Smartwatch Buying Guide: Which One Fits Your Phone and Budget

A smartwatch you take off after a month is a waste of money. Start with your phone, then decide how often you are willing to charge it, and the choice narrows quickly.

Start with your phone

Apple Watch only works with an iPhone, and you will find it at AppleXtreme Store. Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch run Wear OS and work best with Android phones.

Amazfit, Huawei, Mibro and most fitness watches work with both iPhone and Android through their own app, which makes them a safe choice if you might change phones.

Battery: daily charging or two weeks?

Watches that run full apps (Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch) usually need charging every day or two. Fitness-first watches from Amazfit, Huawei and Mibro often last one to three weeks.

If you want sleep tracking, a long battery helps: you will not have to charge it overnight.

GPS, calls and LTE

Built-in GPS records your runs and walks without carrying your phone. Dual-band GPS is more accurate between tall buildings and under trees.

Bluetooth calling lets you answer calls on your wrist while the phone is nearby. An LTE watch has its own connection, so it works when the phone is at home. It costs more and needs a line that supports it.

Health features

Heart rate, sleep and step tracking come on almost every watch. Blood oxygen (SpO2), stress and skin temperature are common in the middle range. ECG and more detailed health readings are mostly on the top models.

Treat the readings as a guide to habits, not a medical test.

For children

Kids' watches with a SIM slot let a child call a few saved numbers and let you see where they are. Check that the watch has an SOS button and parental controls.