How to choose a smart watch

When choosing a smart watch, you should pay attention not only to their compatibility with the smartphone, but also to the technical characteristics of the device itself.

content

1. How to choose a smart watch: what to consider
   
2. What is a smart watch
3. The main criteria for choosing a smart watch
4. Specifications
5. Ergonomic features
6. How to choose a smart watch for "Android"
7. Where to buy a smartwatch
8. Smart watches from China. We choose on AliExpress
9. What tariff to choose for smart watches
10. The best manufacturers of smart watches
11. Smart Watch Choices Video

How to choose a smart watch: what to consider

When choosing a smart watch as a companion device, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Type - the smart watch itself (the so-called smartwatch) or a smart phone in the smart watch format (smartwatch phone);

2. Compatible with smartphone operating system;

3. Specifications;

4. Display characteristics;

5. Protection against moisture and dust;

6. Battery capacity;

7. Design;

8. Strap features.

9. The manufacturing company is also important.

What is a smart watch

It is necessary to distinguish directly smart watches and smartphones made in the format of smart watches.

Smart watch is a companion device. That is, “apart” from the smartphone, they practically do not work (not counting the limited number of models with LTE-module or eSIM). These smart watches are designed for quick access to smartphone functions — viewing notifications and responding to them, searching the Internet, interacting with virtual assistants, and launching a number of applications.

Smart watches can be divided into two generations:

1. The first. Devices with own firmware (operating system). Examples - Sony Smartwatch mn2, Pebble, Xiaomi AmazFIT. They have limited functionality depending on the developers of the firmware itself and third-party software. That is, such a clock, in fact, is designed to view notifications from the phone;

2. The second. Devices with a special global firmware Android Wear or Apple watchOS. Examples - LG Watch Style, Huawei Watch, Apple Watch. They have wider functionality that allows responding to notifications, search the Internet, launch various applications, etc.

Such devices are a good solution for people who need just a companion device. All the functionality of a smart watch directly depends on the smartphone.

Smartphone in the smartwatch format (smartwatch phone) is a completely autonomous device that is equipped with a full-fledged GSM-module for making calls, receiving or sending SMS and accessing the Internet. They do not need any bundle with another phone. Moreover, many models of such “smart watches” are in principle not designed to connect with a smartphone.

An example of such devices is the majority of "Chinese" "smart watches" - for example, models from NO.1, Uwatch or Texet.

An important advantage of such devices is autonomy. So, in the presence of a SIM-module and in conjunction with Bluetooth-headphones, they turn into a practically full-fledged phone for calling or listening to music.

The disadvantage is obvious.Since the vast majority of such devices are running the Android operating system, they can be inconvenient to use - a small screen does not leave room for action. Almost all applications are displayed incorrectly, and the keyboard is not optimized at all and is not shown in its entirety.

In general, it is easy to distinguish between these devices:

1. Classic smart watches - work together with a smartphone;

2. Smartphone in the format of smart watches - works instead of a smartphone.

The main criteria for choosing a smart watch

When choosing a smart watch you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. The operating system and compatibility with the smartphone;

2. Specifications;

3. Ergonomic features.

Operating system and smartphone compatibility

The operating system of the watch directly determines the compatibility with the smartphone. So:

1. Watch on your own firmware. In the characteristics of such devices in the column "Operating system" is most often a dash. Such devices may be compatible with Android or iOS, depending on the manufacturer’s support. For example, Pebble "communicate" with almost any smartphones, but Sony mn2 - only with Android. Limited compatibility;

2. Watch on Android Wear. This is a companion device. Compatible with smartphones on Android 4.3 and newer, as well as on iOS 9 and newer;

3. Watch on Apple watchOS. This is a companion device. Compatible with smartphones exclusively on iOS 9 and newer (Apple iPhone 4S and newer);

4. Watch on Android (not Wear). This is a standalone device. In most cases, it does not communicate with smartphones. It may be limitedly compatible with Android 4.3 and newer, as well as iOS 9 and newer.

Limited compatibility means only viewing some notifications, not even interacting with them. But the specific functionality depends on the developers of the firmware and varies from device to device.

Specifications

The main technical characteristics of smart watches that can determine practical qualities are:

1. Battery capacity;

2. The size, shape and type of display;

3. Body material and moisture protectionand.

Watch battery

From battery capacity depends on the battery life hours. And the optimal value of this parameter is determined by the operating system of the device.

The clock on Android Wear 2.0 can work up to 2 days in connected mode with a battery of 500 mAh or less. For a companion device on previous versions of this operating system, the optimal battery capacity is 500-700 mAh. Smart watches with a 300 mAh battery or less are not recommended for purchase.

Smart watches with full Android should be equipped with a more capacious battery. So, devices with a battery of less than 800 mAh can work for less than a day. However, a watch equipped with a 1000 mAh battery or more is too large.

Screen characteristics

The screen is the most demanding element of the design of smart watches. The autonomy of the device depends on its resolution and type.

AMOLED screens show the highest energy efficiency. However, due to their high cost, they are found only in mid-range or premium-class smart watches (Huawei Watch, latest generation, LG Watch Style, LG Watch Sport, Moto 360 gen. 3).

Significantly lower energy efficiency show screens made by IPS technology or the like. Therefore, display resolution is key. Screens that have a resolution of 192 × 192 pixels with a diagonal of up to 3 inches are most optimal.

It should be noted that round screens, when specifying the resolution, “interpolate” to a square shape. That is, the actual number of pixels they have lower than specified in the specification. This means less power consumption and greater autonomy of the watch.

The readability in the sun also depends on the type of screen. The best value is shown by the same AMOLED due to the “lighting” of only active pixels and an absolutely black background. But IPS, TFT and similar screens are highlighted in full and therefore have a much worse readability.

Body material

The watch case can be plastic or metal. Both of these materials show approximately the same strength characteristics in everyday use.

However, the metal case of a smart watch on a full-fledged Android is quite hot, which leads to discomfort, especially on hot days.

Dust and moisture protection

Protection against the ingress of moisture and dust is the most important parameter for smart watches that are planned to be used in extreme conditions (or at least in the rain). It is certified under the international standard IP. The security level looks like this: IP67 (instead of 67 there can be any other number).

In IP standardization, the first number denotes dust protection, and the second - moisture protection. In addition, there are absolutely dust-free devices. They are marked not by a number, but by the symbol X.

The following devices are recommended for purchase:

1. IP66 - withstand falling to dust and slight getting wet (for example, during hand washing);

2. IP67 - withstand falling into dust and significant getting wet (for example, during a shower);

3. IP68 - withstand falling into dust and short immersion in water (for example, during swimming without diving);

4. IPX7, IPX8 - can withstand immersion in dust or sand, and significant getting wet.

It is worth remembering that some Chinese manufacturers significantly overestimate the values ​​of device security, and watches standardized to IP68 and higher cannot be immersed in water.

Ergonomic features

The characteristics that determine the usability of the device (ergonomic) include the design and material of the strap.

Design

When choosing a watch, it is worth considering that only round models look quite “serious” and are combined with the classic style of clothing. Square devices seem rather “geeky” (with the exception of Apple Watch, but a marketing campaign played an important role there).

In addition, only on the round watch “analog” dials look beautiful (with hands).

Strap

The strap can be made of rubber (as well as silicone and similar materials), genuine leather, leatherette or fabric.

Leather straps provide the best skin contact without overheating or discomfort. But they are distinguished by high prices and a limited number of design solutions. Rubber and silicone are very reliable materials, but not always pleasant to the touch. Artificial leather (leatherette, eco-leather) is not recommended for purchase because it quickly loses its attractive appearance. Fabric differs in a variety of design decisions, but is not always pleasant to the touch and very easily becomes soiled.

If there are no functional elements on the watch strap (cameras, sensors, etc.), it can be replaced with any other. But only if the device is equipped with a standard mount. Its width (the distance between the “ears” on the body) is 22 mm.

How to choose a smart watch for "Android"

With the smart watch is fully compatible with Android version newer 4.3 inclusive. When choosing a device it is recommended to pay attention to the following options:

1. The best solution is a smart watch on Android Wear;

2. Optimally - the smart watch of the first generation;

3. Acceptable - a smartphone in the format of smart watches.

4. Apple Watch with Android are not compatible.

Where to buy a smartwatch

Smart watches of the second generation - in offline stores. The first generation and smartphones in the format of smart watches - in online stores (for example, on Aliexpress).

Smart watches from China. We choose on AliExpress

On AliExpress, mainly smartwatch phones are presented - smartphones in the format of smart watches. Therefore, the most important thing to consider when choosing:

1. Notifications that can display hours - only calls and SMS, or even notifications of the calendar, social networks, etc .;

2. The operating system is pure Android, Android with a deep modification of the interface (preferably) or its own firmware;

3. Battery capacity (700 mAh);

4. The presence of the camera (not needed);

5. The presence of a tray for SIM (controversial issue, you need if necessary);

6. Fitness functionality (if necessary).

7. Material, dust and moisture protection, the type of strap should be chosen based on their own wishes and features of operation.

What tariff to choose for smart watches

For smart watches of the first and second generations a separate tariff is not needed. It is worth considering that devices on Android Wear periodically download new firmware versions via a smartphone, but they do this when connected to Wi-Fi.

For smartphones in the format of smart watches will require a tariff with the Internet. But not too much, since “sitting in social networks” won't work with them because of the tiny display. Therefore, enough of the tariff with 1-4 GB of Internet.

The best manufacturers of smart watches

The best manufacturers of smart watches are:

1. First and second generations: Apple, LG, Huawei, Sony, Motorola, Xiaomi, Samsung, Pebble, Garmin;

2. Smartphones in the format of smart watches: NO.1, UWatch, DZ, GV.

It is better to choose smart watches of the first and second generation, as they provide the most in-depth interaction with the smartphone.

In the following articles, our experts tell what to choose - a smartphone or tablet and secrets choosing an e-book.

Smart Watch Choices Video

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.