Smartwatches are great—until you realize you have to charge them every night. That was my experience with the Samsung Galaxy Watch4. It had great features, but the battery life was a dealbreaker. So, when I got the Oraimo Nova V, I wasn’t expecting much. But after using it for four months, I’m starting to change my mind about budget smartwatches.
Before we get into it, use any link in this article to get a 5% discount when purchasing this watch or any other Oraimo product. If the link doesn’t work, use my discount code ABUGA instead.
What’s In the Box?
Inside the Oraimo Watch Nova V box, you’ll find the smartwatch, a magnetic charging cable, and a user manual with detailed instructions for setup and operation. The watch comes in one color but you can always purchase extra stylish watch straps that Oraimo offers at a good price.
You can watch my Oraimo Nova V unboxing video to see how everything looks right out of the box.
Durable Design and Clear, Large Display
The Oraimo Nova V is a well-built smartwatch, especially for its price of KES 4,900 (NGN 57,950). It has a metallic frame that makes it feel solid, while the back is plastic. The straps are made of silicone, which is comfortable to wear all day.
The watch has a 2.01-inch TFT screen, which is quite large. If you prefer smaller, more compact watches, this might not be for you. But if you like bold designs, this one looks great on the wrist.
The screen isn’t AMOLED like what you’d find on high-end smartwatches, but it’s clear and bright enough for daily use.
However, if you insist on an AMOLED screen, Oraimo has a few smartwatch offerings at the same price-point. So you don’t have to break the bank for one. Check them out by clicking the button below:
One thing I like is that there are two physical buttons. The top one acts as the main menu button, while the bottom one is customizable—you can set it to quickly launch any feature you use often.
There’s also a rotating crown that lets you scroll through the menu, which comes in handy if your hands are wet or if you’re wearing gloves.
Basic Useful Features and Reliable Performance
The Oraimo Nova V offers all the basic smartwatch features you’d expect. It can track heart rate, measure oxygen levels, monitor sleep, and track various workout modes like running and cycling. It syncs with the Oraimo Health app, where you can check your stats and make adjustments.
One unique feature is the live wallpaper, which cycles through three video wallpapers. It’s not a must-have, but it’s a nice touch.
However, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. Unlike big-brand stylish smartwatches, this one doesn’t have an extensive app ecosystem or advanced health-tracking features. It does what it promises, but it’s not a replacement for high-end options like the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.
Handling Notifications and Making Calls
One of my main gripes with this watch is how it handles notifications. You can read messages, but you can’t interact with them—no replies, no quick actions, just viewing. Also, notifications don’t pop up automatically; you have to check them manually.
On the plus side, the watch supports Bluetooth calling. It has a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing you to answer calls directly from your wrist. The loudspeaker on the watch is clear and the microphone sounds great on the other end from my tests.
However, it doesn’t have a SIM slot, meaning it relies on your phone for connectivity. You can sync contacts, but you have to manually add them through the Oraimo Health app—and you’ll be limited to only 100 contacts.
Oraimo’s Custom OS and What It Means for Apps and Functionality
The Oraimo Nova V operates on Oraimo’s proprietary operating system, not Google’s WearOS. This means you cannot install additional apps; you’re limited to built-in features like Bluetooth calling, fitness tracking, and basic notifications.
Previously, the Oraimo Health app could sync data with Google Fit, but this functionality has been affected by Google’s decision to discontinue the Google Fit APIs, effective June 30, 2025.
Despite these limitations, the Oraimo Nova V performs comparably to WearOS devices in terms of fitness tracking, offering reliable monitoring of health metrics.
Impressive Battery Life for Extended Use
The best thing about this watch is its battery life. Unlike flagship smartwatches that struggle to last a full day, the Oraimo Nova V easily goes for three days on a single charge. If you turn off some features, you can stretch it even further.
Not having to charge a smartwatch daily is a huge advantage, and for many people, this alone makes budget smartwatches the better choice.
As I mentioned before I own a Samsung Galaxy Watch and it can’t get past the 24-hour mark on a single charge—this means I have to charge it before I sleep if I need to track my sleep.
Is the Oraimo Nova V a Good Choice for You?
This isn’t it if you’re looking for a smartwatch with flagship-level features. But if you just want a reliable, stylish watch that tracks basic fitness stats, lets you answer calls, and lasts for days on a charge, the Oraimo Nova V is a great option for both men and women.
It costs only a fraction of what Samsung and Apple smartwatches cost, making it a practical choice for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much.
Oraimo also has even cheaper options if you want something more basic. But for KES 4,900 (NGN 57,950), the Nova V strikes a good balance between affordability and functionality. It goes well with the Oraimo SpaceBuds earphones, also check them out.
To get it, tap the button below and you’ll automatically get a 5% discount. In case that fails, you can still use my coupon code ABUGA at checkout on the Oraimo Store to get your discount.
Oraimo Nova V Review
The Oraimo Nova V offers solid build quality, essential features, and great battery life at an affordable price. It looks premium and is a stylish accessory for both men and women. A perfect budget-friendly option that doesn't require daily charging.
The Good
- Affordable
- Durable metallic build
- Comfortable to wear
- Large 2.01-inch screen
- Bluetooth calling (no SIM slot)
- Tracks heart rate, SpO2, and sleep
- 3-day+ battery life
- Customizable watch faces
- Water-resistant
The Bad
- Limited interaction with notifications
- No always-on display
- Manual contact syncing
- Lacks advanced features like NFC
2 Comments
I love all oraimo products,but they let me down when they made this watch…it is so masculine. Otherwise it is good.
Trust me, it still looks good on girls plus there many other options to choose from.