How long will smartwatches last

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated December 20, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How long should a smartwatch last?

Its still the early days for smartwatches. With the first few Android Wear devices on the market and a 3rd one on the horizon we have a pretty good glimpse of what wearables might be like. Android Wear is exciting and feels generations ahead of what came before it. But like any burgeoning technology, the hardware and software are going to grow exponentially with each generation.

As somebody who would want to buy a smartwatch, it might be important to consider how long they will last before becoming obsolete. After all, $200 being the low end, its hardly an impulse buy for most people. Just how long will a generation be for smartwatches? Thats a difficult thing to determine for a new category but the best way might be to look at other similar markets.

What came before

The most obvious comparison to make is to other existing smartwatches. The original Pebble came out in early 2013 and a year later the Pebble Steel was released with a software update for both.

While Pebble released two devices in one year Samsung has done it at a considerably faster pace. The Galaxy Gear came out in late 2013 and the Gear 2 arrived six months later in conjunction with the Gear 2 Neo and Gear fit. The Galaxy Gear ran a version of Android while the sequels ran Tizen-based software only to be usurped by the Gear Live running Android Wear two months later.

While most tech companies make new hardware yearly, the true generational shifts often come when the latest software doesnt support old devices. Thats typically when a product becomes obsolete because there is no longer a promise of improvement. So while there have been two Pebble watches, functionally theyre so similar that there hasnt really been a true second generation. Contrast this with Samsung and there have been two generations of Gear watches that have become obsolete in that same period of time (although Samsung could continue to support the Tizen software simultaneously with Android Wear).

The business of longevity

So much to choose from, how can you lose?

But not all product life-cycles mimic such short and erratic schedules. Smartphones are generally replaced every two years because of contract pricing and early termination fees, both of which are carry overs from the dumb cell phone era. On the positive side this allows phone makers to iterate and refine their phones as well as providing some guarantee of value to customers who would like their brand new device to be updated over the course of its life. In recent years though, more manufacturers are designing cheaper, off-contract options, that allow much more flexibility so that, in the future, that model may well change.

Laptops and desktops tend to have longer life-cycles simply because of price. Most people spending a grand or more on a computer would probably want it to work for as long as possible and while future proofing is impossible, you can reasonably expect to get four or more years of value from your purchase provided you temper your expectations over time.

The role of consumer expectations

But even beyond strict contracts and up front price, some products have life-cycles determined by traditional consumer expectations. Video game consoles tend to lastas long as 6 or 7 years, extending well beyond the hardwares capability and driven mostly by software sales.

The best part about this system is that consoles also gain more software improvements than just about any other technology over their lifetime. Remember the original dashboard of the XBOX 360 with the blade menus? Its is almost unrecognizable compared the Windows 8 style tile interface of the later years. The bad part of the longevity is that while developers are allowed to squeeze every last ounce of power from the well known hardware, at some point, the games themselves become limited by it.

Similarly, what may end up being the most important aspect for determining Android Wear life-cycles is simply what consumers expect from their $200 or $300 purchase. The common wisdom is usually to never buy a first generation device and judging from early feedback about the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, that might be the smart choice for now. The market is still in its infancy and we havent figured out what is acceptable functionality from a hardware or software perspective.

Betting on the right horse

Again, this will ultimately be determined by you and me. The smartwatch is unique because it must straddle the line between two finicky markets fashion and technology. Today the Moto 360s circular display, leather strap, and metal bezel might look refined and chic, but trends might dictate a different feeling in two or three years. By the same token, the colorful display and card interface taken from Google Now might reflect what is best in todays hardware and UI design but could become archaic within a few years.

What is awesome about new gadgets, like smartwatches, is that they give us a possible glimpse into the very near future. The problem is that the future is always in motion and what seems like the right prediction one day could be proven wrong very quickly. Whether or not the life-cycle of a smartwatch will be one year or five years, Android Wear has shown us Googles vision of a wearable-centric future. The only question is, will you bet $200 on it to make it a reality?

How Long Do Garmin Watches Last? My Personal Experience

If youre thinking about investing in a Garmin watch, you might be wondering how long a Garmin watch actually lasts? Heres everything you need to know before you buy one

Key Takeaways:

Longevity: Garmin watches are built to last. Most can easily remain functional for five years or more. Some users have experienced close to a decade of reliable use.
Durability: While these watches are designed to withstand tough conditions and water exposure, extreme activities could lead to potential damage, such as screen breakage or internal water damage.
Battery Life: The internal components, including the battery, are built for durability, often lasting around seven years or more. However, the rechargeable battery may start to lose charge faster after about 500 charging cycles. Premium Garmin watches tend to have superior battery technology.
Non-Replaceable Batteries: Most Garmin watches do not feature user-replaceable batteries. When the battery reaches its end of life, youll likely need to purchase a new watch. However, some older or specialized models, like the Forerunner 50, do have replaceable batteries.
Consistent Battery Life: Most Garmin watches offer a week to two weeks of battery life, depending on usage. This applies even to some of the less expensive models in the range.

Heres our current picks for the best Garmin watches right now across all potential budgets.

Garmin watches come in all shapes, sizes, and formats. You have high-end Garmin watches and more affordable options. None of them are what youd consider cheap, however, even at the lower end of Garmins product selection.

And if youre planning on dropping anywhere from $200 to $800 on a Garmin watch, you probably want to know how long the watch will last, how long it will be supported, and how long before problems start showing up, right?

Ive been using Garmin watches for years. I use them for tracking my running. I got my first Garmin watch back in 2015 a Forerunner 225 and that watch is still working fine today. Since then, Ive added a few more to my collection, including the excellent Fenix 7 and the entry-level Forerunner 55.

How Long Do Garmin Watches Last?

**Check Out The Best Garmin Watches Right Now**

Garmin watches are exceptionally durable. Most will easily remain functional for five years or more. Some users have experienced close to a decade of reliable use. I got my first watch back in 2015 and it still works fine today. Yes, it has a few dinks and scuffs but all the internal components are 100% functional. Basically, a Garmin watch will last you years and years at a time may be close to a decade.

Of course, the more you use your watch, and the more dangerous your activity, the more likely you are to cause damage to it. If youre running trails, mountain biking, white water rafting, or something similar, you do run the risk of smashing up the display which could lead to internal water damage but thats kind of a given.

All of Garmins watches are designed to be used in all kinds of environments, including water. You can wear a Garmin while surfing, canoeing, showering, and when youre in the bath and/or pool. Theyre designed to be tough and hard-wearing, which they are, but if you smash it into a rock, the screen can break. If you can avoid doing that, you wont run into any problems.

How Long Do Garmin Batteries Last?

The components inside your Garmin watch are good for seven years easily maybe more. But ALL wearable devices, including Garmin watches, run on internal batteries, and these do have a finite shelf life, just like your phone, tablet, and wireless headphones.

Like phones, your Garmin watch runs a rechargeable battery, and that battery only has a certain amount of charging cycles before it starts to dwindle and lose capacity. Normally, this is around 500 cycles. Your Garmin will still work fine after 500 charging cycles, but it might start losing charge faster after this number has been passed.

How long does it last after 5000 cycles? Its hard to say, every battery is unique it could do another 5000 cycles before it becomes unusable or it could be 500. Theres no hard and fast rule here. In my experience, this isnt something you need to worry about. My six-year-old Garmin, and keep in mind I used it every day for 90% of its life, still charges up and holds its charge fine.

If you do want the most bang for your buck with respect to battery life, youll have to go with one of Garmins more expensive fitness watches. These use the best possible components and the most powerful battery units. These units will run longer and last longer than the companys cheaper devices which run inferior battery tech.

Are Garmin Watch Batteries Replaceable?

Most of Garmins smartwatches and fitness watches do not feature user-replaceable batteries. This means once the battery reaches its end of life, its last cycle, you will need to get a new fitness tracker. Again, though, this could take anywhere from 10 to 15 years depending on how often you use the watch. Most casual users will never have to worry about this.

However, there are certain Garmin watches that come with replaceable batteries. The Garmin Forerunner 50, for instance, runs on a user-replaceable battery although it is now discontinued.

If you have a Forerunner 50, however, you can swap out its battery for a fresh one by yourself, or, if you dont fancy doing that, you can take it to a watch technician to do it for you. Either way, the Forerunner 50s battery is replaceable.

But you cannot buy this model anymore. At least, not through the official channels anyway.

Garmin even provides advice on how to remove and replace the battery inside the Garmin Forerunner 50. Heres how you do it, according to Garmin:

If desired, backup all activity data with Garmin Connect
Remove back cover plate from watch
Remove battery from the watch module
Wait one minute to ensure all residual energy has been discharged
Insert a new CR2032 battery
Ensure all contacts and insulators are put back in their original positions
Replace back cover plate to watch

You Dont Need To Worry About This Though

As Ive said throughout this post, Garmin watches are built to last. They have incredible sports tracking features, and theyre durable as heck even the cheaper models like the Garmin Forerunner 55 which Im currently road-testing right now.

With battery life, youll get a week or two from nearly all of Garmins watches. Again, this depends on how much/often youre using its GPS. I run four to five times a week, around 10-12 hours in total, and all of the watches I have used in my time tended to last around 7 10 days between charges.

Check out our best Garmin watches for runners guide, its a fairly detailed guide to the top 3 Garmin watches you can buy right now. Ive included just three options to keep it simple and focussed: you have an expensive option, a mid-range option, and a cheap option. Basically, one for every kind of user and budget.

Explore Garmin Watch Features

If youre new to smartwatches and Garmin watches in general, theres a whole world of health and fitness tracking that youve been missing out on. Heres just some of the awesome things your smartwatch can do:

Garmin Body Battery: This feature calculates your energy levels throughout the day by analyzing factors like heart rate, stress, and physical activity. Think of it as a fuel gauge for your body, helping you know when to push hard or take a break.
Stress Measurement: Garmin watches measure stress levels based on heart rate variability. This metric can help you understand how your body is responding to various pressures, both physical and emotional, so you can manage your day better.
Garmin Sleep Score: Garmins sleep tracking offers a Sleep Score based on the quality and duration of your sleep. This score considers factors like REM cycles and restfulness, providing insights to help you improve your sleep patterns.
Garmin Connect: This is Garmins mobile app and online platform where you can sync, analyze, and share your fitness and wellness data. It serves as the central hub for tracking and understanding your health metrics.
Training Status: This feature assesses your recent exercise history and performance metrics to provide insights into your training progress, including whether youre undertraining, peaking, or overdoing it.

For more details on all of these and much, much more check out our Ultimate Beginners Guide To Garmin Watch

Richard Goodwin

Richard Goodwin is a leading UK technology journalist with a focus on consumer tech trends and data security. Renowned for his insightful analysis, Richard has contributed to Sky News, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, and CNBC, making complex tech issues accessible to a broad audience.