'Excellent' Apple smart watch slashed to £99 from £249 in limited-time deal

Shoppers keen to elevate their health and fitness regime could benefit from investing in a smart watch packed with fitness tracking features. Particularly for those who already have an iPhone, Apple's range of smart watches are among the top-rated, though new models can be quite pricey.

However, bargain hunting shoppers will be happy to know that you can get major savings by opting for older models, with one such device currently on offer for £99 instead of £249 at Wowcher. This refurbished Apple Watch Series 5, which is over £120 cheaper than the least expensive brand new Apple Watch SE model, strikes the ideal balance between features and cost.

Wowcher is offering these Apple Watch devices as refurbished, meaning they've been previously owned and professionally restored to their original condition. They may exhibit minor signs of cosmetic wear, but otherwise, the watch functions exactly as it did when new.

This model is great or fitness tracking, as it utilises GPS and heart rate sensors to monitor both location and biometric data, syncing it to health apps like Strava and Apple Health.

It's also capable of monitoring sleep data when worn overnight, offering an insight into how well its wearer rests. Its battery life was occasionally a frustration with it requiring a charge once daily, but it's a minor drawback given how seamlessly it works with the broader Apple ecosystem, reports the Manchester Evening News.

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Match this smartwatch with an iPhone, and it can handle calls, reply to texts, and send alerts without requiring you to grab your phone from your pocket. It's also equipped with Apple Pay built in, allowing its wearer to use contactless payments effortlessly.

If buyers have a slightly larger budget, they could choose theSeries 8 Apple Watch, which boasts a marginally bigger display and more robust processor. It's on offer for as little as £176 at Backmarket.

There are also more wallet-friendly smartwatches available for those without an iPhone. This Blackview smartwatch at Amazon can make and receive phone calls for £25.99.

Wowcher hasn't got any reviews of therefurbished Apple Watch Series 5, but it is marked as a 'verified product' which ought to provide shoppers some reassurance. Purchasers who've acquired a refurbished device from Amazon have shared their opinions, though: "Although described as very good condo it was in excellent condition. Well packed and delivered on time. Battery holds charge for 24 hours and despite being second hand."

Meanwhile, another chuffed customer chimed in: "So happy with it, nicely packaged with everything you need and so much cheaper than buying a refurb from Apple!" A third reviewer penned: "Watch is refurbished but you would think it was brand new and works perfectly."

However, customers always take a gamble when purchasing refurbished tech as the quality can be unpredictable. Some buyers have been left disappointed, with one disgruntled shopper stating: "Been informed that the battery say its fully charged from charged, but soon drops dramatically once taken off charger. It started playing up early this year."

Another customer shared their experience, remarking: "Product looked great and arrived quickly, however battery health was only 75% and says it requires a service."