The fact that a smart Sber column will appear was not a question, but only a matter of time. And it turned out to be “a matter of time” in the truest sense of the word. The former bank, and now a full-fledged technocorporation, was simply looking for a better format, trying not to copy Yandex.Station, HomePod, Amazon Echo, Capsule, and others like them – all, of course, a little different, but in fact copying to one degree or another each other. When looking at SberPortal with its completely atypical smart screen format for the Russian market, it seemed that Sber could consider the task completed and just release “another smart speaker”. To logically round off the product line.

SberBox Time smart speaker review: a matter of time

 But everything turned out to be not so simple. SberBox Time is not just a speaker that stands out for its atypical, horizontally oriented design and horn shape, but also an analogue clock. With the possibility of decorating with additional accessories that you yourself can print on a 3D printer. Finally, this speaker turns into a SberBox when connected to a TV and receives additional functionality. Okay, Salute, I’m surprised.

SberBox Time
Indication	Analog clock + status indicator
CPU	Amlogic S905D3 (4 × ARM Cortex-A55, frequency 1.9 GHz)
RAM	2 GB
Storage device	16 GB
Wi-Fi	2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth	5.0
speaker	Two speakers with a total power of 15W
Number of microphones	5
Dimensions	162×162×170mm
Weight	1.18 kg (packaged)
Price	7 990 rubles

Design and construction

Like SberPortal, SberBox Time looks very cool, which never ceases to amaze, given that Sber is new to the world of consumer electronics. At least Sberbank has already learned how to look for partners for the release of gadgets.

The column is made in the form of a truncated cone laid on the “side”. Its “base” is covered with frosted glass (in the black version), under which we see an indicator of the status and operation of voice assistants (yes, again in the plural – we will recall this below) and two arrows. They are real, this is not a screen – there really is an analog clock, the ticking of which in absolute silence can even be heard (but you have to try very hard). You don’t need to start or at least set the time manually — the watch itself sets the correct time, you just need to connect SberBox Time to the Internet.

At the top there is a forced mute/unmute button for the microphone (that is, a voice assistant) and large touch-sensitive volume keys.

On the “top” of the cone (and the back of the speaker) are the ports: power connector, Ethernet, HDMI and USB Type-C (the latter is used either to transmit sound through an adapter or to charge the phone).

The case of the clock column is made of matte plastic with a fabric texture obligatory for such devices, covering the speakers. There are two versions of SberBox Time – black, as in our case, and white, which differs not only in the color of the case, but also in the glossy rather than matte glass that covers the hands of a mechanical watch. The build quality, again, is excellent.

There is also an unusual “killer feature” – special accessories for decorating the column, which are put on it with a rim: ears, wings or, as in this case, horns. Moreover, you can’t buy them – 3D models will be posted in the public domain. Download – and look for a 3D printer to print. In the future, Sber promises a lot of accessories and multi-colored versions of the column.

The box with SberBox Time contains a power cable with an adapter – yes, this is another smart speaker without a battery that works only when connected to the mains.

Functionality and sound

Anyone who has ever dealt with smart speakers can easily predict the basic functionality of SberBox Time as a smart speaker. This is primarily the home of the

virtual assistants of the Salyut family. There are three of them – Sber, Athena and Joy, each with its own character: the first with a male voice, the other two with female ones. You can switch between assistants on the go. The set of their capabilities in column mode, of course, is narrower than that of SberPortal – a virtual assistant will no longer be able to sign you up for a haircut – but the possibilities have expanded precisely in terms of communication. Where the smart screen displayed search results on the display, the speaker announces them. This is much more convenient if you want to get some simple reference information – you don’t have to go to the device and read the answer.