Thinking about buying Skagen Falster 3? If you like top style watches, pay attention to this one. Read about functionality, battery life, and other features in this review.
Skagen Falster 3 is a classy watch that embraces a more industrial look, which sets it apart from many other smartwatches. It is neither a traditional-looking watch nor a hi-tech-designed novelty. This watch model has plenty of great functions like the speaker to answer calls and use Google Assistant.
Still, the Wear OS version of the smartwatch doesn’t have any additional features or surprises. The buttons don’t fit the interface well, so the user experience might not be great. That is why it is a perfect option for those who want a piece of style with the main functions. For advanced features, other smartwatches will be better.
Our Verdict
The device has great looks and basic Wear OS functionality, which is suitable for many. It has a great speed of operation and a bright, colorful screen. On the other side, its price is a bit too much for rather limited functionality.
It doesn’t have set up tutorials, so using it for the first time might be a challenge. To add, button navigation might be confusing at times, which is not particularly good if you are a first-time Wear OS user. Also, the smartwatch doesn’t have automatic workout detection, which is in many other fitness-aimed tracking devices.
Why we like it:
- Unique design
- Wear OS functionality
- Great specifications
- Bright screen
Why we hate it:
- A bit overpriced for its functions
- No automatic workout detection
- Lack of setup tutorials
- Confusing button navigation
Design
That is a unique feature of the phone. The design hasn’t changed since the previous version of the watch, but it looks much more stylish and smarter now. The watch has a circular metal body that doesn’t look bulky. There are pipe-like wristbands, which make the watch look elegant.
The 42mm smartwatch is 11mm thick. It has a lot of wristbands to choose from, from leather to dense metal links to plastic. Depending on the color of the wristband, the watch might look more masculine or feminine. The 22mm straps are easy to swap out, and you may change the look of the watch as you like.
There are three buttons. The center one has a convenient crown to scroll through the watch interface. If you press it, you go back to the watch face or the main menu with apps. Also, you can swipe backward and go back.
On the back of the watch, you can see the power ring and a heart rate sensor. There is no wireless charging, only a charge pad. That is less convenient because the watch often jostles free from the charging pad.
Display
The gadget has a 1.3” OLED display. This screen is another notable feature of the watch. It might not be as big as the other smartphones’, but it is very bright and crisp. The design is circular, which is usual for Wear OS devices.
The display encloses in a metal ring that also serves as a means of protection from scratches. The flat cross-section of the smartwatch protrudes a bit over the curved screens.
The touchscreen display is very responsive and allows easy swiping with a finger. For example, you can sort through the list of workouts. There is a low probability of hitting the wrong buttons.
The watch has a special focus on design, so there are fourteen stylized digital watch faces to choose from. They are dark with light markings, so they also save the battery.
Fitness Tracking
Workouts
Still, there aren’t many other useful functions. For example, you cannot switch from one workout to the other. If you need to search for an exercise that you haven’t done recently, you will have to scroll through the app’s long catalog in alphabetical order.
There are many workouts, which is a plus. There are even such rather rare kinds of sport as snowshoeing or curling, along with more traditional running, star climbing, and strength training. Some of them are fine, while the others need checking after every set.
Unfortunately, there is no motion detection feature. You have to start and stop the workout manually. If you have used to run detection or reps counting on the other devices, you may find this one cumbersome.
Heart Rate
Skagen Falster 3 has a powerful heart rate sensor that works well during breathing exercises and workouts, which are accessible in the app. You can read the stats and start readings at any time of the day, but the more you use this feature, the less battery is left.
Performance
The device has minimal Wear OS functions and performs well. There is a Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset. It has great specs due to the 1GB of RAM, which provides a smooth and fast experience.
There aren’t any slowdowns when you use the interface, crown, or touch controls. The only cause when the system may lag is scrolling fast through the app snapshots. In other cases, the device performs perfectly well.
By default, there aren’t any apps on the device, but you can download them anytime from the Google Play Store. There is enough room to download them, but mind that there are only 8GB of free space. Google Pay is available on this device, so here’s good news for those who don't like to carry smartphones with them when they do exercise.
Battery
Skagen Falster 3 has four battery modes. There are high, medium, and minimal modes, together with the custom ones; the high mode keeps everything on and lasts for a day. The medium mode provides two days of work, while the minimal, time-only mode turns off connectivity and helps to stay on for at least a week.
Who’s Skagen Falster For?
Style Seekers
Not all smartwatches have the exquisite and minimalistic industrial look of this watch. If you are fashionable, this device is for you. It will do good with both evening and business casual wear.
Non-Samsung Android Users
If you want something apart from Samsung, but you like Android and Wear OS, opt for this smartwatch. It is simpler but has a more advanced design than most Samsungs
Feature Minimalists
If you like Wear OS, you get basic functionality along with main fitness tracking features. If taking calls, paying for coffee, and watching email updates is enough for you, this device will do great.
Moderate Fitness Fans
If you do sports but isn’t a fitness nut, this smartwatch is for you. It is suited for moderate fitness and doesn’t have automatic workout detection. If this feature is essential for your everyday fitness needs, the device might not be for you.
Specs
| Battery life | 1 day to 7 days |
| Colors | Blue Silicone, Brown Leather, Gunmetal Stainless Steel Mesh, etc. |
| Features | Heart rate & activity, Google Fit, GPS, Swim Proof 5ATM, Google Pay |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4 |
| Storage | 4GB |
| System | Wear OS |
| Watch Movement | Touchscreen |
Conclusion
Skagen Falster 3 is a great smartwatch if you search for an edgy industrial style. Still, its features and software won’t surprise you. If you are used to Wear OS watches, you will be comfortable with this one, and the battery power and high-quality display will add to the positive impression.
The most impressive feature of this smartwatch is its great style, which looks smart and fashionable. The watch is for those who do not want a standard analog watch design. Also, if you are tired of the hi-tech looks of the watch, this is what you need. It goes well with business casual and evening looks and has both masculine and feminine strap options.
As for fitness tracking, the device has Google Fit, which is convenient. Still, the accuracy of different kinds of exercise may vary within the app, so fitness adepts might find this watch not very functional. Also, it has no automatic workout detection, so you will have to click buttons each time, which might be inconvenient.
The watch is not particularly “smart,” as it might have more adjacent functions. Still, it allows you to download third-party apps and answer calls and messages. If this basic smartwatch functionality is fine for you, consider the price. The item is rather pricey, so if you agree to pay for a great style, you will enjoy this watch.
