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Gear Review

Affordable Smartwatches for South Africans

Find smartwatches designed for South Africa's unique lifestyle. 💡 Track fitness 🏃♂️, stay connected 📱, and embrace tech made for you.

14 Jul 2025 | 4 min read | 👤 WatchWhiz
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Affordable Smartwatches | South Africa

Thinking about getting a smartwatch but get put off by the high prices? You’re not alone. The good news is you no longer need to spend a fortune to get great features on your wrist. For health-conscious South Africans on a budget, there’s a massive range of affordable options that track your fitness, deliver notifications, and look great doing it. This Q&A guide covers everything you need to know before you buy. ✨

Your Affordable Smartwatch Questions Answered

Q: What features can I actually expect from a budget-friendly smartwatch? A: You can expect all the core essentials. This includes step counting, heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and multiple sport modes for activities like running or cycling. You'll also get standard smart features like call and message notifications from your phone. While you won't get advanced functions like ECGs, the full range of modern smart watches proves that the basics are now better than ever.

Q: How much should I budget for a decent smartwatch in South Africa? A: This is the best part… not much at all. The market has exploded with high-quality, feature-packed watches at incredible prices. You can find a fantastic device with a sharp colour screen and solid health tracking for less than the cost of a new video game. In fact, Evetech has a great selection of smartwatches under R900 that are perfect for first-time buyers.

Q: Are cheaper watches durable enough for an active lifestyle? A: Absolutely. Most affordable smartwatches are built with durable polycarbonate bodies and comfortable silicone straps, designed for daily wear and tear. Many also come with an IP67 or IP68 rating, meaning they are resistant to dust and can handle being submerged in water. They're tough enough for your daily run, a gym session, or even just getting caught in a Johannesburg thunderstorm.

Q: Which brands offer the best value for money right now? A: While many brands compete in this space, some consistently stand out by balancing features, build quality, and price. For instance, looking at the range of Promate smartwatches shows how you can get premium features like vibrant AMOLED displays and extensive health suites without the premium price tag. It's always a great brand to check out when hunting for value.

TIP FOR YOU

Stretch Your Battery Life

Disable the 'raise to wake' screen function and switch continuous heart-rate monitoring to periodic checks (e.g., every 30 minutes). These two small tweaks in the watch's companion app can often double your battery life from one week to two on a single charge.

Q: What about battery life? Am I going to be charging it every single night? A: Unlikely! This is one area where affordable smartwatches often beat their expensive counterparts. With more efficient processors and no power-hungry GPS running constantly, many budget models can last anywhere from 7 to 14 days on a single charge. It’s a massive convenience for anyone who just wants their tech to work without daily fuss.

Q: With so many options, how do I find the right one for me? A: The best way to start is with a broad search and then narrow it down. Using a simple smartwatch search on Evetech will show you everything available. From there, you can use the filters to sort by price, brand, or features to find the perfect fit for your wrist and your wallet.

Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Gold / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.GOLD

Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Gold / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.GOLD

R849.00In Stock
Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.Black

Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.Black

R949.00In Stock
Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Midnight Green / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.MidnightGreen

Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Midnight Green / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.MidnightGreen

R949.00In Stock
Promate xWatch SL 2.01" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black/ IP68 Water Resistance / 2.01" TFT Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-SL.BLACK

Promate xWatch SL 2.01" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black/ IP68 Water Resistance / 2.01" TFT Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-SL.BLACK

R749.00In Stock
Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Silver / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.Silver

Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Silver / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.Silver

R949.00In Stock
Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.BLACK

Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.BLACK

R849.00In Stock

Key Takeaways

  • Core Features Come Standard: Don't stress about missing out. Step, heart rate, and sleep tracking are included in most affordable models.
  • Value is Real: A powerful and stylish smartwatch is easily attainable for under R1000 in South Africa.
  • Battery for Days: Enjoy the freedom of charging your watch weekly, not daily.
  • Built to Last: With solid materials and water resistance ratings, these watches are designed for everyday life. 💪

Get Smart Features for Less Ready to track your fitness and stay connected without breaking the bank? The perfect affordable smartwatch is waiting for you. Shop now at Evetech for performance that leaves lag in the dust.

Focus on durability, battery life, water resistance, and local warranty options for better accessibility.

Budget smartwatches match local needs by combining fitness tracking 🏃♀️ with tough, weather-ready designs.

Yes! Waterproof smartwatches help track swimming sessions or handle unexpected weather changes 💪.

Many affordable smartwatches offer 7+ days battery life plus rugged constructions for everyday use 🔋.

Evetech offers competitive pricing AND local warranty options on trusted smartwatch brands ⏱️.

Look for GPS accuracy 🔦 plus outdoor sports tracking like trail running or hiking preparation.