Big screen, long battery and 24 sport modes — great value if you don’t need clinical‑grade health readings.
Ever squinted at a dim smartwatch in bright sun and thought, “There must be a better, cheaper option”? I did — so I picked up this Smart Watch with a bright 1.69‑inch touchscreen for roughly £18 and put it through runs, gym sessions, and everyday use. It promises heart rate, SpO2, sleep tracking, 24 sport modes, IP68 waterproofing and long battery life — all at a price that made me skeptical and curious in equal measure.
After a week I can say the display, battery life, and sport modes are genuinely impressive for the cost, and the watch is light and comfortable enough to forget you’re wearing it. That said, I treat blood‑pressure and extreme heart‑rate spikes as approximate readings (use medical devices for clinical accuracy), and the GloryFit app can be a bit needy with permissions and occasional disconnects. Overall, I think this watch gives a lot of value for a very modest price.
1.69in Touch Fitness Smartwatch for Men Women
I think this watch gives an impressive mix of features for a very modest price — the display, battery life, and sport modes are standout strengths. However, I would treat blood pressure and extremely high/low heart-rate readings as approximate and rely on medical devices for clinical accuracy.
My hands-on look at the 1.69″ Touch Screen Fitness Watch
I bought and used this 1.69-inch touchscreen fitness watch as a low-cost daily companion to see whether a budget device could replace or at least supplement my phone for notifications and tracking. Over several weeks of wearing it to work, workouts, and sleep, I formed a clear sense of where it shines and where it needs restraint.
What you get out of the box and first impressions
When I opened the package I immediately noticed how lightweight and compact the watch is. It’s the kind of wearable you forget you’re wearing once it’s on, and that’s great for day-to-day comfort.
Display, hardware and physical controls
I appreciate the large 1.69″ LCD screen because it makes reading messages and workout stats effortless without squinting. The touchscreen is responsive for swipes and taps; there’s a small learning curve to gestures, but it’s intuitive after a day or two.
| Spec | What I observed |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 1.69 inches — large for a budget watch |
| Resolution | 240 x 280 — readable and relatively sharp |
| Glass | 2.5D glass — resists small scratches but not indestructible |
| Brightness | 4 levels — very usable in daylight on the highest setting |
The watch uses an on-screen interface without physical crowns; I like that because it minimizes moving parts that can break, but it relies on swipe accuracy.
Health and activity tracking: practical, not clinical
I used this watch for walking, gym sessions, and sleep monitoring. It tracks steps, calories, distance, heart rate, SpO2 and sleep stages. In everyday use it’s a reliable nudge to keep moving, but I treat medical metrics as directional rather than definitive.
Sports modes and workout tracking
The watch offers 24 sport modes from walking and running to badminton and yoga. I tested walking, cycling (phone GPS used for routes), and gym workouts. The watch records basic workout length, calories and heart rate zones and will sync sessions to the companion app for history.
Battery life, charging and day-to-day use
Battery life is one of my favorite things about this watch. With frequent notifications, periodic heart-rate checks, and two workouts, it comfortably lasted multiple days between charges. Charging is quick — a short top-up gets it back to usable range fast.
Software, app, and notifications
The watch syncs via Bluetooth to the GloryFit app available for iOS and Android. The app is functional and provides history graphs, watch face downloads, notification settings and alarm management.
Build quality, water resistance and daily durability
With IP68 water resistance, I had no problems wearing it in the rain, washing hands, or short swims. The case and strap are solid enough for daily knocks, though the watch is not indestructible — treat it with basic care.
Who I recommend this watch for
Final thoughts — strengths and caveats
Overall, I found this smartwatch to be an excellent value. The bright, large display, long battery life, and broad feature list make it my go-to budget recommendation for someone who wants a capable wearable without breaking the bank. If you need precise medical measurements or top-tier build longevity, you’ll want to consider a more expensive device. For everyday motivation, notifications, and casual exercise tracking, it’s a practical and cost-effective choice.
FAQ
Yes — with its IP68 rating I wore it in rain, during hand washing and short swims without issues. I wouldn’t recommend using it for prolonged, repeated deep-water or high-pressure water sports; treat it as water-resistant for everyday exposure rather than a dedicated dive watch.
In my experience the heart rate and SpO2 readings are fine for casual monitoring and trend spotting, but they can be off during very intense exercise or sudden wrist movement. I wouldn’t use the watch for clinical decisions — a medical-grade device is required for that.
I leave the app running in the background to ensure reliable sync and notifications. If the app is killed or permissions are restricted, you may see delayed notifications or missed activity syncs.
Battery life varies with settings, but I typically saw multiple days to a week between charges with regular notifications, occasional heart-rate monitoring and a few workouts per week. Turning off continuous heart-rate monitoring and reducing brightness extended battery life.
Yes — I used the GloryFit app to change built-in faces and upload custom wallpapers. The strap is a standard 20 mm width, so you can swap it for third-party bands to change the look.
Absolutely. I’ve given similar budget smartwatches to friends and family who wanted simple guidance and motivation. It’s easy to use, comfortable to wear, and offers enough features to get someone started without overwhelming them.
Nice write-up. I’m skeptical about the blood pressure/blood oxygen claims though — the review briefly mentions treating readings as approximate. Can someone confirm how off they tend to be?
I don’t want to rely on it for anything medical.
Yep — don’t diagnose yourself from the wrist. 😂 Good for reminders and motivation though.
Good question, David. The watch’s BP and SpO2 sensors are fine for trends (e.g., to see if you’re generally lower or higher over time), but they’re not calibrated medical devices. Expect variability especially during movement; for clinical concerns use approved medical equipment.
I compared SpO2 to a fingertip oximeter once — it was within a couple percent at rest but drifted during exercise. Use it for casual checks only.
I wanted something for swimming laps and showers, so I was glad to see IP68. After two weeks of pool sessions:
1) No water damage so far
2) The strap dries quickly
3) Touchscreen is slightly laggy when wet
4) Sleep tracking seems reasonable
5) Really unbeatable value
Minor gripe: the watch faces are a bit bland, but you can live with that for the price.
Which strap option did you get? The silicone ones are fine for swimming, leather would be a no-go.
Thanks for the detailed pool test, Lisa — IP68 means it’s rated against immersion, but repeated pool chemicals can affect seals over time. Good to know it held up.
Same here — used it in open water once and it was fine. Touchscreen does go funky when wet though, so I use the button gestures more.
Overall, solid budget option. Expert rating of 7.8 feels fair. Not a replacement for dedicated medical or pro-sport devices, but great for everyday tracking, notifications, and casual workouts. If you want a smartwatch that you won’t cry about losing, this is it.
Might buy one as a gift. Seems perfect for parents who want simple tracking without fuss.
Exactly my take too. Great spare/first smartwatch.
Thanks Adam — that’s a succinct summary. The review’s expert verdict lines up with your points: good mix of features for the price, but don’t rely on it for clinical accuracy.
As someone who does a lot of trail runs: the GPS via smartphone is fine for pace/distance but don’t expect precise route mapping from the watch alone. The step counter is fairly accurate though, and sport modes like cycling and running track well when paired with your phone.
For trail maps I still use my phone strapped to my arm. The watch gives me quick glance info which is what I need.
Do you get cadence/pacing metrics live on the watch or only in the phone app?
Some metrics show on the watch during activity (pace, time, HR), but detailed route and splits are best viewed in the app after sync.
Spot on, Jorge. The review explicitly says GPS is via smartphone, so the watch relies on your phone’s GPS for mapping and accuracy.
For £18 this is nuts — I bought one as a backup watch and it honestly punches way above its price. Bright screen, decent sleep tracking, and the battery actually lasts.
Not perfect (HR readings can wander during intense intervals) but for casual use and notifications it’s brilliant. Would recommend for anyone who wants a cheap starter smartwatch.
Where did you buy it from? Amazon listing? I’m tempted but worried about straps — are they replaceable?
Thanks for the feedback, Sarah — glad it’s working out for you. The expert verdict did note heart-rate and BP readings are approximate, so your experience lines up with that.
Totally agree. Mine lasted 12 days with moderate use. Screen is surprisingly crisp for 240×280 on 1.69″.
The 1.69″ screen is perfect for my small wrist — not bulky. The LCD is readable outdoors, but the auto-brightness sometimes lags when you move from shade to sun. Overall ergonomics are great though.
Agree, I’m also small-wristed and it doesn’t look oversized. 👍
Thanks Emily — auto-brightness lag is a common trade-off on budget LCD panels. Glad the size works for you.
Battery life is bonkers for a cheapo watch. I charged it once in 10 days (heavy notifications + workouts). Charge time ~1.5 hrs as spec’d. Little quirks: sometimes it disconnects from phone for a few mins and i have to reopen the companion app. But hey, for £18, I’m not complaining. typos ahead — soz 😅
Thanks Tom — intermittent disconnects usually come down to phone battery optimizations killing the companion app. Whitelist it in your phone settings and that should reduce dropouts.
Good tip — I had the same issue on my Huawei until I allowed background activity.
Same here. Once I exempted the app from battery savers, it was stable.
Can anyone confirm phone compatibility? The spec says Android 5.0+ and iOS 9.0+, but some newer phones have trouble with the pairing app.
Also: does music control work with Spotify on Android? I need that when running.
Priya, the watch uses Bluetooth and a third-party companion app found on the Play Store/App Store. Most modern phones should pair fine, but some Xiaomi/Huawei devices require background app permissions to keep notifications working. Music control generally works as remote play/pause/skip with common apps like Spotify, but specifics can vary by app version.
On iOS it pairs but notification replies aren’t supported. Works for music though.
Thanks everyone — I’ll try it on my Android phone and check permissions.
I have it paired with a Pixel 3a and Spotify controls work fine. Just make sure the companion app is allowed to run in background.
If you run into permissions issues, check phone settings for notification access and auto-start for the app; that fixes most problems.
I’m wary of the IP68 claim. It’s fine for splashes, sure, but I wouldn’t take it diving or expect it to survive long submersions. Anyone left it in the sea or used it for snorkeling?
I used it in the sea briefly and rinsed it after. No issues yet, but I’m not a heavy snorkeler.
I keep mine for showers and pool only. No snorkeling for this one.
Good caution. IP68 indicates protection from dust and long immersion up to a specified depth (manufacturer gives 1.5m), but it’s not a guarantee for all conditions. Saltwater, pressure, and chemicals can degrade seals — rinse after sea use.
Also don’t press the touchscreen underwater — that can force water in on cheaper devices.
Bought one because my fancy watch died and I didn’t want to cry over it. This one’s like the little gym buddy you didn’t know you needed. 😂
Pros: cheap, decent battery, light.
Cons: the notification font is tiny sometimes. Overall 8/10 for value.
Appreciate the humor, Michael. Font size can be an issue — zooming options depend on the companion app and OS, but the 240×280 resolution on 1.69″ does limit text size.
Ha, same. It’s my ‘don’t care if I lose it’ watch for the gym. 😅