Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH: A Smart Band Disguised as a Smartwatch with Mixed Results

The Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH isn’t a complete smartwatch but leans more towards being a smart band featuring a large display. It comes with various functionalities, such as SpO2 monitoring and Bluetooth calling, which can satisfy many user needs. However, after several weeks of usage, I found it to have its flaws. Priced at Rs. 3,999 in India, does it meet the expectations of those searching for a device that resembles a traditional smartwatch with a sizeable display? Continue reading to discover more.

Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH pricing in India

The Zebronics FIT4220CH retails for Rs 3,999 in India. It is available in three different colors: black, grey, and silver. The black and grey models come with matching straps, while the silver variant features a metallic silver case with an off-white strap.

Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH design

A brief look at the ZEB-FIT4220CH does not immediately indicate that it’s a smartwatch. It resembles a conventional chronograph watch with two buttons located on the right side. The display glass is marked with minute indicators and encased within a circular bezel. The 47mm metal casing feels substantial for those accustomed to bulkier watches, weighing in at 60g. The back is plastic, secured by four flush Phillips-head screws, and contains the usual assortment of sensors along with two flat contact points for the included magnetic charger.

The display is a round 1.3-inch LCD, topped with flat glass well-protected by a slightly elevated metal bezel. The watch boasts an IP67 rating, which offers decent dust protection, but its water resistance is limited to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.

The ZEB-FIT4220CH accepts any standard 22mm watch strap, allowing for customization with third-party options.

 

The Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH features a standard 22mm silicone strap equipped with a quick-release mechanism. While it only includes one strap in the package, users can easily replace it with any compatible third-party strap.

The silicone material ensures comfort for daily wear, and I did not find it bothersome to leave it on through the night. The strap also includes a standard pin buckle, making it simple to put on and take off, showing no signs of coming loose during my evaluation.

In contrast to the Redmi Watch, the Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH supports SpO2 tracking, which is timely given the ongoing pandemic. It is powered by a 220mAh battery, which Zebronics claims provides 10 days of standby time.

Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH software

While the build quality is commendable for the ZEB-FIT4220CH’s price, the software experience was less impressive, in my opinion. This is notably different from its key competitor, the Redmi Watch, which has a more appealing interface and superior software customization options.

The device can retain fitness data for up to five days but operates best when connected to an iOS or Android device via the Zeb-Fit 20 Series app. This application displays fitness statistics and is essential for updating the smartwatch’s firmware. It also reveals the watch’s battery status (assuming it’s not charging) and allows for customizing notifications, time formats, DND settings, weather updates, device location tracking, menstrual cycle monitoring, and more. Like similar smartwatch apps, it lays out fitness data clearly, with helpful notes for better understanding, which I appreciated.

Having a cloud backup feature for health data would have been advantageous. During my testing with an iPhone 11, I was initially disappointed to find no automatic data backup. However, after exploring the settings (under the Me tab), I learned that it can connect to the iOS Health App once granted access, allowing for data synchronization that can be stored in iCloud.

The Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH incorporates SpO2 tracking.

 

Returning to the smartwatch, the custom operating system features a Theatre mode that dims the display and disables vibrations, useful for bedtime. The watch can store five watch faces, and to acquire more, you must use the app. One face (Dial 4) allows for customization using a photo from your phone’s gallery. You can adjust text color and placement, and add up to two customizable complications from a preselected list of apps.

The built-in and downloadable watch faces present considerable information, but they merely display data without allowing taps to open respective apps for further details. With many features and a straightforward user interface, navigating can feel cumbersome, often requiring multiple swipes. For instance, accessing the SpO2 app demands six left swipes from the main watch face or requires scrolling through a vertical list of apps by right swiping, then tapping to open and again to take a reading.

Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH performance and battery life

The software transitions and animations were smooth, without any lag when swiping through the interface. You can access notifications from all apps on your smartphone, but replying to them is not supported.

I typically maintained the display brightness at the third of five levels during the review, which was sufficient indoors. However, in bright sunlight, it was necessary to increase it to the maximum for clear visibility. Although the LCD provides good viewing angles, manual adjustment of brightness is required through the pull-down control panel, where toggles for vibration, weather, Bluetooth status, and battery level can also be found. The 1.3-inch display has low resolution, making text and icons display jagged edges throughout the UI.

The smartwatch does enable Bluetooth calling, requiring a separate Bluetooth connection to your smartphone, as it doesn’t use the same link for call and data synchronization. Once connected, it allows you to view recent calls, access a dial pad, and contact favorite numbers.

Bluetooth calling is functional, yet the low speaker volume makes it feel more like a gimmick.

 

While the calling feature works (as long as the watch is near the smartphone), the speaker produces muffled audio, making conversation difficult. Likewise, the microphone does not capture sound well; I had to lift the watch to my face to ensure clarity during conversations. Consequently, Bluetooth calling seems more of a novelty despite its functionality.

An unusual issue with the Bluetooth calling setup is that all phone audio often routes through the watch’s speaker. After calls, I found it necessary to disconnect the watch’s Bluetooth calling connection to prevent this from occurring.

The ZEB-FIT4220CH provided accurate heart rate and SpO2 readings when compared to a standard pulse oximeter. However, the blood pressure readings showed inconsistency, fluctuating drastically between measurements taken just minutes apart and differing significantly from those obtained using a doctor’s blood pressure monitor. Sleep tracking reflected patterns accurately but often miscalculated the time I fell asleep by significant margins of 2-3 hours, leading me to question its reliability.

Offering basic fitness tracking, the watch supports seven sports modes: walking, running, skipping, football, cycling, badminton, and basketball. It lacks detailed options for variations or specific exercises. For instance, it does not differentiate between indoor cycling on an exercise bike and riding an actual bicycle, nor does it distinguish between outdoor running and treadmill running. I tested the walking mode against a manually counted 1,000 steps. The watch recorded 981 steps, which is a reasonably accurate count considering my uneven path.

With a 220mAh battery, the Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH easily lasted about 6-7 days on a single charge, with an average daily decrease of 10-15 percent in battery life. This usage included keeping the display brightness at level 3 most of the time and at level 5 when outdoors, with all notifications enabled and health tracking features, such as heart rate and sleep monitoring, active, along with tracking several exercise activities on alternate days. Utilizing the Bluetooth calling function regularly causes quicker battery drain, reducing standby time to approximately 3-4 days.

The magnetic charger disconnects too easily.

 

Battery life met expectations, but charging could be improved. The ZEB-FIT4220CH required approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes for a full charge, similar to many smartwatches in this price range. The provided cable features a Type-A USB plug at one end and a magnetic connector on the opposite end, which must be carefully positioned on the charging contacts. Lacking an inset or cutout for aligning the connector, I experienced several disconnections when the device was resting on its back with the charger beneath it. The most secure way to charge was with the display facing down.

While the smartwatch is charging, it’s impossible to access its features unless the cable is disconnected. Tapping the button to wake the display only shows a “charging” message without any battery status details. The mobile app has the same issue, simply indicating charging status without any indication of remaining charge time.

Conclusion

After approximately two weeks of using the Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH, it’s clear that it functions more as a smart band with a large display than as an actual smartwatch. This perception stems mainly from its simplistic user interface, basic fitness tracking functions, low-resolution display, and absence of essential features like an ambient light sensor.

The Zebronics ZEB-FIT4220CH has numerous features, but their performance can be inconsistent. It includes SpO2 monitoring, Bluetooth calling, and a stylish metal body with interchangeable straps, creating the appearance and feel of a typical wristwatch. However, the unreliability of sleep and blood pressure tracking should be taken into consideration for users interested in these features.

For a slightly higher price (Rs. 3,999), Xiaomi’s Redmi Watch (Review) offers a lot more advantages, although it doesn’t resemble a traditional watch much. Its custom OS operates more effectively, features a wider selection of watch faces and exercise modes, and can withstand pressures of up to 5 ATM underwater. Weighing in at just 30g, the Redmi Watch also provides a superior charging cradle, GPS tracking, and an app that backs up data to the cloud.

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