5 best smartwatches in UAE, for 2024

"A smartwatch is one of the few wearables that we can wear at all times, so it gives us the opportunity to monitor our health round the clock, especially for patients of cardiovascular diseases or those at risk," said Sohmyung Ha, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi. Ha leads the Integrated BioElectronics Lab on campus, which furthers research in wearable sensors, and is a former engineer with Samsung Electronics in South Korea.

Most smartwatches typically leverage the PPG (photoplethysmography) heart rate sensor to detect your blood flow. Newer, more advanced models, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro, even perform an ECG (electrocardiogram).

"Some of the Galaxy Watches have ECG, which is more accurate than the PPG because it directly reads your heart's electrical activity. They take the reading with a finger to the side of the watch. Of course, commercial wearables cannot detect heart attacks, but they can provide us with some hints of the heart's abnormalities," said Ha.

What can a smartwatch do for me, besides track my health?

Smartwatches are a convenient extension of the smartphone - they encourage users to take part in phone-free activities. Rajat Asthana, head of sales at consumer electronics distributor Eros Group, said:

"A smartwatch keeps you productive and connected by delivering notifications and updates to your wrist. It offers apps, notifications, music control, microphones for phone calls, speakers, NFC (Near Field Communication), cellular connectivity, GPS, touchscreen capability and so much more".

While some smartwatches pair with handsets using a short-range Bluetooth connection, other advanced models communicate directly with your cellular network. This means you get to make and receive important calls and even text straight from your wrist, independently of your smartphone. The phone stays home where it's safe and sound.

Another plus is the built-in NFC function, which allows us to make contactless payments. Given the current climate, paying with a flick of your wrist is much safer, compared to swiping and tapping on the phone. Take the Apple Watch, for example. There are fewer touchpoints involved in activating Apple Pay on the smartwatch than on an iPhone, where unlocking the card requires a pin or a touch ID.

Play music, track your location, and ring up family and friends via a watch that's always on you. Looking for dedicated fitness trackers, instead? Check out this expert-picked list for all the best options. Given all these benefits, we selected the best of the latest smartwatches based on expert picks and user reviews. Many of them are discounted and Amazon Prime-eligible, so if you're a member, you can receive it the day after you purchase it.

1. Best Overall: Apple Watch Series 10

Pros

Cons

The latest Apple Watch 10 is ready for pre-orders on Amazon, and it is a beauty. Design-wise, it resembles the Series 9, but it’s a whole millimetre thinner, and has a much bigger display. Its 46mm display is even bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Still, reviewers say it looks elegant on the wrist, with the Wide Angle OLED (organic LED) screen acting as the star of the show. It’s easier to hit buttons, view photos and read text in messages or emails. You still get the same 18 hours of battery life, which can be disappointing for users who were expecting an increase. However, the Watch 10 ships with a fast charging USB-C puck that can recharge it to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. There’s a new health feature in this iteration - sleep apnea detection - but it’s still subject to the approval of US-based Federal Drug Administration, which it’s expected to acquire soon. Overall, it’s a smartwatch you’ll want to wear and use frequently; minimalist, classy and a true Apple Watch at its core.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh176.58 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh125 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh207.

2. Best for Samsung Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch7

Pros

Cons

Samsung Galaxy Watch7 doesn’t look very different, when compared to its predecessor. It has the same design, hi-res AMOLED (active matrix organic LED) screen, battery and even price tag! However, several updates under the hood make it a must-buy, especially for Samsung smartphone owners. First among them is artificial intelligence: Galaxy AI makes the smartwatch’s fitness and metric tracking a whole lot more holistic and useful. Using a three-in-one BioActive sensor, the Watch7 detects unusual heart rates and records blood pressure. For an ECG reading, all you have to do is place the index finger of your opposite hand on the home button. Now, with the upgraded processor and AI technology, these metrics are accompanied by useful wellness insights and tips. Like the latest Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch7 features FDA-authorised sleep apnea detection, which is a first for any Android wearable device. There’s also an upgraded dual-band GPS antenna for better location tracking, along with more storage space. However, to make the most of this device, it’s best to own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, otherwise you might be missing out on some of its best features.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh65.08 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh75.

3. Best Budget: Amazfit Bip 5 Smartwatch

Pros

Cons

If you’re looking for a feature-packed smartwatch without a hefty price tag, Amazfit’s Bip 5 is the one to get. Firstly, it has one of the largest smartwatch displays – a 1.9-inch LCD – and is bright enough to read outdoors. Next, it’s IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, and it can last up to 10 days with typical usage without needing a recharge (or up to five days with heavy usage). In terms of fitness, the smartwatch offers 120+ sport modes, and has on-board GPS for accurate speed and position tracking. It collects sleep data, monitors your heart rate and blood oxygen levels, tracks your steps and alerts you with texts and notifications once synced with your phone. Reviewers love that they can not only answer calls but also make them, right on the watch. Alexa is also available to answer any query you may have. Do note, that the Bip 5 does not have an always-on option – you’ll have to raise the watch or press the button on the side to turn the screen on.

Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty by Salama Care for Dh18, and two-year extended warranty for Dh29.

4. Best Design: Google Pixel Watch 3

Pros

Cons

The newly launched Pixel Watch 3 means business. As a top contender for an Android smartwatch, it boasts many improvements, both in design and functionality. Google’s flagship smartwatch now has two sizes - the original 41mm model and a larger 45mm option - and features up to 40 per cent more usable screen space than its predecessor. Its round screen features slim display bezels, and is brighter than ever before, at 2,000 nits (compared to 1,000 nits on the Pixel Watch 2). This means you can use it in bright sunlight, with no issues. It also features all the fitness metrics you may need, from an accurate heart rate monitor to a whole slew of running metrics, like step cadence, stride length and vertical ratio. For the first time, the Readiness Score isn’t locked behind Fitbit Premium, on this watch, which means users can access daily ratings based on their activity and recovery needs. With a large selection of Google apps to choose from, including Maps, Google Wallet, YouTube Music, and smart home functionality (like the ability to use your smartwatch as a remote control for your Google TV), it’s a great option for Android users.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh124.04 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh86 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh141.

5. Best for Bluetooth Connectivity: Garmin Venu 3

Pros

Cons

The Garmin Venu 3 may not be a pocket-friendly find, but its strong Bluetooth connection allows you to make and receive calls from both iOS and Android devices. Think taking calls whilst driving without the need for earbuds - reviews say the speaker is loud enough to do the job. Whatever your voice assistant may be on the phone, from Alexa to Siri, the watch instantly listens and replies to text using just commands. For this price point, you can also expect to make contactless payments from your wrist. However, Garmin does point out on its website that some Android 10-supported smartphones might not be able to use the voice assistant feature. It mentions the Huawei and Honor phone series in this list. As far as health monitoring is concerned, the Venu 3 has more than 30 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, which feature animated workouts as a visual aid.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh161.58 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh114 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh188.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.