Review of Rugum DM20 Smartwatch reviews 2022: like an Apple Watch, only 5 times cheaper.

At least that’s what the manufacturer intended. One has only to look at the watch and immediately it becomes clear where the ears grow from. But in reality, with the Apple Watch Series 5, RUGUM DM20 watches are only similar in design and working time. The rest is a completely independent device, which can be described as a “smartphone in the form of a clock”. They are equipped with a quad-core processor, support 4G networks and work on a full-fledged Android OS, and therefore have just a huge number of functions and capabilities. Let’s try to figure out what they can and for whom will be useful.

Specifications RUGUM DM20:

• Screen : 1.88 “IPS with a resolution of 320×360
• CPU : 4 core MT6739 up to 1.5 Ghz
• RAM : 1 GB or 3 GB
• Built-in memory : 16 GB or 32 GB
• Network : 2G: GSM B2 / B3 / B5 / B8; 3G: WCDMA B1 / B2 / B5 / B8; 3G: TD-SCDMA B34 / 39; 4G: LTE_FDD: B1 / B2 / B3 / B5 / B7 / B8 / B12 / B17 / B20; 4G: LTE-TDD: B38 / 39/40/41 (100 MHz)
• Wireless interfaces : WiFi 2.4 / 5 Ghz, Bluetooth 4, GPS / GLONASS
• Camera : 2MP
• Dust and moisture protection : IP67
• Operating System : Android 7.1
• Battery : 780 mAh

Packaging and equipment

Simple and concise packaging, it was slightly wrinkled on the way, but the contents were not damaged.

 

A mark in the form of a sticker about the version of the watch and its color.

There are 3 options in color: a black case with a black strap (as in the article), a silver case with a black strap, a silver case with a white strap.

A watch was placed inside the box, and under it were additional accessories.

Strap, screen protector, instruction manual and miniature Phillips screwdriver. And also the charging cable, which I forgot to photograph, because he thoroughly settled in my multi-port charger, used for accumulated gadgets.

The strap is interchangeable and its width is 24 mm. Sports style is offered by default, the strap material is silicone. But if you wish, you can replace it with a metal, fabric or leather. The strap is copied from the Apple Watch, except that they used the standard mounting method here.

To simplify installation or replacement, a lever is provided that moves the pin to the side.

To use the watch as an assistant with your smartphone, you need to install the WiiWath 2 application. The instructions contain information on connecting and setting up.

Appearance

Conventionally, users of smart watches can be divided into those who are impressed by the round screen and those who are impressed by the rectangular screen. Here we have option number 2 and the watch looks very cool (do not forget thanks to which donor).

They look neat on the hand and do not interfere with everyday affairs.

The strap is soft and pleasant to the body.

Separately, I note the high-quality and bright IPS screen, thanks to which the watch faces look cool and detailed.

Everything here is adapted for a rectangular screen, so the screens with wallpapers and clocks look most interesting.

Although electronic dials or “for mechanics” are also present. In addition, you can download hundreds of different dials through the WiiWath app.

On the street, the screen remains readable and does not fade.

Above the screen you can see the camera lens. I remind you that here we have regular Android, and therefore you can install Viber, Skype or any other messenger with video calls and use the camera as a webcam. The camera is certainly not so hot, only 2 megapixels, but for such purposes it will do.

On the right side there are 2 physical buttons. The upper one performs the function backward, and the lower exit to the main screen and lock. You can turn on the screen in order to view time or other information using any button or use the gesture of raising a hand.

On the left side is an audio speaker and a SIM card slot.

This is why we need a screwdriver in the kit. The cap is screwed on with 2 screws; for waterproofness, it has a silicone sealant. You can install a nano-format sim card with support for 2G / 3G and 4G frequencies.

On the reverse side, plethysmographic sensor and contacts for recharging.

The contacts are magnetized and themselves stick in the desired position. Full charge from 0% to 100% for about 2 hours.

Disassembly

Initially not planned. Just when I decided to install a sim card, for some reason I did not pay attention to the slot on the side, but began to unscrew the back cover. Well, all right, but I looked inside. And inside the battery, a loop with the sensor and contacts. Everything is assembled mediocrely, silicone sealant is not well coated. Well, what did you want? Not Apple.

On the battery we see the marking 800 mAh, and in the description it is stated 780 mAh. Is this what they are already fooling themselves? Well, or knowing their suppliers, they immediately subtract a little from the declared capacity. Under the battery, the processor and memory, they are closed by a metal screen. Only the VC7916 chip is visible. Google is broadcasting that this is a transceiver with an amplifier.

You can also evaluate how IP67 protection is organized. This is a banal silicone insert around the perimeter, which is pressed by the body. Rain, shower, sweat in the gym — they all survive it easily, you can’t swim in the watch.

Functions and Features

The watch can work in 2 modes: as a standalone device with a SIM card and various applications from the market and as a companion to a smartphone, showing notifications on the screen and working with the application on a smartphone. And 2 scenarios at once can be used.
In order to change the dial, you need to make a long press on the main screen. The dials are pre-installed, but they are not very many, just a couple of dozen.

But through the application you can install additional ones, there are just an incredible number of them, I will show only a few for example.

Swipe down from the main screen will open quick access to some functions, moving between screens is carried out using the sensor. Here you can find information about the condition of the clock and the presence of active connections, enable or disable WiFi, Bluetooth or mobile Internet, adjust brightness, clean RAM, etc. Separate screens are responsible for the weather and the management of the music player.

Swipe to the right from the main screen will show the notifications that come on the clock. Russian text is normally supported, the font is pleasant without spaces. At first, only a part of the notification is shown, but you can open it completely and read it by scrolling down.

Swipe up from the main screen will open a sports section with indicators of daily distance traveled, steps, calories burned. You can see the data for the week. Here are the pedometer settings (your physical data) for a more accurate calculation.

Swipe to the left will open a menu with installed applications. The view can be customized as a grid or randomly placed shortcuts.

Since we have full-fledged Android here, PlayMarket is available with its entire application base and you can install what you need, for example, a third-party browser or audio player. By connecting wireless headphones, the watch perfectly replaces the audio player, offering convenient controls and a form factor that allows you to use the device when playing sports.

Touch control and text input on a small screen is not convenient, but you can use google assistant giving voice commands. For example, start navigation to the desired address, find information in the browser, use a translator, start the recorder, see the weather, etc. In fact, here we have a full-fledged smartphone with all its capabilities.

For example, I installed CPU-Z, where you can see detailed information about the hardware of the watch.

After installing the card, you can use the watch for communication: make voice calls or use video, read and send messages, etc. Voice calls are activated on the speakerphone, but you can use a bluetooth headset.

There is a section for sports with various programs. You can record a workout, such as a run, during which distance, calories burned, and heart rate are counted.

The settings are just like smartphones: you can adjust the ringtone and its volume, screen brightness, connect to wireless networks and see information on the remaining charge. It is also possible to use the gesture of turning on the screen to raise your hand and turn off the pedometer if you are not using it (the operating time will increase).

A few words about the application. In it you can see the activity readings for a day or a period of time, a report on heart rate measurements, etc. But all this is incidental, the main task of the application is to organize notifications on the watch screen from the specified applications and there are no problems. You yourself choose which applications you want to receive notifications from and then they are displayed on the watch screen.

Notifications always arrive, the connection is not lost, and if you went far from the smartphone and the connection was disconnected, then when you return to the connection zone, it is automatically restored.

Autonomy

Here I initially did not build any illusions, because even on the product page it is indicated: the operating time, about 1 day. In fact, it is a smartphone in the form of a watch and as a smartphone it needs to be charged daily. But actually it even depends on the style of use. If the watch works as an assistant, for notifications and simple tasks, then it works 2 days. If you install a SIM card and use it actively, then from morning to evening. While studying and experimenting, it happened that even before the evening did not reach. But now, having played enough, I came to the normal type of use and usually in the evening I have about 30% of the charge left. Of course I put them on charge, the benefit with magnetic contacts is simple. But personally, a couple of moments annoy me. Sometimes in the morning I can forget about the clock in a hurry and leave them at home. A matter of habit, of course, this has already happened a couple of times. The second point is the opposite. I can forget to put them on charge and go to bed with the clock, in the morning of course they will be barely alive. In general, a short time for me is of course an absolute disadvantage. In fact, the only one, but very significant. But strangely enough, this does not bother some at all, the same owners of Apple Watch paid an incredible $ 500 for the watch and received the same 1–2 days from a single charge.

Summary

The watch is interesting and thanks to full-fledged Android can be used for a variety of purposes: player, navigator, phone, assistant. Here really everything is limited only by your imagination. From what I liked, I note: good performance, a bright high-quality screen, interchangeable straps, full-fledged Android and the ability to install applications from the market. I did not like the autonomy, but the 4 core processor leaves no chance for the battery. In general, if you are looking for such a device, then ask yourself the main question: are you ready to charge your watch every day? If so, you will like the watch. If not, well, you get the idea.