Ideal for people who live life on the go; wearable tech can deliver messages, notifications, heart-rate monitors and more to your wrist.
Smartwatch or fitness tracker?
While both devices are capable of similar functions, smartwatches are designed to help you communicate and receive notifications as well as tracking your fitness to varying degrees, while activity trackers focus predominantly on comprehensive workout summaries and generally have simplified communication features.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches combine technology and style, updating the classic wrist watch with more features and uses than ever before.
Their processors and operating systems allow you to easily view and respond to emails, texts and social media notifications; as well as track your fitness activity.
If you choose a smartwatch with GPS and cellular, it gives you the the freedom to leave the house without your phone, but still remain connected, reachable and transactional.
Compatibility
The first thing you’ll need to look out for when purchasing a smartwatch is the compatibility. As it stands, you generally need to purchase a smartwatch that works with your current smartphone.
Watch OS (Apple) The Apple Watch Series works on WatchOS, which is only compatible with an iPhone.
Wear OS by Google Formerly Android Wear, Wear 2.0 OS now works with both Android and iOS. While iPhone users have slightly reduced functionality, it’s much improved and is gaining parity with Android users.
Wear OS Powered by Samsung Built by Samsung and Google, this operating system lets you use the best of Samsung and Google apps right from your wrist. Designed to be even more intuitive when using all your favourite apps and features.
You’ll also need to look out for some more features on your smartphone. Most smartwatches require at least Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity, though this should cover the majority of smartphones released since 2010.
Things to consider
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How many of your smartphone’s functions can it perform?
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What level of notification detail does it offer?
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How long is the battery life?
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What apps are available? Check the selection for each watch before making your choice.
Features to look out for
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Smartphone alerts and notification detail
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Tap payments / NFC - pay with your watch so you don’t have to carry cards or cash
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Heart rate monitoring
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Built-in GPS
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Optional 4G connectivity
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Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Microphone to take calls
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Water resistance to 50m (for use in swimming pools or the sea)
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Extended battery life
Higher prices will likely indicate an upgrade on strap, colour screen, more advanced tracking and a wider range of features.
Fitness trackers
Wearable fitness technology offers a whole lot more than counting your steps and calories.
Trackers will log steps, calories, distance and activity. If your primary activity is walking or running, you’ll have every brand available to you.
If you cycle, swim, ski, hike or use an elliptical trainer you’ll need to choose a device that can track your favoured form of exercise.
Things to consider
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Make sure the device you choose can track your primary activities
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The usability of the device and how it displays the data is important. Look for simple navigation, automatic tracking, wireless syncing and easy access to your data via smartphone apps or a website.
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Extended battery life will mean fewer gaps in activity data, as you’ll have to remove the tracker to charge it
Features to look out for
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On-screen workouts and coaching
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Email, text or social media notifications
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GPS
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Smartphone connection
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Automatic syncing
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Colour touchscreen
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Water resistance to 50m (for use in swimming pools or the sea)
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Sleep tracking
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Route suggestions
Jargon buster
Apps Apps are the programs that your watch can run. They can be downloaded from an app store (Google Play Store for Wear devices, Samsung Gear App Store for Tizen or Apple Store for Watch OS) with a variety available including games, fitness tracking apps, productivity tools and media players.
Bluetooth Enabled Bluetooth can transmit data, pictures, phone numbers, etc through a wireless connection to your device
Cellular Carrier Support Connecting your device to a cellular network requires the same carrier as your phone. Whilst this is currently not supported by all networks, Apple Watch Series 3 Cellular will also function as a GPS watch so you can futureproof your purchase should your network offer this service in the future
GPS + cellular Gives you the freedom to send and receive text messages, answer phone calls and even receive notifications when you don’t have your smartphone with you.
HR Monitoring Heart rate tracking. A basic heart rate monitor will not only show your heart rate as you run, but also create heart rate-based target zones for you to train within. So when you're running, the monitor will tell you if you need to run faster to increase your heart rate or slow down to lower your heart rate, getting you back to within your targeted zones.
IP68 certified Dust proof and water resistant up to 1.5 meters and 30 minutes NFC (see tap to pay)
Tap to pay You can use tap to pay for purchases at merchants that accept contactless payments
Tizen Samsung’s smartwatch operating system
Watch OS Apple’s smartwatch operating system
Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) Google’s smartwatch operating system
Wi-Fi The device can connect to the Internet when there is a local Wi-Fi network connection available
4G/3G The fourth generation of broadband cellular network technology, succeeding 3G