When choosing a smartwatch, screen size matters far less than phone compatibility, battery life and the health sensors you actually need. Here is how to get it right.
When picking a smartwatch, check phone compatibility first — it matters more than any single spec.
Phone compatibility
The Apple Watch 11 works only with an „iPhone“ — you cannot even activate it with an „Android“ phone. „Android“ users should look at Samsung, „Google“, Xiaomi and Huawei watches. A „Samsung Galaxy Watch“ is at its best with an „Android“ phone; paired with an „iPhone“ it loses features such as voice replies, some notifications and app support.
Health sensors
- Heart rate and HRV — the baseline, present on every watch.
- ECG (electrocardiogram) — records your heart rhythm and can flag atrial fibrillation (AFib). It is only meaningful if the ECG feature is CE-marked in the EU. Available on the Apple Watch 11, Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, Garmin Venu 4 and the „Fenix“ range.
- SpO2 (blood oxygen) — an approximate reading with a ±2–3 % margin. A healthy adult at rest reads 95–100 %. Good for tracking trends, not for diagnosis.
- Skin temperature, sleep tracking, sleep apnea indicators — show up on mid-range and higher models.
Battery life
This is where the differences are largest. „Apple Watch“ and „Wear OS“ watches usually need charging every day or every other day (about 18–36 hours). Garmin sports models such as the Fenix 8 last a week or more. The Huawei Watch GT 6 also runs up to two weeks. If you dislike daily charging, look this way.
GPS and sport
If you run, swim or cycle, look for built-in GPS and a multi-sport mode. „Garmin“ and the „Apple Watch Ultra“ lead on accuracy and route navigation. For everyday step counting, any model will do.
Display and water resistance
An AMOLED screen is bright and vivid, and an „always-on“ mode shows the time without raising your wrist, though it drains the battery faster. Water resistance is rated in ATM: 5 ATM (50 m) means you can swim in a pool with the watch; „IP68“ alone protects against rain and sweat but is not always suitable for swimming.
What to choose by budget
- iPhone owner — the Apple Watch 11; a cheaper option is the Apple Watch SE 3.
- Android owner — the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.
- Sport and long battery — the Garmin Fenix 8.
- Tight budget — the Xiaomi Watch S4 or a „Huawei“.
You can compare prices in the smartwatches section.
