Haylou Watch 3: what you need to know before buying

Haylou is a Chinese brand within the Xiaomi ecosystem that built its reputation selling compact and affordable smartwatches, especially for those wanting to enter the wearables world without spending much. The Watch 3 follows this line, but with some improvements over previous generations, such as a larger screen and more sports modes. The question that matters: does it deliver on what it promises, or is it just another watch that dies in a drawer after two weeks?

The short answer is: it depends on your profile. If you want a functional smartwatch with decent design and long-lasting battery, spending little, the Watch 3 deserves attention. However, if you expect native GPS, contactless payments (NFC), or deep integration with iOS or Android, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Haylou Watch 3 Technical Specifications

Display and design: budget AMOLED has limits

The AMOLED panel in the Watch 3 is the most visible improvement over previous Haylou models. AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) is a display technology where each pixel emits its own light, resulting in deeper blacks and more saturated colors than common LCD screens. In daily use, this means notifications and watch faces are very readable even in moderately bright environments.

That said, readability in bright sunlight can be a challenge. The manufacturer doesn’t disclose the maximum brightness in nits (a unit measuring light intensity), so this is something you need to check in reviews from people who’ve used the watch in real-world conditions, especially if you do outdoor activities in midday sun.

The design uses a rectangular case with rounded corners, bearing a strong resemblance to Apple Watch style. It’s not exclusive to Haylou—practically half the budget market does the same. The 22 mm silicone band is a standard interchangeable format, which is a positive: you’ll find replacements easily in the domestic market for under R$ 30.

Performance and sensors: reasonable monitoring for the price

The optical heart rate sensor works continuously, recording your heartbeats throughout the day and during physical activities. Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is also present and takes readings on demand. These two features have become almost mandatory even in the most basic models, so their presence here is expected, not a differentiator.

What stands out about the Watch 3 is the extensive list of sports modes, which the manufacturer claims exceeds 100. In practice, most users will use six or seven at most: walking, running, cycling, swimming, strength training, and maybe one specific activity. Having many modes is more marketing than real functionality for most people.

The most critical point for those wanting to use the watch for training with route precision is the absence of native GPS. The Watch 3 uses connected GPS, meaning it depends on the paired smartphone to calculate geographical position. This means you need to run or cycle with your phone in your pocket to record the route accurately. It’s not a problem for those who walk or go to the gym, but it’s a real limitation for triathletes or runners who leave their phones at home.

Battery and battery life: the strongest point

According to the manufacturer, the Watch 3 delivers up to 12 days of battery life in normal use, with continuous heart rate monitoring and active notifications. This drops if you use always-on display mode, which keeps the screen visible at all times, or if you activate GPS tracking frequently.

For comparison, most mid-range and premium smartwatches offer between 1 and 3 days of battery life. So even if the Watch 3’s real-world performance lands around 8 or 9 days, it’s still a considerable advantage for those who travel or simply don’t want to charge the watch every night.

Charging is magnetic and proprietary, meaning if you lose the cable, you’ll need to buy a specific Haylou one. Keep this cable safe.

Software and integration: Haylou Fun does the basics

The Haylou Fun app is available for Android and iOS and is the central point for configuring the watch: you customize watch faces, configure app notifications, check sleep and activity history. The interface is simple and straightforward, which can be a virtue for beginner users.

Integration with external platforms, such as Google Health or Apple Health, may exist depending on the app version, but Haylou doesn’t highlight this as a main feature. If you already use a consolidated health ecosystem and want all data centralized, check before buying whether synchronization works the way you expect.

For those evaluating other wearables and also considering updating their smartphone, this comparison between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 ANC can help build a coherent ecosystem without overblowing your budget.

Import, Anatel, and warranty in Brazil

This is the section many people skip and later regret. Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) requires that every wireless device sold in Brazil be approved. Products without this approval may be held at customs and, in theory, should not be legally sold here.

The Watch 3 can be found in national marketplaces like Shopee and AliExpress with local or international shipping. Before buying, confirm that the specific listing shows the Anatel approval number, usually printed on the box or listed on the product page. Buying without checking this is a real risk.

Warranty from non-official resellers is typically only 90 days under the Consumer Protection Code, for defects recognized by the seller. If you buy from an authorized reseller with an invoice, the warranty goes up to 12 months. This detail makes a difference when the watch stops charging two months later.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• AMOLED display with good visual quality for the price range
• Battery life well above segment average
• Standard 22 mm band, easy to replace
• 5 ATM water resistance, suitable for pool swimming
• Compatible with Android and iOS
• Affordable price for those wanting their first smartwatch

Cons:

• No native GPS, real limitation for outdoor training
• No NFC, no contactless payment
• Haylou Fun app isn’t as robust as more established competitors
• Proprietary charging cable
• Domestic availability depends on resellers, not always with adequate warranty
• Maximum screen brightness not disclosed, could be limited in strong sunlight

Competitors and alternatives in Brazil

Estimated prices for 2026 based on domestic marketplace availability. Always check current prices before buying, as they vary widely by exchange rate and promotions.

The Amazfit Bip 5 is the most direct alternative if native GPS is a priority for you, with a slightly higher cost but concrete advantage. The Redmi Watch 4 offers GPS and NFC at a still reasonable price. If your budget is tight and you don’t need GPS, the Watch 3 itself holds its position well.

Frequently asked questions about Haylou Watch 3

Does the Haylou Watch 3 work with iPhone?

Yes, according to the manufacturer, the Watch 3 is compatible with iOS 10.0 or later via the Haylou Fun app. Integration is more limited than with Android, especially regarding some notifications, but basic monitoring and alert functions work.

Can you use the Watch 3 to swim in a pool?

The 5 ATM resistance indicates that the watch supports pressure equivalent to 50 meters of static water depth, which covers pool swimming without issues. Avoid using it in high-speed water impact activities like diving or jet skiing, as resistance is static, not dynamic.

Does the Watch 3 appear on Anatel’s approved device list?

This varies depending on the version and reseller. The recommendation is to search for the approval number on Anatel’s website (certified products search) before finalizing any purchase, especially for direct imports. Official resellers with invoices usually handle this.

What’s the difference between connected GPS and native GPS?

Native GPS means the watch itself has the location chip and tracks your route without depending on any other device. Connected GPS means the watch uses the paired smartphone’s GPS signal. For the Watch 3, if you go running without your phone, there will be no route recording on a map.

Is the Haylou Watch 3 worth buying?

The Watch 3 is an honest watch within its limitations. It delivers AMOLED display, long battery life, and basic health monitoring at a price that fits those starting with wearables or wanting a second watch for daily use. The problem is it competes in a range where alternatives with native GPS exist for slightly more, and that can be a deciding factor depending on your use.

If you regularly go outdoors to train and want route data, the Watch 3 isn’t the right choice. If you primarily use the watch to see notifications, monitor sleep, and get an idea of physical activity without needing running precision, it does the job well.

Just as it’s worth researching cost-benefit in smartwatches, the logic of comparing notebooks in the same price range often reveals that a small budget difference can deliver much more relevant features. The same logic applies here.

Recommended for: those wanting their first smartwatch without spending much, users who prioritize long battery life, people who casually monitor health and don’t rely on watch GPS.

Price range: R$ 200 to R$ 350 in the Brazilian market (check current availability and Anatel approval before purchase).