks like a general app that you potentially can connect different brands to, but in this case, we use it to connect our Fobase Watch 6. Downloading the app goes through the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, so you know it is a safe app.

The app is pretty basic, but it gives you a clear overview of your health and activity. There are only three menus, Today, Device, and Profile. On the first tab, Today, you will see the stats of today. Here you find the taken steps, the slept hours, and the heart rate measurements you did. On the Device tab, you can set an alarm, change the watch faces, or upgrade the Fobase Watch 6. In the last tab, Profile, you can set your daily step goal, change your profile settings, and read more about the software and possibly upgrade to be a beta tester. Here are some screenshots of the DA Fit app:

If you have an Android smartphone, you can download DA Fit via THIS LINK.
If you have an iOS smartphone, you can download DA Fit via THIS LINK.

How To Connect?

Connecting your Fobase Watch 6 to the DA Fit software is super easy. When you download the app, fill in the profile (no need to leave an e-mail or create an account), you see “Add bracelet to get more health information” on top in the Today menu. Click on “To add” and the application will start searching for a smartwatch. Within a few seconds (30 seconds), it will find the Fobase Watch 7 and you just simply have to click on it and it is added! That’s all! Super easy, no account creation needed, and connected within a minute. Loved it! Here are the steps on how to connect it with screenshots:

Watch Faces

Unfortunately, there are only 3 watch faces available for the Fobase Watch 6. They look good, but I rather see more options or even make it open for the public to create watch faces, like the Xiaomi Mi Band 4. The good thing is, is that the last option is customizable. You can change where the time is shown, change what is shown underneath or above the time and change the background and text color. This is very useful since there are limited watch faces available. With this option, you can at least customize it to fit your preference.

Notifications

With the Fobase Watch 6, you can get notifications on your smartwatch too (otherwise it is not super smart…) You can get all different kinds of notifications, for example, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, and KakaoTalk. You can also select Others, which basically means that every notification will be shown on your Fobase Watch 6.

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Features

The Fobase Watch 6 has a lot to offer. Of course, you can track your activity, but what more does this DIY smartwatch have to offer? For example, it has a good waterproof rating, it has changeable dials, and it offers to register your heart rate and sleep. Let’s have a look at the features of the Fobase Watch 6.

Activities

During the Corona crisis, we all want to stay fit. With the Fobase Watch 6, you can track your outdoor walks, evening runs, or your backyard football sessions. Here are all the sports activities supported by the Fobase Watch 6:

    Running, Swimming, Football, Basketball, Badminton, Skipping, Cycling, Walking

It is not the biggest list available of activities to track, but it gets the job done for most people. I personally would like to have the option to track my indoor cycle sessions, but not all smartwatches offer that. Actually, very rare smartwatches offer that option while I think it is a must on a smartwatch.

Want to change your dials too? Click Here To Get Yours!

Sleep Tracking

A smartwatch without this feature is not a smartwatch for me. I want insights into my sleep and how well I slept. Luckily the Fobase Watch 6 offers this feature. Just wear the watch and the next morning, you get an overview of your night. You will see your light sleep, REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, restful sleep (deep sleep), and awake time. That is detailed enough for me to see how my night went.

This is how the Fobase Watch 6 will show you your night sleep:

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Heart Rate Sensor and Others

The Fobase Watch 6 is also capable of tracking your heart rates, and other health-related statistics, like blood pressure and blood oxygen. Don’t expect an accurate reading from the Fobase Watch 6, but that is totally fine for this price. In resting situation, it is about 20 to 40 BPM higher than my Garmin Instinct. If you measure your heart rate, which can be done via the DA Fit app and the Fobase Watch 6 itself, this is how it shows:

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With the Fobase Watch 6, you can also measure the Blood Pressie and Blod Oxygen from your wrist. Just swipe to the widget, click on it and it starts measuring. Again, the reading will not be super accurate, but it gives you an idea of the levels. Fun to play around with and it adds something extra. If you are really looking for a heart rate smartwatch, this might not be the one for you.

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Waterproof

Taking a shower with the Fobase Watch 6, or doing the dishes, is not a problem. This smartwatch is protected with an IP67 rating. This basically means that it is waterproof up to 1 meter. Don’t swim with it, but if you forget to take it off in the shower of you stick your hand in a bucket of water, no problems there! The Fobase Watch 6 got you covered and protected. Love this.

Want to change your dials too? Click Here To Get Yours!

Changeable Dials

A unique feature, which I never saw on a smartwatch before. With the Fobase Watch 6, you can change the dials! This might not seem like a big deal, but just changing the dial make the watch look totally different. I got a personalized dial, with my name on it, and two other dials. I love to change them around and it really feels like a different watch every time.

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Hopefully, Fobase will keep creating new dials as this is a good and strong feature of the Fobase Watch 6.

Conclusions

The Fobase Watch 6. I had no idea what to expect from this unknown brand. They kind of surprised me with the hardware and software. If we compare it to the BlitzWolf BW-HL2, they are kind of similar. The software in the BlizWolf BW-HL2 looks better but function-wise, they are almost identical.

I really like the option to change the dials and customize it even further than just changing the watch faces. The Fobase Watch 6 also offers a watch face that you can edit yourself, which I highly like. This way, you can really make it your own and personalize the Fobase Watch 6 even further.

The price of this watch is OK, and I think it is a fair price. Just realize that the heart rate sensor, blood pressure, and blood oxygen are not accurate. Besides that, it works really well, and connecting it and configuring the Da Fit app is super simple. Overall, I like this watch, even though it is a bit bulky, but I see a wide audience for this. People who just want a working and normal looking smartwatch that does not cost that much. In the end, Fobase created a good product with the Fobase Watch 6.

Fobase Watch 6

€50
7.2

Price/Quality

8.0/10

Features

7.5/10

Product Size/Design

7.0/10

Battery Life

7.0/10

Materials

6.5/10

Pros

  • Price is good, but there are cheaper one available
  • A lot of features
  • Watch face/screen is big
  • Battery life is good
  • Changeable dials

Cons

  • Price might be too high for some
  • The strap is not real leather