It’s reported that about 1 in 5 Americans use a smartwatch of some sort. There are many high-quality smartwatches to choose from based on brand and price ranges. Buying a smartwatch is a great idea if you want to access most of the useful smartphone features on your wrist. Although features and designs vary, the device can save you time in your day-to-day activities.
But with the plethora of options in the market, getting a smartwatch can be quite daunting and confusing. Fortunately, this article can help. Whether you want to be more productive, you have fitness goals, or you’re on a budget, read on for a comprehensive buying guide to determine the best wearable for you.
Build Quality, Design, and Water Resistance
Smartwatches come in either a metal or plastic build depending on the brand. The metal ones can feature a metal chassis with a complete metal case or plastic back. Smartwatches sold with a plastic build are usually budget-friendly.
If your budget is flexible enough, you may opt for a smartwatch with a premium aluminum casing. The casing is more durable and can be used in any environment without getting scuffs or scratches.
It’s common for smartwatch brands to show you fancy images and renders of the device for marketing. In most cases, these fancy images don’t capture what the watch looks like in real life. Always check the real-life photos of the device through video or photo reviews posted by verified buyers.
Look for IP and ATM water-resistance ratings in the watch. An IP67 rating means that the device can resist water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, while in IP68, it’s 1.5 meters for half an hour. A 3-ATM or 5-ATM rating indicates 30 to 50 meters of water resistance.
Charging and Battery Life
It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to charge a smartwatch fully. Depending on the charging technology, charging time may vary across different watches. Don’t be deceived by watches marketed with fast charging as one of their features.
You should also look at the battery life of the smartwatch. Most brands overestimate the battery life to attract sales. If the watch is advertised to have 15 days of battery life, expect it to last 7 to 10 days.
Display Type and Quality
Read online customer reviews for the smartwatch’s display type and quality. Find out more about the display bezels since the bezel sizes denote quality and price range. High-quality smartwatches have thin bezels, while low-quality ones have thick bezels.
Smartwatches are sold in displays such as LCD, AMOLED, or transflective LCD. Most budget watches have the LCD display type. Opt for an AMOLED screen since it features dark colors and can save battery life.
The watch should be bright enough to be seen outdoors. Choose one with a brightness of more than 500 nits if you will be using the device outdoors most of the time. You should also check the real-life images of the screen resolution to get an idea of the sharpness and colors.
Smartwatch OS and Compatibility
Since not all types of smartwatches are compatible with iOS and Android, it’s important to check the OS and app compatibility. Smartwatches are built to support different operating systems.
If you’re looking for a budget smartwatch, go for one with RTOS (Real-Time Operating System). The device will have common smartwatch features, shorter battery life, and limited support for 3rd party apps.
Most high-end smartwatches run on Apple’s Watch OS or Google’s Wear OS. These watches support a wide range of third-party apps and receive regular OS updates.
Connectivity, Health, and Fitness Features
Choose a smartwatch with connectivity features such as built-in GPS and Bluetooth calling. It should also come with health and fitness features such as a heart rate monitor, SpO2 monitor, and ECG.
The built-in GPS makes it easier to track your current location and offers navigational data. It can also help you monitor the distance covered and calories burnt. Enabling the Bluetooth call function allows you to make phone calls with your phone’s or watch’s SIM card.
A heart rate monitor can measure and display your heart rate in real-time. SpO2 monitors can help track your blood oxygen levels. If you are at risk of heart-related conditions, an ECG sensor is a must-have feature on a smartwatch.
Brand and Price Value
Only buy the watch from a brand you can trust to avoid buyer’s remorse. You should also review the seller’s market presence in your region. Some brands rebrand cheap China smartwatches and sell them to unsuspecting consumers.
When comparing smartwatch prices, check the price value of the watch compared to others in the market. Some lesser-known brands may offer the same features you need for half the price. It’s also common to find overpriced watches that don’t match your requirements and budget.
After-Sales Experience
Transact with a smartwatch brand with a solid online and offline presence. The seller should allow you to visit one of their service centers and get your watch checked, replaced, or repaired if it has problems.
Some brands offer to pick up and drop the watch when you raise an issue with them. Others have service centers in convenient locations that you can access. Either way, the after-sales experience should have transparency and favor your needs.
Read customer reviews on the after-sales experience when buying smartwatches online. You should also look at how the brand responds to customers’ complaints online to get a picture of its service.
Need Help Buying a Smartwatch?
It’s no secret that buying a smartwatch will ensure that you never miss any important smartphone notifications. As you shop around for one, you may be spoilt for choice. Refer to the tips discussed in this guide to find a smartwatch that suits your needs.
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