HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SMARTWATCH FOR YOU

ARE YOU A FITNESS FANATIC?

Most smartwatches feature at least some activity tracking, but others go far deeper. Apple has set the bar very high in terms of built-in workout profiles and biometric tracking, while Google’s tie-in with Fitbit means you can access a wealth of workout insights.

WHICH OS ARE YOU TIED INTO?

It might sound simple, but selecting a smartwatch that works with your existing ecosystem makes the most sense. Apple iPhone users should really only look to one brand (that’ll be Apple…), while Android converts have a little more choice.

DO YOU NEED SMART FEATURES?

One benefit of wearing a smartwatch is that you can receive notifications from your phone to the wrist, but how much of this do you actually need? If it’s not all that much, it’s possible you might be better served by a more affordable fitness tracker.

IS BATTERY LIFE IMPORTANT?

To some users, venturing off-grid with their smartwatches as a navigational tool is important and, as a result, a massive battery life is essential. Unfortunately, some of the latest smartwatches still offer a relatively stingy battery life. So make sure you check if your smartwatch can actually go the distance before heading off into the wilderness on that epic adventure.

ARE YOU AN APP AFICIONADO?

The watch operating system will have an impact on the number and type of apps you can download to your device. Apple has its extensive App Store, while Wear OS offers largely the same substantial spread of software. That said, there are some apps that are bespoke to their respective OS.