POLAR Street X: recently released

A more casual approach for the fitness watch platform

Over the years, we’ve reviewed a number of Polar fitness watches, and we’ve been impressed by what they offer. In fact, the algorithms they leverage are so good they’re actually part of the G-SHOCK Move platform now as well. How do you create something to catch eyes? Well, the answer here is to realize that not everyone who’s quantifying their day and activities is training for a race, or if they are, are doing that training off in the woods. To that end, they’ve introduced the POLAR Street X.

POLAR Street X: what it is

To read the product page, they call the POLAR Street X their urban sports watch. What does that mean? Well, for this watch, it means it’s meant for city dwellers - those who live, work, and exercise, in the city. In terms of specific things that they’ve built in to distinguish it from other watches, there are a few items.

First off, it’s got built-in route guidance that leverages the on-board GPS of the watch. So, you can plan out a route to walk or run, and have the watch guide you along. Handy if you’re in a new neighborhood. For that matter, it could even be of benefit just walking to a new lunch spot you’re not quite sure where it is.

The other main thing they’ve added here is an integrated LED flashlight, at the 12 o’clock position on the case. Why might this matter? Well, anything that makes you more visible to traffic if you’re out exercising after dark is a good thing indeed. And if you can add light into something you’re already wearing, well, then you’re not increasing your loadout.

What else does it have going on?

For one, it has an AMOLED screen underneath the Gorilla Glass, which means you should have lower power consumption, as well as a crisper display, than a traditional LED screen would offer. On the power side of it, you should get between 43 hours and 10 days of life between charges, depending on how much you’re using things like the on-board GPS and the various health sensors. Frankly, that’s pretty reasonable for a watch of this nature.

You’ve also got a built-in barometer, which is going to be less for reading the weather, but more for figuring out your elevation changes. Past that, you’ve of course got the heart rate and oxygen sensors, an accelerometer, and all of the Polar algorithms to track just how hard your workouts are, how you’re recovering, and the like.

Wrapping things up

If you’d like to get your own POLAR Street X, it’s available now for $249.99. At the moment, it’s available in black or white, and then there’s also a forest green hue that’s a bit more limited (at least to start). Whatever color you pick, the strap is color-matched to the case. Oh, and on that strap, do note that it has a notch in it for the LED flashlight. So, if you’re the sort who likes putting other, aftermarket straps on, that will be a consideration. Check out the watch, and order yours, directly at polar.com

POLAR Street X Highlights

• 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen display protected by Gorilla Glass 3

• Tested to MIL-STD-810H standards

• Water resistant to WR50

• Reinforced polymer construction with an eight-screw chassis for added protection

• Large, easy-grip buttons for confident control

• 22 mm quick-release strap compatibility for personalization

• Replaceable battery

Tech Specs

• Dimensions

  • Width:1.8 in

  • Height:1.8 in

  • Thickness:0.5 in

• Weight

  • Total weight:1.7 oz

  • Total weight without wristband:1 oz

• Display

  • Display type:AMOLED

  • Display size:1.28 Inch

  • Display resolution:416 × 416

  • Touch screen:Yes

  • Always on display:Yes

  • Ambient light sensor:Yes

• Performance

  • CPU speed:275 MHz

  • Memory:37 MB

  • Storage:32 MB

• Materials

  • Case material:Bio-based plastic

  • Screen material:Gorilla Glass

  • Bezel material:Bio-based plastic

  • Geo location

  • GPS:Yes

  • Galileo:Yes

  • BeiDou:Yes

  • QZSS:Yes

  • Assisted GPS:Yes

  • Assisted Galieo:Yes

  • Assisted QZSS:Yes

• Connectivity

  • Bluetooth technology:Bluetooth® LE

  • USB cable:Proprietary / USB-C

• Durability

  • Operation temperature min:-4 °F

  • Operation temperature max:122 °F

  • Water resistance:WR50

  • Tested against military standards:MIL-STD-810H

• Sensors

  • Precision Prime™:Yes

  • ECG:none

  • SpO2:none

  • Skin Temp:GEN 1

  • OHR:GEN 3.5

  • Barometer:Yes

  • Magnetometer compass:Yes

  • Accelerometer:Yes

  • Gyroscope:Yes

• Battery

  • Battery capacity:385 mAh

  • Battery type:Li-Pol

  • Battery rechargeable:Yes

  • Performance training mode:43 h

  • Eco training mode:170 h

  • Smartwatch mode:10 d

• Misc

  • Stop watch:Yes

  • Speed pace:Yes

  • Countdown timer:Yes

  • Interval timers:Yes

  • Manual laps:Yes

  • Automatic laps:Yes

  • Autostart stop:Yes

  • Vibration alerts:Yes

  • Alarm:Yes

  • Clock:Yes

  • Backlight:Yes

  • Front led light:Yes

  • Date and weekday:Yes

  • Time of the day:Yes

  • Button lock:Yes

  • Updateable firmware:Yes