The amazing fact about the smartwatches of today is that, while they come with multiple cool and unique features and differences, they definitely do not lack in style and are a perfect fashion statement that goes well with most outfits.
When it comes to smartwatches, there are dedicated fitness tracking brands like Garmin, Amazfit and Fitbit which do one thing and one thing only. There are also Android smartphone brands that offer fitness smartwatches as a part of their ever-expanding digital ecosystems, like Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Realme, HUAWEI, and more. Brands like Apple are also known for their watch series, so it's understandable if you need more info.
For those who are looking to buy a smartwatch in 2024, or want more options on budget smart watches, here is our guide to the best smartwatches you can get based on your budget, personal lifestyle, and brand preferences in Malaysia.
Editor
Jennifer chevron_right
Table of Contents
9 Best Smartwatches in Malaysia 2024
Overview
The Casio G-Shock GSW-H1000 packs a smartwatch system into a durable G-Shock body, making it the perfect fitness and running companion. It keeps that unique G-Shock look while also packing all the basic smartwatch features and lasts up to 1.5 days.
Its 20-bar water resistance makes this smartwatch stand out from other smartwatches, making it perfect for water activities including swimming and diving, as it can go as deep as 200 metres underwater.
Casio G-Shock GSW-H1000 Specs
- Display: TFT LCD Display
- Resolution: 360 x 360 Pixels
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyro, GPS
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
- Dimensions: 65.6×56.3×19.5mm
- Weight: 103g
- Colors: Black
Who is it for?
If you are into aquatic sports like surfing, kayaking and sailing, then the Casio G-Shock is perfect for you, as it comes with 20-bar water resistance. That said, this is still an overall great smartwatch for athletes, as it comes with an Activity app and a built-in GPS that can monitor all your outdoor workouts and give you detailed information about your outdoor activities.
Overview
With an aluminium alloy frame, the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini weighs an incredibly light 31.2 grams. It has a 270mAh battery which allows it to run for 15 days on a single charge. This is impressive considering the watch comes at a cheap price of RM 395!
Other than that, you can also experience its 120+ sports modes, 5ATM water-resistance, and Amazon’s Alexa Voice AI which can be accessed through the built-in microphone. Amazfit also offers plenty of different watch faces in its Zepp App!
Amazfit GTS 4 Mini Specs
- Display: 1.65-inch AMOLED display, 336 x 384 pixels
- Battery: 270 mAh
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- Sensors: BioTracker™ 3.0 PPG biometric sensor, Acceleration sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Ambient light sensor
- Dimensions: 41.8mm x 36.66mm x 9.1mm
- Weight: 31.2 g
- Colours: Mint Blue, Flamingo Pink, Midnight Black, Moonlight White
Who is it for?
The Amazfit GTS 4 Mini is a relatively affordable smartwatch that is suitable for almost everyone, especially those who are looking for an Apple Watch alternative. The best part is, it gives you up to 15 hours of battery life before needing to recharge!
Overview
The Apple Watch Series 8 is Apple’s latest addition to its smartwatch line, with newly added safety features such as Crash Detection and sensors added into the same clean, and crisp design that you know and love.
The addition of the two temperature sensors (one under the display and one close to the skin) on the Apple Watch Series 8 allows for a more accurate reading of changes in temperature. This makes it more accurate when it comes it tracking women’s menstrual cycles through the cycle Tracker, which provides a detailed view of your menstrual cycle to aid in estimating periods and ovulation.
Apart from that, you can also enjoy other features such as its Fitness+, sleep tracker, and a 1.9 inch screen making typing and reading on the smartwatch so much easier.
Apple Watch Series 8 Specifications
- Display: Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density)
- Dimensions: 41 x 35 x 10.7 mm (1.61 x 1.38 x 0.42 in)
- Memory: 32GB 1GB RAM
- Operating System: watchOS 9.0
- Battery: Li-Ion 282 mAh, non-removable
- Colours: Graphite, Silver, Gold
Who is this for?
The fashionable and stylish design, together with its new temperature-sensing feature, makes it perfect for women. So, if you are a woman looking for a smartwatch or if you are looking for one for your female partner, then the Apple Watch Series 8 is a great choice, especially if you also have an iPhone.
Overview
Featuring a 1.43 AMOLED screen, the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE comes with a plastic build that makes it lighter and slimmer than most smartwatches out there. Its large screen is also fingerprint-resistant even without a screen protector!
The Huawei Watch GT 3 SE has 5ATM water resistance and it detects your workouts quickly. The watch can also collect the information you need like, distance, duration, heart rate and recovery rate. It also shows a detailed and visualized map of your route.
Huawei Watch GT 3 SE Specs
- Display: 1.43” AMOLED display, 466 x 466 pixels
- Memory: 4GB RAM
- Operating System: HarmonyOS 2.0
- Battery Life: Up to 14 days
- Features: Speaker, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, optical heart rate sensor, barometer
- Compatibility: Android 6.0 or later, iOS 9.0 or later
- Dimensions: 46.4mm x 46.4mm x 11mm
- Weight: 35.6g
- Colours: Matte Black, Wilderness Green
Who is it for?
This is a simple, low-profile smartwatch that does everything a smartwatch does, and more! Its long battery life makes it perfect for active people who often find themselves off the beaten track!
“In Our Experience” - Live ProductNation Review
The HUAWEI Watch GT 3 SE is the special edition of the HUAWEI Watch GT 3. By “special edition”, they mean “pared down”, but it’s still priced similarly to the latter. As a fitness-centered watch, the Watch GT 3 SE is lightweight, classically-designed, and has a battery life long enough to last almost a fortnight.
The rugged design of the watch is reminiscent of classic watches, so I can see the appeal to timepiece collectors. For a smartwatch, though, it’s not the most intuitive if you’re not familiar with HUAWEI’s Harmony OS, but once you get used to it, everything’s good. It offers most standard features every other smartwatch has, including step count, calorie burn, workout modes, heart rate, SpO2, etc.
One of my favourite features on the phone is the ability to use my own photos on the watch face — this is in conjunction with all the other predesigned watch faces in the app. I could rotate up to five photos, which change every time the watch lights up, so it looks like I’m wearing a different watch every day.
Read our full review here.
Overview
Imagine owning a smartwatch that not only fits your everyday style, but also has a long-lasting battery life, a clear and bright display, and astounding Bluetooth calling features, while being under RM 300 — well, no need to imagine any more!
The Realme Watch 3 allows for at least 5-7 days of usage on a single charge. Users also have the option to turn off certain settings to make it last even longer. This means that you will be able to enjoy the features of this watch and only need to charge it about once a week.
While it is made mostly from plastic, the Realme Watch 3 comes with a metallic finish frame on the sides giving it a more premium look. Display-wise, you can benefit from its clear and colourful 1.8” LCD display that lets you read notifications on the screen better.
The best thing about this watch is that, for this price range, you can still enjoy the Bluetooth calling features which include a notable AI noise-cancelling algorithm that filters out background noise, allowing for clearer calls through its speakers even in noisy surroundings.
Realme Watch 3 Specifications
- Display: 1.8", 240 x 286-pixel color screen, 323ppi pixel density, 500 nits peak brightness, 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3
- Sensors: PPG optical heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, Rotor Vibration Motor
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Compatible with Android 5.1+ and iOS 11+
- Battery: 340 mAh
- Colors: Black, Grey
- Dimensions: 45 x 37 x 11.5 mm
- Weight: 40 grams
Who is it for?
The Realme Watch 3 is a perfect choice for you if you are looking for a smartwatch while on a budget. Despite being affordable, it has all the features you need on a smartwatch, including answering calls, music and camera control, and also fitness and health monitoring. It’s also easy enough to use for a first-time smartwatch owner, making it perfect for a smartwatch novice.
Overview
Just like the name suggests, the Venu Sq 2 is the follow-up of the Venu Sq. The classic design of the Venu Sq 1 allows it to blend perfectly with any outfit, while the large text makes reading notification much easier.
Able to give 11 days of battery life, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 comes with impressive features, including hydration tracking, built-in sports apps, the ability to create your own workouts, and many more. It also provides a personal coach called Garmin Coach for free, which will give you a program that will adapt with you as you follow through on your fitness journey.
The Venu Sq 2 comes in two models: the music edition and the non-music edition. The music edition comes with an inbuilt speaker, allowing you to play music straight from the watch. Of course, the music edition is more expensive than the non-music variant.
Garmin Venu Sq 2 Specs
- Display: 1.41 AMOLED
- Resolution: 320 x 360 pixels
- Sensors: 320 x 360 pixels
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
- Dimensions: 40.6 x 37.0 x 11.1 mm
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Who is it for?
Fitness enthusiasts out there will be pleased to know that the Garmin Venu Sq 2 is built just for you! With the ability to create your own workouts or even get guidance from the Garmin Coach, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 is ideal for fitness enthusiasts or even for those who are looking to get into the gym or any kind of sports. As mentioned above, it has multiple impressive sports apps, but it also comes with its own HIIT feature which has timers for your AMRAP or Tabata workouts.
Overview
Apple devices tend to be pricey, but that’s no longer the case. The Apple Watch SE, released just last year, is available at a starting price of RM 1199, making it the most affordable smartwatch for Apple users. Despite that, it still uses the same processor as the Series 8!
Of course, you can’t exactly expect to have premium features comparable to the Series 8, but the Apple Watch SE still comes with an aluminium casing, curved glass, a Retina display, and all the basic features you would expect of an Apple watch such as the FItness+, Fall Detection, the call feature, heart rate monitor, and many more
Apple Watch SE (2022) Specs
- Resolution: 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery: Li-Ion 296 mAh, non-removable
- Colors: Midnight, Starlight, Silver
- Dimensions: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in)
- Weight: 33 g (1.16 oz)
- Operating System: watchOS 9.0, upgradable to 9.3
- Protection: Ion-X strengthened glass
Who is it for
The Apple Watch SE is perfect for iPhone and Apple enthusiasts who are looking for a smartwatch without wanting to splurge too much thanks to its more affordable price when compared its other siblings.
Overview
With an AMOLED 1.28” display, the Fossil Gen 6 is powered by the Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus chipset, making it faster than the other Fossil predecessors. The Fossil Gen 6 comes with a fast charger that ets the smartwatch to full power in under an hour.
However, the battery only lasts about a day. With that being said, it’s still fast and responsive, so if you’re fine with charging your watch daily, it’s still some of the best smartwatches out there.
The Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch has a classy and stylish design that’s suitable for all occasions. Whether you’re pairing it with a smart three-piece suit or sportswear, it’ll certainly add a flair to your wardrobe, especially since there are over a thousand watch faces to choose from!
Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch FTW4061 Specs
- Resolution: 416 x 416 / 326ppi
- Display: 1.28" Color AMOLED / 416 x 416 / 326ppi
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Altimeter, Ambient Light, Compass, Gyroscope, Off-body IR, PPG Heart Rate, SPO2
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 LE, GPS, NFC SE, WiFi
- Battery: 30 mAh
- Colors:
- Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear 4100+
- Weight:
- Memory: 1GB RAM, 8GB Storage
Who is it for?
We recommend the Fossil Gen 6 for all the gentlemen out there who looking for a smartwatch that will not only go well with your outfits with its sleek design but also allow you to monitor fitness and well-being and also enjoy other basic smartwatch features such as notification reading, steps counting and heart rate monitoring.
We recommend the Fossil Gen 6 for the gentlemen out there who need a sleek and versatile smartwatch that will go well with any outfit. Apart from looking stylish, you’ll also get the added bonus of health and fitness monitoring!
Overview
The GalaxyWatch6 Classic boasts a refined, timeless design that exudes elegance and sophistication. Despite its slim profile, the smartwatch features a 20% larger display and a brighter screen, enhancing visibility and readability. Most importantly, it brings back a fan favorite: the physical rotating bezel!
The Galaxy Watch6 Classic is designed to be the most complete health smartwatch on the market. It offers a comprehensive suite of health and wellness features, including blood pressure and ECG monitoring. Besides that, it also features the One Click Band, which allows for quick and easy band switching with just a click of a button.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic Specifications
- Processor: Exynos W930 (5 nm)
- Display: 1.5” Super AMOLED with Sapphire Crystal
- Memory: 16GB storage, 2GB RAM
- Operating System: Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5
- Battery: 425 mAh
- Features: Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), ECG certified, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, Samsung Pay
- Durability: 5ATM + IP68 Waterproof
- Dimensions: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm
- Weight: 59 g (47mm), 52 g (43mm)
Who Is It For?
Sleek, stylish, and practical, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic is just as feature-rich as ever, perfect for Samsung and Android users in general. If you’re in need of a smartwatch that can help you build healthier habits and live a more balanced life, this is right on the money!
Read our full Galaxy Watch6 Classic review here.
FAQ:
- 3 Tips On How to Choose A Smartwatch
Just like buying a smartphone, there are a few factors worth considering before you spend your hard-earned money on a smartwatch. To make it easier for you, we’ve rounded up 3 essential tips when it comes to picking a smartwatch.
i) Compatibility Matters
Keep in mind that not every smartwatch is created equal. For instance, the Apple Watch Series is specifically designed for iPhone users. So if you happen to own an Android phone, you’re out of luck (unless you are willing to buy an iPhone).
For smartwatches that work on both Android and iPhone, look for one that uses Google’s Wear OS or Samsung’s Tizen OS.
ii) Choose A Smartwatch With A Built-In GPS If You Are A Runner
If you happen to be an avid runner who relies on a smartwatch to track your distance, a GPS-equipped wearable is particularly useful to give you more accurate data. This is especially true when it comes to checking your running distance.
iii) Make Sure It’s Comfortable
Similar to having a lightweight smartphone, you do not want to burden your wrist with a bulky smartwatch. Comfort truly matters here, as you’ll be wearing it all day long.
And so if you choose to buy one online, it’s best to check the description or reviews on how it feels and weighs on the wrist. However, if you have the chance to visit a physical store, ask to wear or rest it on your wrist.
- Advantages vs Disadvantages of a Smartwatch?
Sure, a smartwatch, as most of us know, is a utility tool in our fitness journey. But do we really need it? What is wrong with simpler fitness trackers - which are much cheaper - or just exercising mindlessly?
Here, we break it down for you.
Advantages:
- Smartwatches are closely tied to your smartphone, making them a tool that helps with productivity. They allow you to check notifications and even take calls or access more apps without needing to pick up the phone.
- With that being said, smartwatches can also operate independently as many come with better GPS and cellular benefits.
- Moreover, they are fitted with many health tracking features such as a heart rate monitor, steps tracker, oxygen rate monitor and more.
- With the number of trackers they have, you can easily keep yourself fit and healthy easily as you are alert and mindful about your progress.
- And of course, they are a stylish, futuristic piece of a fashion accessory.
Disadvantages:
- You may have guessed it already; smartwatches are not cheap. They can easily go beyond RM3,000 for premium smartwatches like Garmin and Apple brands.
- Another prominent disadvantage is that not all smartwatches are made rugged; some are purely designed for lifestyle purposes instead of sports which is the commonly-known function of smartwatches.
- And even if you want a phone to help keep your productivity in check, the screens on smartwatches can be too small to do much comfortably.
- Are smartwatches worth it?
If you’re in a loop about whether you should get a smartwatch, it’s always good to ask yourself the important questions about its necessities. Here are common reasons why people usually consider getting a smartwatch.
- A smartwatch gives you access to a huge range of fitness software, helping you to keep track of your personal workout goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle
- They also keep you updated at all times (e.g. emails, news, text notifications) due to its easier access on your wrist
- Some of the latest smartwatches have the ability to notify your emergency contacts of your location if you’ve taken a fall (some also allow for instances other than a physical injury)
- Not only that, but some smartwatches are water-resistant (not necessarily waterproof!), which makes them convenient for an active lifestyle.
There are also cons you may have to consider if you should get a smartwatch.
- Having a smartwatch might not be a necessary expense - you will need to consider the purpose of why you want to purchase a smartwatch (e.g. based on your lifestyle)
- The battery life of a smartwatch differs, but it has lesser battery life in comparison to smartphones and basic fitness trackers.
- Smartwatch vs fitness tracker
Fitness trackers:
Confusing, huh? Simply put, fitness trackers are the more basic option in comparison to a smartwatch.
- Most help you keep track of your daily fitness levels: your steps, calories or sleep. Depending on the device, some fitness trackers support more types of workout programmes than others (e.g. running, cycling, swimming or more).
- Additionally, due to the basic features of fitness trackers, these are available at lower prices in comparison to smartwatches.
- The price however may differ depending on the technology of the fitness tracker (some allow for smart notifications from a phone, music playback and third-party apps).
Smartwatches:
- The keyword here is “smart”. In essence, these ones are like mini versions of your smartphone.
- Smartwatches help to link notifications from your smartphone such as texts, calls, emails, directions, calendar appointments and social media messages; all directly to your wrist. In comparison to fitness trackers, smartwatches are more expensive.
- However, the higher price also means that you will have access to more features in comparison to fitness trackers (more apps, more features other than fitness-related).
- If anything, they’re like mini accessories to your phone, which (personally speaking) can be a good breather for those who dislike disorganisation or looking at their phones all the time.
- What smartwatch brands are popular?
Just like most products, there are popular brands that stand out in the Smartwatch industry.
Apple:
- If you are an iPhone user, the smartwatch you would (or should) automatically consider is the Apple Watch Series. And lucky us, there are several Apple Watch models available.
- While they are pricier than most, Apple Watches are still one of the smartwatch brands that have stayed consistently at the top of the market.
- Notably, users have praised the Apple Watch for its hardware updates, ample health and safety features, and accessibility to third-party apps.
- They also just provide better integration and seamlessness when it’s used between two or more Apple products.
Samsung:
- For those who still aren’t sure, Samsung shines over Apple for its more open connectivity to other Android brands. Not only that, they have both Galaxy smartwatches and fitness trackers available.
- The cream of the crop; Samsung Galaxy smartwatches are known for its sophisticated design and efficient menu navigation. And, these smartwatches are just as capable as Apple watches with a slew of lifestyle and fitness apps.
- A downside is that some top functions are limited to Samsung phones, and that the watches are not compatible with iPhone/iOS devices.
Xiaomi:
- Notable for its offerings for anything from tech gadgets to lifestyle appliances; Xiaomi has quality Mi watches that are known for its affordability.
- Although a more simpler device, the Mi watch is still equipped with an expansive list of workouts with over 100 fitness-tracking modes are available.
- The Mi watch (a mid-range smartwatch) battles with Fitbit’s watches (a fitness tracker) due to its similar price range and affordability.
- Though this watch is good for its low price, some users reported that some of its fitness readings may not always be reliable.
- “So, do I need a smartwatch?”
Referring to what we said earlier; smartwatches are like mini accessories to your phone.
So ask yourself, do you like handling things with just your phone? Or do you wish things can be more accessible without the phone needing to be turned on?
- Think of them as holding many features of a smartphone, all then compressed into a mini version accessible on your wrist.
- For some of the advanced smartwatches, they can receive notifications, make and receive phone calls without your phone around even, and access a wide range of apps.
- However, not all smartwatches have sim card slots, so you may not be able to make a phone call without having your phone nearby. Thankfully, some of the top smartphone apps now also have smartwatch versions of it.
To note, many users who opt for and love their smartwatches are users who prefer to keep a more organised life or needs to stick to a schedule strictly. If you’re somewhat a busy person, you should consider one.
- Budget vs mid-range vs high-end smartwatch
Budget:
The majority of budget smartwatches will help track your fitness workouts and send notifications when you need them. However, a cheaper smartwatch may not have as much access to features and apps in comparison to mid-range or high-end smartwatches.
Mid-range:
While like the budget-range models, they are often build with more premium features and hardware such as a longer battery life and more integrated basic phone features (in depth sleep analysis, acute sports tracking etc.).
High-end:
High-end smartwatches, or rather, luxury smartwatches (such as Tag Heuer) have a greater craftsmanship and attention to detail in comparison to budget or mid-range smartwatches. However, luxury smartwatches do offer similar features as a more affordable brand. They mainly stand out for their sophisticated designs which can easily fit into a personal or business look.
It all comes down to what you need your smartwatch for. Is it purely for health and fitness tracking, a device that keeps you up to date with the news or your meetings, or is it important for it to also be a classy fashion statement?
- Recommended Features to Look Out for in a Smartwatch
- Fitness features: This will depend on your workout needs! Some smartwatches have more workout programs available in comparison to others. Additionally, some people may benefit from having certain features while it might not be a priority for others (e.g. sleep trackers, blood oxygen level tracker).
- Battery life: Different smartwatches may have different battery life capacity and different battery modes. The battery life lasting also depends on your smartwatch usage (what you use it for).
- App availability: The types of apps available on a smartwatch depends on its OS. For example, Android vs Apple smartwatches.
- Average lifespan of a smartwatch
Generally, the lifespan of a smartwatch will depend on the availability of its software support. Some reviews online have mentioned that the life cycle of a smartwatch is usually between 2-3 years, while some commented that software support lasts between 3-4 years.
Here are some tips on how you can maintain the durability of your smartwatch:
- Set the display to turn off when you are not using your smartwatch
- Take note that some watch faces (e.g. interactive ones) use up more battery life
- Certain apps can drain the battery life of your smartwatch faster, hence it would be good if you check and uninstall apps that you don’t use anymore
- Adjust the brightness of your smartwatch screen so that it takes up lesser energy
In the end, whatever your decision is, be sure to be firm on why you want your smartwatch. They are generally a good investment but can also easily fall short on the justification of their prices for many people.
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