TicWatch Pro 2020 brings so few changes that we’re not really sure why it exists

The TicWatch Pro has already had two iterations, with the original smartwatch launching in 2018 before an LTE version landed last summer. Now, Mobvoi has announced a third.
The TicWatch Pro 2020 is here, and, well, we’re not entirely sure why. While a new version was justifiable for LTE, the latest TicWatch only really offers two improvements on the 18-month-old watch.
Read more: Best Android smartwatchThere’s no radical new design or battery life improvements, with the main change being a double-up in the size of RAM, going from 500MB to 1GB. This processing upgrade is significant on one hand, because it should make the device more responsive for longer, but it’s also worth bearing in mind that the Pro 2020 will also launch with the old Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset.
The other tangible difference in the new model is a slight design tweak to make the watch more durable. According to the company, the new ‘military standard 810G durability’ should mean the Pro 2020 can handle extreme temperatures, hard knocks and water more readily.
Aside from those two upgrades, though, that’s all you’re really getting if you opt for the new model. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, since some elements of the watch are very strong (the stainless steel design and Essential Mode for extending battery, to name a couple), it does leave us wondering whether Mobvoi really needed to release this device.
On the other hand, while it would have made more sense in our view to overhaul the device, it’s possible that the company sees the Pro 2020 as a stop-gap between the next generation, which could launch over the next year.
For those already eyeing up the TicWatch Pro, the changes, minor or not, are obviously great news. Even better is the fact the Pro 2020 is available immediately for £222.99 (roughly $285), from Mobvoi and Amazon.