A beginner's guide to smartwatches
Smartwatches are the best-selling watches in the world. More people are wearing watches than ever before, and that's probably because they are so much more than just a watch – from customising the watch face, to getting your notifications, step counts and even more detailed health data – however, as with all tech, there's a lot of choice out there.
What to look for when buying a smartwatch
There's no getting past the one big issue of price. Even of the units we've outlined below, there are choices and options, sizes and features that could take the price well past $1000 if you wanted. But, for simplicity, the base price is normally a really good indicator of the features of any single brand.
The core features that make a watch a 'smartwatch' are the digital screen and smartphone connectivity. In addition to that, you should expect basic fitness tracking capabilities. In reality, smartwatches have replaced the basic fitness trackers that used to count our steps and then added heart rate monitoring.
And that is where you then start to look at the features of one watch versus another.
How detailed is the heart rate monitoring on the watch?
Does the watch feature advanced health features like Blood Oxygen Measurement, a TGA-authorised ECG?
When it comes to fitness, what sort of activities are you into? Will it monitor the style of activities you do?
And of course there's style. For some, a traditional round face is appealing, while others love the new modern squared off watch style.
The base price is normally a really good indicator of the features of any single brand.
A beginner's guide to smartwatches
Apple Watch SE
Price: $367 (was $399)
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Accessories and bands
Cons:
- SE model lacks advanced health features
- Cheapest models are the smallest size
I've deliberately chosen the entry-level Apple Watch here, because it has the majority of Apple's watch features.
Outstanding activity tracking is at the core of Apple Watch with the "closing of the rings" a common challenge many Watch users love – encouraging you to walk, exercise and just get up during your day.
Additionally, Apple's link to the iPhone is the best of any smartwatch, with great notification sharing meaning you can glance at your watch to see if that's an important email or call, and even respond to messages from your wrist.
Apple also has the largest integration across smartphone apps over to the Apple Watch for a really unified user experience.
In terms of what you miss out on: with the SE model instead of the Series 8 or Ultra, you don't get an 'always on' display, which means the watch screen is black until you raise your wrist to look at it. And there's no Blood Oxygen monitoring or ECG on the Apple Watch SE.
There are two sizes of the SE, and it does have a slightly smaller screen than the Apple Watch Series 8.
Still, the Apple Watch is the best-selling watch in the world – hard to argue with the numbers.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
Price: $343.38 (was $399)
Pros:
- Classic style
- Full screen
- Great fitness tracking
Cons:
- Android-only compatibility
- Single day battery life
Samsung has a long history in smart watches, their 'Gear' range was out years before Apple hit the market with the Apple Watch.
The Galaxy Watch 4 is a great middle of the road option for those who want the health and fitness tracking, but want a rounded style and the advantage of a huge range of customisable watch faces.
The Watch 4 from Samsung has a unique 'body composition' analysis for a full picture of your health, along with blood pressure and ECG.
Sleep tracking is also a strong feature of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, though in my testing the issue is you do need to charge every day, so you need to find those couple of times in the day to take the watch off and charge.
The Watch Face store in the Samsung Wearable app is a big winner, allowing you to have a unique look to your watch.
Withings ScanWatch
Price: $499
Pros:
- Analogue watch with digital capabilities
- Advanced health features included
Cons:
- No touch screen
- Small screen for notifications
- Only compatible with iPhone
The Withings ScanWatch is a favourite among watch wearers who want two really important things that no other smartwatch offers – classic analogue style, and a long battery life.
This is a regular watch with an hour and minute hand which turn like watches did in the years before smartwatches. However, at the top of the face is a small digital screen, which can display the time in a digital mode, but also display a scrolling text string showing your notifications.
Using a simple touch and hold on the side of the watch you can also do Blood Oxygen and ECG readings, which is remarkable in a watch that really doesn't look smart.
The best bit: 30 days battery life. There's no watch with those health features and a battery life that long.
You also get basic activity tracking and heart rate monitoring, too.
The Withings ScanWatch is an outstanding watch that offers great value.
Garmin Vivoactive 4
Price: $449.84
Pros:
- Battery life
- Fitness tracking
Cons:
- Screen brightness
Garmin has a fantastic reputation for their wearables, with some of the most elite athletes in the world using them in marathons, triathlons and many other events.
Their smartwatch range takes a classic style in terms of design, but has a strong reputation for its fitness and activity tracking.
A week-long battery life is a huge selling point here, though it should be noted if you are using the GPS tracking for activities that will drop down and you're up for a daily charge. For most users though, you will see three-to-four day battery life with some GPS-based workout tracking included.
I do always find Garmin watch faces to be a bit dull, but that's in part due to the technology they use, which has a primary focus on battery life not being the best in market.
For anyone who is active at their core, a Garmin must be close to top of the list.
SoundPEATS Smart Watch Fitness Tracker
Price: $49.99
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy-to-read screen
Cons:
- Quality and durability
- Style and accessories
This SoundPEATS Smart Watch is an example of the vast array of sub $100 smartwatches. It is what it says, it pairs with your phone, and will present you with notification alerts from various apps on your phone.
The display is great, and you won't find it hard to glance down to see the time.
However, you get what you pay for. This isn't going to have the quality materials used in its build like those others we mention, nor are you going to be able to get a range of stylish bands to suit it.
But, for many people, they do just want a new look to their step counting, and a smartwatch like this will do your fitness tracking, even sleep tracking, plus offer those smart features like notifications.
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