Your Guide to Choosing a Smartwatch

Users may assume that only Apple and Samsung manufacture smartwatches, but markets are full of different brands and it is becoming harder to choose one. In addition to the brand, you also need to consider some other factors before making your decision to choose what best meets your needs and is within your budget.

If you are looking for tips and advices for buying a smartwatch, you will find what you need in this article! We will tell you the important factors you need to know before making a decision.

With the widespread of smartwatches, and the competition between companies to produce them in a standard watch design, it is hard to find a suitable one. The uses of a smartwatch varies between using apps that control the smartphone, answering phone calls, using the camera, health apps that monitor hear rate and footsteps, and using maps, etc..

Smartwatches sometimes support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and wireless connectivity.

The spread of smartwatches is because companies want to provide users with ease of access to applications and notifications without the need to check phones every time they ring.

2015 was the smartwatches year, as companies started competing. Smartwatches were available before that but users were not as aware as they are now! It is expected that the sales will rise even more in 2016.

There is no precise statistics for the accurate number of smartwatch users in the Middle East, but recent reports state that Arab users make a somewhat big segment of the smartwatch market.

It is certain that companies will focus on the watch’s appearance and design in 2016 as these are important factors to the user since the features and specifications of smartwatches are similar to one another.

The most famous manufacturers of smartwatches are: Apple, Samsung, Sony, LG, Asus, Pebble, Huawei, GTC, Casio, Fossil, Motorola, and many others.

So, how can you choose a smartwatch with this much diversity?

Factors and Specifications for Choosing a Smartwatch

Labeb.com will guide you to choose the best product that meets your needs and is within your budget. We will now bring you the important factors you need to consider before making a purchase, such as:

Operating System: Just like smart devices, smartwatches are powered on operating systems like Android, iOS, Tizen, and Pebble, each with their own applications, benefits, and limitations. Make sure you determine the operating system you need before making a final decision.

To clarify, we must point out that watches operating on iOS (made by Apple), are only compatible with iPhone since the operating system does not work with any other. Watches powered by Android on the other hand are compatible with all devices operating on Android like Samsung, LG, Motorola, and others. Lately, a feature was added to Android watches to operate on iPhone but it gives a very limited compatibility.

Speaking of other operating systems, we must point that Tizen powers a very small number of Samsung watches and it is an open source system and is built on Linux. Watches powered by Pebble are compatible with iOS and Android systems.

It is important to choose an operating system first. iOS allows users to change the watches interface and enjoy many applications and Android will be easy to use  especially with Google apps.

Smartphone Compatibility: After choosing an operating system, you need to make sure it is compatible with your smartphone or your preferred smartphone (if you change constantly). Make sure the watch you buy will be compatible with your device for at least 2 to 3 years.

Battery: It is important to check the battery life of the smartwatch you want to purchase and how long it can last before needing a recharge. The question here is how long do you want the watch to last before charging it?

It is important to note here that some smartwatches last for almost two days before needing a recharge, while others (Pebble) may last for a whole week. Therefore, you need to check battery life after choosing a system and checking compatibility.

Design and Appearance: after the three factors above, you need to decide what do you want your watch to look like? Do you prefer a circular, rectangular, or square shape, big or small watches, leather or metallic band, screen type, and whether the band can be changeable?

All these factors will limit your search and direct you towards certain models.

Other Factors: Smartwatches have many other features, and companies compete to release watches with different specifications, like multiple backgrounds, music players, radio, voice commands, circular strap around the watch (a feature limited to circular watches) which facilitates switching between apps, 3G connection, alarms, health and fitness apps, heart rate monitor, metabolism monitor, and many other features.

All smartwatches have touchscreens except for Pebble. In Pebble watches you can only use side buttons.

Sensors and Light Sensors: Since we are talking about smartwatches, we must refer to their screens. You can always adjust the screen’s brightness during night time, but what about using it during the day, especially under direct sunlight?

Generally, smartwatches adjust the brightness on their own according to the amount of light exposure. During the night, watches lower the brightness to save battery, but in daylight, the watch increases the brightness level for a clearer screen.

It is better to make sure the watch has this type of sensor, since very few watches lack this feature and so users have to manually change the brightness.

Water Resistance:  Some watches can take a few spilled drops, but what if you want to use the smartwatch the same way you use a regular one? What if you want to swim while wearing one? Here your options are limited and might be only restricted to Sony watches even though they can last for a certain period of time under a certain depth (1.30 meters for half an hour).

As for Pebble watches, and since they do not have a touch screen, they were designed to withstand deeper lengths; meaning they are the closest to traditional water resistant watches.

Applications: After listing all the factors above, you need to check the type of applications you want and make sure they are operable on the smartwatch you chose, or through the operating system the watch is powered on.

Summary, Quick Tips

After listing the factors and specifications, you should be able to determine the best type of watch for you. All is left now is some tips that will guarantee you a 100% smart buying decision.

Before listing the tips, we must point out that people who like watches will focus on a watch that tells the time (a feature in all smartwatches) and most watches look like traditional watches (they have pointers) and provides a unique electronic experience combining between a traditional and smart watch.

Also, the majority of smartwatches will enable users to choose the interface, whether analogue or traditional, with or without date, 24 hours or 12 hours format, as well as other features like managing phone calls, text messages, emails, social networks, and many other applications.

Nonetheless, do not assume smartwatches will replace smartphones any time soon since they are still being improved. They have small screens and limited tasks and features which limit our ability to perform everything we want. This might be possible in the future, but for the time being, it still remains an accessory to your smartphone.

Labeb tips before making a purchase:

Do not buy a watch before making sure it is compatible with the device you are using or plan to use in the next 2 – 3 years. That is because the watch will lose many of its features if it is not connected to your phone.

Choose the operating system first, then the design and appearance, and finally other features to ensure getting the right watch for you.

Do not forget to check battery life.

Make sure the smartwatch supports the applications you are planning to use through it.

The prices of smartwatches range between 150 USD (560 SAR’s) and 700 USD (2642 SAR’s) before taxes, so make sure you get what you need within your budget.

After these tips, you can choose the suitable watch, so make sure you are making the right decision.

We must point out that smartwatches are being developed and improved constantly, as companies are competing against each other to produce the best types, sizes, design, and system specs.

Nonetheless, the main use of smartwatches remains the health and fitness applications, but that does not disregard other uses. And we will see in the future more compatibility between the watch and the phone.

The Tech World is continuously growing, developing, and being innovative. And just like we promise, we will always bring you all the new updates in this world and be your guide to making the smart and wise decisions.

Do not forget to visit Labeb!