Diwali is a occasion to gift something that goes beyond the usual sweets, clothes and home accessories. If you are considering a tech gift this year, a smartwatch can be a useful option for family members and friends who want to stay connected, track their daily activities or keep an eye on their fitness goals. There are plenty of options available across different price segments, with features such as AMOLED displays, Bluetooth calling, GPS and health tracking.
However, not every smartwatch is suited to everyone. I would look at the recipient’s smartphone, daily routine and fitness requirements before picking one. Here are some smartwatches worth considering as Diwali gifts this year.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is a complete smartwatch that offers pretty much everything you would expect from a smartwatch. You get a premium metal build that is also thin and lightweight. It runs on the latest Wear OS version with Samsung’s One UI on top, making it highly versatile when it comes to customisation. There is also a solid set of health features, including Energy Score, Sleep Score and more. One thing to keep in mind before picking up this watch is that you will need a Samsung smartphone to experience all its features seamlessly.
Galaxy Watch 8 is almost identical to the Watch 9 which I reviewed recently. You can check out my full review of Galaxy Watch 9.
The Noise Endeavour Pro is a rugged smartwatch designed for people who love going on adventures. Like most rugged smartwatches in the market, it offers a good display, a solid build and long battery life. However, what makes this watch stand out is its price. At ₹9,999, you are getting a smartwatch that can handle your outdoor adventures without costing a fortune. And did I mention that it also comes with a proper flashlight with an SOS feature?
The Amazfit Active Max combines a large AMOLED display with fitness tracking, navigation and extended battery life. Its 1.5-inch screen offers up to 3,000 nits of brightness, making it easier to read outdoors during workouts. The watch supports more than 170 sports modes, built-in GPS and offline maps, allowing users to track outdoor activities without constantly relying on their smartphones. It also offers 4GB of internal storage for music and other content, alongside health monitoring and Zepp Coach training features.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is designed primarily for runners who want more detailed workout insights and performance tracking from their smartwatch. It features a 1.2-inch AMOLED display, built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitoring. Garmin’s training features include daily suggested workouts, recovery time, race predictions and running dynamics to help users understand their progress. The watch also tracks sleep, stress and overall activity, while its battery is rated to last up to 11 days in smartwatch mode.
The OnePlus Watch 2R combines Google’s Wear OS platform with a dual-engine architecture to balance smartwatch functionality and battery life. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset alongside a BES2700 efficiency chipset, allowing it to switch between demanding applications and background tasks. The 1.43-inch AMOLED display, dual-frequency GPS and support for more than 100 sports modes make it suitable for everyday use and fitness tracking. Its battery is rated to last up to 100 hours in smart mode.
The Noise Alt Watch 1 is a feature-packed smartwatch that brings together a bright AMOLED display, built-in GPS and several AI features. You get a 1.32-inch display with up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, along with a functional rotating crown that makes navigating the watch easier. Noise AI also brings features such as voice commands, AI transcription, an AI companion and personalised watch faces. On top of that, you get health tracking, over 100 sports modes and Bluetooth calling, making it a good option for anyone looking for a smartwatch with plenty of features for everyday use.
Five factors to consider before gifting a smartwatch
- Smartphone compatibility: Check the recipient’s smartphone before purchasing. Apple Watch models are designed for iPhone users, while Wear OS watches generally cater to Android users. Some features can also be restricted to specific smartphone brands.
- Display quality: An AMOLED display can make a smartwatch look more premium, with better contrast, vibrant colours and an always-on display option. Screen brightness is also important for outdoor visibility.
- Health and fitness tracking: Look for features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, SpO2 monitoring and multiple workout modes. Built-in GPS is particularly useful for people who run, cycle or walk regularly without carrying their phones.
- Battery life: Battery performance can make a big difference to everyday convenience. Some smartwatches need charging every day, while fitness-focused alternatives can last several days or even weeks on a single charge.
- Design and comfort: A smartwatch is something people wear throughout the day, so its size, weight, strap material and dial design matter. Consider the recipient’s wrist size and preference for round or square watch faces before choosing one.
