Wristcam review: add camera shooting and video calling to your Apple Watch

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it an AppleWatch band with built-in cameras? More importantly, will it make you a hero?

Wristcam review
(Image: © Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Wristcam’s packaging makes it feel worth every bit the asking price. Getting started is no less reassuring; you are guided by an excellent app which puts even the best ‘QuickStart Guide’ to shame. In day-to-day use, the device is simple and elegant, and captures adequate photos (though not as good as the iPhone), which begs the question “Why would you want one?” This is a question you need to find your own answer to, but for us the main answer was the freedom from the phone. The Wristcam lets you capture memories from the pool or a beach, and image quality is secondary to simply having the device somewhere you’d not want to take your phone. Video calling, well, it’s exciting, but it’s not the most flattering angle and because it’s not compatible with FaceTime your friends need a special app.

Pros

  • +

    Take photos without taking your phone

  • +

    Images automatically managed using Apple Photo

  • +

    Capable of live chats

  • +

    Built-in image storage

  • +

    The developers are still adding features

  • +

    Software to chat with Android and Apple phones available

Cons

  • -

    Camera quality a little disappointing

  • -

    No direct link to FaceTime

  • -

    The bulk can be an issue

  • -

    Low-light shooting poor

  • -

    Surprisingly narrow field of view

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The Wristcam is the product of former Apple engineer’s singular pursuit of the possibilities offered by the company’s Watch platform; for a start it is, technically, a compatible watch strap, replacing your existing band though Apple’s elegant lock & release mechanism. Unlike others, though, it can also communicate with the watch, and take advantage of the screen to run its software. It is designed exclusively for Apple’s watch; it will work with both the standard and cellular (LTE) versions, and in the second instance the potential is truly unleashed.

You might see it as the street photographer’s – or spy’s – ultimate tool, a discrete camera which can be used without dipping into the pocket. Equally there is potential to take a camera where you might wish an action camera like the GoPro could follow but don’t feel like wearing a less-than-discrete head-band. It can be all of these things, but Wristcam Inc. have ambitions in the communication space too, which is why the band actually features two cameras, like a phone; one pointing away and another to catch the operator.

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook