First of all, it should be noted that most friends understand smartwatches as devices like the Apple Watch that can seamlessly connect with mobile phones and download applications. In fact, currently, besides the Apple Watch, there are no other brands that can achieve these functions. Therefore, if we lower the definition of smartwatches, they are devices that can connect to mobile phones and realize some functions that mobile phones cannot, such as heart rate and sleep monitoring, as well as vibration alarms.
1. Honor Band 5 Series, around 200 Yuan
The Honor Band 5 is a stunning entry-level high-cost-performance smart band. If it weren’t for the fierce price wars in the band industry in recent years, similar products would at least be priced at over 1000 Yuan. Just look at similar products from Fitbit and Garmin, which are priced at around 200 USD.
Advantages:
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At a price point of over 200 Yuan, it uses an AMOLED full-color screen instead of a TFT color screen. The 0.95-inch screen has a PPI of 282 and supports full touch operation. The screen can display 40 characters per page and fully utilizes the advantages of a color screen, with different colors indicating different types of messages such as WeChat and QQ. Only an AMOLED screen can achieve this effect.
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Diverse watch face market, similar to Xiaomi in China, supports third-party watch face markets.
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Blood oxygen detection SPO2: In fact, blood oxygen detection is not significant for most people, but it is crucial for certain groups: snorers, high-intensity brain workers (like programmers), the elderly (over 50 years old), and those in high-altitude environments.
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Huawei’s own health data system for bands, integrated with the heart research program of the 301 Hospital (this requires a Huawei phone and downloading the heart health research app).
Disadvantages:
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The advertised battery life is 14 days, but this is under conditions where many functions are turned off. In normal use, it lasts about 7 days, which is still acceptable.
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If not using a Huawei or Android system, there will be a discount on its functionality after purchase.
Some terms mentioned in the text, the difference between the AMOLED screen of the Honor 5 and the TFT screen of the Honor Band 5i.
AMOLED is a display array made of organic light-emitting diodes that emit light actively; TFT-LCD is a liquid crystal display that does not emit light by itself and requires backlighting. AMOLED has significant advantages over TFT LCD in terms of picture quality, performance, and cost due to its different light-emitting methods. TFT-LCD requires backlighting, which naturally makes it thicker than AMOLED.
Recommendations for blood oxygen detection:
High-intensity brain workers, such as students, programmers, and white-collar workers who work overtime, have a higher oxygen consumption than ordinary people. Long-term hypoxia can lead to fatigue, drowsiness, and poor memory. The elderly have physiological aging of their heart and lung organs, making them prone to insufficient oxygen intake. Activities at high altitudes may lead to dangerous hypoxia reactions.
Personal summary: For a high-spec entry-level smartwatch at 200 Yuan, I would definitely recommend the Honor Band 5.
Note: If your city supports the NFC version, it is recommended to choose the NFC version directly!
Honor Band 5i
New product from the second half of 2019, compared to the 5th generation, it is simpler and cheaper, but some functions have been removed, such as swimming mode. However, with USB direct charging + large color screen + exercise monitoring + sleep monitoring, what more can you ask for at a price of over 100 Yuan?
Advantages:
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USB direct charging, no longer worrying about losing charging cables, can charge anytime and anywhere.
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Scientific sleep monitoring, which is Huawei’s own technical advantage, mentioned later.
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Heart rate/blood oxygen monitoring: suitable for sports enthusiasts.
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All the functions that other bands should have are included: alarms, multiple exercise modes, calorie consumption, etc.
Disadvantages:
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Somewhat lower-spec version, does not support swimming and swolf, non-touch screen, the display is TFT, and the color is somewhat inferior to the 5th generation, but the price is also cheaper.
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If not using a Huawei or Android system, there will be a discount on its functionality after purchase.
Personal summary: If you often lose charging cables, you must buy this 5i that can charge directly via USB without a cable.
2. Xiaomi Mi Band 4, 169 Yuan
AMOLED color large screen + swimming monitoring + exercise monitoring, at a price of over 100 Yuan, the only competitors are Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and Honor Band 5.
Advantages:
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AMOLED screen with vibrant colors, directly competes with the reliable opponent, Honor Band 5.
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Exclusive feature: Integrated with Xiao Ai, which can only be done by Xiaomi’s ecosystem, achieving smart home voice control on the wrist, this can be considered an exclusive feature, and it has been maximized, allowing voice control of the phone, such as finding the phone, playing music, and silent mode, among over 100 smart voice scenarios.
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Has a swimming coach feature (though this is not much use in winter for most people).
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Theoretical battery life of 20 days, which is quite impressive, actual use lasts around 14 days.
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All the functions that other bands should have are included: alarms, multiple exercise modes, calorie consumption, etc. Optional NFC feature (very practical, if your city supports it, try to choose the NFC version).
Disadvantages:
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Does not have the blood oxygen detection of the Honor Band 5, nor the heart health plan in collaboration with the 301 Hospital, health functions are slightly weaker, but has many smart elements.
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If not using Xiaomi or Android systems, there will be a significant discount on its functionality after purchase.
Personal summary: In simple terms, if using Huawei system, choose Honor Band 5 without hesitation; if using Xiaomi system, directly choose Xiaomi Mi Band 4. For other phone systems, choose Honor Band 5 for health functions and Xiaomi Mi Band 4 for smart elements.
3. AMAZFIT Bip (Youth Version), 399 Yuan
This product has been at the price of 399 Yuan since its release a few years ago. Except for slight price drops during some promotions, it has maintained its value relatively well (unfortunately).
Advantages:
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Battery life of 45 days, which is quite impressive. (The principle is relatively simple, using an ultra-low power screen, and the screen is mostly in a locked state, combined with a small RTOS system, making its battery life rank among the best.)
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Built-in GPS. Having GPS at this price point allows for direct pace checking and map recording, which is very convenient.
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Supports offline payment via Alipay. When running outdoors without a phone, you can still buy a bottle of water using offline payment, which is quite convenient.
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Dynamic heart rate detection. This is already a standard feature for all smartwatches, saying or not saying it is the same.
Disadvantages:
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Due to the ultra-low power screen, the display effect is somewhat compromised, with noticeable lag when swiping, but the screen is still colorful and touch-sensitive.
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Very lightweight, leading to two extremes: some find it very comfortable to wear and unnoticeable, while others feel it has a cheap feel.
4. HONOR Watch Magic, 799 Yuan
Huawei’s brand focuses on business and performance, while Honor focuses on cost-effectiveness. This watch has a very high cost-performance ratio. At 800 Yuan (sometimes 700 Yuan during promotions), it offers a metallic feel, and the screen uses an AMOLED high-definition color touch screen, similar to mobile phone display effects. It is outstanding, along with sleep management and stress management features, making it suitable for entry-level and slightly advanced sports watches, as well as for business and study scenarios. Personally, I have found the stress detection and breathing training features quite appealing during my months of use.
Advantages:
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9.8 mm thick, outstanding metallic feel. When you hold it, it strongly contrasts with the Apple Watch; aside from performance and compatibility, the Magic model wins in appearance, though this is subjective.
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Sleep detection and management. This is a highlight of Huawei’s wearable hardware products, developed in long-term collaboration with Harvard University’s sleep research institute CBD, which is significantly better than similar products. Few companies invest in basic functions like sleep, while most competitors focus on flashy features to sell at high prices; only major brands like Huawei and Apple invest in fundamental features.
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Battery life of 7 days. While it doesn’t match the first Amazfit Bip, it’s still quite rare in the smartwatch space.
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Supports NFC functionality. However, if you are an iOS user, don’t expect much; at most, you can use offline payment with Alipay.
Disadvantages:
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Limited by the ecosystem, if it is not a Huawei system, only basic functions can be used. Although it can be used, its functionality will be reduced.
5. Amazfit GTR Smartwatch, 999 Yuan
This is another competitive product under 1000 Yuan, with no obvious shortcomings in terms of workmanship, materials, functions, or brand, and has a very high cost-performance ratio, while also featuring some unique highlights: atrial fibrillation detection/health assessment system, although still in the experimental stage, should not be underestimated.
Advantages:
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Incredible display quality, 326 DPI, very clear, and supports always-on display.
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Outstanding quality, metal ceramic craftsmanship, very delicate, and a titanium alloy case that feels great to the touch.
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Heart detection: identifies irregular heart rates and atrial fibrillation, with announced accuracy through ECG and PPG reaching 94%, which is impressive.
Disadvantages:
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When always-on display is enabled, battery life decreases significantly.
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Some users report minor GPS bugs.
6. HUAWEI WATCH GT Sport Edition, 1288 Yuan
The new GT2 just launched HUAWEI WATCH GT2 (46mm) (with Kirin A1 chip, still strong in battery life but getting larger).
Huawei’s dual-brand strategy is very effective. The Honor brand focuses on cost-effectiveness, targeting younger users, while the Huawei brand targets business users, leading in business office applications. Often, two products with similar features are split into two brands, allowing them to be sold at completely different prices. Compared to the MAGIC, the GT has a larger dial, superior display performance, and a more business-sport style strap, with outstanding quality. However, for women or men with smaller wrists, the MAGIC is clearly more advantageous.
Advantages:
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Compared to the MAGIC, the display performance is better, the screen is larger, and the operation is smoother.
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Workmanship is superior to the MAGIC, with a strong business feel.
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All the functions of ordinary Huawei watches are included.
Disadvantages:
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May look strange on women due to its relatively large size, and even for slim men, it may feel large.
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If you want extreme cost-effectiveness, it may not be the best answer, but it is suitable for business wear.
7. TicWatch Pro 4G Edition, 1799 Yuan
Ask and you shall receive, as a startup company born with a golden key, the team is top-notch from the start, and the backer is Google, the only non-phone brand in the smart watch field (Garmin can be viewed as a sports watch). Backed by Google, this is a true wear OS system, rather than a simple closed RTOS system, making it a genuine smart watch in the Android field (compared to Xiaomi watches, it is more stable).
Advantages:
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Under the Android system, it is possibly the only true smart watch with the backing of Google, running the wear OS system! It truly supports third-party independent applications, rather than built-in native applications. Having a wealthy and technically capable backer is a great advantage.
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Supports Esim cards, dual cards sharing one number.
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Dual-screen dual-system, smart mode lasts two days, normal mode lasts 30 days. Basically comparable to the Apple Watch’s two-day battery life, normal use is possible, truly appealing.
Disadvantages:
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Esim card may not be supported in some regions; be aware of your location to avoid buying a watch that cannot use Esim features.
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For iOS systems, there may be some limitations, as it is backed by Google.
Additionally: If combining the TicWatch Pro with TicPods 2Pro headphones, it creates a very interesting ecosystem.
Here is a small video of the ecosystem: Using Ticwatch with Ticpods 2pro.
8. Garmin Forerunner 235L Running Watch, 999 Yuan
Also available in Forerunner 235/245.
Garmin’s brand and products are almost standard equipment in professional sports textbooks and courses, such as running bibles and other fitness circles, where the recommended products are usually Suunto or Garmin, such as heart rate belts and sports watches. In China, Garmin is almost the standard for marathon watches. Generally, entry-level runners wear the 235/235L, while advanced runners wear the 245 or higher.
I personally counted at the Shenzhen Marathon finish line, about 20 people, 8 or 9 were wearing Garmin watches to complete the half and full marathons. During the registration and material collection phase, almost all were Garmin watches, so Garmin watches have almost become a symbol of identity in marathons/extreme sports, far more deeply ingrained in the professional vertical circles than the Apple Watch.
Advantages:
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Very professional brand, can serve as an identity attribute in vertical circles, just like Huawei’s business attributes.
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Sports functions are very professional and focused, with few flashy features outside of professional sports.
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Long battery life, always-on display, comfortable to wear.
Disadvantages:
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Smart features are very limited, extended functions are achieved through third-party app plugins.
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It has been around for a long time, making it difficult to update and upgrade.
9. Apple Watch Series 5 Smartwatch, 3199 Yuan
I have used the Apple Watch from the most frustrating first generation to now the fifth generation, and it has improved significantly since the first generation.
Currently, in the same price range, if you want to find a smartwatch that can support third-party downloads on iOS, this is still the only solution. If you have a watch + Mac + AirPods + iPhone, it is incredibly convenient, all content + audio + video + images can be seamlessly connected.
Advantages:
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If you are on iOS, this is truly the only choice for a smart watch (supports third-party application downloads).
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If you are a heavy user of iOS products, this can serve as a very important supplement, directly unlocking your computer, linking AirPods to listen to music, even without the phone, completing calls and replying to WeChat messages.
Disadvantages:
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Expensive!
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Cannot be used on Android!
