PENOX WristBuds is a 2-in-1 rugged Bluetooth 6.0 smartwatch with integrated TWS earbuds, eliminating the need for a separate charging case. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts and the “zero-clutter mobility” market.
The watch is built around a Bluetrum AB5681G RISC-V smartwatch MCU managing both the smartwatch interface and audio synchronization. The device sports a large 2.1-inch IPS display with a 320×390 resolution and is housed in a CNC-machined zinc alloy body. But what’s interesting about this is its mechanical, spring-loaded “Pop & Snap” design that houses the TWS earbuds inside the watch, and eliminates the need for a separate charging case.
PENOX WristBuds specifications:
- MCU – Bluetooth AB5681G
- CPU – 32-bit RISC-V CPU @ up to 140 MHz
- Memory – TBC (not mentioned at all in the MCU datasheet)
- Storage – 128Mbit integrated NOR Flash
- Display & Graphics – SPI/QSPI display engine with HW acceleration (DMA, rotation, scaling, blending)
- Audio – Mono Sigma-Delta ADC/DAC, MIC amp, AEC/ANS/PLC/EQ support
- Wireless – Bluetooth 6.0 (BR/EDR/BLE), +9 dBm TX, -93 dBm RX
- Other I/O – Up to 27 pins with interrupt/wakeup support; 12× 10-bit ADC channels
- Power
- Voltage – 2.8V to 4.5V; Integrated PMU (buck + LDO), Li-ion charger up to 300 mA
- Consumption – ~0.23 mA sleep, 20 µA deep sleep, ~0.14 mA BLE connected
- Package – QFN40 (5×5 mm)
- Temperature – -40°C to +85°C
- Display
- 2.1-inch IPS full-surface touch display
- 320×390 resolution
- 99.5% Adobe RGB color gamut
- 178° viewing angle
- Peak Delta E < 2 color accuracy
- Touchscreen and a tactical rotary crown with haptic feedback for non-linear navigation
- Audio (earbuds)
- Integrated TWS earbuds with dual-Mic and ENC, claiming 90% ambient noise filtering
- Smart touch controls for volume and AI assistants
- Connectivity – Bluetooth (supports HD Bluetooth calling with “Wrist-To-Ear Sync” for hands-free operation)
- Misc
- Continuous 24/7 SpO2 (blood oxygen) and heart rate monitoring
- Blood pressure monitoring (one-tap)
- Sleep monitoring with stage analysis (Deep, REM, Light) and a “Recovery Score”.
- 100+ sports modes
- Power Management
- Battery capacity – 400mAh lithium battery powers the base of the watch and earbuds
- Battery life – Up to 7 days of normal use, 50 days of tactical standby
- Charging – Magnetic cable, 1-2 hours fast charge
- Dimensions – 47mm width, 14mm thickness (Watch Case); Wrist Circumference – 220mm
- Durability – IP67 water and dust resistant
- Enclosure – CNC-machined body (multi-coated zinc alloy) with reinforced aluminum latches
The wireless earbuds are held inside the watch by a magnetic docking system, and the company clarifies that its magnetic system keeps them secure even during intense activity. The company also clarifies that the watch still maintains its IP67 water and dust resistance despite the opening mechanism, but how well the latch holds up over time, especially in muddy or sandy conditions, will be something early users will need to experience themselves.
Previously, we wrote about other unique smartwatches, such as the LightInk, which is an ESP32-based, solar-powered E-ink smartwatch with up to 10 months of battery life. There’s also LILYGO’s T-Watch Ultra, an IP65-rated ESP32-S3 smartwatch with a 2.01-inch AMOLED display, LoRa, and GNSS. Additionally, there are devices such as the Waveshare ESP32-S3 watch and the NASA Artemis Watch 2.0 designed for educational and DIY use.
The PENOX WristBuds kit is currently offered on Kickstarter with a low $1,000 goal, which has already been surpassed. The “Super Early Bird” pledge starts at $99 for a single pack, with a 50% discount off the $199 MSRP. Other options include a double pack for $189, a triple pack for $279, and a family pack (four units) for $359. Additional colored wrist straps are available in 12 colors, including Olive, Cyan, and Coral, and can be added starting at $9. Shipping costs are usually around $8–$15, depending on the region. Delivery is expected in August 2026.
Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication
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