Buying Guide
How to Buy a Smartwatch
This short guide helps you choose a smartwatch that fits your life. It highlights the practical factors to check, the main types on the market, the technical details that matter and where to buy with fewer risks.
Key factors to consider
Think about how you will actually use the watch and check these essentials before you buy:
- Compatibility - confirm the companion app supports your phone operating system and recent OS versions.
- Battery life - look for realistic daily-use figures, not just standby time; decide if you need multi-day use or daily charging.
- GPS - built-in GPS is best for outdoor runners and cyclists; phone-connected GPS saves cost but is less convenient.
- Health sensors - ensure heart rate and SpO2 are supported if you monitor fitness or sleep closely.
- Water resistance - IP68 or 3ATM mean different limits; check whether swimming is supported.
- Call and voice features - if you want to answer calls from your wrist, check speaker, microphone and Bluetooth version.
- Display - AMOLED and higher-resolution screens are brighter and easier to read outdoors.
- Durability and materials - aluminium or military-tested cases and toughened glass improve longevity for outdoor use.
Types available and which to pick
There are four practical categories to choose from:
- Budget fitness watches - good for step counting, basic health tracking and notifications; best when you want value for money.
- Calling and smart assistant watches - include microphone/speaker and voice assistant for hands-free use; useful if you rely on voice commands and calls.
- Rugged outdoor watches - built for durability, long standby battery and extra features like torches or altimeters; ideal for hikers and outdoor workers.
- Sports and running watches - focused on accurate GPS, advanced training tools and recovery metrics; pick these if training performance is your priority.
Important specifications to check
Focus on practical specs rather than marketing claims:
- Screen size and type - 1.3in to 1.8in is common; AMOLED gives better contrast and sunlight legibility.
- Battery times - compare 'active use' days, typical values here range from 5 to 11 active days or longer standby; charging time of 1.5-2 hours is typical.
- Sensor quality - look for proven optical sensors and frequent sampling rates for accurate heart rate and SpO2.
- Sport modes - more modes are useful, but check the app for how activities are logged and analysed.
- GPS - built-in GPS delivers route accuracy; phone-GPS relies on your handset and may drain its battery.
- Water rating - IP68 usually covers showers and splashes; a 3ATM or swim-rated watch is needed for pool swimming.
- App ecosystem and updates - read app reviews and check if the manufacturer pushes firmware updates for fixes and new features.
- Warranty and support - short warranty periods or unclear support are common with cheaper sellers; prefer clear guarantees.
Where to buy, common mistakes and quick expert tips
Online marketplaces give the best selection and prices, while physical retailers let you try fit and screen size. Before buying, check returns, warranty and seller reputation. Common mistakes to avoid:
- Buying solely on price and ignoring the companion app experience.
- Assuming advertised standby battery equals daily battery life.
- Overlooking whether GPS is built-in when you need accurate outdoor tracking.
- Confusing IP68 with swim-proof without checking manufacturer swim guidance.
- Choose AMOLED if you value a crisp, bright display outdoors.
- If you run regularly, pay extra for built-in GPS and reliable training metrics.
- For hands-free calls, read user feedback about microphone and speaker quality.
- If you want minimal fuss, pick a device with several days of active battery life and a reputable app.
Final Thoughts
Match the watch to your main use: simple health tracking at a low price, a caller-friendly watch for hands-free use, a rugged unit for outdoor demands or a sports watch with built-in GPS for training. Check app compatibility, realistic battery figures and return policies before you click buy.
