Smartwatches up to 50 euros: what they can – and what they can't

Watches with a color display and smartphone connection cost between 15 and 900 euros. We explain what the cheap smartwatches can do and what differentiates them from expensive models.

Functions

One of the basic functions with which smartwatches differ from classic watches is the display of smartphone content, such as messages, calendar entries or incoming calls. For this to work, the devices must be compatible with each other. Instead of the dedicated smartwatch operating systems from Samsung, Apple or Google, most cheap smartwatches use a proprietary OS in combination with an app. Although these mostly work with both iOS and Android, due to Apple's restrictive restrictions, use with the iPhone is severely restricted and impractical.

The display of appointments, calls or incoming messages works well on Android, at least on our Review device, an Alcatel / TCM MT10G. In addition to SMS, the watch displays messages from Threema, Messenger, Whatsapp, Skype, Instagram and Gmail, for example. Notifications from Dropbox, Spotify, Amazon Shopping, Ebay, Telegram, Facebook and Youtube also land reliably on the smartwatch. The Alcatel / TCM model cuts a good figure here and can keep up with the branded smartwatches. With many cheap models, however, messages are limited to SMS, messenger and email. The texts of the messages are displayed, but attached photos are not. Answering messages is usually not possible using a smartwatch.

Those who use the watch for their sporting activities want to use functions such as pedometer, GPS tracking, heart rate sensor and music playback. Controlling the music playback on the smartphone works with most cheap watches. The user has to cut back on cheap smartwatches. In the price category under 50 euros, almost all models have a pedometer, but GPS or a separate memory for music are not available. We have found a model with a GPS module for this text, which due to its design and the black and white display used is more of a fitness tracker than a smartwatch. Anyone looking for a companion for sports is better advised with a fitness watch. In our comparison Review "Six sports watches in comparison: Garmin, Fitbit & Co can do this", we present suitable devices.

The Alcatel / TCM MT10G has a heart rate sensor installed – an exception in the price segment. The measurement results almost match the results of expensive smartwatches. However, this only works if the watch is very close to the wrist. The measurement fails with loosely worn bracelets – unlike with the Samsung Galaxy Watch, for example (Review report). The evaluation of steps taken or measured pulse works both on the smartwatch and on the smartphone.

The MT10G triggers the smartphone camera on request. That sounds practical, but works in practice with a significant delay. With the Alcatel smartwatch, it takes several seconds between pressing the shutter button on the dial and taking the photo. The function is simply unusable in practice. With well-known smartwatches, such as the Watch GT from Huawei, we noticed no delay in the Review, no delay.

service

The operation of the cheap smartwatches is similar to that of the expensive branded devices (comparison Review smartwatches from 200 to 2000 euros), but there are some big differences. While there are no noticeable delays in typing on an Apple Watch, Watch GT or Galaxy Watch, there are regular problems with cheap watches.

Although you can scroll down on the MT10G with your finger, once started, the process cannot be stopped. If you swipe quickly from top to bottom, you have to wait until the end of the menu is reached. If you only want to scroll down a few menu items, you have to gently swipe across the display. Unfortunately, this applies to all cheap smartwatches. The built-in displays react sluggishly (sometimes not at all) and have a significantly low resolution. The Watch GT has a resolution of 454 × 454. In the case of cheap watches, this is sometimes less than 100 × 100 pixels. Most models still manage 240 × 240 pixels. With its 400 × 400 pixels, the MT10G is a famous exception in the price segment under 50 euros. Nevertheless, the brightness and black levels cannot keep up with that of branded watches. The tested Alcatel watch can still be read in direct sunlight, but the display is not comparable to the brilliance of an Apple Watch or a Galaxy Watch.

Design & processing

The design of the cheap smartwatches is neat on most models. At first glance, branded watches and cheap homes can hardly be distinguished from one another.

It looks different with the processing and the feel. While the real leather strap of the Watch GT looks like new after several weeks, the first signs of wear can be seen on the MT10G after just two days. The low weight and the plastic display reinforce the cheap impression. In terms of tightness, the differences are also significant. Most branded smartwatches are allowed to stay on the wrist in the swimming pool – many of the cheap watches are not even protected against splashing water.

Accessories such as bulletproof glass panes or covers for the watch case can be found in vain for watches up to 50 euros. In some models, such as the MT10G, the bracelet is interchangeable.

Battery life

Battery life is an important criterion when buying watches. While the Galaxy Watch has to be smart health connected to the charger about once a week, the battery lasts just one to two days with cheap watches. Even with moderate use. If you turn up the brightness fully, use the Bluetooth and the WLAN connection, you have to recharge cheap smartwatches after only 10 to 12 hours. Wireless charging is not possible in the lower price segment.

software

Watch users with the operating systems Android Wear OS or Samsung's Tizen can install additional apps and download numerous different dial designs (skins). This is not possible with cheap watches with proprietary operating systems. There are several skins available, but the number is limited to a few different designs. With some models, such as the MT10G, the user can at least show their own photos in the background. This is not a matter of course in the lower price segment.

While branded devices regularly receive software updates, this is only the case with cheap watches from a few manufacturers, such as Alcatel. The MT10G shows a different problem in the Review. When the watch is received, the Android app required for the smartphone is not available in the Google Playstore. Fortunately, we ordered the watch from a German dealer. This sends us the app by email after the request. By the way, when we asked the manufacturer, we only received a standard answer with a request for patience.

Technaxx TrendGeek TG-SW1 black

Alcatel Move Time MT10G silver with leather strap black

Hannspree Legend

Xlyne Nara XW Pro black with black leather strap

MyKronoz ZeRound Premium Metal black

Xlyne Keto XW Fit pink / black

Conclusion

Smartwatches in the lowest price range look similar to their expensive counterparts, but are far from being as powerful. If you want to read incoming calls or messages on your dial, you can get by with affordable models up to 50 euros – provided you use an Android smartphone. The range of functions is too limited for iPhone users – but this is also the case with expensive smartwatches, with the exception of the Apple Watch. Ultimately, only the Apple Watch series is recommended for use with the Apple smartphone.

The operation of cheap smartwatches is intuitive and similar to expensive models – but much less fluid. Differences in quality are noticeable in the materials used, the display and especially the battery life.

If you want a reliable heart rate monitoring, a GPS module or a music player, you have to dig deeper into your pocket and get a watch like the Samsung Galaxy Watch (Review report) or the Huawei Watch GT (Review report). Countless dial designs and installable apps can also only be found in the upper price segment.

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