ASUS VivoWatch 5 Aero debuts in Taiwan with changed design ahead of global release

ASUS has taken its first step to offering to VivoWatch 5 Aero globally. Unveiled in September at IFA 2022 , the VivoWatch 5 Aero combines a small display with a sensor array placed beneath it. According to ASUS, the VivoWatch 5 Aero is the world’s first fitness tracker to offer this functionality, with ECG and PPG sensors contained within a small ring for taking measurements from a fingertip.

Purportedly, it is possible to take more accurate readings from a fingertip than a wrist. ASUS has included the same sensors on the fitness tracker’s rear though, presumably for 24/7 measurements. Moreover, the VivoWatch 5 Aero boasts GPS, 5 ATM water resistance and 3 days of battery life from its 140 mAh battery with regular usage. For reference, the VivoWatch 5 Aero offers a 0.96-inch passive matrix OLED and supports 15 mm wide silicone watch straps.

It is worth stressing that retail versions of the VivoWatch 5 Aero bear hardly any resemblance with the model shown during IFA 2022. For some reason, the fitness tracker now has a thicker and less curved design than its apparent prototype; ASUS has not commented on the design change. The VivoWatch 5 Aero is available first in Taiwan, where it retails for TWD 3,690 (~US$120). It remains to be seen when ASUS will launch the VivoWatch 5 Aero elsewhere, although it had hoped to release it before the end of the year. Potentially, ASUS will wait until CES 2023 before showcasing the VivoWatch 5 Aero again.