The watch is equipped with two displays - AMOLED and FSTN LCD (monochrome). Thanks to this design solution, the watch is able to work for up to a month after a single charge. 4 GB of flash memory and 1 GB of RAM ensure smooth operation.
There are some menu layout niggles.
This Wear OS smartwatch is currently one of the best offerings on the market. It supports 4G LTE which means you can leave your smartphone at home but still stream your favourite music while working out outdoors. With that, the watch will accurately keep track of your physical activity and heart rate.
1.39" AMOLED (400 x 400) + FSTN LCD touchscreen display
Call, Text, Email, Social media notifications, GPS + GLONASS + Beidou, PPG heart rate sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, E-compass, Ambient light sensor, Low latency off-body sensor, Play music, Google Play and more
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
Android and iOS
IP68 water-resistant, US military standard 810G
2-5 days
2 years
The 5 ATM water resistance level and military 810G standard allow you to use this smartwatch in the pool or under harsh weather conditions. And the built-in GPS module, barometer, and altimeter will help you track your route.
Availability of apps could be better.
The Galaxy Watch is surely one of Samsung's most refined smartwatches due to its elaborate design, helpful fitness tracking features, and four-day battery life. It's a perfect choice for those who need a cheaper alternative to Apple Watch 4. Available in 42-mm and 46-mm styles and 3 colour options.
1.3" Super AMOLED (360 x 360) touchscreen display
Call, Text, Email, Social media notifications, GPS, Accelerometer, Altimeter, Barometer, Gyro sensor, HR sensor, Light sensor, Tracks up to 40 different exercises, Sleep tracking, Play Music, Samsung Pay and more
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
Android and iOS
5 ATM water resistance, MIL-810G military standard durability
Up to 4 days
2 years
After a full charge, the watch can work for up to 24 days of typical use, 74 days with disabled heart rate measurement, and 40 hours if GPS is activated. With that, the full charge takes just two hours.
Poor GPS.
If you're looking for an affordable and attractive wearable piece with some basic smart functions, you can't go wrong with the Amazfit GTR watch. It looks premium and is available in aluminium alloy, stainless steel, or titanium options to suit your individuality and style.
1.39" AMOLED (454 x 454) touchscreen display
Call, Text, Email, Social media notifications, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, GPS, Activity tracking with steps and calories, 12 Sports modes, Heart-rate monitoring system, Play Music, Sleep tracking
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Android and iOS
5 ATM water resistance
Up to 24 days
2 years
In addition to 15 workout modes, the watch is fitted with a Full-time Fitness Trainer (personal fitness assistant). There are several professional fitness programs pre-installed to let you improve your fitness level (from beginner to advanced).
Some users wish the Huawei health app had a better presentation.
The Huawei Watch GT 2 is a decent fitness-oriented watch. It's equipped with the latest proprietary chip from HUAWEI, Kirin A1, so it's very responsive and smooth-working. The bright OLED screen is complemented by 3D Glass, so it's tough and well-visible even under the bright sun.
1.39" AMOLED (454 x 454) touchscreen display
Call, Text, Email, Social media notifications, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic sensor, Ambient light sensor, Air pressure sensor, Capacitive sensor, GPS, 15 Workout modes, Full-time fitness trainer, TruSleepTM 2.0 sleep tracking, TruRelax pressure monitoring, Play Music and more
Bluetooth 5.1
Android and iOS
5ATM water resistance
Up to 14 days
2 years
The T-REx is ultra-tough inside out. It's passed 12 military-grade certifications and is validated to last for 1.5-hour at -40 degree Celsius temperature, while its heat resistance level makes an incredible 70 degrees Celsius. Also, it boasts 240 hours of humidity resistance.
The choice of dials is a bit limited.
The Amazfit T-Rex fully lives up to its name. It's a super-rugged model that can withstand the harshest conditions. With that, it boasts high-precision GPS double-satellite positioning, meaning you'll never lose your way in the wilderness. Outdoor enthusiasts should definitely check this model.
1.3" AMOLED (360 x 360) touchscreen display
Call, Text, Email, Social media notifications, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, GPS + GLONASS positioning chip, BioTracker PPG bio-tracking optical sensor, acceleration, Geomagnetic sensor, Ambient light sensor, 14 Sports modes, Weather forecast
Bluetooth 5.0
Android and iOS
5ATM water resistance, 12 military certifications, Rugged body
Up to 20 days
2 years
Two are Better than One
If you're an Android user looking for an upscale smartwatch that is almost as easy to use as Apple Watch, you may like the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE. The folks behind this company have done their best to pack this wearable with novelty features and overcome such issues typical for Android as low battery life and a bit sluggish performance. See for yourself.
To start with the aesthetics, the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE is a very nice looking model that feels premium, albeit being a bit too chunky compared to other timepieces. That's largely achieved owing to the innovative dual-layer display that makes this wearable stand out from the competition. Actually, it has a layered secondary display that turns off a primary OLED one when it's not in use, thus, effectively saving battery life. The secondary always-on FSTN screen shows you such info as the time, date, and your daily step count. All that without a need to wake up the main OLED screen. But once you need to use some smart features, the OLED panel turns out very crisp, bright, and offers wide viewing angles. And all you need to do to activate it is to rotate your wrist towards you or tap the screen.
For fitness junkies, the watch offers all the fitness features you'd expect from a decent smartwatch, including a heart rate sensor. As a nice touch, Mobvoi has its own fitness apps, the TicExercise, that can help you track different workouts with such basic metrics as steps, distance, active hours, and calories.
No Smartphone Required
Among other selling points of the TicWatch Pro watch, we can highlight 4G LTE cellular support that lets you use the device Pro as a stand-alone smartwatch with no smartphone connection required.
Of course, LTE connectivity will also come in handy when you don't have Wi-Fi. For example, you will be able to stream music via Play Music without connection to your phone, which is particularly great for outdoor workouts. By using LTE to stream music and Bluetooth to connect your wireless headphones, you'll be able to keep your smartphone at home. With that, LTE won't have a noticeable impact on battery life, though you'll obviously need to pay some extra money for this privilege. Cellular plans basically start from 10 pounds a month.
In all, the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE is a solid dual-display smartwatch with great performance, 4G LTE connectivity, and decent battery life. Performance-wise, it's currently one of the best models you can get for Wear OS.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £89.09 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07ZKCM2H9 |
Main Competitor to Apple Watch
Samsung needs no presentation. It's one of the leaders in the electronic industry, and Samsung's Galaxy Watch is surely one of the most refined smartwatches you can currently find on the market owing to its attractive design, cohesive user interface, and long battery life. And with lots of smart features, it can even compete with the famous Apple Watch 4 series, which cost considerably more.
To begin with, it has an arguably superior design to Apple's Watch Series 4 with hundreds of watch faces and its big, circular shape. Actually, the Galaxy Watch looks like a real wristwatch compared to the square face of the Apple Watch, allowing you to stand out from the sea of people wearing Apple pieces. With that, a round wearable like this looks stylish and feels comfortable to wear on a daily basis. It goes well with casual clothes and can be easily dressed up for something more formal. Overall, the new Galaxy Watch looks like a high-end wristwatch fitted with a circular stainless steel case and stylised bezel that can be rotated to cycle through various on-screen menus. This is one of the most satisfying ways to navigate a smartwatch as your fingers won’t even need to cover up the watch’s touchscreen.
Speaking about the core, the Galaxy Watch has polished software that is very intuitive and easy to use. By lifting the watch off its wireless charging pedestal, it'll greet you with a ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’ and then draw a little smiley face on the display, which we consider a very nice touch. After greetings, the watch will operate smoothly when you scroll through the menu owing to the Tizen OS.
Sports Oriented
The biggest advantage of this Galaxy Watch over the previous versions is that it's a quite fitness-oriented model thanks to additional sensors and a revamped Samsung Health app. The watch is able to auto-detect six of the 39 available exercises, so even if you forget to activate some fitness mode, it'll trigger the exercise tracker automatically. What's more, the watch has a very accurate sleep tracker and is waterproof down to 50 metres, allowing you to use it in a pool.
All in all, we consider the Galaxy Watch one of the best alternatives to the famous Apple Watch. In some aspects, it even outperforms it with its rotating bezel and bright display. So, it may become a very solid pick for those individuals who don't want to get into the Apple ecosystem and look for a perfect alternative.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £219.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07GBJP82N |
About Aesthethics
Those who don't hunt for big names and fancy features may really like the Amazfit GTR sports watch. It's a fantastic looking wearable with amazing battery life, a huge selection of faces, and great tracking abilities, which comes at a very moderate price tag compared to the competition.
To start with the aesthetics, the Amazfit GTR has a round watch that looks very high-tech and attractive. For your preference, you may choose between aluminium alloy, stainless steel, or titanium options that all look impressive and definitely feel better than plastics. On the right side, there are two large mechanical buttons - the upper one is for exiting all menus while the lower one is for activating fitness functions. Overall, the watch is quite ergonomic with no frills and extra buttons to get confused with.
At 1.39" and 326 PPI resolution, the AMOLED screen here is well readable and bright. The watch offers you to choose between 100+ faces according to your mood and style. The display is protected by third-generation Corning Gorilla Glass that is slightly recessed into the watch case to be less susceptible to external damage. By the way, the watch is 5 ATM waterproof, meaning it can withstand water pressure at a depth of up to 50 metres under normal use, making it ideal for swimming and diving.
Smart Functionality
The area where the Amazfit GTR really shines is the extra-long battery life. Actually, the watch is claimed to work up to 24 days of typical use, 74 days with disabled heart rate measurement, and 40 hours if GPS is activated. With that, the charging takes just a couple of hours.
As just mentioned, the watch boasts a built-in GPS tracker and can build routes for your workouts. Also, it tracks calories, time, heart rate, and so on. Other nice extras include a compass, stopwatch, and countdown timer. Overall, the watch provides 12 sports modes such as walking, running, swimming, climbing, skiing, etc.
Bottom line, the Amazfit GTR is a worthy purchase for those who're after a budget-friendly fashion accessory with basic smart functions. You'll be hard-pressed to find a watch with a good water resistance level, durable casing, long battery life, and accurate sensors for this money.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07VHHR7ML |
Improve Your Fitness Level
With nearly a 5-star rating and more than 20,000 positive worldwide reviews, the HUAWEI Watch GT 2 have a lot going for it. Namely, it's an upgraded version of the HUAWEI Watch GT that has some novelty features yet the same affordable price. While the previous generation only allowed you to receive notifications and cancel calls, this one is fitted with a microphone and a speaker. This means, now you can answer and make calls right via your watch, without reaching your smartphone. And the advanced chip and the upgraded Bluetooth 5.1 provide a generous signal reception range of 150 metres.
Besides that, the Huawei WATCH GT 2 shares many features with the previous model. The fitness and health functions here remain very strong. Owing to the accurate built-in heart rate monitor, altimeter, gyroscope, and accelerometer, the HUAWEI watch can track your sleep quality, heart rate, even stress level on top of the fitness stats (step count, calories burned, the number of times you stand up). Also, it has 15 workout modes and even offers fitness training programs that can take you from entry to advanced physical levels. So, if you need extra help to push the limits, this watch can provide you with professional and effective guidance.
To keep yourself motivated during your workouts, you can upload music right to the watch. It has 4 GB of internal memory, so you can save your favourite tracks and leave your smartphone at home when running. As a nice touch, the watch is able to track your position super accurately owing to GPS and GLONASS technologies that work in tandem to detect more satellites.
About Aesthetics
As far as design goes, the Huawei Watch GT 2 looks almost identically to the previous version with some slight upgrades. The most significant of them is the improved 3D glass, which visually enlarges the display. The 1.39" OLED screen, in its turn, has a good resolution of 454 x 454 pixels and is quite legible in the sun.
The screen here isn't always on, which adds to the longevity of the battery life. Under normal daily use, the Huawei WATCH GT 2 works for about 14 days on a single charge, and people who exercise a lot and use GPS extensively report that they need to recharge the watch once a week on average.
The model under review comes with a replaceable black rubber strap that is quite comfortable to wear and gives the watch a very sporty feel. So, if you're after a fitness-oriented smartwatch, you should definitely consider the Huawei Watch GT2 series. Although this stylish model doesn't play in the same league as the Apple Watch, it has great fitness capabilities and a fresh, sporty design.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £94.67 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07XH9KHLR |
For Outdoor Enthusiasts
Those who look for the extra-tough watch that can survive through the harshest of conditions should definitely take a closer look at the Amazfit T-Rex. It's not just a fancy accessory but an ultra-rugged GPS sports watch that fully lives up to its name in terms of build quality. Actually, it's a carefully-crafted smart wearable product that deftly combines battery endurance benefits and a distinctive rugged look.
To be meant for a tough life, the watch has a strength-enhanced design, tough from the inside out. The bezel has a raised bumper and the screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 3 and a special anti-fingerprint coating. That's why the watch is ultra-resistant to scuffs but a bit bulky - at 13.5 mm, it can easily get caught on your shirt sleeve. However, the Amazfit T-Rex is really lightweight for its size and design, so it won't strain your wrist even with active movement. Plus, it has an inner sweat-wicking design for outdoor adventures when the summer is in full swing.
Yet, the main perk of the T-Rex is that it has a Military Standard 810 rating and is validated to survive at -40 degree Celsius temperatures (for up to an hour and a half). With that, its heat resistance level reaches an incredible 70 degrees Celsius. The watch has also passed 12 military-grade certifications and MIL-STD testing validated it for 240 hours of humidity resistance and 96 hours of salt spray resistance, which ensures its robustness even in harsh environments. Open water also won't be a challenge for this watch since it's waterproof up to 5 ATM.
Smart Functionality
What also makes the T-Rex attractive for avid outdoor enthusiasts is the 20-day battery life and high-precision GPS positioning. The watch is made with a high-end Sony GPS chip and GLONASS Positioning chip, making satellite search quicker and positioning more accurate. So, it doesn't matter whether you're conquering urban jungles, extreme rocks, or canyon wilderness, the T-Rex will meet your positioning needs and prevent you from losing your way.
The T-Rex is also built with an accurate biological tracking optical sensor that monitors your heart rate and sleep status. Additionally, the fitness sensors provide useful metrics on your physical activity but you should reference the Amazfit app to get a broader image of your health. Other features include event reminders, call reminders, weather forecast, app notifications, and more. Yet, take note that the T-Rex doesn't allow you to respond to notifications, so you'll still need to reach for your phone. Also, it lacks features like mobile payments and downloadable apps.
All things considered, the Amazfit T-Rex is more a fitness tracker than a smartwatch. But as a military-certified wearable equipped with a strong GPS and all the sensors you could want, the T-Rex is a real beast that can survive Jurassic Park.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B088HC4JS5 |
What Is a Smart Watch?
A smartwatch is a well-designed computerised wristwatch with a great number of useful features. Nowadays, the best smartwatches function as portable media players too, providing audio and video playback to a user via Bluetooth earphones. These models are often called 'watch phones'. They feature full cell phone capabilities and can easily make and take calls. Besides, this gadget can connect to Android or iOS devices and run popular mobile apps. It also can be used as a navigator, a portable media player, a fitness tracker or a messenger. And if a couple of years ago having a smartwatch was considered a luxury, today more and more people seek to buy such a smart companion. If you've decided to strap up with a watch phone too, you're lucky to have come to this page. In order to make your choice simpler, we've selected only the most popular models of smartwatches for men and women you can buy today.
Another wearable accessory that you may want to consider for purchasing is a fitness tracker. Though it wasn't designed to replace a smartwatch, it has a whole lot of useful functions which can help you in living a healthy lifestyle and doing sports.
What Features to Compare
Design
When choosing a smartwatch, we recommend you to pay attention to the design. If you think that all the important parts are hidden inside a housing you are quite wrong. Find out everything about the material and display characteristics first hand. Most watches are made of plastic, but some of them are made of metal - these are more durable, of course. Also, the displays are different - some of them are monochrome but the vast majority of smartwatches have colour LCD screens that give a fantastic image quality.
Functions and Compatibility
The next you should consider are functions and compatibility of the chosen smartwatch so as to see whether it's going to be compatible with your OS or not. And surely, the key functions that may differ greatly from one model to another. A good watch that you won't regret should support SMS and calls notifications, allow Internet browsing and run most popular apps (such as iTunes for example). Some watches have a GPS function and can serve as a navigator while used at the wheel. Good smartwatches boast functionality of most common fitness trackers either, and can measure your heart rate, body temperature, pulse, etc.
Protection
Watch is worn on a wrist and so, is quite prone to damage, particularly if you're doing some sports. Therefore, decent smartwatches are expected to ensure a high level of protection. Check whether the model you chose is dust and waterproof. The protection grade can be higher or lower, and the price for a watch is proportionally dependent.
Battery
Finally, make sure to consider the battery characteristics. Smartwatches are all small and as a rule, have rather low-capacity batteries. Yet, if you aren't keen on an idea to recharge your watches every two days, we recommend you to opt for a watch with e-Paper display. These watches compared to the majority of touchscreen models can last for up to 5-7 days on a single charge. Their only drawback is a monochrome screen with a bit slower response time.
Did you know?
The benefits of smartwatches
A smartwatch is a touchscreen wearable computer that often acts as an extension of your mobile phone. The main idea of any smartwatch is to inform you about incoming calls, text messages and other notifications. With a smartwatch, you don't need to take your phone once you feel vibration in your pocket. Instead, you can tilt your wrist and see who is calling or who has sent you a message. This smart device allows you to decide whether the incoming information is worth your attention even without pulling out your mobile phone. Besides showing notifications, a smartwatch can allow you to make hands-free calls by simply talking into your wrist. Any smartwatch also doubles as a health tracker. Smartwatches usually feature built-in heart-rate monitors and accelerometers to track your pulse, taken steps, distance, calories burned, etc. Moreover, some watches have GPS onboard and can track your route and guide you through each step of your workouts. Also, many smartwatches allow you to download or sync up to the music files on your phone to keep you inspired during your training. Another benefit of using a smartwatch is the ability to become a know-it-all. If you use an Android-based (or at least Android-compatible) watch, you can just say "Ok, Google", and the Google assistant will provide you with almost any information you need, from the weather forecast to a healthy diet for your very body type.
Smartwatches can be really useful for new moms
Yes, this smart device can help you watch over your babies. You'll be able to receive alerts if your little one cries. Just leave your phone in the nursery, and you’ll get alerts on your smartwatch if your kid is fussy.
How popular are smartwatches?
The market of smartwatches exceeded enormous $4 billion in 2017. One of six customers uses this wearable tech. Most consumers are somewhere between 18 and 34 years.
How does a smartwatch pair with a smartphone?
Like fitness trackers, a smartwatch connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth technology. A smartwatch typically can't be used to the fullest without a smartphone unless it has a slot for SIM card.
The history of smartwatches
Unbelievable, but the first digital watch entered the market in 1972. It was called "Pulsar" and was produced by Hamilton Watch Company. Later, "Pulsar" became a brand name and was acquired by Seiko. The first wrist terminal that could connect to a computer, the Seiko RC-1000, debuted in 1984. The RC-1000 was powered by a computer on a chip and was compatible with computers of that time, including Apple II OS. The first wristwatch that could transfer data wirelessly to PC was the Timex Datalink watch. It was invented in 1994. And only in 1998, Steve Mann created the world's first Linux watch which was named "the father of wearable computing". In 1999, Samsung introduced the SPH-WP10, the world's first watch phone. It was too bulky with a protruding antenna, an integrated speaker, microphone and a monochrome LCD screen. Since then, the watches have become slimmer, more attractive, and much smarter!
FAQ:
Q: How do smartwatches monitor sleep quality?
A: A smartwatch can track the length and quality of your sleep. It relies on such hardware as a heart-rate monitor, tri-axis accelerometer, pedometer that monitor your movements, shifts, pulse and can tell with good accuracy if you’re rolling over, turning, or sleeping. The collected information is then analyzed to let you see how well and how long you sleep during nights. Also, a smartwatch can help you identify sleep problems and solve them.
Q: How to take care of my smartwatch?
A: First of all, you need to clean it correctly. Smartwatches don't have a regular screen that you can just wipe down with a damp cloth. Turn off your watch and clean the screen with a slightly wet microfiber cloth. Don't use a tissue or a paper towel, as tiny paper particles can scratch the display. It's a good idea to use a microfiber cloth designed for touchscreens. Also, keep away from using chemical cleaners.
Q: How to change the battery?
A: All modern smartwatches are equipped with a battery that needs to be recharged when it dies. And replacing this battery requires mess with the internal hardware. So, it's better to turn to an official service centre if some troubles occur.
Q: Can a smartwatch get wet?
A: Most smartwatches are water-resistant up to a certain level and depth. Almost all models can come into contact with water and be used for taking a quick shower. However, not all of them can be submerged. The smartwatches that are waterproof up to 5ATM can be used in the pool. Yet, you need to keep soap and detergents away from them.
Q: Are wristbands replaceable?
A: Many manufacturers supply the watches with replaceable bands. Some even include several bands in the package for different wrists. So, if you're going to swap out bands, check the chosen smartwatch model and suitable bands for it.
Q: Is there anything a smartwatch can't do so well?
A: Smartwatches are not good for lengthy text contents or news. Although they allow you to answer text messages or emails, this might be a daunting task. Also, snapping photos will not be very effective, since the screen of smartwatches is typically rather small. Playing games is pretty hard as well.
Q: Can I play my music on a watch?
A: Yes. Some models allow you to play music on your phone remotely, while others let you download music directly to your smartwatch and listen to it through a Bluetooth headset. They also enable you to pause and skip music tracks.
Q: Can a smartwatch work without my smartphone?
A: It depends on a model. Of course, all of them have an analogue display which displays time no matter whether they are connected to your smartphone or not. However, they require a smartphone for full functionality (notifications, apps, and activity tracking). Some high-end watches have a slot for a SIM card and can work independently.
Sources:
1. David Nield Smartwatch buyer's guide: How to choose the right device for you, Wareable. May 17, 2016.
2. How to Choose an Android Smartwatch, wikiHow.
3. Smartwatch Buying Guide, Consumer Reports. August 2016.
4. Napier Lopez Everything you need to know before buying a smartwatch, TNW.
5. Christopher Minasians How to use an Android Wear smartwatch with an iPhone, Macworld. February 12, 2016.
6. Krystina Gustafson Smartwatch or fitness tracker? Why age, sex matter, CNBS. January 7, 2016.
7. Scott Stein Want a smartwatch or fitness tracker? Wait till the fall, CNET. May 25, 2016.
8. Laura Geggel Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches Attract Totally Different Groups, Live Science. January 9, 2015.