Just a few weeks after our review of the UP2, Jawbone went on to introduce a new generation of its heart-rate-monitor packing fitness tracker called the UP3. Does this confuse you? Don’t worry, I won't blame you.
But first, let's take a look at CNET's review comparing the UP3 and UP2
What is the Jawbone UP3?
The Jawbone UP3 is a heart rate tracker that has a turbulent past. It was originally scheduled to launch sometime in 2014, but then, for reasons that have not been disclosed, Jawbone decided to delay its release until 2015. Now it has hit Singapore’s shelves, this is without doubt Jawbone’s best tracker to date. On paper, there is plenty to support this claim — the appearance of the device has been radically altered and they have added a heart rate monitor that will track even more aspects of your day. It is about S$100 more expensive than the Jawbone UP2 (S$309 vs. S$199), which is identical with it in virtually every way except that it lacks the heart rate support.
Key features
- medical-grade rubber design
- battery life up to seven days
- 38mAH battery
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- tri-axis accelerometer
- heart rate sensor
- works with select iPhone and Android devices
Let's take a look at JimsReviewRoom's Review of the Jaybird X2
Design and features
The UP3 has everything one could want in a tracker: It is slim, weighs only 29 g and is more esthetically pleasing than a Misfit or a Fitbit activity tracker. If you like discreet monitoring, then the UP3 is just the right tracker for you, especially if you choose the black model.
The new UP3 comes in a wide range of colours, and crucially, the clasp has been improved in response to the biggest issue that I had with previous Jawbone UP models, which had a habit of coming loose. The design change may not look as radical — the two models look practically identical. It all boils down to the clasp, which seems to fasten in-place much more tightly than did the previous version.
The UP3 presents a radical departure from the UP24, whose more rigid rubber frame has been replaced by a skinnier and more flexible medical-grade rubber band that is more accommodating in the way it wraps around your wrist.
As with the UP2, this one has an aluminium metal casing on top. The finish is slightly different from that of the older model but does not make it look any less like something you would want to wear.
With ongoing use, though, I noticed a couple of issues. First, the metal began to scratch away in places during the time I used it. Here is where the notification lights lie to indicate sleep monitoring, smartphone notifications and daily activity tracking in general.
Second, the tracker is not always terribly reactive. For example, it takes a series of taps and presses to switch between the modes, but this is easier said than done. On countless occasions, I’ve tapped furiously in the wrong place. Sometimes, the device has activated itself beneath my jumper or shirt sleeve, turning on sleep monitoring without my knowing.
The Jawbone UP3 app
The Jawbone app and its ecosystem still shine for the most part, even if the hardware department is making questionable decisions. You still need your smartphone to review all the data because there the UP hardware has no screen. It remains compatible with the same platforms, and like the UP2, it calls for a different app than the one used by the UP24.
Summary
Pros
- The design is sleek and attractive.
- It has a smart, useful coach.
- It has strong third-party app support.
Cons
- It is difficult to switch between tracking modes.
- Occasionally, there are syncing issues with certain older android devices.
Overall
I’ve been wearing the new UP3 side by side with the UP2, and I can say with great confidence that I’ve experienced none of the problems that its predecessor had given me. So far, the tracker hasn’t gotten trapped in my clothing, nor has it fallen off when I go to sleep. Nothing has changed as far as tracking is concerned. There are some slight improvements with the new software update, with the kind of heart rate data that it allows you to generate, but it’s really just more of the same. The smart coach remains as useful as ever, and it still offers one of the most convincing fitness-tracking ecosystems.
UP3 has much of its power used by the heart rate sensor. The most that you can expect to get from the UP3 if you have been using it all the time is a week’s worth of battery life — and the UP24’s battery had two weeks! Then, of course, the I can only think that the heart rate tracking sensors’ presence has meant that the company could not adopt the same redesigned strap that the second-generation UP2 featured.
Would I recommend this product? Well, that depends on whether you really need heart rate monitoring functions. If not, I would still be inclined to stick with the. That said, the feel of the strap on the UP3 does makes me feel that the company did a better job and fixing the issue.