Smartwatches are great for keeping you in touch with the things that matter most to you. They can send alerts from your phone straight to your wrist, for things like calls, text messages, calendar appointments, news stories and more - so you don’t need to stay glued to your phone all day.
With so many different types of smartwatch available, choosing one can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve created this guide – to help you get the answers you need and find the smartwatch that’s right for you.
A few things to consider first…
There’s a lot to think about when you decide to buy a new smartwatch, so we’ve rounded up the key factors right here:
Compatibility. Make sure your smartwatch is compatible with your smartphone's operating system.
Features. Choose a phone with features you’ll use the most, whether that's fitness tracking, notifications, or mobile payments.
Style. Looks are important, so spend some time checking out the smartwatch designs, including the watch face and watch straps that are available for it.
Battery life. Go for longer battery life if you want your watch to keep going without worrying about frequent charging.
The best smartwatch for iPhone users
Why not try… the Apple Watch series 9
The Apple Watch series 9 is one of the best Apple smartwatches around, and a perfect partner for your iPhone. WatchOS 10 breathes new life into your favourite apps and squeezes more information onto the Always-On Retina display. It’s brighter and bolder than ever, so you'll have no problem seeing it even in bright sunlight.
Behind the scenes, the new Silicone S9 SiP chip keeps everything running smooth and lightning fast. Siri has been given a facelift too, and your request are processed on the device so they're faster, more accurate, and more secure.
The best Samsung smartwatch
Why not try… the Galaxy Watch 6
The Galaxy Watch 6 really looks the part, with its slim design and sapphire crystal glass display. The rotating bezel smoothly scrolls through menus and makes the most of the larger display to give you all the info you need.
Want an all-round picture of your health? The Galaxy Watch 6 gives you exactly that, and keeps an eye on your heart rate, blood pressure, periods, body composition, and more. And it uses all that data to coach you on your workouts, so you can ace that 2K, 5K or 10K (steady on there) and improve your fitness.
The best Android watch
Why not try… the Google Pixel Watch
Google owns the Android operating system, so it makes sense that the Google Pixel Watch gives you an amazing Android experience. You'll find all your favourite Google apps, including Maps for directions and Wallet for contactless payments. And of course, there's Google Assistant, ready to answer your questions, play your music, switch on your smart lights, and so much more.
The Google Pixel Watch also features Fitbit support, so you'll be able to keep track of your steps, calories, heart rate, and sleep to improve your health and fitness.
The best sports and fitness smartwatch
Why not try… the Fitbit Versa 4
Fitbits are made for sports and fitness, and the Fitbit Versa 4 is one of the best sports watches around.
Ready for the gym? Not sure? Check if you're due for a workout or recovery day with Daily Readiness Scores. The Fitbit Versa 4 uses insights such as activity, sleep, and heart rate so you can stay more in tune with your body, and you'll get suggested workouts and a daily Active Zone Minutes goal. You can track a huge range of sporty activities, with over 40 modes including strength training, golf, and kayaking.
The best smartwatch for health monitoring
Why not try… the Garmin Venu 2S
Here’s a smartwatch that puts your health first. The Garmin Venu 2S is absolutely packed with powerful health monitoring features including heartbeat irregularity warnings, blood-oxygen saturation, stress monitoring and more.
Throughout the day you can keep track of your daily step count, the floors you've climbed, and calories burned. There’s also a Body Battery that finds the best times for activity and rest by measuring your heart rate, blood oxygen, menstrual cycle, hydration, respiration and sleep. And you can even create your own workouts with Garmin Connect.
FAQs
Can a smartwatch work without a smartphone?
The short answer is yes. A smartwatch can work without a smartphone, but its functionality might be limited.
If your smartwatch isn’t connected to your phone, it might lose certain features like call and message notifications. But it might still be able to run lots of features like fitness tracking, playing music, and any apps that are designed to work directly on the smartwatch.
Is my phone compatible with my smartwatch?
Apple Watches will only work with an iPhone. On the other hand, Android smartwatches are compatible with most smartphones, even if they aren’t Android.
You should definitely check that your phone’s compatible with the watch you’re thinking of buying. You’ll find this info on the individual smartwatch product pages of the Currys website.
What are the most popular smartwatch brands?
The most popular smartwatch brands in the UK are Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, Huawei and Samsung. Here’s what each one has to offer:
Apple. A stylish watch that seamlessly integrates with iPhone. Lots of apps to choose from.
Fitbit. In-depth fitness tracking, long battery life, and user-friendly interface.
Garmin. Outstanding fitness and outdoor tracking, GPS accuracy, and durability.
Google. Easy to use software and access to a wide range of Fitbit metrics.
Huawei. Decent battery life, reliable health tracking, and Android compatibility.
Samsung. Great displays and user-friendly interface, plus impressive fitness tracking.
Need any help?
If you’d like more advice on choosing the best smartwatch or smart fitness accessories, our smart fitness buying guide is a great place to start. You can also check out our smartwatches: everything you need to know article. Or why not pop in-store and ask one of our colleagues for help? They’re always happy to chat.
