Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid Review: Balancing Style and Substance
Pininfarina, renowned for its association with luxury car brands, introduces the Sintesi Hybrid smartwatch, aiming to compete with industry stalwarts like Withings and Garmin. This hybrid wearable boasts an elegant design and a range of smart features, making it an intriguing option for those seeking a blend of classic watch aesthetics and modern functionality.
Design & Build: The Sintesi impresses with a 316L stainless steel case and a variety of strap options, though the one-size-fits-all approach may not suit everyone. Its waterproof capabilities up to 50 meters provide versatility, but the chunky case size and predominantly masculine designs might limit its appeal to a broader audience.
Display & Controls: Sporting an AMOLED sub-display and a rotating crown, the Sintesi offers a traditional watch face with smart features integrated. The display quality and functionality are decent, but the lack of hands movement to clear the screen can lead to a cluttered interface during certain times, which can be a drawback for some users.
Software & Features: Compatible with both Android and iOS, the Sintesi allows users to view notifications, weather forecasts, control music playback, and remotely capture photos from their smartphones. While it provides essential smartwatch functionalities, the lack of app downloads and payment options might deter users looking for a more comprehensive smartwatch experience.
Fitness & Tracking: Equipped with fitness tracking capabilities like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and connected GPS support, the Sintesi offers a basic yet functional approach to health and wellness monitoring. However, issues with heart rate accuracy and occasional display malfunctions during activities raise concerns about its reliability for fitness enthusiasts.
Battery Life & Charging: With a promising battery life of up to 30 days, the Sintesi delivers on the hybrid smartwatch advantage of extended usage between charges. Despite its impressive battery performance, the USB-C charging cradle’s cumbersome design could be a minor inconvenience for users.
Price & Availability: Priced at £329/$329, the Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid competes with other high-profile hybrid smartwatches like Garmin Vivomove and Withings ScanWatch. While it offers a competitive price point, potential buyers may find more value in other brands that offer similar features at a lower cost.
Should You Buy the Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid?: While the Sintesi combines style and functionality, it falls short in terms of software refinement and overall user experience. With competitors offering more polished designs and features, the Sintesi may not stand out as the top choice among hybrid smartwatches in its price range.
In conclusion, the Pininfarina Sintesi Hybrid presents a compelling option for those seeking a stylish hybrid smartwatch but falls slightly short in delivering a seamless user experience compared to its competitors. With some refinements in software and feature enhancements, it could potentially elevate its position in the market.