A smartwatch has long been no longer just a luxury accessory, but an affordable gadget that provides up-to-date information on important indicators or events, notifications, messages, etc. with just a glance or touch.
If years ago we looked at the watch to inform ourselves of the time, now we can make calls without carrying a phone, pay for purchases, and measure pulse, blood pressure, ECG, saturation, body temperature, etc. from our watch.
Smartwatches also recognize what sport you practice, record the results of your training and monitor your progress so that you have statistics and details about them. Some watches also have an integrated personal running coach that monitors your pace and gives you guidance on how to reach your desired goal.
Most current best smartwatches have sleep monitoring algorithms to assess whether it is of good quality and what you can do to get a better night’s sleep.
What is important to know when choosing a smartwatch?
We used to call a smartwatch a gadget that does more than tell what time it is. But now, in 2022, smartwatches can do a lot more, and according to the available functionalities, there is further differentiation.
Full-fledged smartwatches are those that are the most functional, i.e. can do most things. With the smartwatch – you can have a call, you have access to an app store – you can download and install, for example, Viber or Messenger and use them.
With smartwatches, you can also make payments, track your workouts and measure health indicators – heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, sleep monitoring, etc.
In order to be so productive and functional, smartwatches have more serious hardware – a powerful processor, more RAM, and storage memory, but due to the many processes that are performed – their battery has energy for up to several days of use.
To make all this possible – smartwatches also have a functional operating system – for example Wear OS (by Google and Samsung), Tizen OS (developed by Samsung), Fitbit OS, Harmony OS (by Huawei), or fashionable versions of Android used by other smartwatch manufacturers.
Of course, smartwatches are also the most expensive devices of this type, as much more has been invested in components, technology, development, etc., so that a really small device can offer a lot and be a full-fledged accessory in our daily life.
Sports watches vs Smartwatch. What is the difference?
Sports watches are completely oriented toward sports and health. You won’t be able to chat with them, you won’t be able to access an app store, and you probably won’t be able to make payments. They don’t have as advanced an operating system and don’t run as many processes as smartwatches.
For this reason, you can use the sports watches for 2-3 weeks with one battery charge. The fewer processes the watch runs and the larger its battery, the longer it will last on a single charge. The more basic fitness bracelets can be worn for a month on a single charge. You charge it, put it on your wrist “and forget”.
Often – the battery life is a reason to “fug” – “my watch’s battery lasts 3 weeks, and yours lasts 3 days”. There is not much to be proud of here – the watch whose battery has a charge for 3 weeks performs much fewer processes and is less functional than the other whose battery “lasts” 3 days. Of course, on any smartwatch, you can limit features you don’t use or need to extend battery life, but on a fitness bracelet, you can’t add features as it lacks the necessary hardware and software.
Sports bracelets are popular for their lower price and longer battery life, and rightfully so. Not everyone needs to make phone calls or check their messages.
How to choose a smartwatch? What to consider when choosing a smartwatch?
The choice of a smartwatch is individual – everyone has different needs, for running enthusiasts, it may be important to go out for the morning cross without a phone, just with a watch on the wrist and through it listen to music, have conversations, or be guided by their coach.
Others will not rely on the watch for making calls, but rather for tracking sports performance – they will choose a watch that supports the sports they practice.
Still, others will not be interested in the opportunities for sports, but rather for entertainment and a more fulfilling lifestyle – to make calls from the watch, view messages and reply, browse if necessary, take photos, listen to podcasts and so-called
And last but not least, in order to make full use of the smartwatch, it is important to have good integration with the smartphone you are using. The rule of thumb here is that if it’s from one brand, it’s very likely that you’ll be using the smartwatch to its fullest potential, as manufacturers have taken care of this integration.
• Can call be made with the smartwatch (with or without a phone nearby);
• Can payments be made with the watch;
• Is there access to an app store to download and install apps on the watch;
• What health indicators it measures (pulse, saturation, blood pressure, ECG, others)
• What and how many sports it recognizes automatically – this means that if you start running, cycling, or swimming – the watch will recognize the sport and start measuring without you manually starting the training beforehand;
• What sports does he support, does he have a running coach, etc?
• What operating system does it work with and is there support for it in the future;
• What processor the smartwatch is powered by, and how much RAM and storage memory it has;
• What kind of integration does the smartwatch have with phone operating systems (Android, iOS, Harmony);
• What are the dimensions of the smartwatch and the thickness – especially for women’s smart watches it is important to fit elegantly on slimmer wrists;
• What is the battery life – how often will you charge it – it’s good to know this so that you are not unpleasantly surprised.
The best smartwatches of 2022
After all that we have stated above, you should not generalize about which is the best smartwatch, because it is determined by the specific needs of each of us.
In this article, we will introduce you to the most functional, really good, and buyable smartwatches, proven bestsellers, presenting their features and capabilities, so that you can make your choice with reason.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are last year’s Samsung smartwatches unveiled at an online event on August 11, 2021. along with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy Buds 2 Headphones
It’s no accident that we start with them, as they are comparable to the current generation of smartwatches, but also they are at half the price, which is why we consider them to be the best deal for a Samsung watch at the moment
With the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic – Samsung opens a new page in the history of its smartwatches – they are the first to be powered by the WearOS 3 operating system developed jointly by Google and Samsung
For better integration with Samsung phones and a more complete visual identity, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic also feature a new user interface One UI Watch, which borrows design and functionalities from the user interface of Samsung phones, namely One UI.
This clarification is important to make because Samsung’s older smartwatches were powered by the Tizen operating system, but Samsung will no longer develop and use it, which is why they have teamed up with Google to upgrade the existing Wear OS to WearOS 3
For this reason, it is not appropriate to draw conclusions about the new Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic based on the previous ones – Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch Active 2.
What you can do with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic smartwatches?
To make calls – through a Bluetooth connection of the watch with the phone (they must be nearby) or with the LTE models (e-SIM), with which the watch is used independently, without the need for a connection with a phone;
• Make payments – with Google Pay;
• Gesture control – with wrist movements you can control the watch – accept or reject calls, etc.;
• Navigating the watch interface with a digital bezel or metal ring – this type of interaction is also used in previous Samsung watches – by sliding your finger along the digital bezel (the outer edge/border of the display) or rotating the metal ring/border – you can navigate the clock
• Two buttons – in addition to the options mentioned above, smart watches also have two buttons – Home Key (top button) to return to the home screen and Back Key (bottom button) to go back one step.
• WearOS 3 operating system and One UI Watch user interface – with the new user interface for Samsung smartwatches, greater integration with the interface of Samsung phones is achieved.
• Any app you install on your phone will automatically install on your watch so you can access it from both locations. Conversely, if you install an app on the watch, it will also be installed on the phone.
• Access to thousands of applications in the Google Play Store;
• Water resistance;
• Fall detection;
• Measurement of the pulse (heart rate);
• Measurement of blood saturation with oxygen (saturation – SpO2);
• Measurement of blood pressure and ECG (IF USED WITH A SAMSUNG PHONE);
• Measurement of the body index (Body Measurement) – the ratio of fat, water and muscle mass using a BIA sensor (Bioelectrical impedance analysis);
• Sleep monitoring – the advanced system also uses a Samsung phone – the watch records your movements (during restless sleep) and blood oxygen saturation, and the phone records snoring. The data is compared and analyzed – how much oxygen your blood is saturated with while you sleep and when you snore. Analyzes and recommendations are made. Sleep phases are registered only with the watch, without using a phone.
• Supports over 90 sports/activities/exercises. Tracks activity and presents workout results on the watch and phone. Counts steps and calories burned and visualize GPS coordinates.
• Group challenges – you can compete in a group with friends, challenge them and track the results of others from your smartwatch – Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic.
• Battery life is up to 40 hours with typical use. In the settings, an economical mode can be selected to limit energy-intensive processes
The two smartwatches Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic differ only in their design
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 – is slightly smaller and compact and with a digital bezel;
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic – is slightly larger and with a metal ring around the case.
The metal ring (board, bezel) is not only an element of the design of the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic smartwatch, on the contrary – the metal ring is above the level of the display and protects it from accidental impacts. It is also used to navigate the clock interface in both directions.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is among the thinnest smartwatches. The smaller 40 mm model is extremely suitable for women with a thickness of only 9.8 mm.
The body of the Galaxy Watch4 is made of reinforced aluminum, which makes it extremely light, weighing only 26 grams for the small (40 mm) and 30 grams for the large (44 mm) without the straps.
• Galaxy Watch4 (40 mm) – 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm (without the sensor), 26 g.
• Galaxy Watch4 (44 mm) – 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (without the sensor), 30 g.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is more solid as its body is made of stainless steel. The two models have the following dimensions and weights:
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42 mm) – 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2 mm (without the sensor), 47 g.
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46 mm) – 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0 mm (without the sensor), 52 g.
Galaxy Watch4 and Watch 4 Classic have identical displays – Circular Super AMOLED – Full Color Always On Display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX protection
• 1.2″ (30.4mm) Circular Super AMOLED (396×396) – for the smaller models of the two watches, respectively: Galaxy Watch 4 (40 mm) and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42 mm)
• 1.4″ (34.6mm) Circular Super AMOLED (450×450) – for the larger models of the two watches, respectively: Galaxy Watch 4 (44 mm) and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46 mm)
With the purchase of Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you will have over 40 unique watch faces.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 40mm Smartwatch with ECG Monitor Tracker for Health, Fitness, Running, Sleep Cycles, GPS Fall Detection, Bluetooth, US Version, SM-R860NZKAXAA, Black
SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 Classic 46mm Smartwatch with ECG Monitor Tracker for Health, Fitness, Running, Sleep Cycles, GPS Fall Detection, Bluetooth, US Version, Black
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are Samsung’s latest generation of smartwatches, unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on August 10, 2022.
What’s new in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro?
Let’s start with the names – the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. In the smaller sports watches with a clean design – only the front number – the generation/generation (5 / 4) is changed in the name, while in the more luxurious business series – Classic is replaced by Pro.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
There is also a change in terms of dimensions. The smaller sporty model with a clean design Galaxy Watch 5 – is again available in two case sizes 40mm and 44mm but the new watches have a slightly larger display I would say – marginally so but still worth noting.
The new screen sizes for both sizes are 1.2 inches and 1.4 inches, while last year’s Watch 4 is 1.19 and 1.36 inches, respectively. As you can see, this difference is imperceptibly small.
Unlike Watch 5 and last year’s Watch 4 Classis, the more luxurious business model – Watch 5 Pro is available in only one size – with a 45 mm case. There are more changes here. The body is made of titanium alloy, while last year’s Watch 4 Classic was made of stainless steel
Titanium alloy – should be more resistant to scratches and contribute to the lower weight of the watch – 46.5 grams compared to 52 grams – for last year’s model (Watch 4 Classic – 46mm).
An upgrade in the new generation of watches is also sapphire glass to protect the display, it is 60% more resistant to scratches. In the case of the Pro-model, it is a little stable and hard – 29GPa, while in the pure five (Watch 5) it is a little weaker – 24GPa.
In terms of design – there is also a change in the curve of the bottom housing, the aim being a tighter fit to the hand for more accurate measurement with the sensors. should be noted here that as early as last year, with the Watch 4 series, Samsung changed the way the strap attaches to the case, specifically to ensure a snug fit.
People without experience with smartwatches – do not realize that for accurate and constant measurement of the sensors, it is necessary for the watch to fit well on the skin, and not to “clap” or move freely on the hand, which would be appropriate if we were simply wearing designer accessory.
In terms of functionality – the only improvement that the new watches offer is the added sensor for measuring body temperature, which will not be active at the time of the premiere but will be included at a later stage after a software update.
According to Samsung, the BIA sensor – for measuring the ratio of body fat, water, and muscle mass – has also been improved. They didn’t specify what the improvement was, the measurement seems to be a bit faster and more accurate.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 upgrade over Watch 4 Classis
As the name change suggests – Watch 5 Pro from Watch 4 Classic – the more luxurious watch has more changes, that’s why we’ll give it extra attention. We have already mentioned that, unlike last year’s model, the new Watch 5 Pro is only in one size – 45.4 mm – large and rather masculine, with a titanium alloy case, not stainless steel, like last year’s watch 4 Classis.
A big change is the absence of the physical metal bezel. It was a metal ring that rotated – mechanically, and with that, you cycled through different screens of the watch’s interface. It was a really big tickle for the fans. This board also protected the display from accidental knocks.
Now, the Watch 5 Pro has a light bezel, but it doesn’t move and mainly has the function of protecting the display from accidental knocks.
Another big upgrade that can’t be missed is the nearly double battery capacity of 590mAh compared to last year’s model’s 361mAh.
If the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is a luxury business watch, the Watch 5 Pro is more oriented towards more active and extreme sports people. Samsung is also adding support for the GPX format for tracking routes.
You can log the routes you’ve taken during your hikes and share them with others in the Samsung Health app with a new Route Workout feature.
You can also download hiking and biking maps and be navigated turn by turn. With the Watch 5 Pro, you’ll be able to retrace your steps with its new TrackBack feature.
Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro
Huawei introduced the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro smartwatches on June 2, 2021, opening a new page in the history of Huawei smartwatches.
The Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro smartwatches are the first with the Harmony OS operating system, which the company started using after US sanctions were imposed on China and leading Chinese companies (since 2019).
Until now, Huawei has launched watches powered by Lite OS – a fancy Android. These watches were very successful because of their beautiful design, long battery life, and low price. But they weren’t as functional as successful competing smartwatches. You can track sports and health with them, the latest models can make calls but not make payments, and there’s no access to a store with lots of apps to run on the watch
To take a step forward and launch its young operating system Harmony OS and its concept of connecting many devices, Huawei developed the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro watches.
Unlike the older and successful watches from the GT series, the new Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro smartwatches are much more functional, but with shorter battery life due to the fact that many more processes are running.
What you can do with the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro smartwatches:
• make calls – via Bluetooth connection of the watch with the phone (they must be nearby) or with e-SIM – the watch is used independently, without the need for a connection with a phone;
• navigation in the watch interface with two buttons – with Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro – are the company’s first in which one button rotates, the so-called “Crown”;
• The screen is touch sensitive and supports swipe, tap, press and hold interaction.
• Harmony OS operating system;
• Access to applications in AppGallery;
• Water resistance;
• fall detection;
• Measurement of the pulse (heart rate);
• Measurement of blood saturation with oxygen (saturation – SpO2);
• Body temperature measurement;
• Sleep monitoring;
• Automatically recognizes 6 sports;
• Support over 100 sports modes – 19 professional indoor and outdoor sports modes and 85 custom modes;
In terms of design and dimensions, the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro smartwatches are more masculine with a diameter of 46mm and 48mm and a thickness of 12.2mm and 14mm. Imagine a watch with a diameter of almost 5 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm – it will hardly fit a graceful lady’s hand, but it all depends on taste and perceptions:
• Huawei Watch 3 – stainless steel and ceramic case with dimensions 46.2 x 46.2 x 12.2 mm, weight 54 g.
• Huawei Watch 3 Pro – titanium and ceramic case with dimensions 48 x 49.6 x 14 mm, weight 63 g.
Watches are luxurious and made of expensive materials. The base – the lower part that contacts the hand – is ceramic to minimize the risk of skin irritation and allergies and for more accurate measurement of health parameters.
The display of all models of the Huawei Watch 3 series is identical – a slightly curved 1.43-inch color AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels with a density of 326 PPI. For greater strength and protection against scratches, it is covered with sapphire glass.
Battery life on a single charge of the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro
The Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro smart watches can function in two modes. One is Smart Mode, with which all smart functions are used, but the battery life is shorter – 3 days for the Huawei Watch 3 and 5 days for the Huawei Watch 3 Pro.
For longer battery life, ie. feature limitation – is the mode – Ultra-long Battery Life Mode, which provides 14 days of use on a single charge for the Huawei Watch 3 and 21 days for the Huawei Watch 3 Pro.
Measurements were made under the following conditions: continuous monitoring of heart rate and sleep quality at night, 30 minutes of Bluetooth calls per week, 90 minutes of sports with GPS enabled per week, 6 rings, 3 alarms, and 200 screen activations per day.
If you’re an active athlete, though – it’s unlikely to be only within 90 minutes over 3 weeks, and it’s doubtful you’ll only use an alarm 3 times or have only 6 calls. So getting to 2 or 3 weeks would be more of an exception if you’re not particularly active when using the watch.
