Let’s dive into the specifics.

A sharper looking budget smartwatch

The Realme Watch S5 comes with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with 466 x 466 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,500 nits. Always-on display support is included, although battery life drops from around 16 days to roughly five days when that mode is enabled.

One slightly unusual feature is a night vision mode that switches the display to red tones for low-light viewing. It could be useful for checking the time at night without blasting your eyes with a bright watch screen.

The body is also worth mentioning. Realme has gone with a flat-edged frame and large side buttons, which makes the Watch S5 stand out a little from the usual budget smartwatch design language. The watch weighs 32 grams without the strap and comes in Rock Grey and Sand White colour options.

GPS and sports tracking headline the fitness package

The bigger upgrade is built-in GPS with support for five satellite systems. That means users can track runs, walks and rides without carrying a phone all the time, which is still not guaranteed at this price level.

Realme says the watch supports 110 sports modes, along with features such as VO2 max, recovery duration, interval training and running courses. Whether those metrics prove genuinely useful will depend heavily on sensor accuracy, but at least Realme is offering more than just the basics.

The watch also includes heart rate, SpO2, sleep and stress tracking. Breathing exercises, sedentary reminders and women’s health tracking are part of the package too.

There are some obvious limits. The Watch S5 does not include ECG, skin temperature sensing or NFC for contactless payments. That helps explain the price positioning and keeps it away from the more advanced smartwatch category.

Gemini shortcut joins the smart features

Bluetooth calling is included, along with music controls, weather, timers, alarms and other standard smartwatch tools. One of the side buttons can also trigger Google Gemini, although this appears to work mainly as a shortcut through the connected smartphone rather than a deeply integrated on-watch AI system. Realme is also pushing voice replies for messaging, although support currently seems focused on WhatsApp.

The Watch S5 launches first in India at Rs 7,999, with a temporary launch offer dropping the price to Rs 7,499 from June 5 to June 7. Realme has not confirmed wider international availability yet, although the older Realme Watch 5 did eventually reach other markets.

The post Realme Watch S5 launches with GPS and 16 day battery life appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

As expected, the company has skipped version 4. Which means, we are going from Gen 3 straight to Gen 5. Realme hasn’t explained the reasoning, but the naming jump matches the leap in hardware and features.

Both the Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro launched back in 2022. The Watch 3 brought a larger display than its predecessor, but stuck with LCD tech and left out GPS. The Pro model improved things with an AMOLED screen and built-in location tracking, but still felt like a modest step forward.

The Watch 5 goes further. You get a larger AMOLED display, improved battery life, GNSS support, NFC payments, and more advanced communication features like Bluetooth intercom. There’s also an increase in sports modes and lifestyle features, including a simplified game mode UI.

Display and design take a leap forward

There’s no avoiding the comparison. The Realme Watch 5 leans heavily into the Apple Watch Ultra aesthetic. The case shape, the rugged crown, the orange accents, even the layout of the buttons all feel lifted straight from Cupertino. For anyone glancing at your wrist, it could easily pass for something much more expensive. That seems to be the goal.

The device now features a 1.97-inch AMOLED screen with 390 by 450 pixel resolution. That’s a noticeable step up from the 1.8-inch TFT LCD display found on the 2022 Watch 3. The Watch 3 Pro had AMOLED, but at a smaller 1.78 inches. This time, the screen is not only bigger, but also smoother and brighter, with a 60Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 600 nits for better outdoor visibility.

Users can personalise the device with more than 300 watch face themes, including animated options. Two colour variants are shown in the renders: black with a black strap, and silver with a silver strap.

Battery life and durability also improve

Under the hood, things are basic. You get 8 megabytes of RAM, 4 gigabytes of internal storage, along with a processor from Chinese chipmaker Actions. It’s their ATS3085S, a Bluetooth chip with minimal processing overhead. The watch runs Realme’s own operating system rather than anything like Wear OS, which means app support is limited but performance should be stable.

That choice also explains the battery life. A 460mAh battery powers the Watch 5, up from the 340mAh cell in the Watch 3 and 345mAh in the Watch 3 Pro. Realme claims 14 days of typical usage, or up to 20 days in Light Smart Mode. That puts it ahead of many budget rivals, and they’re also promising a 5-year battery lifespan.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The watch carries an IP68 rating, just like the previous generation. That ensures resistance against dust and splashes, but it’s not proper waterproofing for swimming.

Built-in GPS and Bluetooth calling return

One of the key upgrades in the Watch 3 Pro was the addition of built-in GPS. That feature is returning in the Watch 5, with support for five GNSS systems. The basic Watch 3 relied on a connected phone for location tracking, so this again sets the Watch 5 apart from entry-level models.

There’s tracking for sleep, stress, heart rate, along with general physical activity. Blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking is now part of the package too. ECG is still missing, but that’s expected at this price point.

Sports tracking expands. The Watch 5 supports 108 workout modes. That puts it more in line with what we’re seeing from competitors at the same price point.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi, along with NFC support for contactless payments. Bluetooth calling is included again.

Who this is for

The Realme Watch 5 is not for people chasing features or fitness depth. It’s for anyone who wants the Apple Watch Ultra look without the price tag. The materials might not match Apple’s, but the silhouette is convincing.

At 50 grams, it won’t weigh you down. And if all you need is something that looks good, tells the time and gives you some light health tracking, this could be a solid pickup. Just don’t expect premium performance from hardware that is very clearly built to a budget.

Availability is now official, with the watch already listed at 69.99 euro in some European markets. It’s not trying to compete on performance. It’s offering the style, not the substance. But even so, there are some nice touches. The AMOLED screen is a generous 1.97 inches with a resolution of 450 by 390 pixels, which puts it ahead of many entry-level watches in terms of visual quality.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Check out our YouTube channel.

The post Realme Watch 5 officially lands with Apple Ultra vibes and budget price appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Realme Watch S2: A larger display, longer battery life & new capabilities

The Watch S2 boasts a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. This offers a crisp 326 PPI and 600 nits of brightness. Users can customize their experience with over 150 watch faces, and an Always-On Display (AOD) option is available for those who prefer constant visibility.

The IP68 rated device has a stainless steel textured body and comes in a choice between Black, Silver and Grey. The case is paired with a removable wrist strap (Steel & Silicone). As far as actual dimensions, at 46.5 x 46.5 x 11mm and 41 grams, this is a pretty masculine device.

One of the notable features of the Watch S2 is its battery life. Realme claims the 380 mAh battery can last up to 14 days under normal usage, extending to 20 days in power-saving mode. Even with the AOD feature enabled, users can expect around 5 days of use. The watch charges in under two hours, ensuring minimal downtime.

AI takes centre stage

Health and fitness tracking capabilities include heart rate and blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, female health along with sleep tracking. So no surprises there. Over 110 sport modes round out the health-focused features.

AI is all the rage this year and Realme doesn’t want to be left back. A unique addition to the Watch S2 is its Super AI Engine. This personal AI assistant is based on ChatGPT 3.5. It is activated by a dedicated button and aims to provide intelligent responses to your queries. You can even instruct it to create personalized watch faces for you. Just describe what you want and it will do the rest.

Music lovers will be happy to know there is 4GB for storing MP3 songs. However, it’s worth noting that the watch lacks independent 4G connectivity, relying on Bluetooth for phone calls, notification, music controls, remote camera shutter and more.

Price, availability

The Watch S2 is currently available in India, with global availability yet to be announced. Prices in that country range from approximately 55 to 110 euros, depending on the variant.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Looking back at the evolution of Realme’s S series, we can see how far the company has come since the original Watch S was introduced in 2020. While that model set a solid foundation with its circular AMOLED display, health sensors, and impressive 15-day battery life, the Watch S2 builds upon these strengths.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme Watch S2 debuts: Is this the sweet spot for budget smartwatches? appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

According to a teaser image, the Realme Watch S2 will incorporate an AI voice assistant powered by ChatGPT. AI seems to be all the rage these days, and the company is obviously tapping into this trend.

A product page for the watch is already live, listing its price at ₹9,999. This equates to around $35 which is in line with the first generation timepiece.

The Realme Watch S2 is expected to offer standard fitness tracking capabilities along with new features such as Bluetooth calling and audio playback. Its design includes a digital crown and side button, complemented by a metal link strap. This layout suggests improved navigation and control options for users.

FCC documentation shows the watch under model number RMW2401. A notable revelation from this filing is the device’s battery capacity. The S2 is set to feature a 380mAh battery, which is actually a slight reduction from the 390mAh battery found in the original Watch S. This change, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate a step backward. It could suggest that Realme has implemented more power-efficient components or software optimizations to maintain, or potentially improve, battery life.

Charging capabilities seem to have received an upgrade. The charger’s model number, A152A-090200U-CN1, hints at the possibility of 5W charging support. This could translate to faster charging times, addressing a common pain point for smartwatch users who often find themselves tethered to chargers.

Perhaps most intriguing is the cluster of sensors visible in the center of the watch’s underside. This configuration implies that Realme is doubling down on health and fitness tracking capabilities. That’s to be expected considering the last device in the series saw the light of day more than three years ago!

Looking back

While the Watch S2 seems to be an evolution rather than a revolution, it’s worth noting how far Realme has come in the smartwatch market. The first device in the S series dropped in 2020. The Watch S packed a circular AMOLED display, a bunch of health sensors, and impressive 15-day battery life.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The Watch S Pro, introduced shortly after, pushed the envelope further with built-in GPS, 5 ATM water resistance, and a higher resolution display. Each iteration has seen Realme refine its offering, balancing features with affordability.

We can expect the Watch S2 to continue this trend of thoughtful improvements. The company has consistently positioned its wearables as feature-rich alternatives to more expensive options, and the S2 is likely to fall into this category.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme Watch S2 set for an official unveil on July 30th appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

To remind, at the end of July Realme unveiled Watch 3. The wearable comes with a massive 1.8 inch display, much larger than the 1.4 inch screen of its predecessor. The other novelty is that the timepiece allows you to conduct conversations via your connected smartphone. This is actually the brand’s first smartwatch with support for Bluetooth calling.

In addition to the vanilla variant, the second generation has a Pro version. Realme has repeated this with the third generation.

Realme Watch 3 Pro will bring several upgrades

Watch 3 Pro comes with a 1.78-inch AMOLED display that is power efficient so allows for decent battery life. The resolution of the screen is a retina-grade 368 x 448 pixels. Which means it is a more high res than the screen on the basic version which comes in at only 240 x 286 pixels. What’s more, the screen on Pro offers up to 60 frames per second and 500 nits of brightness. This should make it readable both indoors and out. The screen-to-body ration comes in at 68.7%.

The overall look of the watch remains the same. So a square dial, metal body with a physical button on the side. This is paired with a silicone strap. The device measures 253.8 x 36.8 x 11.7 mm so is slightly thinner than the non-Pro variant. The weight comes in at around 40 grams.

Just like on the previous generation, another improvement of Pro is the inclusion of built-in GPS. Of course, the watch also gets the new Bluetooth voice calling capabilities.

Sensors on the device include an accelerometer, optical heart rate and SpO2. There is support for more than 110 sports modes, comprehensive heart monitoring and and Cywee sports and sleep monitoring algorithm.

With 10 days of battery life (345mAh), you won’t be reaching for the charger too often. Enable the multi-system GPS and this falls to a respectable 20 hours.

Available in Black and Gray variants, Realme Watch 3 Pro is available for sale in India for 4999 Rupees. This converts to around 65 US dollars at today’s exchange rate. We are yet to hear when availability to other countries will follow.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme Watch 3 Pro comes with a high-res screen & built-in GPS appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

The second generation made its debut around a year ago. It comes with pretty much the same specs as the original device, apart from battery life which was doubled.

Realme Watch 2 was followed by a Pro version of the same in late May last year. That one packed an even larger battery that increased the time between charges from about a week to 12 days. The other important upgrades were built-in GPS and a huge display.

Now we have details of the next iteration in the series.

Realme Watch 3 – a bigger display and some new smarts

The most obvious upgrade here is a bigger display. To remind, Realme Watch 2 comes with a 1.4 inch TFT LCD touchscreen. The Pro iteration of the same comes with a huge 1.75 inch display. Now we are getting something with an even bigger – 1.8 inch screen.

As shown in the image below, the shape of the device has not changed. No surprise there. But the display is 35% bigger as compared to Watch 2 and provides a screen-to-body ratio of 67.5%. The device also packs a curved dome and up to 500 nits of brightness. Mind you, the resolution is not that great. Only 240 x 286 pixels. But you can pretty this up with a choice of more than 100 watch-faces.

The watch is made of plastic and it has a metallic bezel which helps to make it look a bit more premium. All of this is attached to a silicone strap.

Another important upgrade is the ability for Bluetooth calling. With support for AI noise cancellation and a built-in smart amplifier, you can now conduct conversations via your connected smartphone. The tech should ensure good clarity of sound. This is actually the brand’s first smartwatch with support for Bluetooth calling.

To enable the functionality, Realme Watch 3 has a built-in microphone, speaker and support for Bluetooth 5.3. There will be no e-sim version so you will have to make due with keeping your smartphone in close vicinity to conduct conversations.

On-board is the standard gamut of fitness sensors including heart rate, SpO2 and support for stress monitoring. The number of sports modes tops 110.

An area which was ripe for an upgrade was water-resistance. The previous iterations have a IP68 rating – meaning they are good to be submerged up to a maximum depth of 1.5m underwater for up to thirty minutes. In reality, that’s not really great water-proofing. Unfortunately, this stays the same on Watch 3.

In addition to the standard model we should also get a Pro variant. But at the time of writing this version has not yet been officially confirmed. If we do see it, most likely, that one will come with the addition of built-in GPS. An improvement over the 12 days of Realme Watch 2 Pro battery life is also possible. The iteration announced today has a 340mAh battery, which can last for up to 7 days with typical use. 

Watch 3 is a budget category timepiece. Starting on August 2nd, you’ll be able to purchase it in India for Rs 3,499 (around $50). If we get a Pro version with GPS, it is likely to run about $30 extra. No word yet on international availability.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme Watch 3 comes with a massive 1.8 inch display & Bluetooth calls appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Realme has a large number of products, particularly in the Indian market. However, it has not been in the smartwatch space for very long.

Its first entry in this space come in the form of a simple fitness band which was launched in 2020. This was followed by an entry-level smartwatch later that same year. Towards the end of 2020 we saw Watch S Pro. It  It adopts a similar look as Watch 2 but comes with built-in GPS, a more premium build and 5 ATM water-resistance.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

This was followed in 2021 by Realme Watch 2, Watch 2 Pro and most recently Band 2. Nothing yet, this year, but that looks like it is about to change.

FCC listing for a Realme smartwatch

The US regulator has just added a new Realme smartwatch entry. It goes under the moniker RMW2103. The only interesting bit of info that is available is that the watch has IP68 water-resistance. This leads us to the conclusion that this will be the successor to Realme Watch 2 and Watch 2 Pro as, unlike Watch S Pro, they have this identical rating. Which is a bit disappointing, that Realme has not improved water-resistance.

The shape of the device also looks very similar, albeit slightly elongated. Realme Watch 2 packs a 1.75 inch touch display with 320 x 285 pixel resolution. This has a maximum brightness of 600 nits and a 30Hz refresh rate. As per the FCC image, Realme Watch 3 will probably sport a slightly larger display.

Other than that, it’s pure speculation. It would be logical to expect Watch 3 to inherit the accelerometer, heart rate sensor and Spo2 sensor of its predecessor. The question is whether it will come with built-in GPS this time around. To remind, the regular Watch 2 variant did not have this and that was the main distinction with Watch 2 Pro. One could reasonably expect that Realme might do away with the Pro edition and include GPS on Watch 3. It would make sense.

As far as a release date, the confidentiality request on the FCC documentation runs out 180 days after the grant. So the device might drop anytime between now and September. Watch 2 landed in Asia on April 30th last year so a pre-summer unveiling may be on the cards. That device retails for around $60 so we are expecting a similar price-point for Watch 3.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Possible Realme Watch 3 spotted on the FCC website appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

The pictures reveal a device that looks very different from the first generation Realme Band. That one was revealed in March last year. All in all, it was a rather basic affair which was to be expected from Realme’s first effort in this space.

Its highlight is the 10 day battery life and $20 price tag. Other than that, you get a heart rate sensor, multiple sports options and smartphone music control. Nothing really to write home about.

Realme Band 2 – technical specs

The second generation is looking to build on this. For starters, although it packs a minimalistic look, the fitness band looks much classier. The Realme Band 2 has a 1.4 inch (3.5 cm) display, quite a bit bigger than the 0.96 that can be found on the original.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Just like the Honor Watch ES and Huawei Watch Fit, it is a type of design that blurs the line between fitness bands and smartwatches. This looks like its becoming a trend.

We’re not really sure if we’re fan of the concept. In our mind a fitness band is for those that want something discreet on their wrist. For others, there are quite a few smartwatch options out there. But there seems to be a market for this sort of thing.

The actual dimensions of the device come in at 45.9 x 24.6 x 12.1 mm and the weight is 27.3 grams. There is an optical sensor sensor on-board, so heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen and basic fitness tracking is part of the package. Some had hoped we would even get blood pressure monitoring but this did not turn out to be the case. No built-in GPS but you are able to track 90 sports modes.

Thanks to support for Bluetooth 5.1 (up from 4.2 on the original), the watch is able to communicate with the Realme Link app. This also allows it to take advantage for remote controls for the brand’s AIoT devices.

A big display is power hungry, but Realme has managed to pack a large capacity battery. The 204 mAh battery will keep everything going for up to 12 days. Charging is done via a USB connection to magnetic PINs. This is unlike the first generation which is charged by detaching a strap and plugging the thing into a USB port.

Another improvement is to do with waterproofing. This has been upped to 5 ATM from an IP68 rating.

Realme Band 2 – price, availability

The two months period from early September is when most wearable brands plan their releases. This is to get devices out ahead of the all-important holiday shopping period. It is very rare that we see a new fitness tracker or smartwatch between mid-November and the end of the year.

At the moment the Realme Band 2 has only been launched in Malaysia but it is very likely that it will arrive in other countries very soon. As for the selling price, Realme Band 2 is available for around $33 (139 Malaysian ringits).

Realme is keeping busy and slowly making a name for itself in the budget wearable space. In May the company dropped Watch 2 Pro with built-in GPS and a larger battery. This followed its first scale. That one was revealed in March 2021 and it comes with 16 types of health measurements.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme Band 2 is official, comes with a large 1.4 inch display appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

To remind, the company held a similar gathering last month. That saw the Asian debut of Realme Watch 2. The look of the device is largely unchanged from the first generation. As far as upgrades on that one, the main is the increase in battery life from a week to 12 days. The number of sports modes has also been bumped up from 14 to 90.

Realme Watch 2 Pro – technical specs

Now we have a more souped up version of the same. The four products that launched today include Realme Watch 2 Pro, Realme Pocket Bluetooth Speaker, Realme Buds Wireless 2 and Realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo. The event was dubbed AIoT Sports Launch.

We knew Watch 2 Pro was coming as the FCC has added the device to its register back in February. But it is only now that we are learning the full specs.

Realme Watch 2 Pro comes packing a 1.75 inch touch display with 320 x 285 pixel resolution. This has a maximum brightness of 600 nits and a 30Hz refresh rate.

As before this is a square device , sporting the same form-factor as Watch 2. On-board is an accelerometer, heart rate sensor and Spo2 sensor. This combination allows for tracking of steps, activity,  calories, sleep and more. The number of sports modes has been kept at 90. As mentioned, the important distinction is the inclusion of Dual Satellite GPS. This allows for precise workout metrics and route mapping.

Water-resistance is not that great at IP68. That means you can work up a sweat but don’t plan on going swimming with the thing.

But battery life is pretty good. The Pro version has a sizable 390mAh battery which is good for up to two weeks on a single charge. The regular variant packs a 315mAh one.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Other than that, you get a choice of 100+ watch faces, the ability to view smartphone notifications, music control, Find Phone, Remote Camera, stopwatch, clock, weather and more. All pretty standard stuff.

The wearable undercuts most manufacturers when it comes to price. In Malaysia Realme Watch Pro 2 sells for 299 Malaysian Ringgit. For those outside the country, it can be purchased at Aliexpress for $53.99 in a choice between Space Gray and Metallic Silver. You’ll struggle to find another smartwatch with built-in GPS for that price. 

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme unveils Watch 2 Pro with built-in GPS & larger battery appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

It has been about a year since the first generation Realme Watch but we are already talking about the next generation. The Oppo spin-off brand unveiled its first-ever smartwatch in May 2020. It looks very much like the Apple Watch in terms of its squareish design. The specs are decent for a device that costs only around $50. You get all the basic fitness stats including SpO2 and 12 sports modes. Plus there is some smart functionality sprinkled in.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Another effort from Realme on the smartwatch front came a few months later. Watch S swaps the square look for a circular design. It costs about twice as much than the first device, and also comes in a Pro variant that slaps on built-in GPS and a more premium build.

Realme Watch 2 – technical specs

A January FCC registration gave us a first glimpse into Realme Watch 2. But the official reveal today in Asia confirms all the unknowns. Considering the company already has US regulatory approval, availability in other countries should follow in the near future.

Realme Watch 2 comes packing a square 1.4 inch TFT LCD panel touchscreen. This comes with 320 x 320 pixels resolution and up to 600 nits of brightness. There’s a single physical button on the right to help navigate the menus and power on the watch. All of this is unchanged from the first generation.

The actual dimensions of the device come in at 25.8 x 35.7 x 12.2 mm and the weight at 38 grams. These dimensions make it slightly larger than its predecessor which measures 25.6 x 36.5 x 11.8 mm.

The bigger size is to accommodate the larger battery. The IP68 certified Realme Watch 2 has a 305 mAh Lithium Ion battery, a sizeable upgrade on the 160 mAh of generation one. This extends battery life from a week on the first device to 12 days.

The timepiece monitors steps, heart rate (via a PPG heart rate sensor), blood oxygen, sleep tracking and has a number of different workout modes. Smart functionality consists of smartphone notifications, music controls and a meditation mode. There’s also Smart AIoT control for  your Realme smart devices.

The number of sports modes has been increased considerably. Watch 2 supports 90 sports modes whereas the first generation only supports 14.

The pictures reveal a plastic build connected to a silicone strap. The band has the brand’s slogan – ‘DARE TO LEAP’.

Realme Watch 2: availability, price

The price of the Realme Watch 2 is pretty much unchanged from the first generation. Not really surprising as the upgrade is not huge – increased battery life and more sports modes is where it ends.

In Malaysia Realme Watch 2 is available for MYR 229 (around $55). Availability in other countries should follow soon.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

The post Realme Watch 2 gets an official reveal in Asia appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.