ASUS unveils sleek round ZenWatch 3 at IFA 2016

ASUS unveils sleek round ZenWatch 3 at IFA 2016

ASUS goes round and rose gold with its third Android Wear watch.

Continuing in its tradition of launching watches at the IFA show, it was fitting that ASUS unveiled the ZenWatch 3 this year in Berlin. The Android Wear-powered wearable is the first round watch from the company, and is generally a big departure from the look of the first two ZenWatches.

The ZenWatch 3 is crafted from 316L stainless steel and is just a hair under 10 mm thick, which is rather thin for modern smartwatches. The round display is accented by a rose gold ring around the circumference on all three colors of the watch, along with two buttons and a crown on the right that really stand out.

On the software side ASUS is focusing on the 50 watch faces it pre-loads on the ZenWatch 3, including dozens that are customizable from a smartphone app and include widgets that offer even more information on the watch face.

ASUS is claiming two full days of battery life from the ZenWatch 3, and also its own "HyperCharge" tech that will add 60% to the battery in just 15 minutes from its magnetic charging adapter. Just like previous ZenWatches, there will also be an add-on battery pack that can give you 40% longer battery life.

Press release:

ASUS Presents Zenvolution at IFA 2016

Global debut of ZenWatch 3 and announcement of European pricing and availability for latest laptops, 2-in-1 PCs, tablets and displays

• ASUS unveils ZenWatch 3, a stylish and customizable wearable device powered by Android Wear and the first ZenWatch with a round case

Berlin, Germany (31st August, 2016) — ASUS Vice President Eric Chen today took the stage at the Zenvolution event at IFA 2016 in Berlin to unveil ZenWatch 3, the latest model in the ZenWatch family of Android Wear™-powered wearable devices. He also announced European pricing and availability for the latest lineup of laptops, 2-in-1 PCs, tablets, and displays. Products featured onstage include ZenBook 3, Transformer 3 Pro, Transformer 3, ZenPad 3S 10 and ZenScreen.

"IFA is where we launched our very first smartwatch and we have continued the tradition today with ZenWatch 3," said Mr. Chen. "We deeply appreciate the loyal support from consumers in Europe, and we are excited to bring our new Zenvolution product line-up to the European markets."

ZenWatch 3 is a stylish and customizable wearable device powered by Android Wear that provides wearers with timely information at a glance, and functions as a full-featured activity tracker to help wearers stay motivated and meet their fitness goals. Meticulously crafted in the tradition of fine watchmaking, ZenWatch 3 is the first ZenWatch model with a gorgeous round design.

ZenBook 3 is a premium, prestigious laptop with unprecedented performance, featuring an ultra-thin 11.9mm profile and an Intel® Core™ i7 processor. Transformer 3 Pro is the world's most versatile PC that delivers extreme performance in a slim and light design, whereas Transformer 3 redefines 2-in-1 PC computing with ultimate mobility. Both feature unrivaled expandability, with a range of accessories that includes the ASUS Universal Dock, ASUS Audio Pod, the VR/4K UHD-ready ROG XG Station 2 and ASUS Pen.

"With the 7th-generation Intel Core processor we have once again delivered new performance levels with increased efficiency, and introduced new media capabilities that give people the power to create and view in the immersive internet," said Chris Walker, Vice President of Intel's Client Computing Group and General Manager of Mobility Client Platforms. "Intel is proud to have worked closely with ASUS on their stunning new line-up of ZenBook and Transformer products."

ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC is the world's lightest and slimmest Full HD portable monitor. It features a hybrid USB Type-C (USB-C) port that supports both power and video transmission for compatibility with any laptop with a USB-C or USB Type-A port.

ZenPad 3S 10 is a 9.7-inch Android™ tablet featuring a stunning QXGA (2048 by 1536) high-resolution touchscreen and an incredibly slim, compact, and elegant design. It offers a comprehensive set of entertainment-focused features, including ASUS Tru2Life video-enhancement technology and a powerful stereo audio system with five-magnet speakers and NXP smart amplifier technology that make media look and sound their best.

ASUS ZenWatch 3: Time-Honored Craftsmanship, Smart Customization

ASUS ZenWatch 3 is a stylish and customizable wearable device powered by Android Wear that serves as a smart assistant for Android and iOS devices1. ASUS ZenWatch 3 follows in the tradition of fine watchmaking with its luxurious, detail-focused design and construction from premium materials. Its round case — available for the first time on an ASUS wearable device — is accented by a thin, rose-gold bezel for a sophisticated look inspired by the corona of an annular solar eclipse.

ZenWatch 3 is just 9.95mm thin and its case is meticulously fashioned from jewelry-grade 316L stainless steel, available in three gorgeous finishes: Gunmetal, Silver, and Rose Gold. This premium-quality, cold-forged steel is 82 percent stronger than conventional steel to ensure that ZenWatch 3 can easily withstand the rigors of daily wear. Three crown buttons adorn the case, providing quick access to frequently used functions. The top button can also be assigned custom functionality. ZenWatch 3 comes with a strap made from a choice of stitched Italian leather or high-quality rubber, each of which is available in dark brown or beige colors.

Complementing its physical design, ZenWatch 3 comes with more than 50 software watch faces that can be changed using the ZenWatch Manager smartphone app, letting wearers easily customize their watch to fit any style, mood, or occasion. Many of these watch faces support customizable widgets that display useful information, such as current weather, daily step counts, and missed call notifications. For an even more personal ZenWatch 3 experience, wearers can create their own unique watch faces with the FaceDesigner smartphone app.

ASUS ZenWatch 3 features the all-new ZenFit activity tracking app that automatically counts wearers' steps throughout the day with industry-leading 95 percent accuracy and provides reminders to stand and move after periods of inactivity. ZenFit works together with the companion smartphone app to provide helpful and easy-to-understand summaries and graphs for a complete picture of physical activity.

ASUS ZenWatch 3 provides long battery life of up to two days. It features exclusive HyperCharge technology that provides industry-leading charge times — just 15 minutes to reach a 60 percent charge — and a convenient magnetic charging connector that snaps into place automatically. An optional battery pack is also available that provides 40 percent more battery life.