Croma Velocity X1: A budget smartwatch that screams premium

The Croma Velocity X1 smartwatch has been around for a couple of months now, and it’s a surprisingly premium yet affordable offering from the retail giant. The design and feature set easily make it feel like something from a much higher price bracket.

The design, in particular, is what grabs your attention first, with a rugged look that immediately stands out. Let’s take a look.

Dual-band GPS, AMOLED, and much more for a shockingly low price

Let us start with the face of the thing. You are looking at a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen. It pushes a 466 x 466-pixel resolution, which means sharp visuals. The round dial also gives it a classic look, and since the band is silicon, it should feel comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Another standout feature here is the tracking. Usually, budget wearables rely entirely on your phone for location data, which is annoying if you want to run light. This does not. It rocks Dual Band GPS and a built-in compass. That means you can leave your phone behind when you go for a hike or a cycle, and it will still map your route accurately.

Battery life and sports modes

Then there is the battery life. We are seeing a 500 mAh cell tucked inside, claimed to last up to seven days on a single charge. Obviously, if you keep the GPS running constantly, that number will drop, but generally getting a week of juice is solid. When it eventually dies, it takes about two hours to top back up.

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You also get 170 sports modes. That covers everything from basic running to practically any niche activity you can think of. It is also water-resistant up to 50 metres, so swimming is definitely on the table. You also get the standard health sensors—heart rate and SpO2 monitoring—to keep tabs on your vitals throughout the day.

Finally, it runs Bluetooth v5.3. That enables calls directly from your wrist, which is handy if your hands are full or you are driving. The price tag reads Rs 5,499.