The sub-$100 smartwatch market is fiercely competitive, offering a compelling entry point for users seeking basic fitness tracking and notifications. The Realme Watch 3 and Huawei Watch GT 3 SE represent two strong contenders, each aiming to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their capabilities, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each device to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience and a slightly more established ecosystem, the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE emerges as the better choice. Its wireless charging capability and likely more refined software experience (based on Huawei's smartwatch history) offer a smoother user experience, despite the limited information available on the Realme Watch 3.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Speed | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 26 | 2022, November 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 02 | Available. Released 2022, November 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 37 x 11.5 mm (1.77 x 1.46 x 0.45 in) | 46.4 x 46.4 x 11 mm (1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 40 g (1.41 oz) | 35.6 g (1.27 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m)
Not swim/shower proof
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps (46mm model) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 286 pixels (~207 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.8 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| OS | Proprietary OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 4GB |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 340 mAh | 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray | Graphite Black, Wilderness Green |
| Models | - | RUNE-B29 |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Realme Watch 3
- Likely more affordable price point
- Potential integration with Realme ecosystem
- Simple and straightforward user interface (assumed)
- Lack of specific feature details
- Likely utilizes standard LCD display
- Probably relies on traditional charging
Huawei Watch GT 3 SE
- Convenience of wireless charging
- Potential for refined software experience (Huawei)
- Likely benefits from Huawei's power optimization
- May be slightly more expensive than Realme Watch 3
- Limited information on display specifications
- Huawei ecosystem restrictions for some users
Display Comparison
Without specific display details for the Realme Watch 3, we can infer it likely utilizes a standard LCD panel common in this price segment. The Huawei Watch GT 3 SE, while also likely employing an AMOLED display (consistent with other GT 3 models), doesn't specify resolution or brightness. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests standard refresh rates, impacting battery life during always-on display usage. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing affordability over edge-to-edge designs.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Realme Watch 3 nor the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE feature cameras. This is standard for smartwatches in this price range, as adding a camera significantly increases cost and complexity without substantial user benefit.
Performance
The Realme Watch 3's chipset remains unknown, but given its price point, it likely utilizes a low-power processor sufficient for basic fitness tracking and notification handling. The Huawei Watch GT 3 SE, benefiting from Huawei's optimization expertise, likely employs a proprietary chipset designed for efficient power management. While neither device is intended for demanding tasks, Huawei's focus on power efficiency could translate to longer battery life. RAM specifications are unavailable for both, but are likely limited to the essentials for smooth operation of core features.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for both devices is currently unknown. However, the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE's inclusion of wireless charging provides a significant convenience advantage over the Realme Watch 3, which likely relies on a traditional magnetic charging cable. Wireless charging, while slower in some cases, eliminates the need for fiddling with cables and offers a more seamless charging experience. Huawei's history with smartwatch battery optimization suggests the GT 3 SE may achieve longer runtimes despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Realme Watch 3.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Watch 3 if you need a basic, no-frills smartwatch and are heavily invested in the Realme ecosystem. Its likely lower price point (given Realme's brand positioning) makes it ideal for first-time smartwatch owners or those seeking a secondary device. Buy the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE if you prefer the convenience of wireless charging, value a potentially more polished software experience, and appreciate a more established brand reputation in the smartwatch space. The GT 3 SE caters to users who want a step up in features without a significant price jump.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE work seamlessly with non-Huawei phones?
While the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE is compatible with both Android and iOS devices via the Huawei Health app, full feature parity isn't guaranteed. Some features, like replying to notifications, may be limited on non-Huawei phones. The experience is generally good, but expect a smoother integration within the Huawei ecosystem.
❓ What fitness tracking features are available on the Realme Watch 3?
Given its market segment, the Realme Watch 3 likely offers standard fitness tracking features such as step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and multiple sports modes. However, the accuracy and depth of these features may be limited compared to higher-end smartwatches. Specific details are unavailable without official specifications.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE significantly faster than traditional charging?
Wireless charging on the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE is likely slower than fast wired charging. However, the convenience of simply placing the watch on a charging pad outweighs the speed difference for many users. It's a trade-off between charging speed and ease of use.
