Always on your feet? You may find a useful companion in the best Smartwatch in Malaysia 2020!
If you’re going to wear a watch anyways, why not have one that monitor your fitness daily and deliver notifications to your immediate attention? You may not even have to bring your phone out!
Review Smartwatches from this list to find one that suits your lifestyle and budget!
Types Of Smartwatch
Smartwatches can do a lot more than your regular watch!
1. Smartwatch
At first glance, some of these might even look like ordinary watches. But they do have a display that shows notifications that are synced with your Smartphone!
It’s even possible to watch videos on them with a third-party app! Like a Smart TV but on your wrist!
2. Hybrid Smartwatch
Making do without the screen, hybrid Smartwatches keep the classic analog watch appearance.
And use alerts through sound or vibration instead.
3. Fitness Tracker
It’s like a watch but with features to help you track your fitness journey! Whether it’s at the gym, outside or at home with the best treadmill in Malaysia!
Use it together with wireless earbuds and you’re all set!
Smartwatch Vs Fitness Tracker
To be fair, most Smartwatches will count your daily steps (i.e. pedometer) with notifications whenever you reach a milestone or target!
But fitness trackers take it one step further:
With heart rate monitors and other features like calorie counters!
How To Choose A Smartwatch
The main purpose of Smartwatches (other than telling time) are those notifications! However, there are models with extra little gimmicks.
So remember what situations you’ll be using your Smartwatch in! Not everyone needs a compass!
1. Compatible With Your Phone
Most importantly, you should get a Smartwatch that is meant for your Smartphone’s operating system (i.e. Android, iOS, etc). For smoother operation!
2. Connectivity
The majority of Smartphones rely on Bluetooth connectivity if you want to receive notifications. Others, on WiFi (4G/LTE) – which is faster!
And top-of-the-line models have built-in cellular connectivity (i.e. eSIM or a slot for your SIM card)!
Meaning you can leave your phone at home when going out for a jog!
3. Battery Life
Just like your Smartphone, Smartwatches need to be charged. Some may need to charge overnight!
4. Style
Sporty, minimalist, modern, dainty, luxurious – get a Smartwatch that goes with your wardrobe and lifestyle!
The Smartwatch you choose might come with additional straps for you to change up the look too!
5. Price / Budget
Budget Smartwatches in Malaysia cost between RM150-500.
While prominent Smartwatches can cost RM1,000 and above!
You don’t need an expensive phone to use with a Smartwatch! Some of the cheapest Smartphones in Malaysia have a compatible Smartwatch!
11 Best Smartwatches Malaysia 2020
1. Apple Watch Series 5
The Apple Watch Series 5 comes in 2 sizes (40mm or 44mm) and has a ton of functions much like its predecessors. And the same battery life too!
What sets it apart is the display that is constantly on! And able to auto-adjust its brightness! You can also choose turn this feature off.
- OS: watchOS 6.0
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.57″ 394 x 324 Pixels LTPO OLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm | 30 g
- Processor: Apple S5
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery Life: Up To 18 Hours
- Charging Method: Wireless
- Water Resistance: Up To 50m With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, LTE (Optional)
- NFC Payments: Apple Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM1,749 (WiFi) | RM2,199 (LTE)
- OS: watchOS 6.0
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.78″ 448 x 368 Pixels LTPO OLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm | 36.7 g
- Processor: Apple S5
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery Life: Up To 18 Hours
- Charging Method: Wireless
- Water Resistance: Up To 50m With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, LTE (Optional)
- NFC Payments: Apple Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM1,899 (WiFi) | RM2,349 (LTE)
Pros:
- Built-in compass and ground elevation meter
- Fast processor (64-bit dual core)
- Water-resistant (50m)
- Can track your menstrual cycle
- Customize-able straps (Many options)
- Use it as a fitness tracker and to stream music
- App Store
- Light!
Cons:
- No memory card slot
- Extra cost for cellular function
- Only works with an iPhone
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 R830
And what if you have an Android phone?
Well, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 R830 is one of the best Smartwatches you can get in Malaysia too! With 2 size options as well (40mm and 44mm).
There are not too many apps for this watch but what it can do, it does well! Including fitness tracking!
- OS: Tizen-based Wearable OS 4.0
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2″ 360 x 360 Pixels Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 40 x 40 x 10.9 mm
- Weight: 37 g
- Processor: Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53
- Storage: 4GB, 768MB RAM
Battery Life: Up To 43 Hours (40mm) - Charging Method: Wireless Charging
- Water Resistance: 50 m Waterproof 5ATM (IP68) With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: Samsung Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM1,299
- OS: Tizen-based Wearable OS 4.0
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.4″ 360 x 360 Pixels Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 44.0 x 44.0 x 10.9 mm
- Weight: 42 g
- Processor: Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53
- Storage: 4GB, 768MB RAM
- Battery Life: Up To 60 Hours
- Charging Method: Wireless Charging
- Water Resistance: 50 m Waterproof 5ATM (IP68) With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: Samsung Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM1,399
Pros:
- 2-day battery life
- Always-on display (Super AMOLED)
- Quality build
- Wide circular touch bezel display that is great to use
- Fast performance
- Water-resistant (50m)
- Works with iPhone too (iPhone 5, iOS 9.0 and up)
- Supports offline mode for Spotify
Cons:
- No cellular capability (i.e. SIM slot)
- Few color options available in Malaysia
- Requires Android 5.0 & RAM 1.5GB minimum and at least iOS 9.0
- Not scratchproof
- No menstrual tracking
- ECG tracking not available yet
3. Garmin Vivoactive 4/4S
Another Smartwatch that will make a faithful workout buddy is the Garmin Vivoactive 4/4S!
Either size (40mm or 45mm) cost the same. There’s music (offline Spotify), a heart monitor and a reliable GPS! All accessible via the touchscreen display!
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.1″ 218 x 218 Pixels Touchscreen
- Size: 40.0 x 40.0 x 12.7 mm
- Weight: 40.0 g
- Music Storage: Up To 500 songs
- Battery Life (GPS Mode): Up To 16 Hours
- Charging Method: Charging Cable
- Water Resistance: Swim, 5 ATM
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: Garmin Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: RM1,499
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.3″ 260 x 260 Pixels Touchscreen
- Size: 45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm
- Weight: 50.5 g
- Music Storage: Up To 500 songs
- Battery Life (GPS Mode): Up To 18 Hours
- Charging Method: Charging Cable
- Water Resistance: Swim, 5 ATM
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: Garmin Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: RM1,499
Pros:
- Menstrual cycle tracking
- Exceptional performance as a fitness tracker
- Battery lasts up to a week!
- Sleep tracking
- Different styles available
- Long warranty
Cons:
- No LTE version
- Not an AMOLED display
- Occasional syncing issues with your phone
4. Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 2020
If your budget was RM1,000:
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 2020 is the upgraded version of Wear OS (by Google).
The changes?
Bigger memory (1Gb), improved performance, durability and water resistance!
- OS: Wear OS by Google™
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39” AMOLED 400 x 400 Pixels + FSTN display
- Size: 45mm x 12.6mm
- Weight: 58.5 g
- Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear 2100
- Storage: 4GB, 1GB RAM
- Battery Life: 2-5 Days (Smart Mode) | 415 mAh
- Charging Method: Dock With USB Cable
- Water Resistance: IP68
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: Google Pay™
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM1,130
Pros:
- Has a compass
- Premium build
- Only in 45mm
- Dual-layer display
- Up to 4 days’ of battery life
- Magnetic charging dock
- Can toggle between Essential/Smart mode
Cons:
- No SIM
- No backlight for the LED display (i.e. hard to read in direct sunlight and in the dark)
- Quite heavy
- Old processing chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear)
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch R800
Undeniably, the 4-hour battery life is the strongest selling point of the stylish Samsung Galaxy Watch R800!
Along with specific functions (e.g heart rate monitor) and the fact that it can store music makes it adept as a fitness tracker!
- OS: Tizen-based Wearable OS 4.0
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.3″ 360 x 360 Pixels Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 49 x 46 x 13 mm | 63 g
- Processor: Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53
- Storage: 4GB, 768MB RAM
- Battery Life: Up To 72 Hours
- Charging Method: Qi Wireless Charging
- Water Resistance: 50 m
- Waterproof (IP68) With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: Samsung Pay
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: From RM899
Pros:
- eSIM
- User-friendly interface (Tizen)
- Great for Samsumg phone users
- Sleep-tracking
- Durable and water-resistant
- Wireless charging
- Has Samsung Pay
- Diverse strap choices
Cons:
- Few apps available for Tizen
- Voice assistant, Bixby is not match for Google Assistant
- Poor integration with iPhone
- No FB Messenger, Google Maps or WhatsApp
6. Fitbit Versa 2 Smart Watch
Fitbit Versa 2 Smart Watch is light and comfortable enough to sleep with. So you can take advantage of the sleep and heart rate monitor! The clear AMOLED display is always on too.
What you have to live without (e.g. Google Fit, offline Spotify, Apple Health, etc) though might change your mind about getting this Smartwatch!
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 0.987″ 300 x 300 Pixels Always-on AMOLED Touchscreen Display
- Size: 40 x 40 x 12.7 mm
- Weight: 40 g
- Storage: ~3GB / 300+ songs
- Battery Life: ~6 Days
- Charging Method: Charging Cable
- Water Resistance: Water Resistant Up To 50M With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa Built-In
- NFC Payments: Fitbit Pay™
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: RM898
Pros:
- Pleasant design (looks like the Apple Smartwatch)
- Adaptive brightness for the screen
- Long-lasting battery
- Insights and work out routines to encourage you
Cons:
- No GPS
- No screen-lock feature
- Limited apps
- Not always smooth when using Alexa
7. Huawei Watch GT 2 (46mm)
You can bet that Huawei has found a way into the scene of Smartwatches too!
Their GT 2 performs well as a fitness tracker with battery that lasts up to 2 weeks! That incredible battery life may be because it doesn’t have many third-party apps to drain the battery!
- OS: Huawei Wearable Platform
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39″ AMOLED 454 x 454 Pixels HD Touchscreen
- Size: 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.7 mm | 41 g
- Wrist Coverage Range: 14 ~ 21 cm
- Storage: 4GB, 32MB RAM
- Battery Life: Up To 14 Days, 455 mAh Battery
- Charging Method: Magnetic Charging Thimble
- Water Resistance: 5ATM (IP Rating: 50m) With Swimming Heart Rate Monitoring
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: From RM655
Pros:
- Simple to use
- High quality
- Affordable
Cons:
- No WiFi or LTE support
- No Cellular Connectivity/ No SIM
- No NFC
- No wireless Qi charging
Best Budget Smartwatch Malaysia
Now, for the best budget Smartwatches in Malaysia!
8. Honor Magic Watch 2
Huawei’s Honor Magic Watch 2 can’t do much else other than being a helpful device for fitness enthusiasts!
So if that’s what you’re looking for, you may find its price more appealing that the other watches previously mentioned!
- OS: Huawei Wearable Platform
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2″ 390 x 390 Pixels OLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 41.8 x 41.8 x 9.4 mm
- Weight: 29 g
- Storage: 4GB
- Battery Life: 7 Days
- Charging Method: Wireless Charging
- Water Resistance: 50 m Waterproof With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM539
- OS: Huawei Wearable Platform
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39″ 454 x 454 Pixels OLED Capacitive Touchscreen
- Size: 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.7 mm
- Weight: 41 g
- Storage: 4GB
- Battery Life: 14 Days
- Charging Method: Wireless Charging
- Water Resistance: 50 m Waterproof With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM539
Pros:
- Classic design in 2 colors (gold or black)
- 7-day or 14-day battery
- You can customize the watch face with photos!
- Always-on AMOLED display
- Has running courses
- You can swim with it
Cons:
- No WiFi capability
- Not a dependable music player
- Black strap has a tendency to collect dust
- Bit large for small wrists
9. Xiaomi Mi Fit Huami Amazfit GTR Smart Watch
Fashionable, functional and best of all, budget-friendly!
The Huami Amazfit GTR Smart Watch is compatible with Android phones and iPhones alike!
It packs a multitude of sensors like a heart monitor. Although they may not be as accurate as with other Smartwatches in the same price range!
- OS: Amazfit OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2″ AMOLED, 390×390 Pixels, Always-On Display
- Size: 42.6 x 42.6 x 9.2 mm
- Weight: 25.5 g
- Storage: n/a
- Battery Life: 12 Days | 195 mAh
- Charging Method: Magnetic Charging Base, 2Pin Pogo Pin Charging
- Water Resistance: 5ATM With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: n/a
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM449
- OS: Amazfit OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39″ AMOLED, 454×454 Pixels, Always-On Display
- Size: 47.2 x 47.2 x 10.75 mm
- Weight: 36 – 48 g
- Storage: n/a
- Battery Life: 24 Days | 410 mAh
- Charging Method: Magnetic Charging Base, 2Pin Pogo Pin Charging
- Water Resistance: 5ATM With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: n/a
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: From RM489
Pros:
- Stunning outer design with different faces to choose from
- Quality build
- Crisp display (always-on AMOLED)
- Adequate battery
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Inaccurate GPS
- Very basic functions only
- Slow performance at times
- Limited apps
- No extra internal memory
10. Xiaomi Mi Fit Huami Amazfit BIP S Smart Watch
Weighing a mere 31g, Huami’s BIP S Smart Watch can pair with Android and iOS although it will take some time for the latter!
At its price, it’s no surprise that the build quality does not meet the same level as the more expensive Smartwatches.
However, it’s sufficient for use in sports (10 modes) or when you are sleeping!
- OS: Amazfit OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.28″ 176 x 176 Pixels Transflective Color TFT Touchscreen
- Size: 42 x 35.3 x 11.4 mm
- Weight: 31 g
- Processor: Sony 28nm GPS Chips
- Storage: n/a
- Battery Life: 22 Hours (GPS) | 200 mAh
- Charging Method: Special Charger Doc
- Water Resistance: 5ATM With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: n/a
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: RM287
Pros:
- 4 colors
- Looks similar to the Apple Smartwatches
- GPS works
- Water resistant (5 ATM)
- You can use it as a music player
Cons:
- Limited selection of exercise options
11. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Smart Watch
Going at just RM149, this other Smartwatch by Xiaomi is even lighter at 22.1g! It still has an AMOLED screen with adjustable brightness.
The memory isn’t too large (i.e. 16MB for ROM) but it does have the necessary sensors (i.e. PPG heart rate sensor, 3-axis gyroscope, etc) that more costly models have!
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 0.95″ AMOLED, 120 x 240 Pixels, On-cell Capacitive Touchscreen
- Weight: 22.1 g
- Storage: 16MB, 512KB RAM
- Battery Life: Up To 20 Days | 135 mAh
- Charging Method: 2Pin Pogo Pin Charging
- Water Resistance: 5ATM With Swim Tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- NFC Payments: n/a
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Warranty: 6 Months
- Price: RM149
Pros:
- Exercise modes include swimming (waterproof at 5ATM)
- AMOLED display (in color)
- Provides insight on your sleeping and exercise habits
- Personalize-able watch faces
- Great battery life
Cons:
- Short warranty
- Limited app access
- Narrower screen
- Mi Fit app still could use some improvements
Conclusion
The best Smartwatch in Malaysia 2020 is Apple’s Watch Series 5 for its all-round performance and its aesthetics! But the price is a huge deterrent to many.
And thankfully, there are other more reasonably priced Smartwatches. That can do a satisfactory job as a fitness tracker, e-wallet or notification alarm center!
