Alcatel OneTouch Watch hands-on review

Wearables are a big part of CES 2015 and Alcatel’s OneTouch Watch is one of the more affordable smartwatches cum activity trackers we’ve seen. Here’s our Alcatel OneTouch Watch hands-on review. Updated on 14/5/15 with UK release date and price. See also: The 15 Best Activity Trackers 2015: The best fitness trackers you can buy in the UK right now.

Update: The OneTouch Watch will arrive in the UK in June with a budget price tag of £99. We’re hoping to get our review sample soon so stay tuned for this page to magically transform into a full review soon.

Looking similar to the Motorola Moto 360, the OneTouch Watch has a round screen and comes in different styles like the Apple Watch will do when it arrives later this year. It will come in both metal (chrome and steel) and plastic models in a range of colours including black and white. It’s a svelte device and looks premium, plus it’s IP67 dust and water resistant.

Read: 12 best smartwatches 2015 UK.

No matter whether you’re walking around with an Android or iPhone, the OneTouch Watch will connect over Bluetooth – as long as you have Android 4.3 or iOS 7 and above. You can pair with NFC if you device has it.

We expected to see some new Android Wear devices in Las Vegas for this year’s show but Alcatel has decided to run its own software. Like most wearables, the OneTouch Watch can track activity including steps, running and sleep providing details including distance and calories burned.

Despite its affordable price, the OneTouch Watch features an optical heart rate sensor on the back. It also has an accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter and e-compass.

On the smart side of things, the wearable will provide notifications such as calls and social media when connected to a smartphone. You can also use the OneTouch Watch to control media playback on the paired device plus remotely take photos.

The colourful interface is fairly simply to use with the six of the watch face acting like a home button. The 1.22in display is touch sensitive and there’s a physical power button on the side. We didn’t find it quite as responsive as the Android Wear smartwatches we’ve reviewed.

We’re told the OneTouch Watch will have a battery life of up to a week and it interestingly charges via full size USB which is hidden within the strap.