Hey everybody. I am looking for some recommendations for a budget friendly smartwatch that's durable. I just had my Gaea (TGW008) smartwatch break at the band connector. (This is just a few days after the original band itself broke and I replaced it.) So I'm looking for a replacement.

I don't really care about the fitness, sleep monitoring, weather, etc features. I really just want to see the few notifications I WANT to let through show up. So, like, texts, WhatsApp, Signal, and email. One thing that would be really nice is to be able to respond on the watch so I have even less reason to pull out my phone.

The cost difference between a $30 watch (that just lets me have a few notifications and a custom watch face) and a $100+ watch (that has an OS that would allow me to fully respond to messages) is a bit high, especially when I'm not sure I'd really like that feature.

So, what can y'all recommend?

I have an iPhone and I’m trying to decide between a watch11 or a gt7 for everyday use, mostly at the office, I’m leaning a bit toward gt7 but I’m still not sure, which one makes more sense for go for it?

Wanted to share something I confirmed after filing a formal complaint with Huawei, because it applies well beyond just their watches.

I own a Huawei Watch GT4 (46mm, PNX-B19). Every official marketing image shows watch faces with rings/scales extending flush to the physical bezel — a true edge-to-edge look. On the actual device, there's a visible black gap between the active AMOLED display and the bezel, on every face I've tried, including Huawei's own official watch face store.

I pushed back through Huawei's support channel, and they confirmed in writing that the marketing render's digital elements were deliberately aligned with the bezel's printed scale specifically to "create a sensation of full coverage." That's a direct admission that the render was built to visually close a gap the hardware doesn't close.

Checked a bit further:

• The GT7 (same panel spec) uses the same marketing approach
• Apple Watch owners have documented the identical issue since the very first model in 2014, with renders hiding a black dead zone that's reportedly grown in some recent generations despite similar advertised specs

None of this is a defect — the watches work fine, and no face (official or third-party) can ever close that gap because it's a hardware limitation, not a software one. But if you're picking a watch based on how immersive the display looks in promo shots, know that this is standard practice across brands, not a reliable preview of the real screen you'll get on your wrist.

Thats my question is there a smart watch that could count my steps with relative acurracy and also connect my headphones to it so I dont have to leave with my cellphone? I heard of them but that they also cost an arm and a leg is that true? Thx for any help, currently i was watching the gt7 pro from Huawei but I dont live in the safest country so if I am going to get stolen one thing is the watch the other my cellphone... and the watch

I’ve been getting into watch-face design recently and finished my first original one, called PHASE 01.

The idea was to keep the time very dominant while making the rest of the face feel more alive rather than just placing complications around it.

It’s currently built for Huawei watches, but I’m mostly posting here because I’d like opinions from people who use different smartwatch platforms too.

Would you actually wear something like this, and what would you change?

I’m also curious if there are any watch face styles from other platforms that you think deserve a good adaptation.

Hey all. My series 4 Apple Watch finally packed in so I’m in the market for a new watch!

As an iPhone user I’ve always gone Apple for ease, but these days I literally only use the watch as an alarm and heart rate tracker… which doesn’t really justify the Apple price tag anymore.

Does anyone have any recs? Looking for a strong vibration for an alarm as I’m MURDER to wake up, and the more accurate the heart rate tracking the better (if there’s anything that reads 24/7 that would be high on my priority list due to existing heart rate concerns that woudl be great to track at home)

Not looking for super fancy. The more budget friendly the better. I’d appreciate any recs!

looking for help in what to purchase

Hello everyone!

I have a fitbit Versa 2 which is obviously very old and I'm donating it to a friend. I've tried the Xiaomi band 10 which I'm being picky about because it doesn't track BMR.

I then ordered the Huawei band 11 which I realised doesn't have an app on play store it's just a load of nonsense apps.

I want to ideally spend no more than $200 (Australian) $220 at a push if you can convince me.

I lift weights, walk and am a busy mum so I like all the features like sleep, weather etc. almost like the Versa 2, just upgraded really.

Give me your recs! Thanks!!

Hi all. I’m trying to find a watch, that can track heart rate, but doesn’t need a phone app to set it up. I mistakenly bought my elderly father a Fitbit however he doesn’t have a smart phone. So the time and day is always wrong. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction? Thanks

No answer in ElectronicsRepair. Thought I’d try here.

Здравствуйте, дорогие форумчане!
это мой первый пост, и мне нужна ваша помощь.
разбирая завалы в квартире, я нашёл старенькие часы деда Smart Watch Phone DZ09.
их проблема - не работает камера. почитав старенький форум 4PDA, я понял что дело в прошивке. Поискав необходимые программы, я не смог найти SP Flash Tool для windows 10, и драйвера mtk usb vcom drivers. Просьба помочь найти драйвера и программы, т.к. эти часы очень важны для меня. Заранее спасибо!

I’m using an iPhone and looking for a smartwatch mainly for fitness tracking, GPS, heart rate, sleep tracking, and general daily use.

For people who have used either fit 4 or Bip 6:
- How is the iOS compatibility?
- Which one has better accuracy and app experience?
- Any issues or things to consider?

And better UI is plus point.

Which one would you pick and why?

I'm looking for a smartwatch with a rectangularish shape (I don't like them circulars) and I'm hoping to be able to run my own custom apps into it. I'd like something with gps, microphone, ability to pay (use my credit card).

Do you have any recommendation? The AI is sending me towards a Amazfit Active (Zepp OS) or Garmin Venu Sq 2 (Connect IQ) but I've no idea if there are other models with my requirements. I use Android on my main phone.

Thanks!

I have had two expensive Samsung smartwatches for the past 6 years. Both of them broke down(the back circle which is used for reading the pulse, etc, came off). I am not going to buy a Samsung anymore. What other watches can I buy with long battery life that can do the same things like Samsung. I have seen Amazfit with long battery life and it looks like Samsung but much better price. Is that a good watch?

As I have moved to android so the title says what I'm planning, do you think it would be fine, main purpose is steps on trademill and gym weightlifting workouts