Smartwatches are becoming more and more common these days. The market has grown considerably thanks to Apple, Samsung, but also a whole array of other, smaller manufacturers releasing new products on the regular.
Shopping for a smartwatch these days can be quite confusing. Because of that, we’ve put together this buying guide that will tell you exactly what to look for in a smartwatch!
Choose Your OS Wisely
The OS is one of the first things to look for in a smartwatch. Just like in the world of smartphones, smartwatches run on Apple’s watchOS, Google’s Wear OS, and recently Samsung’s own Tizen OS.
Compatibility is the main reason your choice of OS is important. Apple, being all about proprietary hardware and software, locks all of their smartwatches, so they only work with iPhones. On the other hand, Google allows you to run their smartwatches with just about any type of phone, whether it’s Wear OS-based or watchOS based. The same goes for Samsung’s Tizen.
With that said, Google and Samsung will limit some of their smartwatch features if you run them with non-native smartphone OS systems.
In short, get a smartwatch that runs on the same OS type as your phone. That will ensure perfect compatibility and allow you to use all the features your new watch has to offer.
Design
Although considered tech, smartwatches are still very much an accessory. They say that a watch can tell a lot about the person wearing it, and it’s true. Whether you’re wearing a simple quartz watch or the latest and greatest smartwatch, the model you choose is an expression of your style.
As with any other type of watch, smartwatches come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and styles. You can find modern, rectangular watches that fit well with a modern techy look, but you can also find a refined, classic design that has the appearance of sophisticated automatics.
We’re talking brushed aluminum straps, slim watch bodies, and designs that wouldn’t stand out in a black-tie event. Additionally, the smartwatch enthusiasts from https://www.oliodevices.com/best-smartwatch-for-women/ note ladies can also find watches that fit their style and aren’t limited to bulky male-oriented designs. By now, watchmakers have covered almost all the bases as far as styles go.
In a way, you can select a model to fit your needs. If you already have a dress watch, nothing is stopping you from getting the latest and greatest modern smartwatch.
Battery Life
Being essentially a tiny smartphone you wear around your wrist, battery life should be one of the major factors when looking for the right model. An average smartwatch will offer anywhere from 1 to 3 days worth of battery life. Charging the watch every night could be a dealbreaker for some, which is exactly why you should take battery life seriously when shopping for a smartwatch.
Functionality
The whole idea behind smartwatches is to give you a more functional accessory that will do far more than simply tell time. Just like phones, modern smartwatches are capable of running all kinds of apps.
Once again, your choice of OS will largely dictate which apps you can run. For the most part, Apple and Google offer the most diverse selection of apps on the market right now. Tizen, although being constantly developed and enriched with new apps, is still pretty limited.
Aside from variety, you’ll also want to pay attention to app performance. It’s no secret that Apple’s ecosystem is highly optimized for its devices. This applies to the Apple Watch as well. If you own an iPhone, it makes sense to use an Apple Watch as you’ll get the smoothest experience that way.
Features
When you’re choosing a smartwatch, features are always an important factor. Most modern smartwatches double as fitness trackers, but not all. That being said, there’s a limit to smartwatches’ abilities to replace dedicated fitness trackers.
There’s a point where it’s much better to get a fitness tracker that has some smartwatch features than it is to get a smartwatch with some fitness tracker features. It all comes down to what kind of setup you’re after and how often you use the fitness tracking apps.
Define a Budget
For most buyers, the most limiting factor is usually going to be their budget. Smartwatches come in different price ranges, which usually depend on the brand you’re getting. Watches that run Google’s Wear OS can wildly range in price from moderately priced entry-level models to rather expensive designer watches.
Do yourself a favor and set a budget you’re comfortable with. That will greatly reduce the amount of noise you’ll run into when looking for the right watch.
