Always on your feet? You may find a useful companion in the best Smartwatch in Malaysia 2023!
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!
Start your search by looking at these Smartwatches to find one that suits your lifestyle and budget!
Table Of Contents:
- Types Of Smartwatch
- 7 Best Smartwatches Malaysia
- Smartwatch Vs Fitness Tracker
- How To Choose A Smartwatch
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! A bit like having 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!
7 Best Smartwatches In Malaysia 2023
- Best Premium Smart Watch for iPhones: Apple Watch Ultra
- Best Premium Smart Watch for Android: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Best Mid-Range Smart Watch for iPhones: Apple Watch Series 8
- Best Smart Watch for Music: Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition
- Best Entry-Level Smart Watch: Realme Watch 3
- Best Waterproof Smart Watch: Suunto 9 Baro & Apple Watch Ultra
- Best Battery Life: Suunto 9 Baro & Apple Watch Ultra
1. Apple Watch Ultra – Best Premium Smart Watch for iPhones
Ranking as the best premium Smart watch for iPhones is of course, the latest Apple Watch Ultra.
Initially, this is for people who like to explore, go on hikes, and do extreme sports. But the built-in features and build quality are also excellent for any casual user.
The Apple Watch Ultra features a 49mm case built with aerospace-grade titanium which makes it a very rugged & durable Smart watch. Plus, the screen is made of sapphire crystal that’s tough to scratch.
Moreover, the Apple Watch Ultra has a 1.92” Retina OLED display with a max of 2000 nits’ brightness. Since it’s an OLED, you also get always-on display functionality which is handy for quick glances at your watch.
The screen is one of the largest on this list and it’s equally sharp, with a 410 x 502 resolution.
Compared to another rugged Smart watch, the Garmin Fenix 7, the Apple Watch Ultra is cheaper, has better Smart features (e.g., trackers, watch faces, etc), and a more durable build. The Apple Watch Ultra has an established app store too.
The Garmin Fenix 7 on the other hand, is more basic in terms of app selection and functionality. Compared to the Garmin Fenix 7, the Apple Watch Ultra does lose out on battery life and fitness tracking but if you need a rugged Smart watch for your iPhone, it’s still the best premium option.
Plus, the Apple Watch Ultra comes with a bunch of trackers including blood oxygen, heart rate, temperature sensor, and sleep. It can last a long time on a single charge, maxing out at 36 hours of battery life.
By far the biggest problem with the Apple Watch Ultra is the price. This is a really expensive Smart watch at RM3,799. That said, the Apple Watch Ultra is an extremely durable, functional, and well-designed Smart watch if you can afford it.
Pros:
- Durable build (Titanium Case & Sapphire Crystal Display)
- Waterproof (100m Water Resistance & Swim proof)
- Plentiful health & fitness trackers
- Built-in GPS & compass
- Sharp OLED display w/ AOD support
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
- Expensive for a Smart watch
- Case is a little bulky
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro – Best Premium Smart Watch for Android
For readers looking for a premium Smart watch for their Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is one of the best around. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a 45mm case housing a 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 450 x 450 resolution.
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a circular watch face. But it also has a titanium build and sapphire crystal on the display. In terms of durability, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is great, especially for the price.
You don’t have to worry about bumps, drops, or scratches since the watch is built with durable materials. Wear it confidently when you work out or go on hikes, without worrying about it getting damaged.
Compared to an older model, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, the 5 Pro improves with a titanium case, sapphire crystal display, a bigger battery (up to 80 hours), fast charge. It is only ~RM500 more pricier for better durability and functionality. On top of this, it has the latest processor which makes it faster & smoother.
Considering everything you get for the extra cash; we think the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the better option between them.
To top it off, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has fitness, health, and sleep trackers, and Route workout / Track back to track your route with GPS and get you back where you started.
All in all, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is an excellent companion for Android users. You can still use it on an iPhone, but it’s just not as seamless as Apple’s own Smart watches.
The good news is the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is relatively affordable for a Smart watch priced at RM1,899.
Pros:
- Well built with durable materials (Titanium Case Build & Sapphire Crystal Display)
- 80-hour Battery Life
- Useful Trackback & Route workout features
- Crystal Clear Super AMOLED Display
- Reasonable price tag
Cons:
- Display could be brighter
- Not fully waterproof (50m Water Resistance rating)
3. Apple Watch Series 8 – Best Mid-Range Smart Watch for iPhones
Next up, we’ve got the best mid-range Smart watch for iPhones, the Apple Watch Series 8. This is a great option if you’re not keen on spending a fortune on the Apple Watch Ultra.
The display is an edge-to-edge Retina OLED with up to 1000 nits’ brightness. It’s not as bright as the Apple Watch Ultra. But it’s still bright enough to use in sunlight.
Apple Watch Series 8 has two case sizes to choose from; a 41mm case or a 45mm case. The difference between the two is limited to the display size:
The 41mm case has a 352 x 430 resolution while the 45mm case has a slightly sharper 396 x 484 resolution. Since the 45mm is a little bigger, it’s got more space for a sharper, clearer display.
But both options support always-on display to quickly check notifications or navigation.
In terms of build, the Apple Watch Series 8 has two materials to choose from. You can either pick stainless steel or aluminium. But only stainless-steel models have a sapphire crystal display. The aluminium version is less durable, and that explains its lower pricing.
Compared to the older Apple Watch Series 7, the Series 8 includes a temperature sensor, ovulation cycle tracking, a new processor, and crash detection.
Upgrades are mainly towards sensors and crash detection so there isn’t much of a difference in daily use. But since the Series 8 is almost the same price as the Series 7, it makes sense to go for the new and improved version.
Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 8 features GPS connectivity, a Compass, blood oxygen, heart rate, fitness, and temperature sensors. One downside we noticed is the battery life, which maxes out at 18 hours on a single charge.
Otherwise, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a great Smart watch for iPhone users. It isn’t as fancy as the Apple Watch Ultra, but it’s got a ton of great features for the price.
Pros:
- Nice retina OLED Display w/ AOD Support
- New crash detection & other sensors
- With GPS connectivity
- IP6X Dust Resistance & Swim Proof
- Fits well into Apple’s ecosystem
Cons:
- Needs to be charged daily
- No Sapphire Glass on aluminium version
- Pricey for a basic Smart watch
4. Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition – Best Smart Watch for Music
The Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition is our pick as the best Smart Watch for music. Unlike other Smart watches that require your Smartphone to listen to music, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 has space to store 500 songs offline.
You can download & listen to music from supported streaming platforms with just your watch. This way, you can leave your smartphone when you go for a run and still be able to track your work out & listen to music!
Plus, the Venu Sq 2 has a 40mm case size and a 1.41-inch AMOLED display. It also supports an always-on display and has a 320 x 360 resolution. The resolution is slightly lacking since other Smart watches in this price segment are sharper, but it’s good enough.
In terms of build, the Venu Sq 2 features a fibre-reinforced polymer with aluminium bezels. The display has a Corning Glass 3 lens which is sufficient for scratch protection, but you’ll have to be careful of bumps and drops.
Hence, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 is not the best at durability.
Compared to its predecessor, the Garmin Venu Sq, the Venu Sq 2 features a larger display, sharper resolution, an AMOLED panel, and longer battery life.
Most important of these upgrades, is the bigger, clearer, and more colourful LCD display on the Venu Sq 2.
Plus, it’s got a bigger battery so you don’t need to charge it as often. If you’re already interested in the Venu Sq series, we will strongly recommend the new and improved version.
Overall, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition is a great Smart watch with a lot to love. It isn’t the most durable and its resolution isn’t as sharp as we’d hoped.
But if you need a Smart watch for music and tracking your workouts, you can’t go wrong with the Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition.
Pros:
- Offline listening is possible without a Smartphone
- Colourful AMOLED display
- Plentiful pre-set workout tracking
- Long lasting battery life
- Advanced health tracking features
Cons:
- Not very durable
- Resolution isn’t as sharp as other watches in the same price range
- Limited app selection
5. Suunto 9 Baro
Yet another Smartwatch that mainly focus on outdoor sports features:
The Suunto 9 Baro definitely is more premium than the COROS APEX. While heavier, this watch has about the same battery life as COROS APEX. And it has a touch screen!
In fact, compared to other models in this list, the Suunto 9 Baro is one of the longest lasting (battery life) Smart Watch with a touch screen!
Along with 4 preset battery modes – Performance, Endurance, Ultra and Tour. It will display the remaining battery life as per the selected mode.
Note: If the battery is low, the watch will suggest that you switch to Battery mode.
Suunto 9 Baro has no shortage of sport modes (over 80), and it can monitor your daily heart rate.
Strom alerts is another one of its features.
Like the COROS APEX, the Suunto 9 Baro lacks wireless payment and music capability.
Which is why it’s not as popular as the Garmin Felix 6.
We would also not suggest this watch to swimmers, as the watch is to easy to use when it is wet (I.e. slow response).
Users are fond of the GPS feature and durability of the Suunto 9 Baro. They say that the battery life does not let up even with GPS on!
However, one user feels that the watch is too heavy. And another feels there needs to be a dedicated backlit button! Furthermore, you can’t lock the watch (i.e. watch mode)!
- Compatibility: Supports popular models
- Display: 1.1″ 320 x 300 Pixels Matrix LCD Touchscreen
- Size: 50 x 50 x 16.8 mm | 81 g
- Material: Stainless Steel (Bezel), Silicone (Strap), Sapphire Glass (Screen)
- Storage: n/a
- Battery Life: 25h (Performance), 50h (Endurance), 120h (Ultra), 170h (Tour)
- Charging Method: Magnetic USB Charging
- Water Resistance: Up To 100m (10ATM)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- NFC Payments: No
- Features: Activity Tracking, Sleep Tracking, Stress Tracking, GPS Tracking & Navigation, Barometer Altimeter, Weather Functions, Heart Rate Monitoring
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: ~RM2,799
Pros:
- Great build quality (tough and enduring) and functionality
- Very good battery life
- Seamless connection with your phone
- Always-on display
Cons:
- Can’t pay wirelessly
- No option to download music (and also no music control interface)
- Bulky design
- Expensive
- Not with an OLED display
Best Budget Smartwatch Malaysia
Now, for the best budget Smartwatches in Malaysia!
6. Realme Watch 3 – Best Entry-Level Smart Watch
If you are looking for a simple & affordable Smart watch, the Realme Watch 3 is a great option.
The best part about the Realme Watch 3 is the price as it is only RM259. At this price, many Smart watches will be lacking features or a big display.
But the Realme Watch 3 comes with a 1.8-inch TFT-LCD display at a 240 x 286 resolution. This is fairly big but don’t expect much in terms of clarity or colour vibrancy.
The case is made of a reflective metallic frame and a PC mid-frame that looks like metal. It’s not actually metal, so you should be careful of dropping or bumping the watch. It’s not built to be robust but it looks good.
Compared to the older model, the Realme Watch 2, the Watch 3 features a bigger display, bigger battery, and you can make/receive calls on the watch.
Thus, the Realme Watch 3 has overall better value because of the improved display and battery. Even though it is more expensive than the Realme Watch 2.
Additionally, there are many health and fitness tracking features too. For instance, there are 110+ sports modes built-in. And these cover a majority of workouts. It can also track your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, sleep, and steps.
On a single charge, the Realme Watch 3 can last up to 7 days and it also has IP68 water resistance. Just don’t try showering or swimming with it.
As a whole, Realme Watch 3 is impressive. It can do a lot of the features people look for in a Smart watch, for considerably less. It doesn’t have the best build quality, display, or design but if you’re a newcomer to Smart watches, this is a solid option to try out.
Pros:
- Very affordable price
- Large 1.8-inch LCD display
- Many features for the price (including sport modes and health trackers)
- Built-in mic & speakers for making and taking calls on the goal
- Attractive design
Cons:
- Not very durable
- The display isn’t very sharp/colorful
- Limited water/dust resistance
7. Huawei GT 2 Pro Smartwatch
Huawei GT 2 Pro is a serious stunner when it comes to Smart watch aesthetic appeal!
Packed with a titanium case featuring sapphire glass and a ceramic back, which gives it a premium finish that you rarely see with other Smart watches!
If you like a sleek looking watch face however, you may find this watch a little bulky looking. Due to the fit of the big (1.39” diameter) AMOLED touchscreen inside a 47mm case!
The screen does not always stay on either (i.e. no always-on display) which would make some users think twice before getting it.
But Huawei stays ahead of Samsung by giving buyers a choice to swap the leather strap with a silicone strap. In case you want to wear it while swimming or doing intense exercises!
On top of basic features like the heart rate sensor, and fitness tracking:
The Huawei GT 2 Pro has unique features. Such as sudden weather change warning, a personal golf coach, and something for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts too.
Last but not least, the battery duration is outstanding (up to 14 days for minimal use)! And you can charge the watch wirelessly with a Qi wireless charger.
- OS: Huawei Wearable Platform
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39″ AMOLED 454 x 454 Pixels HD Touchscreen
- Size: 46.7 x 46.7 x 11.4 mm | 52 g
- Processor: Kirin A1
- Storage: 4GB, 32MB RAM, eMMC
- Battery Life: Up To 14 Days, 455 mAh Battery
- Charging Method: Wireless Charging
- Water Resistance: 5ATM (IP Rating: 50m)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
- NFC Payments: No
- Features: VO2Max, Recovery Time, Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Heart Rate Monitoring, Sleep Monitoring, Stress Monitoring
- Warranty: 1 year
- Price: From ~RM988
Pros:
- Premium build
- Great battery life
- Convenient Qi wireless charging
- Swappable strap options
- Built-in mic and speaker
Cons:
- SpO2 and stress tracking is not that great
- No support for third-party apps like Spotify and Strava
Smartwatch Vs Fitness Tracker
Basically, smartwatch can do what fitness tracker can do but with more features.
The main purpose of a fitness tracker is to monitor your health and daily activities. Such as steps taken and calories burned. Some fitness trackers provide heart rate monitoring too.
PS: However, such wearable heart rate monitors are not as accurate as chest-worn heart monitors though.
On the other hand, most Smart watches have built-in GPS. So you can track your distance and map out your routes.
Other extra things that a Smartwatch can do include receiving phone calls, messages, providing access to music, etc. And all on a bigger touch screen.
Therefore, a Smartwatch is usually bulkier and heavier than a fitness tracker.
Another thing that a fitness tracker is better at than a Smartphone, is the battery life! They can last one to two weeks. Whereas a Smart watch can only last for a week on normal usage!
How To Choose A Smartwatch
The main purpose of Smartwatches (other than telling time) for most users, 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!
LTE connectivity also increases the portability of your Smart Watch. So you don’t need to bring your Smartphone out to pair with your SmartWatch!
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!
Or you may need a waterproof strap for exercising!
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!
Conclusion
In most aspects, the Apple Watch Ultra is the best that money can buy if you’re looking for the best Smart watch in Malaysia 2023!
On the other hand, if you want a premium Smart watch that does not have such a high price point, we suggest the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for its amazing value for money.
Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition however, is slightly cheaper and great if you want to listen to music without having to bring along your Smart phone!
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