The brand-new Polar Street X is being launched on the market as an ‘Urban Sports Watch’ and aims to be the ideal watch to wear not only during sports but also simply in everyday life. Particularly striking is the low entry price that Polar has chosen for this new model: with a suggested retail price of 249.90 euros, the Polar Street X dives significantly below the price of higher-segment models. Yet, this sharp pricing also comes with compromises, and the primary question seems to be: is that lower price worth the concessions?
When you unbox the Polar Street X – beautifully packaged, as always with Polar – you immediately notice that you are holding a slightly different product than, for example, the Polar Vantage or Polar Grit. It is a somewhat smaller, more compact model, and the material feels a bit more ‘plastic’ and perhaps even cheap. That actually sounds more negative than it is, because the Polar Street X nevertheless radiates a certain class, remains a feast for the eyes, and certainly appeals to the author. Although the quality feels less premium than Polar models that cost a few hundred euros more – which is entirely understandable – you still have a stylish watch in your hands. What also immediately stands out in a positive way is how light the Polar Street X feels.
In our opinion, a very nice feature is that the buttons on the sides of the watch – five in total – are somewhat larger and seem to stick out a bit more, making them even easier to press when needed. These buttons feel sturdy and robust, and they give a nice, reassuring ‘click’ when you use them. Meanwhile, the watch sits a bit more discreetly on the wrist, at least in terms of circumference, but the Polar Street X is slightly thicker than previous models. The deep black colors of the strap and screen ensure that we could describe the look of this new watch as nothing other than ‘rugged’. And that is exactly what an ‘Urban Sports Watch’ should be.
Fewer Features and Capabilities – Unsurprising with This Price Tag
In terms of features and capabilities, the Street X naturally compromises slightly compared to more expensive models, but with a price tag of 249.90 euros, that is hardly surprising. The Street X includes, among other things, an AMOLED touchscreen, heart rate monitoring, route guidance, and an integrated LED flashlight with a red-light mode. The latter is particularly interesting, as it is Polar’s very first watch featuring an integrated LED flashlight.
The flashlight features a white light (with four different intensities) and a red light (one intensity). You might think you will rarely use this flashlight and only need it when navigating difficult trails in the dark, but in practice, nothing could be further from the truth. The number of times I used to grab my iPhone to look for something in and around the house is now a thing of the past; I now simply use the flashlight on the Street X. This saves you from having to hold a phone, keeping your hands free, and it is simply faster. You only truly appreciate the value of this feature once you start using it.
GPS and Heart Rate: The Achilles’ Heel?
So far, so good, but there are also downsides. The biggest of these is the lack of Dual-band GPS. Fortunately, the GPS is accurate enough for basic training sessions, but due to the absence of the dual frequency found in more expensive models, distances and paces might be tracked less accurately in challenging environments, such as busy cities or dense forests. On paper, the problem seems larger than it is; in practice, we didn’t experience too many issues. In reviews by competitors, we read that quite a few problems were encountered with the GPS, but honesty compels us to say that this was not our experience. Yes, it is indeed somewhat less accurate than on the pricier models, but it does not cause serious problems at all. On the other hand, you could say it is at least remarkable that Polar chose to omit Dual-band GPS, precisely on a watch developed for use in the busy city.
Furthermore, the Polar Street X lacks a few luxury options, such as offline music storage or contactless payments. Everyone must decide for themselves whether that is a significant loss, but for the author, it certainly isn’t: these are simply not the features for which we purchase a sports watch in the first place.
Finally, regarding heart rate monitoring: on the Polar Street X, this works without a chest strap – using wrist-based measurement instead – and you do occasionally run into some unusual readings. We tested the heart rate during both indoor and outdoor sessions, and you notice a clear difference. Logically, the less the wrist moves, the more accurately the heart rate measurement works. As a result, indoor training sessions on the Tacx provide a more accurate picture than a rigorous off-road session with hills and descents. The Polar Street X performs ‘adequately’ on this front, but it certainly does not stand out above the competition.
Conclusion: Concessions Yes, Worth It Also Yes
All in all, the Polar Street X is a very sharply and well-priced watch that, due to its price point, comes with a number of compromises. Bottom line, it remains a model that still offers a wealth of options and great value for money, but at the same time, it falls significantly short of the (much) more expensive models in Polar’s top segment. This is logical and understandable, but it is something you need to be aware of. One thing is certain: for 249.90 euros, the Polar Street X delivers a fine, solid, and stylish-looking watch into your home.