Smartwatches provide a convenient way to check notifications, answer calls or listen to a podcast without pulling out your phone. You can also use them to make payments, fitness and health monitoring, and in some instances, remotely control your phone’s camera for the perfect group photo.
But not all smartwatches were created equal. Depending on what phone you carry and your needs, there are a number of options to choose from. For example, the Apple Watch won’t work for Android users.
These smart watches also differ in various aspects, such as their size, battery life, internal specifications, features, and much more. So rather than just going out and buying the first smartwatch you see, it’s important that you carefully consider exactly what you want to get out of one first.
Whether you’re an iOS or Android user, there’s a smartwatch out for you. From popular picks such as the Apple Watch and offerings from the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and other fashion brands, you’ve got a lot to choose from and we’re here to help you pick the best smart watch in Dubai.
Below you’ll find our top picks for the best smartwatches, each with their individual specifications and our brief thoughts on each model. We’ll be updating this list every few months as new models come out, so make sure you check back often to see what our latest picks are.
Best Smartwatch in UAE for 2023
Top Pick: Apple Watch Ultra
Weight: 61.3 g | Thickness: 14.4 mm | Resistance: IP68 100m | OS: watchOS | Screen: 1.92 inches, LTPO OLED, 2000 nits | Processor: Apple S8 | Sensors: Heart rate, SpO2, Temperature | Connectivity: LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 542mAh
- Large bright screen
- 2 day battery
- Extreme fitness tracking
- Big and chunky
- Not comfortable for sleep tracking
The Apple Watch Ultra is currently the best smartwatch on the market. It has the largest display and the longest battery life compared to other Apple Watches. It can track your fitness across extreme conditions and still look good as an everyday watch. While expensive, it is comparable in price to previous generation Apple Watches with high-end finishes and cellular connection. If you’re looking for the best health & fitness smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra is the one.
Other Smartwatches We recommend
If you don’t want to get the Apple Watch Ultra for whatever reason, then have a look at the following smartwatches, which we also highly recommend.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Weight: 46.5 g | Thickness: 10.5 mm | Resistance: IP68 50m | OS: Android Wear OS | Screen: 1.4 inches, Super AMOLED | Processor: Exynos W920 | Sensors: Heart rate, Temperature | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 590mAh
- Good performance
- Beautiful screen
- Nice fitness features
- Big and chunky
- Battery life could be better
- No Cellular connectivity
With the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Samsung is aiming at the outdoor fitness enthusiast with a chunky and rugged look. The watch performs well and has a big and beautiful AMOLED screen that does a good job of showcasing Samsung’s OneUI. Based on Android Wear OS, you also have access to the Google Play Store and many apps. The only thing missing is cellular connectivity.
Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro
Weight: 50 g | Thickness: 10.9 mm | Resistance: IP68 30m | OS: HarmonyOS | Screen: 1.43 inches, AMOLED | Sensors: Heart rate, Temperature | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth | Battery: 530mAh
- Beautiful and premium looking
- Good performance
- Limited apps
- Can't use for payments
If there were one watch in this roundup that you could wear on a formal night out, it would be the Huawei Watch GT3 Pro. It’s a beautiful watch with premium materials, excellent build quality and a nice screen. You also get a ridiculously long battery life of two-weeks which is the highest out of any watch in this roundup. Huawei has also worked with local companies like Talabat and Emirates to have their apps on its watch platform. The only thing missing is a tap-to-pay feature.
Fitbit Versa 4
Weight: 37.6 g | Thickness: 11.2 mm | Resistance: IP67 50m | OS: Fitbit OS | Screen: 1.5 inches, AMOLED | Sensors: Heart rate, SpO2, Temperature | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 6 days
- Excellent battery life
- Great fitness features
- Fitbit Premium free for 6 months
- Not as fast as other smartwatches
- Very vanilla design
The Fitbit Versa 4 is the most affordable watch in this round-up, costing just under AED 1,000. But because it’s the cheapest does not mean that it’s not great, quite the opposite. With this Fitbit watch, you get six months of Fitbit Premium free with it, which is excellent at tracking health features. The Fitbit 4 also has an excellent battery life lasting almost a week. And the watch is extremely light, which is great for comfort and extended use.
Apple Watch SE (2022)
Weight: 33 g | Thickness: 10.7 mm | Resistance: 50m | OS: watchOS | Screen: 1.78 inches, LTPO OLED, 1000 nits | Processor: Apple S8 | Sensors: Heart rate | Connectivity: LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 296mAh
- Most affordable Apple Watch
- Good performance
- Light and comfortable
- Battery life is mediocre
- No always-on display
Apple updated its affordable Apple Watch SE for 2022, giving it the same processor as its highest-end watches but at a much lower price. You get similar fitness tracking features to other Apple watches and excellent integration with your iPhone or AirPods. However, this is Apple’s lowest-priced watch, so don’t expect all the features of more expensive models, such as an always-on display or a temperature sensor.
Best smartwatch FAQs
Which Smartwatch is best to buy?
The Apple Watch Ultra is currently the best smartwatch with excellent fitness features, a striking design and great interoperability with the iPhone. The Apple Watch series 8 is also a good watch but we recommend the Ultra considering there’s not much of a price difference.
What should I look for when buying a smartwatch?
You need to make sure your Smartwatch plays nice with your other devices. For example, Apple Watches don’t work on Android phones but a Galaxy Watch does wotk with Android phones and the iPhone.
How much do you need to spend on a smartwatch?
There isn’t a set answer to how much you should spend on a smartwatch. If you’re looking for a premium build and high-end features, expect to pay over AED 2,000. What this guide isn’t, is best smartwatch under 100 aed.
What other smartwatches are there other than Apple?
The Apple Watch is extremely popular but there are plenty of other companies that make good smartwatches such as Samung, Huawei, Xiaomi and Fitbit.
How durable is a smartwatch?
A good smartwatch is reasonably durable if you take care of it as its supposed to take some wear and tear. But it is glass at the end of the day which can break.
Should you buy a smart watch?
A smartwatch is an excellent way to track your fitness or your sleep. It’s also a good companion device to answer calls, respond to notifications or take with you when you don’t need to carry a phone.
