MWC Aether One Watch Pro Review: More Than Just a Good-Looking Watch

MWC is a relatively new name in the Nepalese OEM scene. But this brand’s products are actually good and value for money. Take the Callisto Pro 2 (review) as an example: that thing was stylish and good enough for a smartwatch, and its metrics weren't exaggerated, unlike those of budget smartwatches. And this time, I have this sporty-looking MWC Aether One Watch Pro, which even looks more stylish. But does this one also tick the mark, or is it just a fancy one? Let’s find everything out in my MWC Aether One Watch Pro review.

MWC Aether One Watch Pro Smartwatch Specifications:

• Design, Build: Metal and plastic frame, 5ATM water resistance
• Display: 1.43-inch HD AMOLED, 466 × 466 pixels
• Chipset: – Unspecified
• Memory: 2GB NAND
• Software & UI: Open Harmony OS, OnWear Pro app
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, 5-GNSS multi-satellite precision GPS
• Sensors: Altimeter, barometer, e-compass, 3-axis sensor
• Battery: 550mAh with pogo pin connector charging, 7–10 days battery backup
• Price in Nepal: NPR 9,999

MWC Aether One Watch Pro Review

Sporty Look

Okay, first up, the very thing that drew my attention was its sporty design. This guy does have a slight heart than the Callisto Pro 2, but hey, it’s a sporty metallic design, so no complaints! Moreover, it looks nice on my hands, and not to mention, MWC is generous enough to bundle two straps inside the box. You get a usual plastic strap or a PU leather option. I like to go with the latter one. Likewise, it boasts a 5ATM rating, so it’s all in for a shower or even a dive in the pool. No worries at all! It has four navigation keys, each with its own purpose. The top-right is a rotatable crown that serves as a power key and menu navigation. Below it is a workout shortcut button. And the top-left corner is a shortcut key for exercise modes, settings, and heart rate tracking. And just below it, you can choose from various menu styles.

Display

It’s got a 1.43-inch AMOLED panel with the usual 466 x 466 resolution. As an AMOLED panel, the display quality looks really nice with high contrast and deeper blacks. Even on a bright, sunny day, I could easily see the content. Plus, its 60Hz refresh rate makes the scrolling smooth and fluid. By the way, it’s protected by a High-Hardness Shield glass protection as per MWC. But you also get a tempered glass screen protector in the box, which is a nice add-on, I must say.

A capable UI

Unlike other OEM brands that use an average RTOS, MWC has chosen OpenHarmony OS. Which, as the name implies, is backed by Huawei. Actually, it’s an open-source project by  OpenAtom Foundation, and Huawei is one of the major contributors to its development. So, the UI feels pretty nice, with tons of options. You get to choose various Watch faces, too. Interestingly, there is also an option to put the watch’s language as Nepali, making it handy for your dad and uncle as well.
 

OnWear App

It’s common for an OEM brand to go for a third-party companion app. Here, MWC uses the OnWear app, which is available for both iOS and Android.

Moving on, let’s talk about the health and fitness thing. This guy can track your heartbeat and SpO2 as well, but I always say one should not completely rely on a budget smartwatch’s metrics when it comes to health. They can never match the quality of medical-grade equipment. Casual usage is fine, though. The Aether Pro One, in this aspect, is just okay.  

As I aforementioned above, the metrics at least aren't exaggerated in MWC watches; it’s the same here for fitness and sleep tracking. It doesn’t overdo the steps or show crazy results, which is quite prevalent in budget smartwatches. The tests with my Redmi Watch 4 tell the same. This guy can track your steps quite accurately. Actually, it shows fewer steps as compared to, but at least not overdoing. Talking of sleep tracking, only premium smartwatches are worth relying on. This guy can do a fair job, showing results that are almost the same as my Redmi Watch 4. Meanwhile, REM, light sleep, and deep sleep data are slightly more dependent on the latter.

Barometer and Altimeter

One of the USP of this smartwatch is the Barometer and Altimeter. So, if you are a hiking fanatic, this guy can tell you your current altitude, including the area's air pressure. I compared it to the Honor Choice Watch 2 Pro (review)and saw similar metrics, so it is dependable.

Moreover, there are various exercise modes to choose from, such as Outdoor Run, Outdoor Walking, Cycling, Swimming, and Football. But as we all know, a budget smartwatch would take the metrics in the same way: measuring your heartbeat, footsteps, and that's it. Other than that, you also get an in-built GPS.

BT calling & Notifications

This watch can handle calls quite well while being indoors. The other person can hear my voice clearly during both VoLTE and online calls. Just that the moment you step out in a noisy environment, it deteriorates. Well, this is a common issue in this segment, so we can just let that sink in. And I really didn’t like the notifications style on the Callisto Pro 2, and it’s the same here. You can’t reply, and it’s just a basic type. But on a good note, you don’t have to look at your smartphone every time a notification pops up! 

Besides the usual smartwatch stuff, it also has 2GB of built-in storage for ebooks, photos, and videos. So, if you are bored, you can just view some pictures, read an ebook, or watch a video. And everyone's favorite ChatGPT is also fun to use here.

Games

Thanks to OpenHarmony OS, you can even install games on it. Mind you, it already comes preloaded with games. So, whenever you are in a queue or waiting for someone, you can just play interesting games with just a few taps.

Battery Life

Okay, let's get into the battery. The Aether One Pro houses a 550mAh cell. It can last a week easily with moderate usage. For recharge, you get a magnetic pin charger that tops it up in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

MWC Aether One Pro Review: Conclusion

The Aether One Pro from MWC is the one you should get if you love sporty smartwatches. It's got a stylish design, a metal build, and a good UI. The HarmonyOS is superb, while its AMOLED panel is also great for the price. Its fitness tracking is also just fine and dependable for a casual user. Overall, for NPR 9,999, the MWC Aether One Pro is a worthy option, offering exceptional features such as a barometer and an altimeter.

MWC Aether One Watch Pro Review: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Stylish build & 5 ATM water resistance
• Superb AMOLED display
• Smooth OpenHarmony OS

Cons:

• Average Companion App