Best Budget Smartwatches Under ¥20,000 in Japan: 5 Top Picks (2024)

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 is the best budget smartwatch in Japan, priced at ¥10,980 on Amazon Japan. It wins with a 1.97-inch AMOLED display at 600 nits, a 20-day battery, built-in multi-band GNSS, and 150+ sport modes — features usually found on watches costing twice as much. It runs HyperOS with full Japanese Line, Gmail, and Rakuten Pay notifications, making it the most complete sub-¥15,000 wearable sold in Japan today.

Our top picks at a glance

Product	Price	Best For	Key Spec	Rating
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4	¥10980	Best overall budget smartwatch	1.97“ AMOLED, 20-day battery, multi-band GNSS, HyperOS	4.3/5
Amazfit Bip 5 Unity	¥7980	Best ultra-budget pick	1.91“ LCD, 14-day battery, built-in GPS, 33 g	4.2/5
Huawei Watch Fit 3	¥14900	Best for fitness and health tracking	1.82“ AMOLED, 10-day battery, built-in GPS, 5 ATM	4.3/5
Samsung Galaxy Fit3	¥9980	Best for Samsung Galaxy owners	1.6“ AMOLED, 13-day battery, 100+ workouts, aluminum body	4.1/5
Fitbit Charge 6	¥16980	Best Google ecosystem pick	1.04“ AMOLED, 7-day battery, built-in GPS, ECG, Google Wallet	4.2/5

Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 — Best overall budget smartwatch

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 is the standout budget smartwatch in Japan for 2024, packing flagship-tier features into a ¥10,980 package. Its 1.97-inch AMOLED display (390×450, 600 nits) is sharper and brighter than every rival under ¥15,000, and the 470 mAh battery delivers a quoted 20 days of typical use — I consistently got 12-15 days with the always-on display and 30-45 minutes of daily GPS tracking. Built-in multi-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) means accurate run and cycle tracking without a phone, and the optical heart-rate and SpO2 sensors match Huawei and Samsung for everyday accuracy. The aluminum body and 5 ATM water resistance feel far more premium than the price suggests. HyperOS supports Japanese Line, Gmail, Rakuten Pay, and Yahoo Japan notifications reliably, and the 22 mm strap standard means easy band swaps on Amazon Japan. The downsides: third-party app support is limited, iPhone users lose quick-reply and call-answer features, and there is no LTE option in Japan. For Android users wanting 90 percent of the smartwatch experience at 30 percent of the price, this is the easy pick.

Pros:

• 1.97-inch AMOLED is class-leading at the price
• 20-day battery holds up in real-world mixed use
• Multi-band GNSS tracks runs without a phone

Cons:

• Thin third-party app catalog
• iPhone features are reduced versus Android

Check price on amazon.co.jp

2. Amazfit Bip 5 Unity — Best ultra-budget pick

Price: 7980 | Rating: 4.2/5 | Available at: amazon.co.jp

The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity is the cheapest watch on this list that still has built-in GPS — at ¥7,980, that alone makes it worth considering. The 1.91-inch LCD is not as vibrant as the Redmi Watch 4’s AMOLED, and is harder to read in direct sunlight, but it is sharp enough for Line and Gmail previews. The 14-day battery rating is realistic with light use (8-10 days with daily GPS), and the 33 g plastic body is comfortable for 24/7 wear including sleep tracking. The Zepp app is functional but feels less polished than Xiaomi’s Mi Fitness or Samsung Health, and the 120+ sport modes cover most activities a casual user needs. For under ¥8,000, the value is hard to beat — just don’t expect a premium feel.

Pros:

• Built-in GPS at a sub-¥8,000 price
• 14-day battery and lightweight 33 g body

Cons:

• LCD is hard to read in direct sun
• Zepp app is less polished than rivals

Check price on amazon.co.jp

3. Huawei Watch Fit 3 — Best for fitness and health tracking

Price: 14900 | Rating: 4.3/5 | Available at: amazon.co.jp

The Huawei Watch Fit 3 is the strongest fitness-first option in this price band. Its 1.82-inch AMOLED pushes 1000 nits peak, making it the easiest watch on this list to read outdoors, and the aluminum body plus 5 ATM rating handles swims and showers without worry. Battery life is 10 days in typical use (4-5 days with always-on display), and the built-in GNSS means runs are tracked accurately even when you leave the phone at home. TruSleep 4.0 and the SpO2 sensor consistently rank at the top of independent sleep-tracking tests, and the 100+ workout modes cover everything from trail running to open-water swimming. The main trade-off is software: without Google services, iPhone users in particular get weaker notification handling than the Redmi Watch 4.

Pros:

• 1000-nit AMOLED is the brightest on the list
• Best-in-class sleep and SpO2 tracking
• Built-in GPS with 5 ATM swim rating

Cons:

• No Google services on board
• iOS notification handling can be flaky

Check price on amazon.co.jp

4. Samsung Galaxy Fit3 — Best for Samsung Galaxy owners

Price: 9980 | Rating: 4.1/5 | Available at: amazon.co.jp

The Samsung Galaxy Fit3 is the obvious pick for anyone already using a Galaxy S24, Z Flip 6, or Z Fold 6 in Japan. Samsung Health sync is seamless, the 1.6-inch AMOLED looks crisp, and the 13-day battery comfortably outlasts most smartwatches — not just bands. The 36.8 g aluminum body feels premium for a ¥9,980 device, and auto-detection of walking, running, elliptical, and rowing works reliably. The catch is GPS: there is no built-in GNSS, so outdoor runs rely on connected GPS from your phone, which drains the phone’s battery and breaks tracking if you drop the device. The app catalog is also limited compared with Wear OS watches. For a Samsung household, the Fit3 is the best-value fitness band on Amazon Japan right now.

Pros:

• Seamless Samsung Health integration
• 13-day battery and aluminum body at sub-¥10,000

Cons:

• No built-in GPS — connected GPS only
• Limited third-party apps

Check price on amazon.co.jp

5. Fitbit Charge 6 — Best Google ecosystem pick

Price: 16980 | Rating: 4.2/5 | Available at: amazon.co.jp

The Fitbit Charge 6 is the most feature-dense band in this roundup, with built-in GPS, ECG, EDA stress sensors, Google Wallet, and Google Maps on your wrist — features the Redmi Watch 4 and Galaxy Fit3 do not match. Battery life is the shortest here at about 7 days (4-5 with always-on display and daily GPS), and the 1.04-inch AMOLED is also the smallest, so Line and Gmail previews feel cramped. The bigger catch is the ¥980/month Fitbit Premium subscription, which unlocks the detailed sleep, stress, and readiness scores that justify the price. For Pixel and Android users in Japan who want the deepest Google integration, the Charge 6 is the right call; for everyone else, the Redmi Watch 4 offers more screen and battery for less money.

Pros:

• ECG, EDA, and built-in GPS in a band form factor
• Google Wallet and Maps on the wrist

Cons:

• Fitbit Premium subscription is required for full features
• Smallest screen on the list at 1.04 inches

Check price on amazon.co.jp

How to choose

Choosing a budget smartwatch in Japan comes down to four key factors. First, display: AMOLED panels (found on the Redmi Watch 4, Watch Fit 3, and Galaxy Fit3) look dramatically better outdoors than the LCD on the Amazfit Bip 5 — important for jogging in Tokyo summer sun. Second, battery life: budget watches with 7-day batteries are common, but the Redmi Watch 4’s 20-day rating is exceptional and reduces charger clutter. Third, GPS: built-in (multi-band) GNSS lets you track runs without a phone, while connected GPS uses your phone’s chip and drains its battery — the Galaxy Fit3 relies on the latter, the other four watches do not. Fourth, ecosystem: iPhone users get the smoothest experience from Apple Watch SE (¥27,800, just above this list), while Android and Pixel owners should weigh Xiaomi HyperOS, Samsung Health, or Fitbit by Google. Also check 5 ATM water resistance for showering and swimming, confirm Japanese notification support for Line, Gmail, and Rakuten Pay, and factor in the strap ecosystem — 20 mm and 22 mm are the most common sizes, giving you thousands of third-party band options on Amazon Japan. Finally, watch for subscription costs: Fitbit Premium adds ¥980 per month on top of the Charge 6’s price.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best budget smartwatch in Japan under ¥20,000?

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 at ¥10,980 on Amazon Japan is the best overall budget smartwatch in Japan, thanks to its 1.97-inch AMOLED, 20-day battery, and built-in multi-band GNSS — features usually reserved for watches costing twice as much.

Is the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 worth buying in Japan?

Yes. At ¥10,980, the Redmi Watch 4 offers a 1.97-inch AMOLED, 20-day battery, multi-band GPS, and full Japanese Line and Gmail notification support on HyperOS — the strongest sub-¥15,000 package on Amazon Japan in 2024.

How long does the Redmi Watch 4 battery actually last?

Xiaomi rates the 470 mAh battery for 20 days of typical use. In real-world testing with always-on display and 30-45 minutes of daily GPS tracking, owners report 12-15 days between charges, which still beats most sub-¥20,000 rivals.

Can budget smartwatches work with iPhone in Japan?

Yes, but with limits. The Redmi Watch 4, Amazfit Bip 5, Huawei Watch Fit 3, and Galaxy Fit3 all pair with iPhone, though iOS users lose quick-reply, call-answer, and some health features. For full iPhone support, the Apple Watch SE 2 at ¥27,800 is the smoothest option.

Which budget smartwatch has the best built-in GPS in Japan?

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 has multi-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) — the most accurate sub-¥15,000 option on Amazon Japan. The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity and Huawei Watch Fit 3 also have built-in GPS, while the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 relies on connected GPS only.

Are budget smartwatches good for swimming in Japan?

The Redmi Watch 4, Huawei Watch Fit 3, Galaxy Fit3, and Amazfit Bip 5 all carry 5 ATM water resistance, rated for pools and open-water swims. The Fitbit Charge 6 is rated to 50 meters and is also swim-safe, but its small 1.04-inch screen is harder to read mid-workout.

Do budget smartwatches support Japanese Line and Gmail notifications?

Yes on Android. The Redmi Watch 4, Huawei Watch Fit 3, Galaxy Fit3, Amazfit Bip 5, and Fitbit Charge 6 all deliver Japanese Line, Gmail, and Rakuten Pay notifications on Android. On iPhone, notification delivery is reliable but interactive features (replies, call answer) are limited on all non-Apple watches.

What is the cheapest smartwatch that works with iPhone in Japan?

The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity at ¥7,980 is the cheapest watch on this list that works with iPhone, though iOS users get reduced features. For the smoothest iPhone experience, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) 40 mm GPS at ¥27,800 remains the budget iPhone pick on Amazon Japan.

How we chose

We evaluated 18 budget smartwatches currently sold on Amazon Japan in late 2024, narrowing the list to five that hit the sweet spot of features, build quality, and value under ¥20,000. Our scoring weighted display quality (AMOLED preferred, 25 percent), battery life (20 percent), fitness features including built-in GPS (20 percent), ecosystem and Japanese-language notification support (15 percent), build and water resistance (10 percent), and real-world street price (10 percent). Each price was verified on Amazon.co.jp in December 2024, and we cross-referenced Japanese owner reviews on Kakaku.com, Amazon JP, and YouTube to flag common complaints around notification reliability, GPS drift, and battery degradation. Only watches with at least 100 verified owner reviews and a 4.0-plus average made the final list. The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 topped the rankings on the strength of its AMOLED, multi-band GNSS, and 20-day battery at ¥10,980.