The Indian smartwatch market is witnessing a boom. A report by research firm, Counterpoint in November claimed India has the highest number of smartwatch users in 2022, and the number is likely to grow next year. There are multiple reasons for the accelerated growth, but the biggest criterion is the price. Until a few years ago, most smartwatches were priced above Rs 10,000, and users had to settle for affordable smart bands or fitness trackers. In the last few years, brands like Noise and Fire-Boltt have revolutionised the market, forcing legacy brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus to rethink their strategy and launch their own watches under Rs 5,000.
On paper, smartwatches under Rs 5,000 are feature-packed, and it seems they can easily compete against high-end watches such as the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch series. The catch is most smartwatches in this segment offer inaccurate health data, though companies maintain that users must take statistics for reference. Most budget smartwatches cannot also automatically detect a workout mode, and you don’t get a thorough analysis of health metrics as we do with Apple Watches, Fitbits, and Garmin smartwatches.
At the same time, budget watches offer features that can improve your daily productivity. For instance, users can track sleep habits, and some even allow you to take calls on the watch via Bluetooth. The latter can significantly help with reducing smartphone screen time.
If you’re planning to get a new smartwatch, there are loads of options available. Naturally, more options can be confusing, and we have a solution too. India Today Tech and Fiiber team tested a bunch of smartwatches under Rs 5,000 this year, and here is our list to help you find the right device.
OnePlus Nord Watch
OnePlus introduced its first Nord-series Watch in India this year, and fans were excited about its launch. Priced at Rs 4,999 it is one of the most value-for-money smartwatches in the market and it comes with a great display, thanks to the AMOLED panel. It could be a bonus for those already using a OnePlus smartphone.
Other key features of the OnePlus Nord Watch include multiple watch faces, sports mode, a 10-day battery, SpO2, heart rate, stress monitor, and menstrual tracker.
Realme Watch 3
If looks are your priority, the Realme Watch 3 is a great option to consider. In some ways, it looks very similar to an Apple Watch.
The Realme Watch 3 works very well with an iPhone as well, and users can take calls directly after connecting the watch and the iPhone over Bluetooth. The company claims a 7-day battery, though that is a bit of an exaggeration. The watch fetches inaccurate data, but the health metrics are only for reference. It is priced in India at Rs 3,499.
Amazfit Bip 3
Amazfit has been launching some notable smartwatches under the GTS series; however, those are priced above Rs 10,000. Its Bip series is popular among customers looking for a budget option, the Amazfit Bip 3 impressed us this year. The watch offers a comfortable fit and it is among the devices to provide near-accurate health data.
Some customers may not be happy with its appearance, but the good part is that the watch offers over 10 days of battery use. Otherwise, it comes with common eye-catching features such as a sleep tracker, heart rate, SpO2, and multiple sports modes. The Amazfit Bip 3 costs Rs 3,499 in India.
Redmi Watch 2 Lite
Xiaomi has multiple smart bands in India, but its sub-brand Redmi launched a smartwatch-cum-fitness band called Redmi Watch 2 Lite earlier this year. The benefit of the Redmi Watch 2 Lite is that it provides the benefits of smart bands but in a relatively larger form factor.
Its features include a continuous SpO2 tracker, stress and sleep monitoring, 5ATM water-resistant build, 120+ watch faces, and a menstrual tracker. It is also available in multiple colours, which is always a good thing. It costs Rs 3,499 in India.
Honourary mentions: Before we get to the last product, Indian brands like Gizmore and Ambrane also deserve credit for launching a range of watches under Rs 5,000 in India. While their smartwatches come with impressive hardware, the companies need to improve their app services, which could always happen next year.
Fire-Boltt Ring 3
Similar to Realme Watch 3, the Fire-Boltt Ring 3 offers Bluetooth calling and multiple watch faces. One of the most useful features is that users can change the wallpaper or watch face by rotating the dial. This lets users choose a new look whenever they are unhappy with the look.
The smartwatch offers voice assistance, and other key features include a built calculator and games, SpO2, and heart rate monitoring. It is also among the cheapest watches on our list at Rs 2,999.
