Smartwatches

How to choose a smartwatch

A smartwatch is either a phone extension on the wrist or a sports watch that also shows notifications — two different things. Decide which you need, then look at six specs.

• Phone compatibility. Apple Watch works only with an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy Watch only with Android. Garmin, Huawei, Xiaomi, Amazfit and Blackview support both.
• Sport and GPS. Built-in GPS is a must for running and cycling. Multi-band GPS (Garmin fenix, Forerunner 965 and 970) stays accurate among buildings and trees; offline maps come on the fenix and Venu X1.
• Health. Heart rate, SpO2, sleep and stress are on all of them. Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch take an ECG, Samsung measures body composition, and Garmin's Body Battery shows recovery.
• Battery. Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch last 1–2 days, Xiaomi, Huawei and Amazfit 2–3 weeks, Garmin 1–4 weeks; Instinct 3 Solar charges from sunlight, Instinct E promises 40 days.
• Screen and case. AMOLED is bright and colourful, a MIP display (Instinct Solar) is readable in direct sun and frugal. 40–43 mm suits a slim wrist, 44–47 mm is standard, the 51 mm fenix is for a large arm.
• LTE and payments. A Cellular version (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch LTE) calls and streams without the phone — check your operator's eSIM support. Payments: Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Garmin Pay.

Smartwatches in our range

Most of the range is Garmin sports watches: fenix 8 and fenix 9 Pro for multisport, Forerunner 265, 965 and 970 for runners, Venu 4 and Venu X1 for daily wear, Vivoactive 5 and 6 as the entry level, Instinct 3 Solar and Instinct E for hikers, Lily 2 Active for women. Phone-companion watches: Apple Watch Series 11 GPS and GPS + Cellular, Samsung Galaxy Watch8, Watch9, Watch9 LTE and Galaxy Watch Ultra2. Long-battery hybrids: Huawei Watch GT 6, GT Runner 2 and Watch Fit 4, Xiaomi Watch S5 and Redmi Watch 6, Amazfit Active 3, Bip Max and T-Rex 3 Pro. Budget smartwatches for a few tens of euros come from Blackview, with Hammer and myPhone a step up.

Brands

Garmin is the athlete's choice: the most accurate GPS, maps, training analysis and a battery that lasts weeks. Apple Watch is the smoothest for an iPhone owner — calls, Apple Pay and ECG on the wrist. Samsung Galaxy Watch does the same on Android and adds body composition. Huawei Watch GT pairs AMOLED with a two-week battery. Xiaomi and Amazfit deliver GPS and AMOLED for little money. Blackview is the cheapest way to get notifications on your wrist.

Compatibility and delivery

Match your phone: for an iPhone, Apple Watch or Garmin; for Android, Galaxy Watch, Garmin, Huawei or Xiaomi. The apps (Garmin Connect, Samsung Health, Huawei Health, Zepp) are free. A smartwatch is a small parcel — an Omniva, DPD or Venipak locker in 1–2 working days.

Related products

Change the look with watch straps; for steps and sleep a fitness band or a discreet smart ring is enough. Pair it with smartphones and headphones for training — the full range is in smartwatches and fitness bands.

Frequently asked questions

Does Apple Watch work with Android? No — you need an iPhone to set it up. For Android pick Galaxy Watch, Garmin, Huawei or Xiaomi.

Garmin or Apple Watch? If you train 3+ times a week and want analysis, maps and a week of battery — Garmin. If the iPhone connection, calls and apps matter more — Apple Watch.

How long does a smartwatch battery last? Apple and Samsung 1–2 days, Huawei and Xiaomi about 2 weeks, Garmin 1–4 weeks depending on GPS use.

Can I swim with a smartwatch? Yes, 5 ATM water resistance covers pools and the sea; the fenix 8 is 10 ATM and suits diving. Avoid saunas and hot water.

Smartwatch or fitness band? A band covers steps, heart rate and sleep and lasts longer on a charge. A watch adds GPS, calls, payments and a big screen.