I stumbled upon the Omate O8 at Beyond Expo in Macau, and trust me, it stood out—even among the flashiest gadgets. Sleek, minimalistic, and built for a very specific crowd: seniors. This isn’t your average wrist candy pumped full of useless notifications. Instead, it’s a purpose-driven piece of kit designed to give older adults (and their families) real peace of mind.
Inside its elegant rectangular case sits a 1.78″ AMOLED display and a surprisingly beefy 670 mAh battery, all tucked into a body just 15 mm thick. We’re talking a standalone 4G watch that doesn’t need a smartphone to function. But the real showstopper is that bright red button on the side. It looks innocent enough, until you realize it can literally save a life.
Teleassistance: The Lifeline on Your Wrist
Here’s the thing: accidents and emergencies don’t always happen when someone is nearby. That’s why Omate teamed up with Arkea Care to bake in a dedicated teleassistance service. Press and hold the red button, and the screen turns red, an SOS flashes, and an audible alarm kicks in. Behind the scenes, you’re instantly connected to a live Arkea Care operator.
These pros can talk to your loved one right through the watch’s speaker and mic, assess the situation in real time, and call for emergency services if needed. No fumbling for a phone, no typing in phone numbers—it’s fast, direct, and oh-so reassuring. Compared to those old-school pendants or wall-mounted panic buttons, this is truly next-level portability and connectivity.
A Watch that Packs Useful Features
Under the hood, the Omate O8 runs Android 8.1 and features built-in GPS, a 2 MP front camera for video calls with family, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Weighing just 42 g without the bands, it’s light enough to wear all day without feeling like a burden.
Don’t expect fancy ECG sensors or multisport fitness trackers here. Omate isn’t trying to take on Apple or Samsung in the jam-packed fitness arena. Instead, they focused on reliability and simplicity. Motion detection via an accelerometer, offline maps for outdoor adventures, and full 4G standalone support across Europe’s LTE bands make it a solid choice for safety-minded users.
Built for Europe: The Arkea Care Partnership
What really sets the O8 apart is its deep integration with Arkea Care, a well-established French teleassistance provider. This isn’t just a generic SOS number—you’re linked to a team that knows the local protocols, language, and emergency services. Having a human touch available 24/7 means seniors living solo can feel safe, and their families can relax at night.
Omate’s pedigree shows too: this is their eighth generation of smartwatches, and it’s clear they’ve learned a lot. Charging pogo pins, thoughtfully placed antennas for 4G/GPS/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, a sharp, easy-to-read screen, and support for European LTE bands (B1/B3/B7/B8/B20/B28) make the O8 ready for daily use. The stripped-down OS feels responsive and uncluttered, which helps seniors stay focused on what matters.
The Subscription Model
The Omate O8 is sold on a subscription basis—32 € per month for the watch and teleassistance plan, with eligible households able to get it for just 16 € thanks to a tax credit later in the year. At first glance, that might seem steep, but when you factor in the peace of mind, live support, and true standalone connectivity, it starts to feel like a bargain compared to traditional home-installed panic systems.
Bottom line: if you’re hunting for a discreet, reliable safety device that also does the basics of a smartwatch—calls, simple apps, and location tracking—the Omate O8 is a compelling option. It’s not about competing on every front; it’s about doing a few key things right and giving seniors (and the folks who care about them) a genuine sense of protection.
