The entry level category for smartwatches is witnessing tremendous competition with brands turning in some very capable options. These may not come with a store for dedicated apps or a lot of strap options but anybody looking to get an inexpensive smartwatch will be spoilt for choice. We have the pTron Force X11, which is being promoted as a “Bluetooth calling fitness smartwatch”. Here’s a quick look at the device.

Frankly, I was only looking for something slightly more than a step tracker but I came away with a lot more from the X11. There are a few things that it does well and at the same time offers decent build quality. It’s a 1.7-inch HD colour display with high levels of touch sensitivity. At the same time, the frame appears sturdy and sleek while the strap is not uncomfortable even after long hours of usage.

There are enough workout modes to choose from as well as a number of watch faces. But the feature that caught my eye was Bluetooth calling. There is a microphone onboard and you can make or take calls after pairing the device to your phone via Bluetooth. The speaker on the watch is quite loud but you have to bring the watch near your mouth to speak, which may look odd in public. The second feature that could be a deal breaker for many is blood pressure monitoring. It takes a few seconds to give a reading but it’s a parameter for which I wouldn’t readily rely on a smartwatch. Apart from that, there is heart rate monitoring and SpO2. Do download the companion app — Da Fit — to get the maximum out of the watch.

You can easily get five days out of the battery even with brightness turned up and you can receive notifications (there’s no emoji support). So, who is the watch for? pTron Force X11 is for anyone looking for an inexpensive smartwatch that’s sturdy but at the same time wouldn’t mind being stuck to the apps that come preloaded.

AT A GLANCE

Device: pTron Force X11 Bluetooth Calling Smartwatch
Price: Rs 2,799 (Amazon.in)

High notes
• Good build
• Touch response is high
• Packs in a lot of features for an entry-level smartwatch
• IP68 rating

Muffled notes
• Companion app needs more features
• The crown could have had more functions