The Realme Watch 3 Packaging: A First Look
The Realme Watch 3 arrives in a box that immediately signals a step up from its predecessor. The packaging is a sleek, predominantly black rectangle that feels substantial in hand. A high-gloss, life-sized image of the watch itself dominates the front, showcasing its large square display and metallic finish. The brand logo and model name are embossed in a subtle, sophisticated silver foil. Sliding off the outer sleeve reveals a solid, matte-finish inner box. Lifting the lid, the watch is the first thing you see, securely nestled in a plastic tray. The unboxing experience feels deliberate and premium, a clear departure from the more budget-oriented packaging of earlier models. Beneath this top layer lies a separate, elongated compartment containing the charging cable and a slim, minimalist user manual. There is no wall charger included, which is now an industry standard practice.
Inside the Box: A Comprehensive Inventory
The contents of the Realme Watch 3 box are sparse but complete, reflecting a focus on essentials. The full inventory includes:
- The Realme Watch 3 Unit: The centerpiece, featuring a 1.8-inch display and a silicon strap.
- Magnetic Charging Cable: A proprietary, pogo-pin connector that snaps magnetically to the back of the watch for secure charging. The cable is approximately 1 meter long and terminates in a standard USB-A port.
- Quick Start Guide and Documentation: A small booklet containing basic setup instructions, safety information, and warranty details.
The absence of a power adapter is noted, but most users will have a compatible USB port on a laptop, power bank, or existing phone charger.
Physical Design and Build Quality: In-Hand Feel
Upon removing the Realme Watch 3 from its packaging, its physical presence is immediately impressive. The watch features a square-shaped aluminum alloy frame that feels robust and cool to the touch, a significant upgrade from the plastic builds common in this price segment. The right side houses a single, multifunctional physical button that provides satisfying tactile feedback when pressed. This button is flanked by a barely noticeable microphone pinhole.
The rear of the watch is made of polycarbonate and houses the essential sensors for health monitoring. A raised, circular module contains the optical heart rate sensor and the two pins for the magnetic charger. The default strap is a soft, flexible silicone band that feels comfortable against the skin from the moment it’s put on. It uses a standard pin-and-tuck closure, making it easy to swap out for aftermarket straps of the same width (22mm). The overall build inspires confidence for daily wear, striking a fine balance between a lightweight design (about 40g without the strap) and a feeling of durability.
The Display: A Vibrant Visual Treat
Powering on the Realme Watch 3 for the first time reveals its standout feature: the 1.8-inch LCD display. With a sharp resolution and a peak brightness of 500 nits, the screen is vibrant, colorful, and remarkably easy to read, even under direct sunlight. The colors pop, and text appears crisp, making interactions smooth and visually pleasing.
The always-on display (AOD) functionality is a welcome addition, allowing users to glance at the time and key data without raising their wrist or tapping the screen. While using AOD will naturally impact battery life, its implementation is flawless, providing essential information with a minimalist design. The touch responsiveness across the interface is snappy and accurate, with no noticeable lag during the initial setup and navigation.
Initial Setup and Pairing Process
The setup process for the Realme Watch 3 is straightforward and intuitive. After a long press on the side button to boot the device, you are prompted to select a language. A QR code then appears on the screen, which needs to be scanned using the Realme Link application, available for both iOS and Android.
Downloading and opening the Realme Link app, the pairing process is almost automatic. The app quickly detects the watch, and a single tap initiates the Bluetooth pairing. The watch then syncs with the app, and a firmware update is often the first step, ensuring the device is running the latest software with all current features and bug fixes. The entire process, from unboxing to a fully synced watch on your wrist, takes less than 10 minutes, making it incredibly user-friendly for tech novices and enthusiasts alike.
Software and User Interface: A Tour of realme UI for Watch
The user interface on the Realme Watch 3 is clean, colorful, and highly customizable. The home screen is a watch face, which can be changed by a long press. Realme offers a vast selection of pre-loaded watch faces in the app, ranging from analog classics to modern digital designs that display comprehensive information like heart rate, weather, and battery level. You can store multiple faces on the watch and switch between them effortlessly.
Swiping down from the top of the screen reveals a quick settings panel for toggles like DND Mode, Settings, and Screen Wake. Swiping up from the bottom brings up the notification shade, where all alerts from your paired smartphone are displayed in a clean, scrollable list. Swiping left or right from the home screen accesses various widgets, such as heart rate, weather, music control, and activity rings. Pressing the physical button brings up the full app list, a grid of circular icons for functions like Workout, SpO2 measurement, Heart Rate, Sleep monitoring, Call History, and more. The animations are smooth, and the overall navigation is intuitive, requiring minimal learning curve.
Health and Fitness Tracking: First Impressions
The Realme Watch 3 positions itself as a comprehensive health companion. The initial setup involves inputting personal data like age, height, and weight to improve the accuracy of its metrics. The key health monitoring features include:
- 24/7 Heart Rate Monitoring: The watch can be set to measure your heart rate continuously, at set intervals, or manually. The first few readings were consistent with those from a dedicated pulse oximeter.
- Blood Oxygen (SpO2) Monitoring: This feature allows for on-demand spot checks of blood oxygen saturation levels. The measurement takes about 30 seconds and requires you to remain still for an accurate reading.
- Sleep Tracking: It automatically detects sleep and breaks it down into light, deep, and REM stages, providing a sleep score and insights into sleep quality.
For fitness, the watch supports over 100 sports modes, though the first impressions focused on common activities like outdoor running, walking, and cycling. The GPS connectivity is via your connected smartphone (connected GPS), which accurately maps routes and provides data on distance and pace. The step counter is responsive, and the automatic workout detection for walking and running is a convenient feature.
Battery Life and Charging
Out of the box, the Realme Watch 3 had approximately an 80% charge. The magnetic charging cable snapped into place securely on the first attempt. A full charge from zero to 100% took just over two hours. Realme claims a massive 7-day battery life in typical usage scenarios, which includes continuous heart rate monitoring and receiving notifications. With heavier use, including frequent SpO2 measurements and workout sessions with GPS, the battery life is expected to settle around 4-5 days, which is still exceptional for a smartwatch with a large, bright display. The magnetic charger is convenient, though the proprietary nature means you must remember to carry it for trips.
Initial Verdict and Key Takeaways
The Realme Watch 3 makes a powerful first impression. Its premium aluminum build and stunning 1.8-inch display immediately set it apart in the budget smartwatch segment. The setup process is seamless, and the realme UI for Watch is both feature-rich and easy to navigate. Core functionalities like notification mirroring, call handling, and music control work as expected. The health sensors provide a wealth of data, from 24/7 heart rate to SpO2 and sleep tracking, offering significant value for health-conscious users. The promised week-long battery life, if it holds true in daily use, is a monumental advantage. While it lacks built-in GPS, relying instead on a connected smartphone, this is a reasonable compromise given its aggressive pricing. The first hours with the Realme Watch 3 suggest it is a thoughtfully designed, capable device that successfully bridges the gap between affordability and a premium smartwatch experience.