Best Smartwatches in India

Smartwatches have witnessed a surge in popularity across India, prompting brands to release their offerings across various budget segments. This trend isn't merely anecdotal but backed by research studies consistently highlighting India's burgeoning smartwatch market. Indian consumers, known for their price-conscious approach, seek value for their money, driving the demand for feature-rich yet affordable digital timepieces. Brands like Apple, Samsung, and now OnePlus have stepped up their game, making the world of smartwatches extremely competitive in the high-tier segment. In the mid and lower tiers, brands like FitBit, Amazfit, Boult, boAt, amongst many others continue to have a stronghold.
Both premium smartwatch manufacturers and those catering to budget-conscious buyers face fierce competition, intensifying the landscape. Consequently, the competition in this sphere has reached unprecedented levels. To assist in navigating this dynamic market, here's a curated list of the top 10 smartwatches available in India –
- 1.
The Apple Watch Series 10 sets a new standard for smartwatches, excelling in accuracy, display quality, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. It delivers unmatched precision in health tracking, achieving 100% accuracy in step counting, heart rate, and SpO2 monitoring. The 782-nit display ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, while haptic feedback enhances the user experience. Though it lacks blood pressure monitoring, its overall performance makes it a top contender.
Powered by the S10 processor, the Series 10 offers fluid performance and effortless navigation through watchOS 11. Its premium build, with sapphire crystal glass and an aluminium or titanium frame, enhances durability. Battery life has improved to 36 hours, with fast charging for added convenience. Advanced health features, including ECG, fall detection, and sleep tracking, further elevate its appeal. Seamlessly integrating with Apple’s ecosystem, the Series 10 proves to be a worthy investment for Apple users.
- 2.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in our rigorous tests, it showcased impressive accuracy, scoring 99% in a 2 KM walk, 99.02% in heart rate tracking, and 98.98% in SpO2 monitoring. Step tracking, at 90.71%, was solid, though exercise accuracy (71.52%) lagged behind the Apple Watch’s 81%.
Its 522-nit display ensures good visibility, though it falls short of Apple’s 782-nit brightness. Haptic feedback, rated at 3, could also see improvement. However, with a robust titanium build, extensive features, and seamless Android integration, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a powerhouse. While Apple’s Series 10 maintains a slight lead in accuracy and display brightness, Samsung’s offering remains a top contender, delivering high-end performance and making it an excellent choice for Android users seeking a premium smartwatch experience.
- 3.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 delivers a strong performance, positioning itself as a serious competitor in the smartwatch space. In our accuracy tests, the watch recorded a 99% distance accuracy over a 2 KM walk, demonstrating impressive GPS precision. Heart rate monitoring (HRM) scored 97.94%, closely aligning with tested values, while SpO2 tracking achieved a perfect 100% accuracy.
Step tracking was solid, with 95.8% accuracy compared to Apple’s tested step count. Calorie tracking, however, showed room for improvement, registering 7.09 calories per minute, which is 70.87% of the ideal rate. Notably, the watch lacks blood pressure monitoring, a feature seen in some competitors. Despite minor gaps, the Pixel Watch 3 stands out with its sleek design, seamless integration with Android, and dependable health tracking capabilities. While it may not unseat industry leaders, its accuracy and reliability make it a compelling option for Android users seeking a well-rounded smartwatch.
- 4.
The Apple Watch Series 9 in our rigorous testing encompassing walk tracking, exercise sessions, steps, heart rate, SpO2, and numerous metrics established its comprehensive superiority over many other contenders in the category. Apple’s bold claims made during the September launch held true in our extensive examinations.
Display brightness reached a remarkable 779 nits during our evaluations, surpassing others by 1.5 times, showcasing exceptional brilliance. Powered by the S9 SiP, the Watch Series 9 dominated the competition. Our assessments confirmed the watch’s 100% accuracy in heart rate and SpO2 testing, alongside superior haptic feedback. Consistently excelling in every test, the Apple Watch Series 9 exhibited unparalleled precision across metrics, surpassing competitors and earning the prestigious Digit Zero1 Award for the Best Performing Smartwatch of 2023.
- 5.
In the realm of Android smartwatches, Samsung’s lineup stands prominently for its blend of capabilities and competitive pricing. While options like Garmin cater to hardcore fitness enthusiasts at a premium cost, Fitbit’s charm seems to have dwindled, and other manufacturers focus on budget-friendly offerings. Apple, though a formidable contender, remains secluded within its ecosystem, excelling within but facing limitations beyond its user base.
For those ready to invest, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic emerges as a worthy choice, delivering expected features and more, justifying its price tag. Tailored for individuals juggling work, workouts, and daily tasks, it seamlessly transitions through various activities. However, for fitness enthusiasts seeking alternatives, the Garmin Venu 2 Plus stands as a robust choice, while the regular Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers comparable specs at a slightly lower price point.
- 6.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro elevates the Wear OS experience for Android users. Building on its predecessor’s legacy, this year’s model significantly enhances every facet of this immersive software journey. Boasting premium materials like Titanium alloy for the case and Sapphire Crystal glass for the screen, it ensures durability and sophistication. The AMOLED panel delivers a seamless and vibrant display, complemented by cellular calling, smart fitness tracking, and comprehensive navigation capabilities, including turn-by-turn alerts and backtracking features. Moreover, its substantial battery capacity empowers extended usage.
In our rigorous tests centered on performance and battery endurance, the Watch5 Pro excelled remarkably, showcasing exceptional performance and endurance.
- 7.
The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, part of Garmin’s Instinct series, has garnered attention for its promises of exceptional battery life and adventure-ready features. Its standout attribute is solar charging, enabling indefinite battery life when exposed to sunlight. However, for less outdoorsy users, reliance on the included charger is necessary. Impressively, even with active features, the watch lasted around 20 days.
Built for outdoor use, it adheres to military standards, ensuring durability in extreme conditions. Testing included GPS tracking, demonstrating commendable accuracy. Gym sessions revealed extensive fitness functionalities, including oxygen absorption monitoring, aiding in tailored workouts. Notifications during daily use were reliable, albeit constrained by screen limitations. Priced at ₹50,490, it’s a robust option for adventure seekers but might not replace mainstream smartwatches. For those seeking a durable adventure companion, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar proves a worthwhile investment.
- 8.
The Garmin Forerunner 225 stands as a durable smartwatch tailor-made for runners spanning various distances, from 5k runs to marathon endeavors. Boasting a vibrant color display and vibrating alerts, its heart rate monitoring becomes more comprehensible and practical during workouts. Its functionality extends beyond running, offering activity and sleep tracking, appealing to individuals focused on overall fitness, weight management, and holistic well-being.
Retaining the signature Garmin Forerunner aesthetics, its design maintains familiarity within the series. Despite a slightly bulkier build to accommodate the inbuilt Mio optical heart rate sensor, the watch remains lightweight at a mere 54g. The simplistic design, adorned with subtle red accents, exudes a more sophisticated appearance compared to vibrant GPS counterparts.
Yet, it does have limitations. Lacking running dynamics, utilizing micro-USB charging, and the heart rate accuracy falls short of chest straps. However, its strength lies in bpm-based training features, making the Garmin Forerunner 225 a commendable choice for fitness enthusiasts seeking a smartwatch that doubles as a reliable fitness tracker.
- 9.
The 2023 launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduces a top-tier smartwatch, blending advanced features with a robust design. Renowned for its exceptional screen, it outshines previous models with a notably brighter display. Powered by Apple’s latest S9 chipset, the Ultra 2 introduces innovations like the convenient hands-free Double Tap control.
Distinguished by its use of a recycled titanium frame, aligning with Apple’s eco-friendly initiatives, the Ultra 2 bears similarity to its predecessor. However, it retains the same battery life, a potential downside compared to other advancements. In summary, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 stands as a high-end smartwatch with impressive features and a commitment to sustainability. Yet, its availability challenges and unaltered battery performance might influence potential buyers’ considerations.
- 10.
The Amazfit GTR Mini, priced at ₹10,999 in India, resembles the design of the GTR 4 with its round dial and classic appearance. Offering 24×7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and over 120 sports modes, it ensures comprehensive health tracking. Its steel-colored side frame and comfortable silicone band make it suitable for extended wear. Featuring a 1.28-inch AMOLED display and an intuitive user interface with notification access and quick settings, it’s easy to navigate. Additionally, it boasts 5ATM water resistance.
Combining power and style, the GTR Mini excels in health and fitness tracking, albeit with slight accuracy issues in distance tracking and a less inspiring strapping system. While these aspects may not be deal breakers, they’re worth noting, especially considering the device’s price.
Satvik Pandey
Satvik Pandey, is a self-professed Steve Jobs (not Apple) fanboy, a science & tech writer, and a sports addict. At Digit, he works as a Deputy Features Editor, and manages the daily functioning of the magazine. He also reviews audio-products (speakers, headphones, soundbars, etc.), smartwatches, projectors, and everything else that he can get his hands on. A media and communications graduate, Satvik is also an avid shutterbug, and when he's not working or gaming, he can be found fiddling with any camera he can get his hands on and helping produce videos – which means he spends an awful amount of time in our studio. His game of choice is Counter-Strike, and he's still attempting to turn pro. He can talk your ear off about the game, and we'd strongly advise you to steer clear of the topic unless you too are a CS junkie. View Full Profile