Your wrist only deserves the best companion
The smartwatch is the ultimate smartphone accessory. You can tell the time, of course, but you can also send important notifications directly to the wrist, and run native applications.
What is more impressive is that many of the best models of today can also perform a ton of innovative tricks, such as allowing you to search the Internet with your voice, track your exercise on GPS, and allow you to check-out in the supermarket without having to take out your wallet.
Oh yes - and they look absolutely awesome to begin with.
For some time, jumping into the world of smart watches was a risky move. But now, with the compelling efforts put forth by Google with Android Wear, Apple with watchOS, and more, there has never been a better time to put portable technology on a leash.
Choosing the smartwatch that is right for you is not easy, but we hope that the exciting process of choosing your next (or first!) Smartwatch is as simple as possible.
1. Apple Watch 2
Fitness takes over Apple Watch
Operating system: watchOS 3 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.53 "OLED | Processor: S2 dual-core | band sizes: Varies drastically by clock size | storage board: 8GB (only 2GB and 75MB allowed by music and photos, respectively) | battery: 18 hours | IP rating: IPX7 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
The Apple Watch 2 is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. It's water resistant, which means it's more durable than most other devices on this list and you will not have to worry about letting it get wet when you're jogging outdoors.
There is GPS on board to make running a bit easier, plus the latest watchOS 3 software comes running. Intelligent design that looks very similar to the original Apple Watch. Be careful, the Apple Watch 2 is expensive.
If you already have an Apple Watch, Apple Watch 2 may not be worth the upgrade, but there are some solid improvements that mean it's worth spending that little bit more if this is your first usable Apple laptop.
2. Samsung Gear S3
Samsung's latest big bet against Apple - literally
Operating system: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.3 "360 x 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.0 GHz | band sizes: S (105 x 65mm) L (130 x 70mm) | storage board: 4GB | battery life: 3 days | Charging method: Wireless | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G
Despite a serious lack of original applications, the Samsung Gear S3 is one of the best options in the market.
The intuitive controls and Samsung Gear S2 Super AMOLED screen are back in full form here. In addition, the GPS makes its debut in the Gear S3.
While its appearance is more executive than the Gear S2, it rocks an IP68 protected construction and can last up to 3 days of use before needing a load.
Samsung recently made the Gear S3 (and Gear S2, for that matter) compatible with iOS. Therefore, if you are looking for a more traditional alternative to the Apple Watch, you may have found the perfect one.
3. LG watch style
The thinnest Android Wear smartwatch on the market
Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS8.2 + | Display: 1.2 "360 x 360 P-OLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Storage board: 4GB | Battery life: up to 24 hours | Charging method: USB conductive charger | IP Rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi , Bluetooth
The watch style of LG (built in collaboration with Google) offers everything that is to love the best Android Wear smartwatches, it removes the fearful casing deflated, and fills the gap with interesting features, useful and a lot of .. style
Put all that together and you're left with a very attractive presentation that makes a strong and powerful argument for the usable Google platform. But here are some family issues.
The battery life is still a weak point, and, as independent as Android Wear 2.0 claims to be, Google is still in the early days of filling the new Play Store with compatible applications that are attractive enough to differentiate yours. The appeal of the style lies more in what will be soon, rather than what is in the release.
That said, it's easy to express why Style is the only smart watch we want to put on our wrists. For $ 249, (£ 249 / AU $ 325, but not confirmed for AU), it offers the same utility as previous smartwatch attempts, but ups the ante with a slim and elegant design and several welcome features, such as Google Assistant Voice activated and an updated user interface that is full of smart settings.
4. LG Watch Sport
Google Android phone on your wrist
Operating system: Android Wear 2.0 | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.38 "OLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100 | band sizes: large fixed band | on-board storage: 4GB | battery: 16 hours | Charging Method: Wireless | IP Rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth , NFC
LG Watch Sport is the smartwatch to take at this moment simply because it is a full-featured fitness tracker wrapped in a smartwatch with Android Wear 2.0. While other smart watches can do "fitness tracking" that barely collects the amount of trots and calories burned, this watch tracks your strength training, too.
It is also one of the few smart watches that supports an LTE connection, that is, if you insert a SIM card on the back of the watch, you can make and receive calls and data without your smartwatch nearby.
It does not have the best battery life, although its size is larger than normal, and applications are still announced for the newly renewed Google platform. But it is an appropriate step for Android Wear and for smart watches in general.
5. Asus ZenWatch 3
ZenWatch develops its third attempt
Operating system: Android Wear | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.39 "400 x 400 AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Case Dimensions: 44mm Diameter, 9.9mm Thickness | On-Board Storage: 4GB | Battery: 2 Days | Charging Method: Through proprietary USB charger | IP Rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
If you're in the market for an Android Wear smartwatch, the Asus ZenWatch 3 should be near the top of your list. It has a large screen, useful hardware buttons and good battery life. And although the process of adopting Android Wear 2.0 has been slow, the company says it will be out soon.
His style may not be for everyone, and he lacks some sensors, but Asus did an admirable job designing a watch that looks more like a premium watch than a piece of lifeless technology.
6. Huawei watch 2
A well-equipped smartwatch with too many functions
Operating system: Android Wear 2.0 | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.2 "AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon wear 2100 | Sizes Band: Replaceable band Fixed at 140-210mm | Storage board: 4GB | Battery: Up to 2 days | Charging method: Wired | IP Rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi -Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, 4G (In selected regions)
It is not the successor that we imagined it would be, the Huawei Watch 2 attracts a sports crowd that values function over form. And in terms of functions, this smartwatch is full of them. GPS, NFC, even 4G connectivity is available in some regions.
For all its benefits, we want the Huawei watch 2 to be maintained with a Premium design. The bulky construction, mostly plastic, does not go well against the toughest competition. Also a drawback is that its screen is smaller in this version, but on the positive side, it has won spiffy Android Wear 2.0 software.
7. Moto 360 (2nd generation)
The Moto smartwatch is a matter of beauty
Operating system: Android Wear | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.37 "or 1.56" LCD | Processor: 1.2 GHz quad-core | Dimensions of the box: 42 mm or a diameter of 46 mm, each 11.4mm thick | On board storage: 4GB | Battery: 1.5-2 days, depending on size | Charging method: wireless | IP Classification: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth...
8. Apple Watch
IPhone-fixed smartwatch is expensive, but convenient
Operating system: watchOS 3 | Compatibility: iOS | Screen: 1.53 "OLED | Processor: S1 System-in-Package (SIP) | Band sizes: Drastically varies by style | Storage board: 8GB (only 2GB and 75MB allowed by music and photos, respectively) | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP Rating: IPX7 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Once you get over the high price, estee is a genuinely useful thing to have around sometimes. Being able to check when you have a message, or see who is calling and be able to make quick decisions, feels like the future, especially when you're exercising or in another situation where grabbing your phone is not practical.
The new Apple watchOS 3 enhancements really help this leap into the future SmartWatch, even if the hardware is more than a year old. Now it's faster, more usable and comes with watch faces that make it feel more personal.
And as application developers use the new tools, there will be much more to come as well.
Also, the Apple Watch 2 now is not as expensive as it once was.
9. Huawei watch
The debut of the wearable Huawei makes a striking entrance
Operating system: Android Wear | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.4 "AMOLED | Processor: 1.2 GHz quad-core | Case dimensions: 42 mm in diameter, 11.3 mm in thickness | on-board storage: 4 GB | battery: 2 days | Charging method: Wireless | IP Classification: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
The Huawei watch is not perfect, with the life of the dubious battery that ruins the magnificent presentation. The imminent update of Android Wear 2.0 should help improve that.
But that should not stop you, since its price, once high, is falling fast and, in general, it's an almost perfect mix of fashion and technology that is closer to winning the title of "smartwatch that I would really wear".
10. Samsung Gear S2
A smartwatch that has withstood the test of time
Operating system: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.2 "360 x 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.0 GHz | band sizes: S (105 x 65mm) L (130 x 70mm) | storage board: 4GB | battery life: More than 1 day | Charging method: Wireless | IP Rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G (in some regions)...