Repairable smartwatch one step closer to taking on the Apple Watch Ultra

The Una Watch, an innovative repairable and upgradeable smartwatch, is one step closer to becoming a reality after receiving a substantial investment ahead of its crowdfunding launch. Marketed as the world’s first “modular GPS sports watch,” the Una Watch is showcased in adventurous settings in promotional images on Instagram, indicating its intent to compete with popular smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Garmin, and Polar models.

Designed with modularity in mind, the Una Watch’s components seem easily replaceable, making it ideal for extreme sports enthusiasts who may damage parts of the watch. The preview website promises that a single tool will be sufficient to disassemble the smartwatch, similar to how HMD’s repairable smartphones are designed. Components such as the battery, screen, front panel, and potentially internal parts are all expected to be replaceable.

SFC Capital in the U.K. has provided financial backing to the Una Watch, contributing 300,000 British pounds (approximately $387,360) alongside other investments, including a portion of the prestigious Scottish Edge innovation awards prize. The smartwatch is set to launch on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter with an expected price of 270 pounds (around $350) before any early bird discounts.

The Una Watch’s competitive pricing compared to the Apple Watch Ultra and other models is attributed to its specifications. It is expected to feature a 1.2-inch Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) LCD screen with a 240 x 240 pixel resolution, as well as an ARM Cortex M33 processor commonly found in smartwatches like the Google Pixel Watch 3. The smartwatch boasts sports-centric technology, including sensors for heart rate, blood oxygen, and dual frequency GPS. Additionally, it will only require a USB-C cable for charging, a more convenient solution than proprietary charging pucks used by many other smartwatches.

The Una Watch stands out for its modular design, a feature that sets it apart from traditional smartwatches. While modular upgrades in hardware have had mixed success in the past, the Una Watch’s emphasis on repairability and upgradability showcases a different approach. Despite previous failures in the modular smartwatch market, the Una Watch has garnered significant interest, with 7,000 individuals expressing interest on the website and 1,000 already placing deposits for the smartwatch.

For those intrigued by the Una Watch, the Kickstarter campaign launch date is yet to be announced. Interested individuals can sign up for updates on the official website to stay informed about the smartwatch’s progress.