- By Alex David
- Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Budget smartwatches are very popular in India. They look stylish, show the time, count steps, and claim to track health. They are also very cheap, which makes them easy to buy. But many of these watches are not truly made by Indian companies. They are imported from Chinese factories, rebranded with an Indian logo, and sold at much higher prices. Big ads and celebrity marketing make them look advanced, but the technology inside is often weak. The main problem is not that they are cheap. The problem is that they make big promises about health and accuracy that they cannot keep. This can confuse people and even become risky when health data is trusted too much.
1. Rebranded Products, Not Real Indian Designs
A big clue is the app these watches use.
Many popular Indian smartwatch brands use the same Chinese app, such as DFit from MoYoung. This shows:
- The watch hardware is imported
- The software is also imported
- Many brands are selling the same product with different names
Only the logo and box change. The watch itself stays the same. This means there is no real Indian system or special technology behind it.
2. Very Little Real Development
These brands do not spend much money on making new technology. Instead, they:
- Buy ready-made watches
- Put their own brand name on them
- Spend a lot of money on ads and influencers
Most of the money goes into marketing, not into making the watch better. This helps them earn high profit, but users do not get better quality.
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3. Called Smartwatches, But Work Like Simple Bands
Many of these watches are sold as “smartwatches”, but they are more like basic trackers.
Common issues include:
- No real app system
- Poor health sensor accuracy
- Short software support
- Long feature lists that do not work well
Some ads even claim things like the following:
- AMOLED screens when they are not
- Medical-level health tracking
- Accurate SpO2 and heart rate
Tests show how wrong this can be. Some watches even show a heart rate for a vegetable. That sounds funny, but it proves the data cannot be trusted.
4. Health Tracking Can Become Dangerous
Wrong health data is not just a small problem.
If someone believes the numbers on the screen, they may:
- Panic when nothing is wrong
- Feel safe when they are not
- Delay seeing a doctor
During times like the pandemic, people depended on SpO2 and heart rate readings. If the watch is wrong, it can cause real harm.
5. Too Many Models, Too Fast
These brands launch new watches almost every week.
The price difference between models is very small, and the features are nearly the same. This shows they care more about:
- Selling more units
- Following trends
- Making quick money
They care less about:
- Making one good product
- Giving long-term updates
- Building trust with users
This makes buying confusing and risky. As the product you bought today can become the previous generation as soon as the very next day in some scenarios.
Why People Still Buy These Watches
Most buyers do not use them for serious health tracking.
They use them for:
- Looks
- Notifications
- Step counting
- Checking time
That is why these watches sell well. But people who really care about health are not getting what they expect.
Budget Smartwatches vs Proper Smartwatches
You should know the difference between a real smartwatch and cheap knockoffs. This will help you spot the wannabe and real smartwatches.
Feature | Wannabe Smartwatches | Real Smartwatches |
Where they come from | Imported and renamed | Designed by the brand |
App | Shared Chinese app | Brand’s own app |
Health accuracy | Often wrong | Tested and reliable |
Ads | Celebrity and hype | Feature-based |
Updates | Unclear | Regular and planned |
What You Should Do Before Buying
Buying only because a watch is cheap, trendy, or good marketing is risky. If you want to make better choices, it will mean:
- Not trusting big health claims
- Looking beyond ads
- Knowing the difference between fashion and fitness
- Treating cheap watches as simple gadgets, not health tools
- Price should not decide trust.
My Opinion
Cheap smartwatches are not the problem. The way they are sold is the problem. Rebranded imports are shown as powerful health devices, even when they are not accurate. This creates fake value and real danger. Until these brands focus on real development, honest ads, and better sensors, these watches should be seen as fashion items, not medical tools. Being careful and asking questions is more important than following trends, especially when health is involved.
