Review

Makibes DM98 3G Smartwatch Review

Hey, guys! Just a heads up: The linked offer is already a bit older and the price of the gadget might have changed or it might not be available anymore.
The Makibes DM98 3G Smartwatch is currently on sale for $69.99 at Geekbuying – but do keep in mind that the number of pieces in stock is limited!
What used to be absolute science fiction back in the 70s and 80s is slowly becoming affordable. The Makibes DM98 3G Smartwatch is basically a small smartphone: It got Android 4.4.2, the Google Play Store and a slot for Nano SIM cards. Selfies, Angry Birds and Skype: We’ve tested multiple different scenarios.

the Makibes DM98 smartwatch worn on a wrist

Display2.2 inches with 320 x 240 pixels
ProcessorMTK MT6572 1.2 GHz Dual Core
Graphics chipARM Mali-400 MP
R.A.M.512 MB
Internal memory4 GB
Camera1.3 megapixels
Battery capacity900 mAh
ConnectivityGSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA 850/2100 MHz; 2.4GHz  Wireless LAN; Bluetooth 4.0; GPS
FeaturesGoogle Play Store, Nano SIM, Step Counter, Push News
Operating systemAndroid 4.4.2
App available forAndroid 4.0 or later
MaterialAluminum alloy, plastic, TPU
Dimensions5.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 cm  / 2.3 x 1.7 x 0.5 in
Weight92.4 g / 3.2 oz.
AnTuTu Scores4511 UX, 5395 CPU, 31 RAM
Vellamo Scores749 Multicore, 590 Metal, 907 Android WebView, 841 browser

Packaging & Delivery

The Smartwatch comes in a simple black box, and is attached to a small pillow inside. Accessories include a 4-pin connector charging cable, an English manual and a cleaning cloth.

all the accessories of the Makibes DM98 smartwatch

Design & processing

The DM98 makes a fine first impression. Even when looking closer, there are no visible unevenness or the like on neither the aluminum housing nor the plastic rear side. With a weight of 92.4 g (3.2 oz.) and a size of 5.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 cm (2.3 x 1.7 x 0.5 inches), the clock is quite chunky and is therefore more likely designed for men. The wear comfort does not suffer though! The watch is lose enough, but generally feels pleasant to wear. With a length of 21 cm (8.3 inches), the TPU bracelet offers enough possibilities for larger as well as smaller wrists. The closure can be easily opened or closed and stays that way. An interchangeable bracelet would have been a cool feature, though.

the three available colors of Makibes DM98

Unfortunately the Smartwatch has no IP certification. That means you need to be careful when washing your hands so the watch doesn’t get wet. Small drops or sweat are however no problem.

Display

The watch has a 2.2 inch IPS LED touch screen with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Unfortunately, the DM98 is not protected with gorilla glass, so there’s no telling how scratch-resistant it is – at least the watch comes with a protective film.

a closeup of the Makibes DM98 smartwatch display

The touch screen reactions are mostly reliably and astonishingly the rather small keyboard can also be used quite precisely. The display edges are slightly larger on the left and right than on the top and bottom and in total the display is about 4 x 3 cm (1.6 x 1.2 inches). It has a sufficient brightness to be able to see what’s on the display even in the bright sun. The color display is nice and vibrant. Unfortunately, the display is quite prone to fingerprints, which means the cleaning cloth needs to be used quite often, and there is no kind of Wake Up gesture.

Functions / APP

The DM98 already comes with some features without needing the app:

  • Pedometer
  • Calorie counter
  • Odometer
  • Sleep tracker (must be started manually)
  • Alarm clock
  • Alarm when wearer is sitting too long
  • Reminder for drinking water
  • Push messages

The vibration is not as strong as with other smartwatches and fitness trackers – If you are a deep sleeper, you will probably oversleep the alarm, because the volume of the vibration is also limited. So as long as you’re not called, disturbances in meetings, school or the like should not pose a problem. If the above functions are not enough, it is possible to install the app FunFit. It is available for Android 4.0 or later and the connection between the phone-app and the watch app is established via Bluetooth.

screenshots of the Makibes DM98 app

Since the clock is basically a small smartphone, the app for the mobile phone is just another feature and in no way needed. The pre-installed Play Store also allows you to use plenty of different apps – like Skype, because thanks to the built-in microphone and the 1.3 megapixel camera, you can even make video-calls. And even games such as Angry Birds are possible, but due to the size of the display, they are respectively small. Even racing games are easily possible in theory. It is important, however, to keep in mind that the watch does not have a gyrosensor, which most of the racing games need to work.

A Selfie taken with the Makibes DM98 Smartwatch
Selfie taken with the 1.3 megapixel camera of the Makibes DM98
Angry Birds running on the Makibes DM98 Smartwatch
Even games such as Angry Birds work on the DM98!

Nano SIM slot is  attached to the back of the Smartwatch. Thus, with the clock also telephone calls would be led! Supported are GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and WCDMA 850/2100 MHz. The slot for a microSD card is unfortunately not possible.

the back of the Makibes DM98 Smartwatch
The backside of the Makibes DM98 Smartwatch with nano SIM slot and connector for the charger

Extras

Two nice extras are the location recognition (GPS) and the energy saving mode. For the background, 15 watchfaces are available; your own pictures can unfortunately not be included. A small bug, which is hopefully going to be fixed with the next update, is that the background is reset to the default image after every reboot.

Makibes DM98 Smartwatch Watchfaces

 

Battery & Runtime

The watch has a 900 mAh strong battery which, according to the manufacturer, should last for up to 280 hours of standby time. Since the DM98 is basically a small smartphone, the battery can run out after barely one day of active use. The smartwatch can be charged via the somewhat wobbly 4-pin connector charging cable in about 3 hours. And it should be noted, that the battery is firmly installed and is therefore non-replaceable.

the charging cable of the Makibes DM98 smartwatch
4-pin connector is held with only two small magnets on the watch

Conclusion

Overall, I like the watch quite well! Yes, it is a bit big and therefore not suitable for everyone. If you should decide on the Makibes DM98 however, you get a small smartphone for the wrist with many features. Especially the pre-installed Play Store and the Nano SIM Slot make the Smartwatch a great companion for everyday life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z110jWBqsVg

Would you like to have English subtitles on our videos?

Pros:

  • Pre-installed Play Store
  • Usable without the app
  • Videotelephony
  • Nano SIM Slot
  • GPS

Cons:

  • Watch face bug
  • Non-replaceable battery
  • Missing IP certification
  • 4-pin connector charging cable
To the gadget
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Why doesn't this affect our review in any way?
Profile picture from Thorben

Thorben

My special interests are smartphones from China and I am always keen to discover new smartphone accessories like smartwatches and headphones. 

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Comments (13)

  • Profile picture from landon
    # 21.04.18 um 19:33

    landon

    Can you make and receive phone calls

  • Profile picture from landon
    # 21.04.18 um 19:35

    landon

    Makibes dm98

  • Profile picture from hay day free gems
    # 02.08.18 um 06:07

    hay day free gems

    Great, this is what I was searching for in google

  • Profile picture from Masood Mirzaie
    # 27.11.20 um 17:08

    Masood Mirzaie

    Hello
    Do you have DM98 back cover?

  • Profile picture from Boyé Henri
    # 23.10.21 um 15:41

    Boyé Henri

    Bonjour je souhaite acheter une nouvelle montre DM98 NOIRE et cherche également puis je faire changer le verre que j'ai casse sur les precedente ou doisje m'adresser MERCI
    cordialement
    H.Boyé

  • Profile picture from Vitalijus Larionovas
    # 11.02.22 um 20:46

    Vitalijus Larionovas

    I took the irritant off the base.it doesn't fix anything, it's impossible to stick. Where can I buy the shell itself with a iris,because I can't find a master anywhere.

    • Profile picture from Henning
      # 14.02.22 um 16:12

      Henning CG team

      Hey Vitalijus Larionovas,
      the Makibes DM98 smartwatch is an older model. That's why there are hardly any offers for this model anymore, so it's best to look for a shell on sites like eBay.
      I hope I can help you and have nice Day!

  • Profile picture from Guest
    # 16.02.22 um 11:25

    Anonymous

    Bonjour

    Ou puis je trouvé cette montre DM98 SmartWatch 2.2" Review en noir a quel prix ? Egalement S.A.V ou trouver des ecran de remplancement aussi en cas de bris de se dernier par choc par exemple
    merci

  • Profile picture from Boyé
    # 16.02.22 um 11:32

    Boyé

    Bonjour
    Ou puije trouvé cette montre DM98 SmartWatch 2.2" Review ainsi que des écran suplementaire en cas de choc
    Merci

    • Profile picture from Henning
      # 16.02.22 um 17:19

      Henning CG team

      Hé Boye !
      la Makibes DM98 smartwatch est un ancien modèle. C'est pourquoi on ne trouve presque plus ce modèle, voire plus du tout. Le mieux est de tenter ta chance sur des sites d'occasion comme eBay.
      J'espère avoir pu t'aider.
      Amitiés 🙂

  • Profile picture from Guest
    # 19.10.22 um 13:54

    Anonymous

    Hi,
    How and where can l get the wrist handle for my DM98??

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