Sports or utility watch? Hybrid or touch watch? Battery-powered or not? It’s not easy to choose a smartwatch these days, as there are so many references and so many features. So we’ve created this guide to help you make sense of it. You’ll discover the main criteria to check before buying. Whatever your style and budget, you’ll be able to find the connected watch of your dreams with ease!
Connected watches – or smartwatches – are now an integral part of our daily lives. These high-tech timepieces, which are extensions of our trusty smartphones, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with manufacturers vying with each other in their ingenuity to stand out.
From sports-focused models to utility watches running Wear OS to hybrids, the choice is incredibly vast. We are even witnessing the emergence of new technologies such as solar charging at Garmin or the dual screen at Mobvoi. All means are good to create the perfect smartwatch, both elegant and durable.
While the perfect model doesn’t yet exist, there’s already plenty to enjoy with the plethora of smartwatches hitting the market in 2020. With the following tips, you’ll have enough clarity to decide which smartwatch will grace your wrist for years to come!
What is a connected watch for?
The connected watch is primarily an extension of your smartphone. It can also be a health coach, with the majority of models on the market incorporating a multitude of sensors to monitor your vitals – heart rate, SpO2, sleep quality – and motivate you to do sport. It’s like a little computer on your wrist, the kind of device our forefathers dreamed of in science fiction books!
However, its usefulness depends on your own uses. Some people choose a smartwatch for its ability to send smartphone notifications directly to their wrist. Others use their connected watch to track their sporting achievements. Still others want it all in one device.
But let’s not forget the essential role of any watch: telling the time. Just because smartwatches are packed with features doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do the bare minimum. The watch has always been considered as a piece of jewellery. Manufacturers have understood this and now offer very elegant models, much more pleasing to the eye than the first cobblestones of the market like the LG G Watch!
Buying a connected watch: what are the criteria to check?
You want to take the plunge but don’t know which connected watch to choose? Don’t panic, here are some points that will help you find the ideal smartwatch. You just need to take the time to think about your future uses.
Which watch should I choose according to my budget?
Money is the key. Before making any purchase, you should therefore define your budget. A connected watch is a relatively expensive high-tech object, so you need to choose carefully so that you don’t regret it later…
Under €50
It’s tempting for a first try to choose an Asian model for less than 50€. However, we would advise against doing so. Even if there has been a lot of progress in recent years, these affordable smartwatches will soon disappoint you: poorly translated application, inaccurate sensors, very poor battery life. In short, there’s nothing really exciting about them, and you’re more likely to be disgusted than anything else!
Between €100 and €200
Interesting smartwatches are starting to appear at around 100€/120€ minimum. For example, we can mention the hybrids from Withings, which are very nice watchwatches with a nice design for those who are looking to go for the basics.