Dozens of brands of wearable electronics are available in 2022, from Samsung to Xiaomi. Many of them are as good as the flagship Apple Watch Series 7 in terms of features while costing significantly less. Here are the best smartwatches for every budget.
In the future, everyone is likely to have a smartwatch (at least that’s what scientists have predicted). They have a chance to make mankind healthier and significantly unload the healthcare system. Even now, wearable electronics can monitor dozens of health parameters, from pulse and ECG to blood oxygen content. Previously, you had to go to a hospital for this – now a small bracelet on your wrist is enough.
Smartwatches allow us not only to measure and analyze indicators, but they can also be a way to interact with the world. Through them, you can control music on your smartphone, browse maps, learn about new calls and messages, get notifications from an online casino in South Africa, and pay in stores using NFC. Most models are equipped with their own OS and support the installation of apps for maximum personalization.
A well-known example of such watches is the Apple devices. The company owns 30% of the market, and with the release of new models SE 2 and Series 8 in the fall of 2022, the share can still grow. According to the sum of the characteristics they are considered one of the best, however, firstly, their capabilities are fully disclosed only with the iPhone, and secondly, Asian giants Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi, which sometimes offer the same functionality for more reasonable money, are stepping on their heels.
SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 4
This is the first Samsung watch with Google Wear OS 3 instead of the Koreans’ own Tizen operating system, so it supports a maximum of applications and is compatible with any Android phone (iOS, however, doesn’t work at all).
Like previous Samsung models, they are round. They look like a classic watch, the minus – the text on it fits less than on the rectangular Apple screen. Galaxy Watch 4 is equipped with an AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass DX oleophobic coating. The case has a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can answer calls and messages through the watch, including in messengers. Work quickly due to the dual-core processor and 1.5 GB of RAM. Built-in memory is 16 GB.
The watch measures many parameters, including blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, ECG, calories burned, and even fat levels, but some of the features work only when paired with Samsung phones. The Watch 4 has a standard 20mm wide strap, and the screen diameter can be 40mm or 44mm (or 42/46mm for Galaxy Watch 4 Classic models).
The main drawback of Samsung’s new watch is its relatively poor battery life. With active use, they will last a little more than a day, so it is better to choose the maximum available dial size (for comparison, the 40 mm model has a battery capacity of 247 mAh, and the 44 mm model – 361 mAh).
HUAWEI WATCH GT3
Works on Huawei’s own operating system – Harmony OS and is well paired with a smartphone of the same brand (this is a common place for most gadgets, just as Samsung watches are best revealed with Samsung phones, and Apple watches – with iPhone). Apps for Huawei Watch GT3 can be downloaded from AppGallery, but their selection will be significantly less than on Android. But this model, albeit with limitations, can be used with Apple equipment.
The strong point of the Huawei Watch GT3 is the battery. You can use the watch without recharging for up to 14 days in normal mode and up to 8 days in active mode. In terms of style, this smartwatch was conceived as a premium, but otherwise, it is similar to Samsung: it has a round and clear AMOLED touch screen, you can take calls and answer messages and monitor a lot of parameters – from blood oxygen levels to stress monitoring.
For those looking for maximum premium, there is a Huawei Watch 3 Pro version with a titanium case, sapphire crystal, and a leather strap. Additionally, there is a module for eSIM, so the watch can work without a smartphone. The model costs almost twice as much as the basic model.
HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2
Another model from Huawei also runs on HarmonyOS and has an AMOLED screen, but this time it is rectangular – like the Apple Watch. There is a built-in GPS, the ability to measure basic health parameters, and 97 training programs, which are accompanied by 3D graphics and show how to perform certain exercises correctly. At the same time, the watch is able to work without recharging for up to 10 days in standard mode (and up to 7 days in active mode). With such an amazing set of features, it’s inexpensive and can be considered a budget watch.
AMAZFIT BIP U PRO
Amazfit is a brand indirectly owned by Xiaomi, which deals with wearable electronics and has quite a few models. Amazfit BIP U PRO is one of the best options in terms of value for money.
This watch has a 1.43″ rectangular TFT display, and although the battery inside is 230 mAh, it lasts up to 9 days without recharging. Despite being considered a budget model, there is a GPS sensor inside and a voice assistant with Amazon Alexa integration. With the Amazfit BIP U PRO, you can receive calls and messages, control your smartphone’s music and camera, and the built-in Zepp app lets you choose from 50 dial designs, or put your own picture. The watch works with both Android and iOS smartphones.
Amazfit BIP U PRO allows you to track 60+ types of physical activity, can measure heart rate and heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, stress levels, sleep quality, and other parameters.
Of course, these aren’t all options – there are dozens of smartwatches from different manufacturers on marketplaces. For example, you can mention the Oppo Watch, which is called a near-perfect copy of the Apple Watch for Android. Or Xiaomi’s budget models – they mostly boast high battery life, and that’s not to mention a huge number of hybrid models like Casio or Fossil. For most watches, you can buy a strap separately and tweak the style of the device in the right direction.
