Sharp launches its first smartwatch, the Karada Mate, featuring innovative automatic calorie measurement technology that sets it apart in the crowded health-wearables market, aiming at users seeking more precise health management tools.
Sharp’s Karada Mate Watch, launched on 9 July as the company’s first smartwatch, is built around one claim that sets it apart from most rivals: it can automatically measure and record calorie intake. Sharp says the watch uses technology from HEALBE to analyse biological signals and estimate how much energy has been consumed, rather than relying on manual logging. That makes it an unusual device in the crowded health-wearables market, where calorie tracking is usually tied to food entry in an app rather than direct measurement. Sharp’s official materials say the watch also supports broader health management, with guidance that reflects exercise, sleep and daily activity patterns.
The watch itself is understated. Its 42mm square case and circular display sit in a size range that should suit most wrists without drawing too much attention. The design is simple rather than sporty, and Sharp has clearly aimed for something that can pass in business settings as easily as in casual wear. There are two finishes, gold and silver, with matching straps in beige and black, and the company says the 20mm strap can be replaced with standard alternatives. In practice, that means buyers are choosing the case finish first and treating the strap as a secondary detail.
Operation will be familiar to anyone who has used a mainstream smartwatch. There is a crown on the right edge, along with a side button that can be assigned to a preferred function. Pressing the crown opens the menu, where functions can be launched in the usual way, and the companion Karada Mate app handles data synchronisation with the phone. The first setup is straightforward, with the on-screen prompts doing most of the work. Sharp’s product page says the watch also presents health data in a timeline view, and that menu suggestions are supervised by registered dietitians.
Sharp is also pushing the device as a practical everyday health tool, not just a novelty. The company says the watch includes water-balance tracking and can alert the wearer with sound and vibration when hydration may be needed. It is designed to be washed with hand soap, and third-party coverage of the launch noted dust resistance and a high level of water resistance for daily use. At ¥59,400 on Sharp’s own online store, it is not a low-cost tracker, but the price reflects a product aimed at users who want something closer to a specialist health monitor than a conventional smartwatch.
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