The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Ulefone GW01 was a real 2016-era budget smartwatch with a round display, phone calling, notifications and a rear heart-rate sensor. It can still be interesting as a cheap used-market curiosity, but its health readings were inconsistent, its companion software is now uncertain, and even its Ulefone branding was questioned at launch. Treat it as a basic Bluetooth watch—not a medical monitor or dependable modern wearable.
What the Ulefone GW01 actually is
Retailers and review sites widely sold the watch as the “Ulefone GW01.” However, a contemporary iXBT report said alleged correspondence from Ulefone representatives indicated that the company did not recognize the model. That does not conclusively prove the watch was counterfeit, but it leaves its manufacturer, firmware provenance, warranty and long-term support uncertain.
There is no GW01 product page in Ulefone’s current official smartwatch collection, which now emphasizes the Armor Watch line: Ulefone Armor Watch collection. The GW01 should therefore be understood as an old product sold under the Ulefone name, not as a currently supported Ulefone model.
Historical listings generally put its launch price at about $52–$54.99 in 2016. That is a period price, not evidence of current value or availability.
#1 Best Overall
- Quad-Proof Confidence - Armor Watch Pro is your unbreakable partner, certified tough with military-grade MIL-STD-810H and elite 5ATM, IP68, and IP69K ratings. Wash your hands, run in the rain, sweat through the toughest workout, and surf freely. It's your all-condition partner. Reliable, rugged, and always on your wrist.
- 1.50" AMOLED & Corning Gorilla Glass Screen - Experience vibrant color and touch responsiveness, with up to 550 nits brightness ensuring it stays perfectly clear and readable, even under direct sunlight. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Armor Watch Pro dares against drops and daily abrasion. Keep your screen safe and looking new, year after year.
- AI Q&A & AI Watch Faces - Armor Watch Pro puts the power of ChatGPT right on your wrist. Just raise your wrist to speak your question, and get an instant answer. Start with a massive library of 100+ watch faces ready to match any mood or outfit. Want something unique? Use the revolutionary AI Watch Face Generator. Describe your perfect style with a simple voice command, and the watch instantly creates a bespoke face, just for you.
- 8-Day Long Battery - Armor Watch Pro gives you the freedom to explore. It offers an incredible 34 days in standby mode and lasts up to 3 days even under heavy use.
- Built-in GPS - The watch guides you through GPS positioning and starts tracking upon signal loc, giving you accurate directions and tracking without needing to carry your phone.
Ulefone GW01 specifications
| Feature | Reported specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.3-inch round IPS touchscreen, 240 × 240 pixels |
| Processor | MediaTek MTK2502 |
| Memory | 64MB RAM, 128MB storage |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 310mAh |
| Size and weight | Approximately 45 × 45 × 13.3mm; approximately 54g |
| Phone compatibility | Android and iOS; one period review specified Android 4.3 and iOS 7.0 or later |
| Charging | Four-pin circular proprietary dock |
| Strap and case | Metal-looking round case with replaceable leather-style or leather strap |
These specifications come from period coverage including iXBT, The Tech Hacker, Review Hub and The Gadgeteer. A used example may differ through battery aging, replacement parts or firmware variation.
Design and display
The fully circular screen was a genuine selling point in 2016. Its conventional watch shape, replaceable strap and metal-style case looked more like a traditional watch than a cheap fitness band. Review Hub considered brightness adequate, while iXBT described the construction as less polished.
- The 240 × 240 IPS panel is visibly pixelated by current standards.
- iXBT reported mediocre touch responsiveness and visible backlight bleed on its sample.
- At roughly 13.3mm thick and 54g, it is substantial on the wrist.
- Marketing language should not be treated as proof of a tested water-sealing standard.
Heart-rate monitoring: the evidence is mixed
The GW01’s heart-rate sensor is the reason many people find it today, and the available tests do not support a simple “accurate” or “inaccurate” verdict.
A favorable comparison
Review Hub reported readings within approximately 3–5 beats per minute of the Azumio Instant Heart Rate smartphone app in its testing and considered the result reasonable for casual use: Review Hub review.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- [Fashion Men and Women Smart Watch] 1.28-inch HD color touch screen smart watch, touch operation like a mobile phone, it's simple and convenient
- [Intelligent Notification Reminder]: The fitness watch is connected to the high-speed Bluetooth to get messages reminder, including SMS, email, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Line, Skype, etc.
- [Waterproof Fitness Tracker] IP67 waterproof smart watch can work in rainy days and washing hands. It provides 9 sport modes. Almost all of your daily sports projects are included.
- [IP67 Waterproof and Activity Tracking] This whole day tracking watch monitors and records your training and real-time data. You can view your activities in real time.
- [Activity Tracking] Built-in PPG photoelectric detection technology, it can monitor your activity in real time during sports, and the data is reflected in the APP to realize 24-hour monitoring.
A much less favorable comparison
iXBT compared the watch with a Nonin Onyx 9500 pulse oximeter and reported errors of about 20 beats per minute at times. The reviewer advised against using the result for serious purposes: iXBT review.
What those tests mean
These were small, informal comparisons rather than clinical validation. Results can change with watch fit, skin contact, movement, skin characteristics, the individual unit and the reference device. A phone app comparison is also weaker evidence than comparison with a validated medical instrument.
The defensible conclusion is narrow: the sensor may produce plausible resting or casual readings when fitted snugly and used while still, but it can also be materially wrong. Do not use it to diagnose an arrhythmia, assess an emergency, guide medication or replace a validated pulse oximeter, chest strap or medical monitor.
Androidiani found results broadly consistent with a Mi Band and acceptable for amateur use, while criticizing other advertised functions: Androidiani review. That adds context, not proof of medical accuracy.
Rank #3
- 24-Hour Health Automatically Tracker: With advanced sensors, the smart watch can 24/7 anto track your Daily Activity.
- Wrist Calls & Notification: You can make/receive calls without taking out your mobile phone. In addition, all messages and notifications are displayed on your wrist and remind you by vibration.
- 1.91'' HD Screen & DIY UI: the fitness watch with Activity Tracker has a 1.91 inch screen that delivering exceptional quality and highly responsive touch sensitivity, all while resistant to scratches.
- 50+ Sports Modes: The Activity Tracking smart watch has more than 50 sports modes (running, dancing, yoga, cycling, hiking, etc.)
- Your Life Assistant: Enjoy the convenience of your virtual assistant, right on your wrist. Ask questions, set reminders, control smart devices, and more, all with your fitness tracker.
Other health and fitness features
Period listings and reviews mention a pedometer, sleep monitoring, sedentary reminders, exercise modes, UV or ambient-light readings, a thermometer or body-temperature function, “health age” tests and manual or continuous heart-rate measurements.
- iXBT repeatedly saw the thermometer around 36.8°C, which is not convincing evidence of meaningful body-temperature measurement.
- The light or UV function reportedly returned “Normal” in most situations.
- Sleep tracking was basic and offered little useful historical analysis.
- The advertised “ECG” display was described by iXBT as an animation, not a meaningful clinical electrocardiogram.
These functions are best treated as novelty features or rough personal trends. They are not substitutes for clinical instruments.
Calls, notifications and everyday smartwatch functions
With a Bluetooth phone connection, the GW01 reportedly handled incoming-call alerts and calls through its built-in microphone and speaker. Reviews also mention phonebook and dialer access, text notifications and—in some reports—replies, music controls, a remote camera shutter, find-my-device tools, voice memos, alarms, a calendar, calculator, stopwatch and voice-assistant triggers such as Siri or OK Google.
Actual usefulness depends heavily on the phone and companion application. The watch was associated with Fundo Wear, FunDo Smart Device or related third-party apps rather than a clearly maintained Ulefone ecosystem.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- Smart Watch is made of special aluminum alloy material. It has passed military-grade tests such as extreme temperature, low pressure, dust resistance, and can be used in harsh environmental conditions
- Smartwatch with text and call features high-quality speakers that support making/receiving calls and even playing music (please make sure you have successfully connected your watch's audio Bluetooth).
- Step counter watch supports multiple sports modes, which include Walking, running, basketball, football, cycling, rope skipping, mountain climbing, etc.
- Fitness tracker provides monitoring functions such as 24-hour real-time activity tracking. (Note: It cannot be compared with hospital equipment, not medical equipment!!)
- Waterproof Men's Smart Watch has no problem washing hands and jogging in the rain (but does not support swimming, diving, shower/sauna, etc.).
App and Bluetooth problems
- Notification setup could require selecting permissions and individual apps manually.
- Health-data screens were basic, with limited day-to-day history.
- On Android, Bluetooth call and media profiles could make the watch become the phone’s speaker.
- Disabling the wrong Bluetooth profile could break synchronization or calling.
- User discussions reported connection drops, background-process restrictions, registration problems and poor translations: 4PDA discussion.
Because the watch is about a decade old, current app availability, server operation, operating-system compatibility and pairing behavior are unverified. A modern Android phone or iPhone may not pair successfully even if the watch itself still powers on.
Battery life and the charging dock
Original endurance claims varied. Marketing-era coverage quoted about two days of normal use and up to five days of standby. The Tech Hacker reported roughly four days in regular use and up to five days of standby, with a full charge taking about three hours: The Tech Hacker.
Hands-on results were less consistent:
| Source | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Review Hub | About two days with continuous Bluetooth notifications; four to five days with notifications disabled and lighter fitness use |
| iXBT | About two to two-and-a-half days; approximately one hour to charge |
| Androidiani | About one and a half days in its usage pattern |
For a working original unit, roughly one and a half to two days with active Bluetooth use is a more realistic expectation. A battery surviving in 2026 is likely degraded, so 2016 figures do not describe most used examples.
The proprietary dock is a major risk. It uses spring-loaded contacts, and reviewers found alignment awkward; iXBT also reported weak magnets. Clean the four contacts and check alignment, but assume the watch is effectively unusable if the dock is missing, damaged or intermittent.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Best Value
- Smart Watch is made of special aluminum alloy material. It has passed military-grade tests such as extreme temperature, low pressure, dust resistance, and can be used in harsh environmental conditions
- Smartwatch with text and call features high-quality speakers that support making/receiving calls and even playing music (please make sure you have successfully connected your watch's audio Bluetooth).
- Step counter watch supports multiple sports modes, which include Walking, running, basketball, football, cycling, rope skipping, mountain climbing, etc.
- Fitness tracker provides monitoring functions such as 24-hour real-time activity tracking. (Note: It cannot be compared with hospital equipment, not medical equipment!!)
- Waterproof Men's Smart Watch has no problem washing hands and jogging in the rain (but does not support swimming, diving, shower/sauna, etc.).
Water resistance and durability
The GW01 was marketed in some coverage as water- and dust-resistant. The Gadgeteer recommended treating it as water-resistant rather than genuinely waterproof, and no dependable current official rating or warranty policy is available: The Gadgeteer.
Do not swim, shower or deliberately submerge a decade-old unit. Seals, adhesives, the rear cover, battery and charging contacts may have aged, regardless of what an old listing claimed.
Is the GW01 worth buying in 2026?
| Reader’s need | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Cheap retro smartwatch experiment | Maybe, if fully tested and very inexpensive |
| Reliable heart-rate tracking | No |
| Medical monitoring or emergency decisions | Absolutely not |
| Modern notifications and dependable phone integration | Probably not |
| Current Ulefone ownership experience | Choose a current Armor Watch model |
| Used-market purchase | Only with the correct dock, a working battery and a pairing test |
Buy only when all of these conditions are met
- The price is low enough to treat the watch as disposable.
- The seller proves that it powers on and holds a charge.
- The original charging dock is included and works reliably.
- The screen has no major dead zones or severe bleed.
- The watch can be reset and paired before purchase, ideally with a spare phone as well.
- You want basic notifications and novelty fitness data, not dependable health monitoring.
- You accept that the companion app may no longer function.
Avoid it when you need
- Clinically trustworthy heart-rate data, ECG or arrhythmia detection.
- Reliable sleep analysis, GPS or NFC payments.
- Current app support, security updates or manufacturer-backed warranty service.
- Consistent iPhone integration or swimming use.
Used-unit checks and common failure modes
- No charging: Clean the watch contacts and dock pins, test cable alignment and try another power source. If charging remains intermittent, assume the dock or battery is defective.
- Rapid battery drain: Consider the cell aged. Do not casually open or replace a swollen or damaged battery.
- Pairing failure: Reset the watch, remove old Bluetooth pairings, locate the correct companion app and test another phone. Do not assume a current app exists.
- The watch becomes the phone speaker: Review Bluetooth call and media profiles; changing the wrong setting can disable synchronization or calling.
- Missing notifications: Recheck notification permissions, background operation, battery restrictions and per-app selections.
- Health data will not sync: The watch may still show readings locally, but app or server dependence can eliminate historical records.
- Implausible heart-rate values: Tighten the fit, remain still, repeat the measurement and compare with a validated device. Never make a medical decision from the result.
- Possible water damage: Do not charge the watch while wet; old seals cannot be assumed intact.
The current Ulefone alternative
For a supported Ulefone-branded watch, the relevant successor is the Armor Watch Pro, not the GW01. Ulefone’s official store listed it at $89.99 when checked, although prices and availability can change.
Its manufacturer-listed differences include a 1.50-inch AMOLED screen, built-in GPS, 5ATM/IP68/IP69K claims, MIL-STD-810H positioning, heart-rate, blood-oxygen and stress tracking, more than 100 workout modes and a current Armor Watch companion app. Those are manufacturer specifications, not independent proof of medical accuracy or durability.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsUlefone’s own feature page states that the watch and software are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent disease: Armor Watch Pro features. It is a more sensible modern purchase for GPS, current software and rugged-watch features, but it is not a clinical monitor.
Final verdict
The GW01 offers more hardware and smartwatch functions than its old budget price suggests, and a favorable test found heart-rate readings close to a phone app. Contradictory testing, questionable “ECG” and temperature features, obsolete software, a fragile charging arrangement and uncertain Ulefone provenance outweigh those advantages today. Buy one only as a very cheap retro experiment with a working dock and realistic expectations; avoid it if accurate health data, reliable apps, water use or long-term support matter.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
