Table of Contents
- The Benefits of Wearing a Smart Watch
- Choice of style and display
- The Latest and Coolest Smartwatches
- New technologies in smart watches
- Special functions and customization with application
The Benefits of Wearing a Smart Watch
Like any watch, a smartwatch will tell you the time. But the “smart” aspect of the smartwatch comes from all the other features you’ll find on it.
Activity tracking works the same way. Whether you’re taking a long walk or running around the block, a smartwatch will track all those steps and measure how many calories you’re burning. The same goes for a run, whether it’s vigorous or leisurely. Many also offer more in-depth exercise tracking for gym workouts, biking, hiking, swimming, and dozens of other activities.
Passive tracking also applies when you wear a smartwatch. Health monitoring and the accuracy of that monitoring has increased significantly over the years, which has since allowed for additional features to be added. Built-in sensors that can measure blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, and more, depending on the watch. Sleep tracking has also improved greatly to provide insight into the quality of your sleep each night.
Smartwatches typically connect via Bluetooth to maintain constant connectivity when paired with an Android or iOS phone or tablet or smartphone. Some also support Wi-Fi, which you can use for certain functions as needed. Others go further with , which lets them operate independently of the phone itself. In this case, however, you’ll need a separate plan.
Choice of style and display
DELO and AMOLED
OLED (organic light-emitting diode) and AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) displays are common for smartphones and are also used in many smartwatches. These displays produce deeper blacks and a higher contrast ratio. They are also thinner and have lower power consumption than other types of smartwatch displays. One difference between the two is that OLED displays come in both monochrome and multi-color versions, while AMOLED displays are always multi-color.
ACL
LCD (liquid crystal display) is also a common display technology. It requires a backlight to illuminate the screen, which often means there will be an extra layer of thickness. While the extra light can’t replicate the deep black levels and contrast ratio of OLED and AMOLED displays, they are easier to see in bright sunlight and other similar environments.
Black and white
These displays lack the color that makes others vibrant. But they do have the advantage of significantly improving battery life. Some black-and-white or monochrome displays are OLED displays. Others may use the same e-ink displays typically used in e-readers. They are readable in bright environments without glare. But they require a light source to be visible in the dark.
Screen
Smartwatches often feature always-on displays, which allow the screen to remain active at all times. Sometimes, they only light up when activated by motion, such as a flick of the wrist to illuminate the screen when you glance at it. This is great for preserving battery life. Most smartwatches also use a touchscreen, which lets you tap and swipe for easy, intuitive navigation.Some have side buttons or digital crowns, which provide an alternative method of navigating the screen..
Stronger glass
Smartwatches sometimes use the same type of reinforced glass that smartphones do. Corning Gorilla Glass is known for its ability to withstand daily wear and tear and reduce scratches and blemishes. It’s still susceptible to cracking if you hit it really hard. But overall, it’s pretty durable. Sapphire glass is even tougher and can hold up if you plan on using your smartwatch in harsh conditions. It might be a good idea to have that extra protection.
Water resistance and waterproofing
The most common water resistance ratings for smartwatches are IP68 and 5ATM. IP68 refers to dust and water resistance. With this rating, the watch can be submerged up to 1.5 m of water for 30 minutes. 5ATM relates to water pressure. A smartwatch that also meets this standard can be submerged up to 50 meters deep. However, this does not make it suitable for activities like diving. For this, you will need a rugged smartwatch specifically designed for this purpose.
Watch straps
One of the great things about smartwatches is that they come with a variety of strap styles and designs.That concerned as well the dial that the interchangeable bracelets. Some watches may use standard clasps that are identical to regular watches, allowing existing watch bands to be used. Others may use proprietary clasps that only work with compatible straps. There is an active market that supports both types with different styles made of different materials.
Many are inspired by traditional watches, so you’ll find classic-style straps made of leather or stainless steel. Others are made of fabric for a comfortable, casual feel that works well in a variety of situations. Finally, there are silicone models that offer maximum flexibility and durability, which are ideal for being outdoors or working out.
Special features
What makes a smartwatch versatile is how its additional features fit into the larger feature set. And that list is only growing. Here are some features that are commonly available.
Notifications
Smartwatches can make using your phone easier by conveniently displaying notifications. This can include calls, messages, emails, social media posts, reminders, alarms, and more.
They are customizable, so you decide which notifications you want to see on your watch.
If you prefer to keep your privacy, you could receive notifications that alert you without showing anything, or keep them completely silent for a certain period of time. You can also decide whether you want the watch to beep or vibrate, depending on your preference.
Voice commands
You can talk to your smartwatch the same way you would with your phone. Popular voice assistants, like Siri , Google Assistant , and Alexa , may be integrated and active on your wrist, depending on the watch and associated brand.
Smartwatches with built-in speakers can offer the ability to make and receive calls directly without having to pick up your phone. As long as the watch is within Bluetooth range when paired with your phone or has its own cellular data connection, this is an easy task.
Music
You may be able to store your own music on your watch’s internal memory to play without a data or Wi-Fi connection. In some cases, you can pair Bluetooth headphones directly with the smartwatch and listen to music without your phone. There may also be less integration or support for popular music streaming services. In this case, you’ll be able to control music playback on your phone through your watch.
Payments
Have you ever used your phone to pay for something in a store or restaurant? Some smartwatches will let you do it right from your wrist.Simply load your debit or credit cards into the app and you can tap to pay from your wrist. Some apps allow you to add other cards,like the cards of loyalty, THEidentity cards, THEcards of transportation,etc . In some countries you can even upload your driver’s license, work ID card, etc .
Pairing Alarm
If you venture too far out of wireless range of your paired phone, the watch may sound or vibrate. You can also use the find features to help your phone find your watch or vice versa.
The Latest and Coolest Smartwatches
There are a lot of choices to make when it comes to which smartwatch you should strap to your wrist. The best options are the ones that work best for your lifestyle and activity goals. You also want to make sure the watch will integrate with and be compatible with the phone you’re using. For example, the Apple Watch will only work with iOS devices, as it’s not compatible with Android. The same goes for Samsung’s Galaxy Watches, which are no longer compatible with iPhones. With that in mind, here are some smartwatches to keep an eye out for:
Fitbit
Fitbit’s smartwatches come in two lines: Versa and Sense, both of which run on Android and iOS. While both models share many of the same features inside and out, the Sense has more of the latest sensors and health and wellness tracking technology, while the Versa focuses more on fitness tracking. Both watches can track the same workouts in the same way and have the same access to the same services. It all depends on the sensors and hardware built into each watch. That’s why the Sense 2 can track skin temperature (electrodermal activity) and an ECG (electrocardiogram) while the Versa 4 can’t, for example.
Garmin
Garmin smartwatches come in a few different series that look a little different and focus on different things. MarQ is the luxury line that offers the most sophisticated blend of style and functionality. Fenix is the top of the line, where there’s less emphasis on on-screen app usage and more on multisport activities with great tracking and location data for those who are serious about getting fit. The Forerunner suggests it in its name: it caters to runners but also tracks a lot of other exercises. The Vivoactive and Venu are both more fashionable, with touchscreens and bright color displays that come with all the tracking features Garmin is known for. The Instinct models strip away the color of the display, as well as the music and apps, to keep things simple and focus on staying active. The Lily has a sleek design for women who prefer something smaller. Golf enthusiasts can also choose from Garmin’s golf-focused watches, which are some of the best available.
Samsung
Samsung’s Galaxy smartwatches have evolved and now run on Google’s Wear OS for wearable tech. It’s similar to Samsung’s Tizen platform from previous Galaxy Watches, but it works differently because it integrates better with apps available on the Google Play store. These watches offer a mix of fitness tracking and smart features that complement your smartphone, as well as tighter integration with Samsung’s phones and tablets. This integration isn’t exclusive to Samsung’s devices, as you can still use a Galaxy Watch with other Android devices and get many of the same features.
Citizen
Citizen smartwatches are unique in comparison because they are largely hybrid, combining digital and analog elements. This allows them to maintain the look of a classic watch, as in the CZ, CZ Smart, and Smart Hybrid models. Others, like the CZ Smart PQ2 Casual and CZ Smart PQ2 Sport, also come in different sizes. All Citizen smartwatches work with both iOS and Android devices.
New technologies in smart watches
Smartwatches track your basic activity metrics, including steps, distance, speed, pace, calories burned, and in some cases, elevation. They compile all the data you track for easy access on your watch. You can also sync your data to an app on your phone, which will allow you to monitor your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly progress.
Standard activity and exercise tracking
Built-in pedometers and accelerometers allow smartwatches to track all types of movement. Altimeters are another standard feature for tracking elevation. They also tell you how many flights of stairs, or the approximate equivalent, you climb each day. Fitness tracking continues to get more sophisticated, offering a variety of workouts including hiking, biking, running, high-intensity training, weight training, course training, aerobics, yoga, and more.
The built-in heart rate monitor tracks heart rate during any activity or workout, including maximum heart rate, resting heart rate, and whether you’ve reached a maximum heart rate threshold. And you don’t have to stay on land, either. Manufacturers are also making their smartwatches more rugged and durable with 5 ATM (and higher) water resistance, making it easier to track swimming and water activities.
Exercise tracking also comes with new and improved health tracking features that can give you a better idea of your progress. Here are some that stand out.
SpO2 (pulse oximeter)
Smartwatches with SpO2 sensors are essentially pulse oximeters that can read blood oxygen levels. They do this by shining infrared light through the wrist, which bounces off oxygen-containing blood tissues back to the sensor to provide a percentage displayed on the watch. Some SpO2 sensors can work 24/7, while others take most measurements while you sleep.
ECG (electrocardiogram)
ECG measures the heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. It’s best to be at least 22 years old to use it. Smartwatches with ECG capabilities check for signs of atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat. ECG features aren’t available on all smartwatches, although the technology exists. That’s because the feature requires approval from government regulators. In Canada, ECG features on some Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch models have been approved and can be used.
Daily preparation/circadian rhythm
Some smartwatches use data from multiple sensors to assess daily readiness based on circadian rhythm. To arrive at a score, the watch will compare heart rate variability to daily activity and sleep quality. It will then intelligently assess how ready you are to wake up for light or vigorous activity to start the day. The higher the score, the harder you can work out. Lower scores indicate that you’re tired or stressed. Several smartwatches may offer some variation of this feature, and the Fitbit Premium is one of the most sophisticated.
Sleep tracking
Wearing a smartwatch to bed can track your sleep quality using a variety of metrics. This is a common feature in today’s smartwatches, which track your heart rate and blood oxygen levels (SpO2), while the accelerometer measures how much you move. Sleep tracking includes time spent in each sleep cycle (light, deep, REM), as well as details on how restless or awake you were while you slept. Some of the newer smartwatches even offer advanced sleep guidance.
How to get the most out of your smartwatch with apps
App support can play a big role in what a smartwatch can do. Apps also help link the watch to your phone in useful ways, such as providing a location feature in case you can’t find your phone. Not all smartwatches come with third-party apps, but you can customize your watch however you want by changing the watch face, selecting your favorite text font, and choosing which notifications you want to see. Go classic with an analog dial or opt for a more futuristic digital display. There are a number of tools available, and it’s always up to you how you use them.
You can also use apps and services that work exclusively with your smartwatch. Several smartwatch vendors use their own apps to sync the tracking data collected by the watch and offer handy features to show you what the data together adds up to and how that result might affect you. There are also services designed to help you get moving or approach your health and fitness more proactively, whether it’s exercise, nutrition, wellness, or sleep quality programs. Here are some that stand out.
Garmin Connect and Connect IQ
Garmin Connect displays all the relevant information from your Garmin smartwatch, with weekly, monthly and yearly stats showing your progress. A highly customizable interface lets you choose the order in which you see the data you want. Distinct sections challenge you to reach new goals or start new workouts. Training and Planning offers an in-depth look at exercise and training programs that are linked to Garmin Coach. This unique feature helps you track your progress and stay honest about your goals.
In Connect, you’ll find the Connect IQ store to download compatible apps and watch faces for your Garmin watch. You can even add golf courses and use specialized features through a separate app called Garmin Golf. The overall level of tracking features in Connect is perhaps the most extensive of any brand.
Apple Fitness+
Fitness+ is Apple’s subscription-based exercise platform that can work with Apple Watch to track movement and progress. You can watch guided video workouts on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and follow along while wearing your Apple Watch to see your own metrics in real time. Led by fitness enthusiasts and experts, all workouts come with form and pacing guidance, and the thousands of workouts range from very short to long, and moderate to intense, giving you a great starting point depending on your fitness level.
Fitbit Premium
Fitbit Premium is a subscription service available in the Fitbit app, which is transitioning to Google account credentials. In addition to providing deeper insights into your health and well-being, you also get access to guided workouts, health news and articles, mental wellness guides, nutrition information, and more. It includes a daily readiness score with stress tracking (on select Fitbit devices) to give you a snapshot of your health and what your body might be ready to do to be active. Fitbit Premium works with Google’s Fitbit and Piixel smartwatches.
Samsung Health
This is the main app that works with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch models. It is used to track all activity metrics while also providing health and wellness insights. It uses the various sensors on compatible Galaxy Watches to provide a measurement of body composition. You can then use it to set workout goals or targets that are right for you. It also tracks route information based on the watch’s built-in GPS to read distance and pace for more accurate readings relative to movement. Sleep tracking can include snore detection, while advice is drawn from sleep pattern analysis to find ways to improve bad habits.
Citizen Connected
Designed for Citizen’s CZ Smart hybrid and touchscreen smartwatches, it uses data from the watch to show your activity metrics, including whether or not you’re hitting your daily goal. You can customize the watch face and set controls for music and other apps that send you notifications through the watch.
