How to choose a connected smart watch?Read this simple useful buying guide before you buy
Connected watches warn of the arrival of a message, vibrate when called, display events in your calendar. They are also able to track your daily physical activity and give the weather. Many very different models are available. But your choice will be guided by your priority criteria: watch design, watch as an extension of the smartphone or connected watch dedicated to sport. How to choose a smart watch?We have tested many models, from Apple Watch to Samsung Galaxy Watch, from Fossil watches to Fitbit, Withings, Garmin or Polar watches. Here are the elements to take into account to properly choose your connected watch.
IN SUMMARY
A connected watch allows you to follow your daily physical activity, displays messages, calls and other notifications from the smartphone.
Apple Watches only work with iPhones, but all other models, including those from Samsung, work with both iPhones and Android smartphones. Pay attention to the minimum configuration required.
Athletes looking for an in-depth analysis of their training and performance will prefer a connected watch dedicated to sport.
A CONNECTED SMART HEALTH WATCH FOR WHAT TO DO?
Appearing several years ago, connected watches have never met with massive success. It must be said that they suffer from a reputation as a useless gadget which is not completely unfounded.
Techies will, however, appreciate being notified of notifications from their smartphones (messages, social media, calls, appointments). You can also check your emails, control your music, launch a podcast. That’s not all: several models display train tickets and boarding passes, and even allow you to pay at merchants. Of course, connected watches also incorporate a sporting dimension: number of daily steps, indoor or outdoor running, swimming, and even sometimes skiing or yoga! The depth of performance analysis and coaching functions, however, vary by model.
CONNECTED WATCH, CONNECTED BRACELET: WHAT DIFFERENCE?
The connected bracelets are dedicated to monitoring daily physical activity and well-being. Their main functions are to measure heart rate, number of steps, calories burned or sleep tracking. They are not always equipped with a screen, but work in conjunction with an application installed on the smartphone (to which the bracelet connects via Bluetooth). This application allows you to access the settings and view its data.
Connected watches, also called smartwatches, are to be considered as an extension of the smartphone. Not only do they offer many functions related to sport and well-being, but they also display notifications (calls, messages, social networks), allow you to answer a call and respond to text messages. You can also install applications (games, banking app, train or plane tickets, etc.), view your photos, consult your calendar, and even pay at merchants.
FROM WATCH OS TO TIZEN, SEVERAL OPERATING SYSTEMS
Connected watches work with an operating system, like a smartphone. Each offers its own ergonomics and its application store.
Watch OS is the Apple Watch operating system, designed to work in harmony with iOS (the iPhone system). The system takes all the applications from the Apple environment (Safari, Maps, Mail, Music, etc.) and integrates its voice assistant Siri.
Google offers Wear OS (previously called Android Wear), a version of Android designed for connected objects. It also offers the entire Google ecosystem and integrates its Google Assistant voice assistant. Google offers its system to different manufacturers, such as Huawei or Fossil.
Samsung runs its watches under its own OS, dubbed Tizen OS. The system is compatible with Android applications.
Other manufacturers of connected watches, such as Garmin, Fitbit or Withings, rely on their own system.
Apple Watches are only compatible with iPhones, but all other smartwatches on the market work with both iPhones and Android smartphones. Note that some features are sometimes missing on the call (answer an SMS or post on social networks, for example).
AUTONOMY: BETWEEN 2 AND 16 DAYS
Connected watches work on batteries, like smartphones. They must therefore be recharged regularly. According to our laboratory measurements, they offer a range of between 2 and 16 days depending on the model.
APPLE WATCH, THE STAR SMART HEALTH WATCH
The major smartphone manufacturers, such as Asus, LG, Motorola, Samsung and Sony, had already launched a connected watch when Apple finally launched its own in April 2015. And this Apple Watch was the first to arouse public interest. With its neat finishes, its color screen and its original interface, Apple has managed to seduce some of its consumers despite the price of its watch, € 399 (and up to € 1,200 depending on the materials!). Model after model, Apple has improved it (by widening the screen, making it waterproof, by integrating a heart rate monitor, in particular) and has established itself as the biggest seller of connected watches before Garmin and Samsung. They have sold 22.5 million in 2019 .
With 50% of the global market in 2019, Apple is the biggest seller of connected watches.
To date, Apple has already launched five generations of watches (Apple Watch, Apple Watch Series 1, Apple Watch Series 2, Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4 and finally Apple Watch Series 5). Apple declines its watches in 4G version: they then integrate an virtual SIM card which allows you to make calls and be connected to the Internet even when the smartphone is not nearby (Orange is the only operator to offer this option for the moment).
Apple Watches include the Apple Pay function, which allows you to pay for purchases without having to take out your bank card.
THE SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH, THE CHALLENGER
Since its first connected watch, the Galaxy Gear, launched in September 2013, Samsung has multiplied the models. The manufacturer has improved the aesthetic, going from a freezing rectangular format in metal to a more consensual circular screen, and has refined its models Gear Sport, Gear S2, then Gear S3. Since then, Samsung has abandoned the name “Gear” and organized its range of connected watches into two families: the Galaxy Watch (available in 42 mm or 46 mm) and the Galaxy Watch Active (available in 40 mm or 44 mm) .
Like Apple, Samsung has declined the Galaxy Watch in 4G version: it then integrates an eSIM virtual SIM card which allows you to make calls and be connected to the Internet even when the smartphone is not nearby.
Samsung watches also allow you to pay for purchases with Samsung Pay.
Samsung offers two watches, the Galaxy Watch and the Galaxy Watch Active (here the Galaxy Watch Active 2, launched in September 2019).
A CONNECTED WATCH MATCHING THE SMARTPHONE
The Apple Watch is intended to be used with an iPhone, the only smartphone with which it is compatible. Watches from other smartphone manufacturers, such as Huawei’s Watch GT, Xiaomi’s Amazfit Stratos (Huami) or Samsung’s Galaxy Watch, are compatible with both Android and iPhone smartphones. Please note, a minimum configuration is always required. Apple’s Watch Series 4 only works with iPhone 6 and later running iOS 12 (and later). Huawei’s smartwatch is compatible with Android smartphones from version 4.4 and Apple from iOS 9.
A CONNECTED WATCH FOR STYLE
Manufacturers of connected watches are increasingly drawing inspiration from watchmaking codes by integrating, for example, a lateral adjustment wheel. Some manufacturers even use real needles, or try hybrid solutions, like MyKronoz (the ZeTime Premium offered a touch screen and needles). This aesthetic sometimes requires sacrifices on the functions related to physical activity. For example, Withings watches (Steel HR Sport, Move) advertise a swim tracking function, but they only show the time spent in the water, not counting the number of movements or lengths.
The manufacturer Withings has made a specialty of watches offering activity tracking functions behind a very classic watch look.
To note. To easily change the strap, make sure that your connected watch is designed for standard market widths (18, 20, 22, 24 mm).
A CONNECTED WATCH FOR SPORT
Several manufacturers, such as Garmin or Polar, offer watches dedicated to sport. Rather, they are aimed at great athletes looking for precise statistics on their performance and targeted training in running, swimming, cycling, triathlon, etc. (stride analysis, training load, VO2 Max, etc.
GPS, 4G, WATERPROOFING… THE CRITERIA TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
Autonomy
The autonomy of connected watches depends on the capacity of the battery, but also on the technology of the screen. As a result, it varies a lot from one model to another. Our tests will allow you to choose a watch that does not require daily recharging.
GPS
On a connected watch, the GPS is not only used for navigation. It is thanks to this chip that the watch can record your routes during walking, cycling or running sessions outdoors. Its use requires a lot of battery.
4G
Some watches incorporate a connection to 4G mobile networks. Thanks to the built-in microphone and speakers, you can make phone calls. You will also receive notifications from your smartphone (messages, social networks, etc.) even if it is not nearby. Connection is made possible by the presence in the watch of a virtual SIM card associated with the same subscription as the smartphone. Today, only Orange offers this option for compatible Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.
Heart rate monitor
It allows you to take your pulse and measure heart activity during (and after) physical activity (recovery after exercise).
ECG function
On the Series 4, Apple inaugurated this function, which has since been taken up by Samsung (Galaxy Watch Active 2) or Withings (Move ECG). An ECG (electrocardiogram) watch is capable of monitoring your heart throughout the day and alerting you to any abnormalities. However, this function cannot replace a real medical examination if necessary!
Sealing
Most watches are waterproof. But remember to remove it for your swimming at sea: the watches support chlorine from swimming pools, but not salt.
Wireless charging
Many models come with a dedicated charger, but wireless charging, which allows the battery to be recharged by simply placing the watch on a charging mat, is becoming more and more common. This is good news because this feature is very convenient.
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