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Battery life
- Battery ran down far too fast for our liking
- Use the GPS and it’s even worse
- Magnetic battery charger is hit and miss
This is where the Nixon Mission falls a little flat. Having built-in GPS is a great thing but it’s the ultimate battery sapper.
Even when not using this feature the Mission only just lasted a day and a half, sometimes a little bit more. It just doesn’t stand up to heavy use. You need to keep this in mind when it comes to trying to get up that great big hill of hope - make sure you’ve fully charged the device and even then if you’ve got GPS on don’t expect much more than five hours’ solid use.
We expected more, given the Nixon Mission is a bulky device with plenty of room for a chunky battery and it’s running off the Snapdragon 2100 chip, too, which prides itself on battery efficiency.
Verdict
The Nixon Mission is one of the most well-built smartwatches we’ve tried. It’s like Batman in the armored power suit - bulky, impressive and ready for war.
But looks are a little deceiving. Underneath the tough exterior is a watch capable of doing many things but its battery means it runs out of steam quicker that we would like.
Who’s it for?
Salt-flecked Californians and winter warriors ready for the slopes, that’s who. It’s primed with all the data points you need for a good ski or surf and is self sufficient in GPS, while packed with other fancy features. And it’ll be a talking point apres ski.
But it isn’t for those looking for a regular everyday smartwatch, despite having all the features Android 2.0 offers. It would be like wearing a suit to a sauna, total overkill.
Should I buy it?
If you want something subtle, suave, sophisticated, then the Nixon Mission is not for you. But it is a decent smartwatch from a proper watch company. It offers myriad features within its bulky frame and is primed for those who prefer ski and surf to surf and turf.
It’s rugged, brilliantly made but falls short on battery life and is just too big for everyday use.
But if you’re looking for a bulky, bolshy smartwatch that will certainly make an impression (and dent) then this is definitely for you.
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