Smartwatches have come a long way, haven’t they? What used to be a luxury item is now something many of us can’t imagine living without. From tracking steps to monitoring heart rates and even taking calls on the go, these little gadgets have become our ultimate companions in staying fit, organized, and connected. And if you’ve been keeping an eye on the market, you’ve probably noticed how brands are constantly upping their game—especially the ones that give you a lot for your money like Haylou Solar Ultra.
This smartwatch making waves as one of the most feature-packed options out there without breaking the bank. It’s from Haylou, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, which means it comes with that mix of affordability and solid tech we’ve come to expect. But this isn’t just another budget-friendly smartwatch—it’s got some serious tricks up its sleeve. We’re talking about a stunning AMOLED display, built-in GPS, health monitoring features that cover all the basics (and then some), and a battery life that honestly feels like it’ll outlast your patience before it runs out.
Design and Build Quality
The Haylou Solar Ultra has a design that feels like a mix of ruggedness and style, which makes it stand out in the crowded smartwatch market. The moment you pick it up, you notice the build quality is solid but not overly flashy. Most of the body is made from matte plastic, which gives it a sleek look while also keeping fingerprints and smudges at bay. It’s not the premium feel you’d get from an all-metal watch, but it’s sturdy enough to handle everyday wear and tear without looking cheap.
The bezel around the screen is where things get interesting—it’s made from zinc alloy, adding a bit of shine and durability to the overall look. This blend of materials works well because it keeps the weight down while still giving off a slightly premium vibe. Speaking of weight, it’s light enough to wear all day without feeling like there’s something bulky strapped to your wrist, but it’s not so feather-light that it feels flimsy.
On the side, you’ve got three mechanical buttons, which are tactile and responsive. They don’t wiggle or feel loose, which is always a good sign. The middle button doubles as a rotating crown, a feature that might remind you of some higher-end smartwatches. It’s handy for navigating menus or switching between watch faces without having to poke at the screen constantly. That said, the lack of haptic feedback when you rotate it can feel a little underwhelming compared to more expensive models. Still, it gets the job done and adds a layer of functionality that’s nice to have.
The silicone strap is another part of the equation, though it’s a bit hit or miss. On one hand, it’s soft and flexible, making it comfortable for most people. On the other hand, the quality isn’t great—it feels like the kind of strap that might degrade faster over time, especially if you’re wearing it during workouts or in sweaty conditions. You will probably want to swap it out for a better-quality third-party option. The good news is that the strap is 22mm wide, a standard size, so finding replacements won’t be a hassle.
As for how it feels on the wrist, it’s mostly comfortable, but there are moments when it can feel a bit snug, especially during longer wear. Some people might find that their skin gets irritated or starts sweating under the strap after a few hours, which could be a downside if you’re planning to wear it nonstop. The clasp mechanism is metal, though, which is a nice touch, and it feels secure when locked in place.
On the back of the watch, you’ll find the sensors and charging contacts. Everything is neatly tucked away, and the magnetic charging system is straightforward to use. There’s no fumbling around trying to align tiny pins—just snap it on, and it starts charging. The placement of the microphone and speaker is practical too, though the sound quality from the speaker isn’t anything to write home about.
One thing worth mentioning is the water resistance. With a 5 ATM rating, this watch can handle swimming, rain, and even accidental dips in the pool without breaking a sweat. Just don’t take it into saltwater unless you want to risk damaging it. For anyone who leads an active lifestyle or lives in a place with unpredictable weather, this level of protection is a big plus.
Display Features
The display on the Haylou Solar Ultra is one of those features that grabs your attention right away—it’s a big part of what makes this smartwatch stand out. First off, it’s an AMOLED display with a resolution of 480×480 pixels, which is always a good sign because AMOLED screens are known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. This one measures 1.6 inches diagonally, so it’s large enough to make everything easy to see but not so big that it feels clunky on your wrist.
Now, let’s talk about brightness. The screen can go up to 1000 nits, which is seriously impressive for a smartwatch at this price point. That means you can easily read the display even in bright sunlight without having to squint or shade it with your hand. I took it outside during peak daylight, and it held its own without any trouble. Sure, there’s no automatic brightness adjustment, which would’ve been nice, but manually tweaking the brightness isn’t hard, and once you set it, it works fine.
One feature worth mentioning is the Always-On Display (AOD). If you’re not familiar with AOD, it basically means the screen stays on all the time, showing the time and maybe a few other details, even when the watch is “idle.” On the Haylou Solar Ultra, you can choose between different styles of AOD depending on the watch face you’re using. Some are minimalist, while others show more info, like your step count or heart rate. Just keep in mind that keeping the AOD active will drain the battery faster, so you’ll need to balance how much you use it.
Another cool thing about the display is its refresh rate. Officially, it claims to support up to 60 Hz, which is something you don’t see often in budget smartwatches. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling through menus feel smoother and more responsive, almost like using a smartphone. That said, some users have noted that the actual performance might feel closer to 30 Hz rather than a full 60 Hz. Even so, it still feels snappy compared to many other watches in this category. Navigating around—swiping between apps, checking notifications, or switching watch faces—is quick and doesn’t leave you waiting.
Lastly, the screen has a slight curve to it, which gives it a sleeker look and helps reduce the appearance of bezels. Combined with the zinc alloy frame, it creates a premium vibe that belies the watch’s affordable price tag. Even though it’s mostly plastic, the design tricks your eye into thinking it’s more expensive than it actually is.
Software and User Experience
The software and user experience of the Haylou Solar Ultra is where things get a little mixed, but mostly in a good way. First off, the companion app—called “Haylou Fit”—is where most of the magic happens. It’s clean and straightforward, which makes setting up the watch a breeze. Once you pair the watch with your phone, the app becomes your go-to spot for customizing everything. You can tweak watch faces, check your health stats, and even dive into detailed activity reports.
One of the coolest things about the app is the watch face gallery. There’s a decent selection of designs, and you can even upload your own photos to use as backgrounds. If you’re into personalizing gadgets, this feature alone will keep you busy for hours. You can adjust what info shows up on the screen, like your step count, heart rate, or weather updates, and move things around to fit your style. The dynamic watch faces are a nice touch too—they change based on your activity or time of day, adding a bit of flair to the experience.
Now, let’s talk about navigating the watch itself. Swiping around feels intuitive for the most part. Swipe down, and you’ll find quick settings like brightness adjustments, flashlight mode, and airplane mode. Swipe up, and you’ll see your notifications. Left and right swipes bring up widgets, which are handy for checking things like your daily steps, weather, or calendar events. Everything is laid out logically, so once you spend a day or two using it, you’ll probably have the hang of it.
Additional Functionalities
Notifications are another area that’s hit or miss. On the plus side, they pop up instantly, and you can see app icons along with text previews. Emojis show up too, which is always fun. However, longer messages often get cut off, and there’s no way to reply directly from the watch—not even pre-written responses. So if someone sends you a novel-length text, you’ll have to pull out your phone to respond. Oh, and once you clear a notification on your phone, it disappears from the watch too, which is convenient but also means you can’t double-check something later unless you remember to screenshot it.
The music player functionality adds a bit of versatility, though it comes with limitations. You can control playback from your phone, skip tracks, and even use the watch as a tiny Bluetooth speaker (though the sound quality isn’t great). There’s also the option to store music directly on the watch, but with only 21 MB of internal memory, you won’t be able to load more than a couple of songs. Transferring files takes forever—seriously, minutes for a single track—and the whole process feels clunky. It’s almost like this feature was thrown in as an afterthought rather than something fully thought through.
Bluetooth calling is another standout addition. You can take calls directly from the watch, which is surprisingly convenient when your phone isn’t nearby. The microphone and speaker quality aren’t amazing—don’t expect crystal-clear audio—but it gets the job done for quick chats or checking in with someone. There’s also a list of favorite contacts you can save through the app, so you don’t have to scroll through your entire phonebook on the tiny screen. That said, the lack of pre-written responses for messages is annoying. If you get a text, you’ll need to pull out your phone to reply because there’s no way to type or select a response directly from the watch.
On the plus side, the watch integrates well with third-party apps like Strava, which is great for fitness enthusiasts who want to sync their data across platforms. There’s also a built-in SOS function, which lets you call a pre-set emergency contact with a double tap of a button. It’s a thoughtful addition that could come in handy in sticky situations.
Lastly, the watch includes some basic games, like a step counter challenge and a few other mini-games. They’re not exactly groundbreaking, but they’re entertaining enough to kill time during a boring commute or while waiting in line. Plus, they encourage movement, which is always a plus.
Health and Fitness Monitoring
The Haylou Solar Ultra tracks your heart rate, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), stress levels, and sleep patterns. These are the big four most people look for in a fitness tracker. On paper, this sounds amazing. In practice, though, the accuracy of these metrics is… well, let’s just say it’s hit or miss. For example, the heart rate monitor works fine most of the time, but if you compare it to something like a Galaxy Watch Ultra, you’ll notice small differences. It’s not wildly off, but it’s also not something you’d rely on for medical-grade accuracy. Same goes for the SpO2 readings—they’re decent enough for casual use, but don’t expect them to replace a dedicated pulse oximeter.
Stress monitoring is another feature that’s thrown into the mix. It uses your heart rate variability to estimate how stressed you are, which is a neat idea. But again, it’s not perfect. Sometimes it says you’re super stressed when you’re just chilling on the couch, and other times it says you’re calm during a hectic day. It’s more of a fun extra than something you’d take seriously. There’s also a weird “emotional state” tracker, which feels completely useless. Honestly, who needs their watch telling them they’re feeling “neutral” or “happy”? Skip that one.
Sleep tracking is where the watch gets a bit more interesting. It breaks down your sleep into light, deep, and REM phases, giving you a pretty detailed report in the morning. The data seems fairly accurate based on my experience, though I wouldn’t bet my life on it being 100% spot-on. Still, it’s good enough to give you an idea of how well you’re resting, and the app even gives tips on improving your sleep quality.
For women, there’s a menstrual cycle tracking feature, which is thoughtful and could be helpful for staying on top of things. You can log details manually or set up reminders for upcoming cycles. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s practical, and it’s nice to see this kind of functionality included.
Fitness Monitoring
Now, onto the fitness side of things. This is where the Haylou Solar Ultra really shines—or at least tries to. With over 170 workout modes, it covers everything from running and cycling to yoga and rowing. Some of these modes are basically duplicates, but hey, variety is nice, right? For outdoor activities, the built-in GPS is a game-changer. You can track your route, distance, pace, and elevation without needing to carry your phone. The GPS locks onto satellites relatively quickly, though it’s not instant—you might have to wait a minute or two before starting your activity. Once it’s locked, it does a solid job of mapping your route, though there’s some minor deviation here and there, especially in areas with tall buildings or dense trees.
One standout feature is the professional swimming mode. Since the watch is water-resistant up to 5 ATM, you can take it swimming without worrying about damage. After your swim, there’s even a function to eject water from the speaker by playing a little sound. Plus, the watch tracks things like stroke count and SWOLF score, which is great for anyone trying to improve their technique.
There’s also a PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) system, which assigns you points based on your daily activity. The goal is to hit 100 points per week, which encourages you to stay active. It’s a clever way to gamify fitness, and it works because it makes you want to move more—even if it’s just taking extra steps around the house.
Another cool thing is the voice guidance during workouts. If you’re doing a guided session, the watch will talk you through it, reminding you when to rest or push harder. Unfortunately, this feature doesn’t work in the background, so you’ll need to keep the watch screen on to hear the prompts. Still, it’s a nice addition for those who like structured workouts.
On the flip side, there are a few quiris. For one, the automatic activity recognition isn’t very reliable. Sometimes it thinks you’re walking when you’re standing still, or it misses activities altogether. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind. Also, while the watch supports Bluetooth accessories, it doesn’t pair with chest straps or other external sensors, which might disappoint serious athletes who rely on those devices.
Finally, the watch has a breathing exercise mode, which guides you through inhales and exhales to help you relax. It’s simple but effective, and it’s a nice reminder to slow down and focus on your breathing every now and then.
Battery Life and Charging
The Haylou Solar Ultra boasts a battery life that’s one of its biggest selling points, and honestly, it doesn’t disappoint. The company claims with a 450mAh battery it can last up to 12 days or 32 hours with continuous GPS on a single charge under normal usage conditions, and from what I’ve seen during testing, that’s pretty accurate—if not slightly conservative. For most people who use it for everyday tasks like checking notifications, tracking steps, or monitoring sleep, you’ll probably get close to that estimate, if not a little more. That’s a lot of peace of mind, knowing you won’t need to plug it in every couple of days like some other smartwatches.
Charging the Haylou Solar Ultra is straightforward thanks to its magnetic charging system. You just snap the charger onto the back of the watch, and it starts juicing up without any fiddling. The entire process takes about two hours to go from zero to full, which isn’t lightning-fast but is reasonable given the size of the battery. It’s not something you’ll have to think about too often, especially since the battery holds up so well over time.
Final thoughts
The Haylou Solar Ultra is one of those gadgets that tries really hard to impress, and for the most part, it succeeds. It’s packed with features that make it feel like a much more expensive smartwatch, but at the same time, it has some quirks that remind you it’s still a budget-friendly option. For $69.99, it’s hard not to appreciate what this watch brings to the table, even if it doesn’t nail every single detail.
At $69.99, the Haylou Solar Ultra offers a lot of value for the money. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard to complain too much when you consider how many features you’re getting for such a low price. If you’re looking for a no-frills smartwatch that can track your workouts, monitor your health, and last for days on a single charge, this is a solid choice. That said, it’s not going to replace premium options like Garmin or Apple Watch—it’s just not in the same league when it comes to accuracy, build quality, or polish.
So, should you buy it? If you’re on a budget and want a reliable smartwatch that won’t break the bank, the Haylou Solar Ultra is definitely worth considering. It’s particularly appealing for outdoor enthusiasts who need GPS and water resistance, or anyone who wants a watch that can keep up with their active lifestyle. Just manage your expectations—you’re not getting perfection here, but you are getting a whole lot of functionality for less than $70.
