GET SMART
The latest smartwatches from Fitbit and Apple tested and rated
£399, apple.com/uk The first Apple Watch that gives you full connectivity without needing your phone nearby.
KEY FEATURES
- GPS - Standard running metrics (pace, time, distance, calories etc) - Customisable training screens - Optical heart-rate sensor - Multisport functionality, including swimming metrics - Waterproof to 50m - Voice updates on run data
THE GOOD
- 4G and cellular work well; in a month of testing, the signal and wi-fi did not drop out once. - Altimeter allows you to monitor flights of stairs climbed and get more-accurate elevation data during/after exercise. - Improved battery life: five hours in GPS mode and 36 hours in normal mode - As well as BPM (beats per minute), the heart-rate app now charts data on average walking and resting rates
THE BAD
- Outdoor run function has no Gps-status indicator. When you hit start you assume it has locked on, but it can take up to two mins to find GPS. The accelerometer covers distance in the meantime, but heart-rate measurement lags behind - EE is the currently the only UK carrier for cellular functionality £299.99, fitbit.com/uk After the Surge and Blaze, this is Fitbit’s third fitness-focused smartwatch, and its most high-end to date.
KEY FEATURES
- Optical heart-rate monitor - GPS - Standard running metrics (pace, time, distance, calories etc) - Multisport functionality, including swimming metrics - Music-playback support - Built-in NFC (near-field communication) for contactless payments
THE GOOD
- Exceptionally clear screen - Excellent battery life: 10 hours in GPS mode; a week otherwise - Sleek but robust design - Uses both GLONASS (Russian) and GPS (US) satellites for more accurate data - No need to select the running mode. Just start running – it will detect what you’re doing and activate automatically - Syncs to a Fitbit Coach app that takes you step-by-step through various body-weight workouts, with instructions displayed on-screen
THE BAD
- It takes too long to transfer data between your phone and the Ionic - Notification function is poor. Texts and emails cannot be fully read and arrive in batches. - Touchscreen response to taps and swipes is patchy