Want to use your smartwatch for fitness tracking? This guide breaks down the most important features to consider when choosing a smartwatch for your fitness goals.
It is sometimes confusing what to look for while buying a smartwatch. The buyer gets attracted to a lot of features but when it is of no use or very little use for him. The cost of a smartwatch depends upon the brand as well as features it offers. We are trying our best to give some guidelines which will help you while selecting a smartwatch.
What is a Smartwatch?
A smartwatch is a wearable device that offers features such as fitness tracking, message notifications, voice commands, and mobile payments. The device is typically paired with a smartphone, allowing users to access apps, receive calls, and respond to messages on the go.
Shape of the smartwatch
The shapes are square & round. It depends upon your personal choice & how it suits your wrist. A square shape watch sits better on the wrist and also aligns comfortably with the strap. It gives more surface area & so functional features look good. From an aesthetic point of view, round looks better. In this case, it is better to strap demo unit if available.
Size of the display / watch case
It is measured either in millimeters (mm) or inch (“). It starts from 0.9” ( 24mm) to 2.2” (56mm). A normal watch case for women is 26-29mm & for men it is 37-39mm A sports watch is 40-45mm and above.
Battery Life
Better the battery life, less the hassle. It should last for at least 5 days even on heavy use. The buyer must see the battery life claimed by the smartwatch manufacturer. The display affects battery life so buyer needs to balance these both features
Display
This is one of the important factors in smartwatch buying. The types of display are LCD, OLED & AMOLED. OLED are better than LCD as it gives better picture clarity, viewing angle & also consume less bratty. The AMOLED display quality is better than the OLED display because it contains an additional layer of TFTs and follows backplane technologies. The AMOLED displays are much more flexible as compared to the OLED display so these are more expensive than the OLED display. OLED displays are said to be more protective for human eyes. Both OLED & AMOLED display provides better readability in indoor as well as outdoor. If a smartwatch has a 1.2-inch or larger display and select for OLED.
Type of Straps
Straps give you a feeling of comfort & rich look. Nylon & rubber straps are lightweight, soft & can be washed easily. It is comfortable to wear hen you are tracking your sleep. NATO straps are ok and good for rugged conditions. It goes underneath the case & so that the skin never touches the metal. Genuine leather straps offer god look as well as strong durability
Fitness Features
A smartwatch provides a number of features like GPS, Heat rate, Blood Pressure, SPO2. The. The Heart Rate monitor feature is now becoming standard. There are still question marks on accuracy of these features so buyers should not depend upon the data provided by these features. GPS is useful if you walk / run or cycle daily
Operating System
Smartwatches are available with different operating systems, including Google’s Wear OS, Apple’s watchOS, and Samsung’s Tizen OS. It’s important to choose a smartwatch that is compatible with your smartphone’s operating system.
Connectivity
Smartwatches offer different connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular. Choose a watch that has the connectivity options you need for your lifestyle and usage.
Voice Assistant
Voice assistants, such as Siri and Google Assistant, are available on most smartwatches. These features allow you to perform tasks and ask questions without having to use your phone.
Water Resistance
It is denoted as IP means Ingressed Protection. It is followed by two numbers out of which the first number is for dust/dirt resistance & second for water resistance. The bigger the number, the better the protection. IP67 means the unit can be dropped into a body of water up to a meter deep for half an hour, while IP68 guarantees protection in water up to 1.5m deep for the same period of time. Both are resistant to dust. IP68 can be used while swimming for certain time. Some smartwatch manufacturers used ATM to denote water resistance. A rating of 5ATM denotes it can withstand water pressure up to 50 meters.
Connecting Apps
The smartwatch manufacturers have their own application which you need to connect so checkout for the application & the features it offers.
Communication
The standard smartwatch gives you notification / alerts for calls, SMS, Emails etc. In premium smart watches you will have the option to pick up the call. Many of the smartwatches also include features like NFC that lets you pay for things. Some brands have their own version of payments.
Brand Reputation and Customer Support
Consider the brand reputation and customer support when making your purchase. Choose a brand that has a good reputation for quality and reliable products, as well as excellent customer service.
Smartwatch Guide
| Name | Recommended Specification |
| Shape | Square / Round |
| Size | Men 40 – 42 mm / Women 32 – 36 mm |
| Battery life | 2 to 20 days |
| Display | OLED |
| Strap Type | Silicon rubber or Leather |
| Operating System | Android Wear OS Apple Watch OS |
| Water Resistance Rating | IP68 |
| Watch Faces | Ability to customize watch faces |
| Weight | 40 to 60 grams |
What are the top 10 smartwatch brands in India?
Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, Fasttrack, Noise, Boat, Xiomi, Fossil, Oppo, Garmin etc.
Which is the best affordable smart watch?
Boat, Fasttrack, Noise, Oppo, Xiomi etc.
Do I really need a smartwatch?
Yes, if people need constant updates or access to the current information like news or weather updates. Situation where you don’t have access to smartphones.
Do smartwatches need data plans?
No, most smartwatches available today in India don’t require a data plan. Unless a standalone smartwatches with cellular connectivity.
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