Smartwatches have become essential accessories, blending technology with style. Especially for those of us who want to stay connected and track our health on the go. In this review, I’m excited to share my thoughts on two of the most buzzworthy budget options available. That is the Realme Watch S2 and the CMF Watch Pro 2. Both are Priced at an affordable ₹5,000 in India. Both models offer a variety of features designed to meet your needs without breaking the bank. 

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Realme Watch S2 Smartwatch
Realme Watch S2

Stylish smartwatch with vibrant display, long battery life, and accurate tracking.

CMF Watch Pro 2 Smartwatch
CMF Watch Pro 2

PSleek smartwatch featuring built-in GPS and customizable design options.

After wearing both smartwatches side by side for a couple of weeks, I’m ready to compare their designs and functionalities. I will also discuss their performance. Whether you’re looking for fitness tracking, customizable watch faces, or seamless connectivity, I hope this review helps you. My goal is to help you find the perfect smartwatch to complement your lifestyle. Let’s dive in together!

Okay, I want to start with the design side of things first. You can clearly tell that the designers at Realme and CMF had completely different ideas. Their visions for how the smartwatches should look are distinctly different. The Realme Watch S2 looks and wears like a classic timepiece, featuring a shiny stainless steel body. In contrast, the CMF Watch Pro 2 has a modern aesthetic with its simple, understated design that feels more practical.

I also like this functional crown that I can use to scroll through different sections in the UI. In contrast, the crown on the Realme Watch S2 is purely decorative. I can choose between different strap styles for both smartwatches. What I really admire is that both Realme and CMF opted for a universal 22mm band instead of a hard-to-find proprietary design.

This means I can easily get an aftermarket 22mm band for both of these to match the vibe that I am going for. With the CMF Watch Pro 2, I can even change the bezels if I feel like it. I was genuinely excited to check that out. However, the official bezel and strap set hasn’t been available in many markets yet. You also don’t get an extra set of bezels in the box. So that is something CMF has got to improve.

Anyway, both of these watches fit very comfortably on my wrist. They are quite lightweight. I haven’t had to worry about dust or water damage either. Both watches are IP68 rated as well.I am still super careful putting these on whenever I head outdoors. There is no protection on the display or the frames. But I guess you can’t have it all on a budget smartwatch.

As for the display, it definitely seems that the Realme Watch S2 and the CMF Watch Pro 2 have identical screens. The Watch S2 is a bit bigger, but other than that, their OLED displays are very similar. Both get just as bright, feel just as smooth, and look just as sharp.

But let me tell you how widely different the display experience on both of these smartwatches is. Yes, although both have quite similar UI and UX, the Realme Watch S2 has vibrant and lively looks. It features smoother animations and colorful elements, whereas the CMF Watch Pro 2 looks kind of dull. I get that some folks might dig CMF’s UI design, but it’s just not my cup of tea.

The watch face options on the CMF Watch aren’t visually appealing either. In contrast, I can set AI-generated dials on the Realme Watch S2, which is pretty cool. The only thing that sucks about Realme’s display is that it does not support auto-brightness adjustment. I can program it to dim the display during certain hours of the day. However, that is not as convenient or intuitive as the auto-brightness feature on the CMF Watch Pro 2.

Now about their companion apps: I’ll be straightforward. I found both apps to be quite mediocre, to be honest. The CMF Watch app is clearly better designed than the Realme Link app. However, I expected it to provide more insights into my health data. All it does is neatly organize the readings from the watch, and that is all. This means it’s entirely up to me to figure out whether I need to work on improving something or not. 

I actually had higher hopes for Realme in this regard, especially since they are pushing AI so hard. I was hoping for features like intelligent health assessments or the ability to automatically plan workouts using AI. However, that AI aspect is just the AI-generated watch face I mentioned earlier. It also includes the ChatGPT 3.5 interface—end of story.

All right, when it comes to health tracking, the Realme Watch S2 and the CMF Watch Pro 2 are typical budget smartwatches. They can do everything from all-day heart rate monitoring to stress, SpO2, and women’s health tracking. For what it’s worth, both measure my vital stats, like heart rate and blood oxygen levels, more or less the same. There’s maybe a 5% delta at any given point. 

But I’ve got to say that the CMF Watch Pro 2’s sleep tracking is not that great. On more than one occasion, it significantly over-recorded my sleep duration. The Realme Watch S2 accurately recorded the time I went to bed and when I got up. In contrast, the CMF Watch logged nearly 3 hours of extra sleep, which is simply not true. I also remember a time when the CMF Watch thought I was sleeping in the middle of the day. In reality, I was just sitting in bed watching Netflix.

As for fitness tracking, I can log over 100 different exercises and customize them based on specific goals on both smartwatches. I wish the CMF Watch Pro 2 had a separate button for the workout menu like the Realme Watch S2. However, it’s not that big a deal. Instead, I really think you are going to love all the warm-up animations on this thing.It’s available for a handful of workouts like running, cycling, and free training. Having a visual guide of different warm-up exercises on the watch itself is a nice feature to have.

The CMF Watch Pro 2 has built-in GPS too, which is lacking on the Realme Watch S2, although I would not count on it. That’s because it takes way too long to lock the GPS signal, even when I’m in a fairly open space. After it finally found a signal, I noticed how its location reading was not accurate either. Besides this, both of them have a few more tricks to try to keep you active throughout the day. There is the usual activity tracker, which is quite a common smartwatch feature that records things like steps, calories, and workout duration throughout the day, so that you can hit your daily goals. 

Whereas the CMF Watch Pro 2 also has something called Active Score. This is pretty much exactly the same as the PAI score on Amazfit smartwatches, where you can earn points every day for a week based on different cardio-based exercises. On the other hand, the Realme Watch S2 brings something called Body Energy. It’s similar to the energy score on Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 7, which uses sleep, stress, activity, and heart rate variability data to quickly visualize whether I’m ready for a workout or if I should rest up instead.

Both the Watch S2 and the Watch Pro 2 also support Bluetooth calling, by the way, and it works surprisingly well on both of them. Since neither of them runs on Google’s Wear OS platform, their battery life is ridiculously good too. Realme promises 14 days of battery on regular usage for the Watch S2, while CMF says that the Watch Pro 2 should go for 11 days without needing a refill. 

Yeah, when I kept all the health tracking settings exactly the same on both of these smartwatches, which includes continuous heart rate, SpO2, and stress monitoring, the CMF Watch died in like 8 days, while the Realme Watch S2 comfortably lasted me 3 to 4 days more.

All right, so I think I’ve talked about everything there is about both of these budget smartwatches, so I want to wrap things up now. Once again, I want to say that for around ₹5,000, the Realme Watch S2 and the CMF Watch Pro 2 are two of the best budget smartwatches that you can buy. They check a lot of boxes -like, a lot. But if I had to pick one out of these two, I think I would go for the Realme Watch S2. Hear me out: it has a gorgeous design, a great display, better battery life, and arguably better health and fitness tracking features as well, which is basically what most folks are looking for in a budget smartwatch in the first place.

That being said, the CMF Watch Pro 2 is nothing short of impressive either. It does have a few software issues I hope they can sort out with a few firmware updates, but it’s still a great fit for those who want something different -something that clearly stands out. Not to mention, it also has a couple of useful features that you’re not going to find on the Realme Watch, like a proper functional crown, built-in GPS, and auto-brightness adjustment.

Realme Watch S2 and CMF Watch Pro 2 clearly stand out as budget smartwatches at the same affordable price of ₹5,000. From my exhaustive testing, it’s crystal clear how each of these watches caters to some different preferences and priorities.

The Realme Watch S2 is pretty stylish because of a kind of classic design, bright display, and impressive battery life. Its health-tracking accuracy and user-friendly features like AI-generated watch faces make it a well-rounded choice for those who are persuaded to prioritize aesthetics and performance.

On the other hand, the CMF Watch Pro 2 has more of a fashionable look with built-in GPS, customizable bezels, and loads of functional health-related capabilities. But it has weaknesses relating to overnight sleep tracking and battery life as well.

In the end, if you want a great smartwatch with excellent design, and it has good functionality in addition to good battery, then the best choice would be going for the Realme Watch S2. But if you want a modern look and other strange features like a functional crown and GPS, then the CMF Watch Pro 2 is the perfect choice for you.

Whatever you choose, both smartwatches promise excellent value for money and may change your life for the better by dint of their connectivity and health-tracking capabilities. Happy smartwatch shopping!

FeatureRealme Watch S2CMF Watch Pro 2
Price₹5,000₹5,000
DesignClassic stainless steel lookModern, understated design
DisplayLarger OLED, vibrant colorsOLED, less vibrant
Battery LifeUp to 14 daysUp to 11 days
Health TrackingAccurate heart rate, SpO2, stressSimilar tracking but less accurate sleep data
Sleep TrackingAccurateOften over-records sleep duration
Fitness Tracking100+ exercises, Body Energy feature100+ exercises, Active Score feature
GPSNoBuilt-in GPS
Calling FeatureYesYes
App ExperienceBasic Realme Link appBetter-designed CMF Watch app
CustomizationLimited (AI-generated watch faces)Changeable bezels and straps
Water/Dust ResistanceIP68 ratedIP68 rated
Crown FunctionalityDecorative onlyFunctional crown
Auto BrightnessNoYes

Both the Realme Watch S2 and CMF Watch Pro 2 are leaving the market with a number of features that fit the needs of both fitness-conscious users and the masses. Although they belong to the same price category, designs and functionalities of these two watches appeal to different tastes and needs. The feel of a traditional watch combined with a very vivid display on the Realme Watch S2 makes it look more fashionable, considering appearance more than many other parameters. The CMF Watch Pro 2 will take on a fresher look with more functionality, boasting of in-built GPS, as the ideal appeal to those who value practicality.

Pros

    Cons

      When it comes to user experience, the Realme Watch S2 excels in aesthetics and battery longevity. Its vibrant display enhances visibility, making it easy to navigate through the interface. However, the lack of auto-brightness may be a drawback for some users, especially in varying lighting conditions. Additionally, while the watch’s companion app could use more in-depth analytics, it remains user-friendly for basic tracking.

      Pros

        Cons

          CMF Watch Pro 2 appeals to users seeking a modern, customizable smartwatch with practical features. Indeed, the built-in GPS really adds value for outdoor activities but hits-or-miss when performing well, so that hits its reliability. The auto-brightness feature really makes the usability easy under changing light conditions, but an element of inaccuracy can arise from sleep tracking and an update-down date for software might impair user experience.

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          1. What are the key differences between the Realme Watch S2 and the CMF Watch Pro 2?
          The Realme Watch S2 offers a classic design, vibrant display, and longer battery life, while the CMF Watch Pro 2 features built-in GPS, a functional crown, and a more modern aesthetic.

          2. Are both smartwatches suitable for fitness tracking?
          Yes, both watches offer comprehensive fitness tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and support for over 100 different exercises.

          3. How accurate is the sleep tracking on these devices?
          The Realme Watch S2 has shown accurate sleep tracking. But the CMF Watch Pro 2 has been reported to over-record sleep duration occasionally.

          4. Can I make calls using these smartwatches?
          Yes, both the Realme Watch S2 and the CMF Watch Pro 2 support Bluetooth calling. Which allowing you to make and receive calls directly from your wrist.

          5. Which smartwatch has better battery life?
          The Realme Watch S2 offers up to 14 days of battery life. At the same time while the CMF Watch Pro 2 lasts around 8 days under similar usage conditions.