The Apple Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra are impressive pieces of technology, but at $600-$800+ AUD, they’re priced beyond what most people need to spend. The mid-range smartwatch market has become remarkably competitive, and you can get 90% of the experience for half the price or less. Here are the best value options I’ve tested.

Best Android Smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch FE

At around $299, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE delivers most of what the flagship Galaxy Watch offers at nearly half the price. You get the same Wear OS platform, Samsung Health integration, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, body composition analysis, and a bright AMOLED display.

The trade-offs compared to the Galaxy Watch 7 are a slightly older processor (which is still perfectly adequate), a less premium build, and no sapphire crystal on the display. In daily use, these differences are minor. The watch runs smoothly, tracks workouts accurately, and integrates well with Samsung phones.

Battery life is about a day and a half of typical use, which means charging every night or every other night. This is standard for Wear OS watches and the one area where fitness trackers still have a significant advantage.

Best Apple Watch: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

For iPhone users, the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (from $379) is the value proposition. It has the same processor as the Series 8, supports crash detection and fall detection, tracks workouts, monitors heart rate, and runs all watchOS apps.

What you miss compared to the Series 10 is the always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, and temperature sensing. For most people, especially those primarily using a smartwatch for notifications, fitness tracking, and Apple Pay, the SE covers all the essentials.

The Apple Watch SE is available at JB Hi-Fi, Apple stores, and most electronics retailers. Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone also offer it on plans if you want the cellular model.

Best Budget: Amazfit GTS 4 Mini

The Amazfit GTS 4 Mini (around $129) is astonishing value. It has a bright AMOLED display, built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, SpO2, sleep tracking, and over 120 sport modes. Battery life is about two weeks, which puts it in a completely different category from Samsung and Apple watches.

The software is simpler and less capable than Wear OS or watchOS. You won’t get the same app ecosystem or smart features. But for fitness tracking with basic notifications, it does everything most people need at a fraction of the price.

The build quality is surprisingly good for the price. I wore the Amazfit for two weeks straight, including to the beach and during workouts, without any issues. The touch screen is responsive and the interface is intuitive.

What About Garmin?

Garmin doesn’t really compete in the traditional smartwatch space, but the Garmin Venu Sq 2 (around $349) bridges the gap between fitness tracker and smartwatch. It offers Garmin’s excellent training metrics with a colour AMOLED display and basic smart features. If fitness tracking is your priority and you also want some smartwatch functionality, it’s worth considering.

The way we compare and choose products these days is evolving too. I recently came across specialists in this space who are building AI-driven recommendation engines that take into account your actual usage patterns rather than just specs and price. It’s a much smarter approach to helping consumers find the right device than traditional comparison charts.

Features That Matter vs Marketing Fluff

Don’t get caught up in spec sheet comparisons that include features you’ll never use. Body temperature sensing, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring sound impressive, but most healthy adults will rarely use these features in a meaningful way. Focus on the basics: does it track your workouts accurately, does it display notifications reliably, does the battery last long enough for your routine, and is it comfortable to wear all day?

The always-on display is one feature I’d argue is worth paying for if your budget allows. Glancing at a watch that always shows the time is a fundamentally better experience than having to raise your wrist or tap the screen. It’s the difference between a watch and a bracelet that sometimes shows the time.

Bands and Accessories

One advantage of the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch is the enormous range of third-party bands available at very low cost. You can buy silicone, nylon, leather, and metal bands from Amazon AU for $10-$30 that look and function great. The Amazfit also has a decent range of compatible bands, though not as extensive.

Buying Advice

Wait for sales if you can. Smartwatches are frequently discounted during major retail events. JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, and Amazon AU all run regular deals. The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE in particular seems to be permanently on some kind of promotion.

Consider what phone you use before choosing a watch. Apple Watches only work with iPhones. Samsung Galaxy Watches work best with Samsung phones but are compatible with any Android device. The Amazfit works with both iOS and Android.

The Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE and Apple Watch SE are the clear value picks for their respective ecosystems. The Amazfit GTS 4 Mini is the budget champion with outstanding battery life. Any of these watches will serve you well for daily use, fitness tracking, and notifications. The flagship models are nice to have, but they’re not necessary for most people.