5 Things to Consider When Buying a Smartwatch for the First Time

7 Things To Consider When Buying a Smartwatch: Buying Guide

Buying a smartwatch can be quite challenging sometimes you need to look for the one that checks all the boxes: looks, features, hardware, compatibility, and more. This is why you need to put in a bit of research and use your due diligence before mindlessly spending your hard-earned dollars on something that is either going to be obsolete in a few months time or not compatible with your current smartphone.

But, lucky you weve done all the heavy lifting by reviewing some of the top smartwatches in the wearable industry so that you can choose your right smartwatch without going through the boring stuff. From our experience of reviewing a bunch of smartwatches, the following are the most important things you need to consider before buying a smartwatch.

7 Important Things To Consider Before Buying a Smartwatch

1. Compatibility

The first thing you need to check is whether the said smartwatch is compatible with your handset or not because you definitely dont want a watch that collects all the insights about your day but wouldnt send it to your device. For instance, Apples Watch Series 5 is one of the best smartwatches available in the market today, but it is only compatible with an iPhone and wont work if you have an Android phone like a Pixel. What a bummer, right?

2. Brand

Its probably a good idea to stick with a popular smartwatch brand like Apple Watch Series or Samsung Galaxy Watch and avoid the no-name ones for obvious reasons. There are a plethora of rip-offs out there that either wont work after a while or put you through a lot of troubles like display issues, connectivity issues, etc. So, you might not want to settle for the cheap ones in the market. Instead, you could maybe save up a little more and get a better alternative.

3. Budget

We understand that you dont want to spend a good portion of your savings on a watch. Also, we wouldnt really recommend you to go for the costliest smartwatch out there even if youre well off. Its important that you make a list of features youd want in the device and look for the affordable options that have all the said features. This way, you can save quite a bit of money while at the same time not compromising on the necessary features.

4. Features

Like I mentioned earlier, you should make a list of required features that you would want in your smartwatch prior to making a purchase. Picking a right smartwatch is a lot easier if you already have a clear idea of what you are in the market for. Some key features you should be looking for in a smartwatch include apps compatibility, cellular connectivity, heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, and dust and water resistance.

5. Design

Looks are subjective, so its really up to you to decide whether you need a round smartwatch or a square-shaped one. Most brands offer smartwatches in different colour variants too. Some of the best choices if you are into square smartwatches include Apple Watch Series 5, Fitbit Versa, and Amazfit Bip. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2, Ticwatch Pro LTE, Huawei Watch 2 are some of the best options if youre looking for a round smartwatch.

6. Battery Life

I dont know about you, but battery life is one of the first things I look for when making a purchase regardless of whether Im getting a smartwatch, a smartphone, or pretty much any other gadget. You certainly dont want a smartwatch that dies before you have even made it to home from work. Although most smartwatches are notorious for their bad battery life, youd find ones that last over a week if you dig a little deeper. Smartwatches from renowned brand Garmin are your best bet if youre anything like me and prioritizes battery life over anything else.

7. Warranty

Smartwatch repairs can get quite expensive, especially if you have one from a no-name brand as itd be difficult to get hold of spare parts. It could cost you anywhere around $45-$60 for single repair service. This is yet another reason why you should not be getting a knockoff product as youd end up spending a lot more in repairs than you would if you were to buy a branded smartwatch. Most branded smartwatches come with at least a year of repair and replacement warranty.

5 things to consider when picking a smartwatch strap

When you're buying a smartwatch for the first time, understandably your primary focus will be on what that smartwatch can do, whether it works with your phone setup and it's the kind of smartwatch that grabs attention for the right reasons.

Creating an attractive smartwatch does of course extend to the strap that keeps it securely wrapped around your wrist. But its not just about matching up that case body with something that can elevate that look.

Youll also want to make sure you grab a band that best suits when and where youre planning to put those connected smarts to good use.

There are plenty of reasons why you should be picky about that smartwatch strap. Here's the ones we think are the most important.

1. Get the right strap size

It's an obvious one, but you want to make sure that strap can actually connect to your smartwatch. Most smartwatch makers do a good job of specifying in the accompanying manual or on website listings what the ideal strap size is to look for.

You might also want to look at the strap that came boxed with your watch as it may note the size there as well.

You can also grab a ruler or measuring tape out and measure the space between the lugs on your watch to find out what strap size you actually need. Most strap sizes are expressed in millimeters, so once you have the size identified you're good to pick out your strap.

Also look at strap length. Many come in small, medium or large sizes, specifying length. That way you can make sure you have something you dont have to consider removing lugs or adding a hole into to make sure it wraps securely.

2. Know your strap connection

You've got your strap size right, the next thing you should check is how that strap connects to the case on your smartwatch.

The key here is paying close attention to the watch lugs the smartwatch uses. This is the place where the strap connects to the case.

Lug type can vary from smartwatch to smartwatch, with some easier to find more compatible straps than others.

A springbar-style lug system is one of the most popular and common one used and is usually the easiest to connect and find a range of straps that use this type of mechanism.

There's now plenty of smartwatches that use a lug system where straps clip directly into the watch case as opposed to sitting outside it. This can create a more secure setup, but might restrict the number of straps you can pair up with it.

3. Look at the strap fastening

You want to make sure that strap is well built to stay put, but that strap clasp can also influence the overall look of your watch too.

The most traditional kind of fastening is a buckle, which works like a belt buckle. Like metal clasps, these tend to be the most secure options to go for.

Opt for a strap with a velcro fastener or the kind of pin and tuck closure that's beginning to appear on smartwatch straps and you'll get something that's quicker to get on and off.

That makes it useful for anyone that perhaps needs to take their watch off for work or would like something that's easy to wear during exercise.

While it is easier to take off a velcro strap, you may find it will show quicker signs of wear. Particularly if you jump in the shower and get it wet and sweaty on a regular basis.

4. Pay close attention to strap material

You can pick up smartwatch straps in a range of different materials, which will shape the overall look and what it will be like to wear 24/7.

Many smartwatches come boxed with silicone straps, making them better suited for all-day (and night) wear including being worn in the water. Just make sure to check the water resistance certification to understand the level of water protection.

There's also metal straps to offer a more dressy watch look making them better suited for formal occasions. Keep an eye on strap weight if this is something you plan to wear all day and don't want it to weigh heavy on your wrist.

Leather straps are a popular option as they do a good job of straddling smart and casual looks. Ideally go for genuine leather straps that offer strong durability. It's a similar story for very on-trend nylon straps, which can offer a lighter feel and can be more comfortable to wear during the day and even when you're tracking your sleep.

Also look for straps that are tagged as hypoallergenic. When some materials sit closely to the skin for extended periods of time they may cause a reaction or irritation to the skin.

Grab a hypoallergenic band and you'll get something better suited to sensitive skin. Pay attention to the buckle and clasp materials as well to make sure they don't rub you up the wrong way.

5. Know your style

You probably know what kind of strap you want, but make sure you know what kind of look you want to achieve with that strap too.

Do you want something that screams sporty or one you can wear for a nice dinner out? Is this something you want to show off in the summer or you're searching for something that creates a more understated smartwatch look?

For that sporty feel, you'll probably want to go bright and bold with that strap color and opt for silicone or nylon straps that are lighter and more comfortable to wear in and outside of the gym.

A leather strap in black or brown matched up with a complimentary watch face can help create that more traditional watch look. Go all in on a metal band and with a metal case body you can help create something that gives you the feel of a fancy dress watch.

TechRadar created this content as part of a paid partnership with Huawei. The contents of this article are entirely independent and solely reflect the editorial opinion of TechRadar.

9 Things to Check When Buying a Smartwatch (2022)

With different brands overcrowding the market, it can be difficult to choose the right smartwatch. Most people generally purchase smartwatches by looking at fancy banners and ads but regret their decision later. Thankfully, there are certain measures you can take to avoid buying the wrong smartwatch. This article will discuss things that you should check while buying a smartwatch online in 2022.

Related | 12 Best Smartwatch Gift Ideas To Surprise Your Friends & Family

Things to Check Before Buying a Smartwatch in 2022

A smartwatch includes aspects like display, design, features, connectivity, and more. And not every smartwatch is worth buying. Here are nine important things you need to check before buying a smartwatch. Read on.

1. Smartwatch Design- Real Life vs. Online Renders

The first thing youll notice when you receive the smartwatch is its design. Brands generally show fancy renders and images which usually do not portray how the smartwatch looks in real life.

The smartwatch may appear premium and sleek in its online listing but may look entirely different in person. Hence, its important to check the real-life images of the watch through photo and video reviews posted by other users online.

Almost every other budget smartwatch we ordered looked poles apart in person. Brands cannot be accused as they already mention, This image is just for reference purpose, actual product may vary on the product page.

2. Build Quality & Water-Resistance

Build quality is another important thing you should check before buying a smartwatch. Smartwatches generally offer either plastic or metal build. Metal watches can have a metal chassis with a plastic back or a complete metal case.

Most budget smartwatches will come with a plastic build. But as you increase your budget, youll see smartwatches with an aluminum casing that looks more premium, is more durable, and can handle rough usage without getting scratches or scuffs.

Some smartwatches even have a Military-grade rating which means that it has been tested for the extreme situations that the military would expect.

Furthermore, smartwatches with an Ingress Protection or IPXX rating are protected against dust and immersion in water for a specific depth and time. It saves them against splashes and rain and allows them to be worn while swimming for short durations.

Generally, you will see 3-ATM or 5-ATM and IP67 or IP68 water-resistance ratings in smartwatches. The IP67 rating justifies that a smartwatch is water-resistance up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. In IP68, its 1.5 meters for 30 minutes or more, depending upon the product.

Whereas the 3-ATM or 5-ATM rating shows us that the smartwatch is water-resistance up to 30 meters or 50 meters. Many expensive smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch 4 have both IP68 and 5-ATM Water-resistance ratings.

Ideally, you should look for both- a metal design with water resistance when buying a new smartwatch.

3. Display Type & Quality

The display is the most important part of a smartwatch with which you will interact the most throughout the day. You shall not only look for the display design, which counts in bezels and curves (if any) but also check reviews for the panel quality.

Here are some display basics to check while buying a smartwatch:

Display Bezels: Most brands show thin bezels in the products online images and promotional videos. But in reality, the smartwatch comes with thick bezels and a chin that make it look cheap.

Wed reiterate the point already made above- check real-life images of the watch posted by users on the internet.

Display Type: Like smartphones, a smartwatch can have different displays. This includes LCD, generally found in budget watches, followed by transflective LCD, and AMOLED.

In general, we prefer the AMOLED screen as its the punchiest of the lot and can save battery with dark colors. But again, each display type has its own features. Heres everything about smartwatch display types, including their pros and cons.

Brightness: Some smartwatches are not bright enough to be visible in outdoor conditions. You must check videos for the maximum brightness level of a smartwatch and check the maximum brightness mentioned by the brand.

A smartwatch with a brightness of over 500nits can be considered good enough outdoors. If youll be using the watch outdoors under the sun most of the time, consider watches with transflective displays.

Colors and Sharpness: Check the screen resolution of the smartwatch (usually mentioned in pixels) alongside the screen size. You can also check the screens pixel density to get an idea of the overall sharpness.

Again, colors are difficult to be distinguished without checking the watch in person or at least watching out for real images and reviews online.

UI Smoothness: Many budget smartwatches have a slow and laggy UI. And its hard to check if a smartwatch will stutter or not by just looking at the online listing. You can check reviews on the internet, including videos. Plus, you can go through our website to see if weve covered the watch youre planning to buy.

4. Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is another important factor in smartwatches that vary in different models. Some smartwatches claim to provide over a month of battery life, while others will barely last a day or two.

Before buying a smartwatch, you should look out for the battery backup mentioned by the brand. It will affect your daily usage of a smartwatch and depend on your usage patterns.

For instance, the Apple Watch generally gives about a days backup in normal use, yet people buy it for the features it brings to the table.

Claimed vs. Actual Battery Life: The battery life claimed by smartwatch brands is under ideal conditions. And there are chances you wont be able to shell out the hours mentioned by the brand. If the box says 15 days of battery, you can presume it to last about 7-10 days basis the usage.

Charging Time: Charging a smartwatch generally takes about 1.5-2 hours. While its not a deal-breaker for most users, those who care about it should know how long the watch theyre planning to buy takes to charge. Fast charging hasnt yet been made to the smartwatches, though.

5. Health, Fitness, and Connectivity Features

Every smartwatch comes with different features, including health, fitness, and connectivity. Some smartwatches shave basic health-tracking and notification support. At the same time, some have advanced health-tracking, Bluetooth calling, and advanced productivity features.

Here are the features that you should check in a smartwatch before buying it:

Heart Rate Monitor: This is a basic feature that has been available in almost every smartwatch, be it budget or premium, for a very long time. Yet, you should check if the smartwatch has a heart rate sensor and supports continuous tracking.

Heres more about heart rate sensor on smartwatches and how it works.

SpO2 Monitor: The SpO2 monitor became popular in smartwatches after the covid pandemic. Brands have added the blood oxygen sensor in their smartwatches to track their blood oxygen levels.

Check if its available on the smartwatch youre planning to buy. Also, read reviews and check images on the internet to check if the smartwatch has a dedicated SpO2 sensor or uses the heart rate sensor to detect blood oxygen.

Heres how does SpO2 sensor work in a smartwatch.

ECG: ECG is a dedicated sensor to track heart-related problems and diseases like atrial fibrillation. But it only comes in premium smartwatches like those from Fitbit, Samsung, and Apple. Having an ECG is a must if you have a high budget or are concerned about your heart health.

Related | How ECG Works On a Smartwatch? How Useful Is It? Simplified

Bluetooth Calling: Brands have now started giving the Bluetooth calling feature in their budget smartwatches. Were not a fan of it but you can opt for one if its a priority. Dont forget to check how good or bad is Bluetooth calling on the particular smartwatch.

Support for Apps: Almost all budget smartwatches do not support installing apps. If youre willing to explore and use new apps on your wrist, look for watches with WatchOS, WearOS, or Tizen.

6. Built-in GPS

Smartwatches also have a handy feature called GPS. It allows the watch to track your location and provide better and more accurate data on your steps, calories burnt, distance, etc.

GPS in smartwatches has two types, built-in GPS and connected GPS. The built-in GPS smartwatch has a dedicated sensor embedded in the watch. Whereas the connected GPS smartwatch uses your phones GPS to track your location.

Onboard GPS is now coming to budget smartwatches as well. So check whether the smartwatch you will buy has it or not. For more information on GPS smartwatches, you can check this article.

7. Smartwatch OS & Compatibility

One thing you should always check before buying a smartwatch is whether it is compatible with your phone or not. Not all smartwatches support both Android and iOS.

For example, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is only compatible with Android, not iOS which was not the case with previous Galaxy Watch models. Similarly, not a single model of the Apple Watch is compatible with Android.

Also, smartwatches have different operating systems like Googles Wear OS, Apples Watch OS, and proprietary RTOS. Wear OS, and Watch OS require powerful hardware to run and come only on expensive smartwatches. On the other hand, the WatchOS comes on Apple Watches.

RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) comes in the budget to mid-range smartwatches. It has minimal features but is lighter on battery life. You can download apps, music, etc., in WearOS and WatchOS. Whereas support for third-party apps is a rarity on RTOS.

If you are looking for budget smartwatches, you can choose from brands like Amazfit, which have optimized and smooth RTOS. As you go higher on price, youll find fully-fledged smartwatches from Samsung, Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, and so on.

8. After-Sales Experience

The after-sales service experience with brands varies across brands. There are so many smartwatches available in the market by different brands like Noise, Boat, Huawei, Realme, etc., and each has its own story.

Brands like Samsung, Realme, Xiaomi, and Huawei have a solid offline presence with physical service centers. You can walk into one of the service centers to get the watch checked, repaired, or replaced in case of issues.

Whereas other brands like Fire-Boltt, Boat, CrossBeats, Boult, and Amazfit will offer you pick-up and drop service. Upon raising a request, the brand will pick up the product from your home, repair it, and then send it back. The whole process lacks transparency and can take anywhere between one to two weeks or more in India.

Furthermore, some brands will repair or replace the product quickly without any hassle. But the service experience can be inferior, particularly with brands dealing in the entry-level segment. You can rely on the personal experiences of other users to get an idea of a brands service.

9. Brand and Price Value

Brands Track Record: If you are buying any product from a particular brand, it means you are trusting it for good products and services.

Over the years, brands like Amazfit have refined their product and services. Noise and Boat, too, have come a long way by polishing their new products. On the other hand, some brands like Fire-Boltt and Crossbeats dont even have original companion apps for the watch. Plus, youll hardly get any software updates.

Rebranded vs. Original Smartwatches: You should always check the brands market presence in the country. Several brands import cheap smartwatches from China and sell them in India after rebranding.

Youll have a hard time using the product, and theres no guarantee of its reliability and any future development around it. Prefer the brands which have strengthened their product lineup and are actively spending on R&D.

Price Value and Competition: The final thing that you should always check is the price value and competition in the market. Youll always find certain companies offering the same features at half the price, but they may not necessarily be good or reliable as a well-established brand.

But at the same time, you should avoid overpriced smartwatches. Buy the product that suits your requirements, not the one having the best tag.

Wrapping Up- Smartwatch Buying Guide

These were some important things that you should check while buying a smartwatch. Getting a smartwatch by a well-known brand can give a better user experience than buying one from a new or generic brand. You can further count on other aspects to make your buying decision. Anyways, whats your opinion on the same? Stay tuned for more informative content.