No, they don’t offer a simple Android OS option.
Even the Chinese version which has no Google apps etc, is a severely cut down version of Android and in most cases, they have removed some critical aspects of the framework and other components.
I think it is just about bulk selling and no concern for end users.
It’s all about making money I suspect.
Yeah I mean they could just simply “install” a non stripped version they just need to find a base version which they can use in all smart watches it’s not that hard tbh.
there seems to be two of these unisoc chips flooding the full android devices the sc8541e, and the sc9832e, and from what i can see the 8541e chip was primarily designed as an IoT chip which has been levered into smartwatch/phone technology, whereas the 9832e was a dedicated 4G smartphone chip, (used by the likes of ZTE etc), and has the slightly higher spec, (i’ve seen video’s for the HK ultra one with either chip !)
anyway, a bloke on XDA appears to be considering doing some development work for these unisoc chips, here’s a link if anyone’s interested: [Generic][SL8541e][SC8541e] Information about generic chinese smartwatches with the Spreadtrum / Unisoc SoC | XDA Forums
Thanks @Ted
Yes I agree.
Some are used with no Sim card and rely on tethering services.
Some are supposed to be LTE 4G etc.
So I believe you are correct.
I’m aware of the thread on XDA, but I have to wonder if they have the correct source code…
Especially for the modem files.
I guess we just wait and see what happens
Well that didnt go well, I have already returned the HK Ultra one. I havnt bothered with a video report as it was a waste of time.
The chipset was 9832e and was very good and fluid, the screen was amoled but that was the last of the good items.
The OS was Android 8.1 and the battery was on target for lasting a whole day! with a sim card installed., so definetly not 900mAh.
A big problem for me was the wifi input keyboard which didnt allow a wifi password with a space character in it.
No problems with calls and installing apps… but the whole watch was pointless from operational pov due to above items…
So the search still goes on… when will someone release a decent standalone watch with good battery battery life and a decent OS running on a current android release.
so other than the wifi login problem you thought it was ok ?
No, the battery life is also also a major drawback, the watch would need recharging if you used it like any phone over a 12 hour period.
Also the Wearfit pro app did not recognise the watch, so there was no way of adding to the watch faces.
I tried all the google apps and they worked well, even maps and chrome, which is where I store all my bookmarks.
I used bluetooth to transfer files ok, however, there is a 4 pin magnetic charger unit that seems to serve no purpose other than charging. When connected to my pc, the watch is not recognised at all.
I have a HK9 Pro which cost me about £14. It has no sim tray but does everything I need tethered to my phone. The battery on this lasts about 10 days! I dont bother with all the fitness apps… waste of time in my eyes.
I would really like an independant device that did not require tethering, has a sim tray, and a decent battery life
okay to the origin of thread i just figured the launcher sometimes rarely tho loads 15 watchfaces instead of 10 and those loaded r soo good i wish i could keep them perm with me cuz if i restart watch or smthing they prob would go back to 10 any way i can modify that launcher to install it again on my watch but thus time with selected watches faces of my own type (stock launcher)
Sadly, in my device UL consumes like 50% more battery that any other launcher I’ve tested
Not surprising really…
These devices are missing quite a lot of key stock Android components and some regular apps will behave badly on them.
Hmm, I can’t confirm that. I have installed UL on some of these A8 and A9 watches and have not noticed any increased battery consumption. In my opinion, some of the system apps are responsible for this. These can be deactivated via ADB.
However, some sensor values are not available on some watches. The reason for this is, as @pablo11 already mentioned, that some key stock Android components have been partially removed.
@Benji_Betanzo If you have activated the AOD function in the UL settings, this would explain the increased battery consumption.
Thanks @G1NT0N1C
Nicely explained.
All we can do is our best.
We have only tested a few of these devices but they all have heavily modified / reduced Android system function.
This basically means that services sometimes work overtime or fail in an effort to make the apps run.
Folks, please remember that this section is “best effort” because we don’t support these models.
The main reason why we don’t support them is because of issues like this and the Android system problems.
This proves our point with these low budget watches. I bought a bundle of them to see what all the fuss was about. Needless to say there are all back in there boxes
Yep, that’s the bottom line.
It’s one reason why we are here. We hate to see the market flooded with trash and we try to provide guidance on what are good and bad on the market.
YT reviews are ok, but many reviewers don’t want to expose what is bad about a product because they will not be asked to review again