Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Apple Watch SE 3
Best Budget for iPhone UsersHuawei Watch Fit 3
Best Budget for Hikers & OutdoorsPrice
$219-$249
$100-$150
Summary
The cheapest way into Apple's ecosystem with most of the flagship health features intact — sleep tracking, crash detection, temperature sensing, and now 5G. For iPhone users, nothing else at this price comes close.
Huawei's Watch Fit 3 delivers excellent battery life, solid fitness tracking, and a slim design that hikers and everyday users love. Community users consistently report it does everything they need without fuss.
Pros
- Latest S10 processor, always-on display, and 5G connectivity at under $250
- Sleep Score, Workout Buddy, sleep apnea notifications, and temperature tracking included
- Ultrafast charging added in third generation
- Deep iPhone integration unmatched by any Android-compatible alternative
- Praised by real owners for doing 'everything you need' with a decent battery
- Slim, lightweight design suited for hiking and outdoor activities
- Heart rate accuracy rated above Amazfit by community comparisons
- Competitive price for the feature set offered
Cons
- iPhone-only — useless if you're on Android
- Still $219-$249, which is the high end of 'budget'
- No ECG or blood oxygen sensor compared to Series 11
- No Google Play or Wear OS — limited third-party app support
- Huawei's ecosystem is more isolated, especially outside China
- GPS accuracy may lag behind dedicated Garmin running watches
Our take
If you're on iPhone, stop looking at Amazfit and just save up for the SE 3 — the ecosystem integration alone makes it worth the stretch, and Tom's Guide calls it the best cheap smartwatch you can buy.
The Huawei Watch Fit 3 is the underrated pick for anyone who spends time outdoors — real owners on hiking forums rave about the battery and reliability, and it's cheaper than most of the competition.
Buy
