Lava is expanding its product portfolio, offering both wearable technology with the Prowatch ZN and a budget-friendly smartphone with the X50 Plus. This comparison isn't about direct competition, but rather understanding which device best suits your needs – a dedicated smartwatch experience or a fully-featured, albeit entry-level, smartphone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Lava X50 Plus emerges as the more versatile choice. While the Prowatch ZN caters to a specific niche, the X50 Plus’s quad-core processor and smartphone functionality provide broader utility, making it a better all-rounder despite the lack of detailed specifications for the Prowatch ZN.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 3, 40 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 23 | 2016, November. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), zinc alloy frame | - |
| Dimensions | - | 155 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (6.10 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 600 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC |
| Internal | Unspecified | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | No | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 350 mAh | Li-Po 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Tarnish | Blue |
| Price | About 50 EUR | - |
Lava Prowatch ZN
- Dedicated wearable experience
- Long battery life (estimated)
- Fitness tracking capabilities
- Limited functionality compared to a smartphone
- Lack of detailed specifications
- No camera
Lava X50 Plus
- Full smartphone functionality
- Quad-core processor for better performance
- Camera for capturing photos and videos
- Shorter battery life than a smartwatch (estimated)
- Lower performance compared to high-end smartphones
- Potentially limited storage
Display Comparison
Given the Prowatch ZN is a smartwatch, its display will be significantly smaller than the X50 Plus. We can assume the Prowatch ZN utilizes a color TFT LCD, optimized for readability in direct sunlight, but lacking the high resolution and refresh rates of smartphone displays. The X50 Plus, while likely employing an IPS LCD panel, benefits from a larger screen real estate, crucial for media consumption and app usability. Without specific display specs for the Prowatch ZN, it's difficult to assess color accuracy or brightness, but it will prioritize power efficiency over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
The X50 Plus, even with a potentially modest camera setup, offers photographic capabilities entirely absent in the Prowatch ZN. While the quality may not rival flagship smartphones, the X50 Plus allows for capturing photos and videos, a feature crucial for many users. The Prowatch ZN, lacking a camera, focuses solely on its core wearable functions. Any camera on the X50 Plus, even a single lens, provides a significant advantage in versatility.
Performance
The Lava X50 Plus’s quad-core CPU represents a significant performance advantage over the Prowatch ZN, which likely utilizes a low-power chipset designed for basic tracking and notification handling. The quad-core architecture in the X50 Plus allows for smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and the ability to run more demanding applications. While the Prowatch ZN excels at its limited tasks, the X50 Plus offers a far more capable computing experience. The X50 Plus's chipset will dictate the smoothness of the user interface and the responsiveness of apps.
Battery Life
Battery life is a complex comparison. The Prowatch ZN, with its limited functionality, likely boasts several days of battery life on a single charge. However, the X50 Plus, despite a larger battery capacity needed to power its display and processor, offers the convenience of a full smartphone experience. The X50 Plus’s charging wattage, if supported, will determine how quickly it can be replenished, while the Prowatch ZN likely charges via a proprietary cable or USB. The X50 Plus's battery life will be heavily influenced by usage patterns, while the Prowatch ZN's is optimized for minimal power draw.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Prowatch ZN if you prioritize fitness tracking, notifications on your wrist, and a dedicated wearable experience. It’s ideal for users already invested in a smartphone ecosystem and seeking a companion device. Buy the Lava X50 Plus if you need a primary communication device, access to apps, and basic smartphone functionality. It’s best suited for first-time smartphone users or those seeking a reliable secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What type of connectivity does the Lava Prowatch ZN offer – does it require a paired smartphone?
The Lava Prowatch ZN likely connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth for notifications and data synchronization. It doesn't have cellular connectivity, meaning it relies on a paired smartphone for most functions. The X50 Plus, being a smartphone, offers independent connectivity via cellular networks and Wi-Fi.
❓ Can the Lava X50 Plus handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
The Lava X50 Plus, with its quad-core processor, should be capable of running lighter versions of popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp. However, performance may be limited compared to higher-end smartphones, and multitasking with these apps may result in some lag. The Prowatch ZN will only display notifications from these apps, not run them directly.
❓ Is the Lava Prowatch ZN waterproof or water-resistant, and can it be used for swimming?
Without specific IP ratings for the Lava Prowatch ZN, it's difficult to determine its water resistance. Most smartwatches offer some level of splash resistance, but swimming with it is generally not recommended unless explicitly stated by Lava. The X50 Plus's water resistance is also unknown, but it's unlikely to be suitable for submersion.
