Smartwatches - reviews, models, tips

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Current smartwatches are small high-tech computers on the wrist that accompany the wearer as a digital assistant in everyday life, during sports and, above all, when traveling and on vacation. With heart rate measurement, ECG and recording of sporting activities, the gadgets are primarily designed for sports and activities. What should current smartwatch models be able to do? What functions should the intelligent wearables have? On this topic page I have listed my current smartwatch tests and put together useful background information.

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Smartwatches – indispensable digital assistants on your wrist?

As the Apple 2015 the first Apple Watch Company CEO Tim Cook said at the presentation that the smart watch wearers would not want to live without them in the future. And his prophecy may have come true. The smartwatches of the major providers have become millions of bestsellers in the last few years, who accompany their wearers as day-to-day intelligent assistants. The digital Watches have blossomed more and more into a small health advisor.

The wearables remind users to get up, breathe, track steps taken throughout the day and, for athletes, all workouts and activities. In this way, users always have an overview of how their movement is doing. And the devices continue to develop: In the meantime, there is already the possibility of using the Apple Watch Series 4 (test) to record his ECG. In addition, the smart watch can detect dangerous atrial fibrillation of the heart.

Continuous development

Current smartwatches from major manufacturers Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei as well as those specially developed for sports activities and outdoor fans Sports Watches Manufacturers Garmin, Suunto, Polar and Fitbit are continually being developed to have a positive impact on the wearer's health. But smartwatches don't just score points in the health sector:

Current models can also be used to make phone calls, send and receive messages, have a walkie-talkie function and yes, they can even display the time. The current smartwatches are therefore much more than just a nice toy - above all, they have become serious competitors mechanical watches become. So that dominated Apple Watch the entire watch market in recent years.

Definition – What is a smartwatch?

The term smartwatch refers to a smart watch. This is an electronic watchUsing numerous sensors, vibration motors, computer functions and wireless connections, it analyzes data and informs the user about his Smartphone Is available.

The best fitness watches: we introduce you to the most important functions and some selected models. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The best fitness watches: we introduce you to the most important functions and some selected models. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

What is important for these wearables is that they can not only display the time, but can also compile a variety of other information for the provider. This information is often obtained using a smartphone such as a iPhone or synchronized Samsung Galaxy. The precursor of the smartwatch was the so-called mobile phone watch, which was worn on the wrist in the 1930er years.

Buy Smart Watches on Amazon

ServicesBestseller no. 1
HUAWEI Watch 4 Pro, space-class titanium alloy case & spherical sapphire crystal, titanium strap, eSIM mobile telephony, compatible with Android & iOS, German version*
  • Aerospace-class Titanium: The HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro...
  • Health quick check with 7 parameters: Health Glance records seven...
  • eSIM mobile telephony: with this smartwatch, you can stay connected without...
ServicesBestseller no. 2
SUUNTO 9 Peak Multisport Watch - Robust Outdoor Smartwatch, Sapphire Glass Screen & 100m Waterproof, Light & Thin, Precise GPS, Long Battery Life, Pulse Measurement on the Wrist, Made in Finland*
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE - Made of stainless steel and sapphire crystal; Weighs only 62...
  • PRECISE GPS & ROUTE PLANNING - Advanced GPS with 2 ...
  • LONG BATTERY LIFE - 5 intelligent battery modes for up to 170 ...
ServicesBestseller no. 3
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 Pro 46mm smartwatch, titanium case, sapphire glass, diving mode, long battery life, wireless charging, heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, Bluetooth calls, 30 month warranty, black*
  • Titanium case sapphire crystal rotating titanium crown
  • The titanium case of the Smartwatch offers the combination of sporty...
  • IP68 certified and waterproof
Bestseller no. 4
SUUNTO Race sports watch - outdoor smartwatch, 1,43" bright AMOLED display with sapphire glass, comfortable watch crown & buttons operation, precise dual-frequency GPS, long battery life, 100m waterproof*
  • Bright screen - 1,43” AMOLED Hi-Res display (466x466) and...
  • Quick operation - In addition to the touchscreen, the ...
  • Precise location - Advanced dual-frequency GPS enables ...
ServicesBestseller no. 5
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro smartwatch, health functions, fitness tracker, long-lasting battery, LTE, 45 mm, black titanium incl. 36 months manufacturer's guarantee [Exclusive to Amazon]*
  • For worry-free use: Free warranty extension to 3...
  • GPS route tracking - with the new Route Workout feature, you can...
  • Long-lasting battery - get going, your watch won't let you...

Overview – What features should modern smartwatches have?

  • Cover glass made of sapphire crystal, housing made of aluminum, stainless steel or titanium
  • bright, high-resolution touchscreen display
  • electrical and optical cardiac sensor
  • Navigation via GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS
  • powerful processor
  • Barometric altimeter
  • Gyrosensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Acceleration Sensor #
  • LTE, WLAN and Bluetooth 5.0
  • long battery life between 18 and 30 hours
  • Inductive charging possible
Hello, I'm Sascha Tobias Tegtmeyer from Hamburg - and a real beach child with heart and soul! Sea fan, travel lover and always up for an adventure. On my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com and the social media channels of Strandkind Travels, I combine my love of traveling and nature with a passion for water sports such as stand-up paddling, diving and surfing. I am a journalist, author and blogger - and I am naturally curious when I get to know new travel destinations and then write about them in detail. As a technology fan, when I'm traveling with my family or alone, I'm always happy to bring a few travel gadgets with me for testing purposes. My favorite travel countries, which I also prefer to write about in my travel blog: USA, Thailand and Maldives.
About the author

I'm just a curious beach kid in the world

Hello, I am Sascha Tobias Tegtmeyer from Hamburg – and a real beach child with heart and soul! Sea fan, travel lover and always up for an adventure. On my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com and the social media channels of Strandkind Travels, I combine my love of traveling and nature with a passion for water sports such as stand-up paddling, diving and surfing. I am a journalist, author and blogger - and I am naturally curious when I get to know new travel destinations and then write about them in detail. As a technology fan, when I'm traveling with my family or alone, I'm always happy to bring a few travel gadgets with me for testing purposes. My favorite travel countries, which I also prefer to write about in my travel blog: USA, Thailand and Maldives.

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stick with Travel Blog Just-Wanderlust.com and @strandkind_co always up to date and just follow me on Instagram!

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My personal smartwatch ranking

RankingSmart watch modelDescription
1. Apple Watch Incredibly Outstanding outdoor smartwatch with many sports functions
2. Apple Watch Series 8Best all-round smartwatch
3.Apple Watch Series 7Sport Smartwatch with precise readings
4.Apple Watch Series 6The Apple Watch Series 7 very similar but smaller display
5.Samsung Galaxy Watch 4Best all-round smartwatch for Android fans
6.Garmin Epix 2Garmin's top outdoor smartwatch with AMOLED and touchscreen
7.Garmin Fenix ​​7Similar to the Garmin Epix 2 but without the AMOLED display
8.Suunto 9 Peak The Suunto high-end model with an award-winning design
9.Apple Watch SE 2Entry-level smartwatch from Apple with fewer features than Apple Watch Series models
10.Suunto 7Suunto Smartwatch with AMOLED display
11.Samsung Galaxy Watch ActiveSlimmed down Galaxy Watch for athletes
12.Garmin Quatix 6Interesting special watch for sailors and water sports fans
13.Garmin Fenix ​​6 ProGarmin's popular outdoor smartwatch in the cheaper previous version
14.Suunto 9 BaroPredecessor of the Suunto 9 Peak
15.Suunto 5 PeakRecommended entry-level model from Suunto
16.Polar GritHigh-end model from the traditional sports watch manufacturer
17.Garmin VenuMid-range Smartwatch model from Garmin with many current functions
18.Apple Watch Series 4older Apple Watch Model that can definitely keep up
19.Garmin Vivoactive 4Entry-level sports smartwatch for the price-conscious
20.Suunto 3 Gen2Inexpensive entry-level model from Suunto
21.Polar UnitEntry-level model from Polar
My personal sports watch ranking with sports smartwatches that I have tested.
Active and athletes can measure their activities on holiday with the matching multifunctional sports watch. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Active and athletes can measure their activities on holiday with the matching multifunctional sports watch. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The main smartwatch features

Current smartwatches offer numerous functions that support the wearer in his everyday life. The models of the major manufacturers are aimed primarily at a health benefits of Gadgetsto help users improve their health and physical fitness. Heart rate, navigation, sports activities and phone features - what are the key features of SmartWatch?

1. Recording the heart rate

A particularly useful feature of smartwatches is the ability to record the wearer's heart rate directly on their wrist. In the past, you had to wear a heart rate monitor with a chest strap to get a reasonably reliable heart rate while jogging or cycling. Continuous measurement throughout the day was out of the question.

Modern smartwatches, on the other hand, have electrical and optical sensors on the bottom of the watch to reliably record the heart rate directly on the wrist. With the Apple Watch you can even make a single-channel EKG that, according to various doctors, should be very accurate and reliable. In addition, the smartwatch can detect dangerous atrial fibrillation of the heart in the background and warn the user in case of doubt.

2. Navigation via GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS

Especially for active people and outdoor enthusiasts, the navigation function via GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS of smartwatches is particularly important. When traveling and on vacation, for example Hiking, Jog and more Activities the route can be displayed directly on the watch and navigated via the smartwatch. The smartphone can comfortably stay in your pocket. Smartwatches usually work with both native navigation andApps the manufacturer and the third-party versions such as the popular Google Maps. This is also possible abroad traveling and on vacation navigate comfortably.

3. Numerous sports modes

With your smartwatch you can record especially the sports activities during the day. An hour of jogging, the bike ride to work and back and the walk to the supermarket can be taken from the Fitness Watch record comfortably. The smartwatches of the major manufacturers usually have numerous sensors and integrated software to record activities, steps and calories as accurately as possible. Here, too, can be used again on the apps of third-party providers such as Runtastic for jogging.

4. phone features

In addition to all health and sports functions, smartwatches can often be used to make phone calls. While initially the phone calls from the smartphone to the clock were mirrored, you can also make calls using the current models and a corresponding eSIM with the watch without a smartphone. This is very useful, for example, in all cases where you do not have the smartphone with you. In addition, emergency calls can be placed very quickly in this way. There are now numerous reports in which an emergency call has saved lives directly from the smartwatch.

5. Reliable operating system and app ecosystem

If you consider the smartwatch as hardware, it can be even if they are the latest from top to bottom Technology crammed, only be as good as the software and the programs that run on it. The major smartwatch manufacturers are therefore making every effort to keep developing the operating systems on smartwatches and adding new, useful functions such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch with Tizen and the Apple Watch with watchOS. Many smartphone apps - also from third-party providers - now offer an additional variant for the smartwatch used, so that some functions are displayed seamlessly on the wearable.

6. Other important functions of smartwatches

Besides these essential ones SmartWatch features there are numerous other ways to use a smartwatch. For example, the Apple Watch detect when the wearer has fallen. In this case, it can automatically trigger an alarm and contact the emergency services to initiate a quick rescue chain. Some smartwatches can now be used to determine the oxygen saturation in the blood.

However, since these values ​​are usually estimated and are based on the calculation of other values, the precision should be taken with caution. Another major advance is likely to be the measurement of blood sugar, which smartwatch providers are currently still working on. It may not be that easy to determine blood sugar without taking a puncture and analyzing the blood. So we can be curious to see what important functions the intelligent wearables will have in the future.

The largest smartwatch manufacturers - in alphabetical order

  • Apple
  • Fitbit
  • Garmin
  • Huawei
  • Polar
  • Samsung
  • Suunto
  • Xiaomi

The top 10 bestseller among the smartwatches on Amazon.de

ServicesBestseller no. 1
HUAWEI Watch GT 3 Pro 46mm smartwatch, titanium case, sapphire glass, diving mode, long battery life, wireless charging, heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, Bluetooth calls, 30 month warranty, black*
  • Titanium case sapphire crystal rotating titanium crown
  • The titanium case of the Smartwatch offers the combination of sporty...
  • IP68 certified and waterproof
ServicesBestseller no. 2
Amazfit Smartwatch GTR 3 with health monitoring, 1,39' AMOLED display, SpO2, cycle monitoring, GPS sports watch with 150+ sports modes, 21 day battery, Alexa for men and women, black, one size*
  • Powerful Zepp OS: Thanks to the intuitive Zepp OS, you will find ...
  • Integrated Alexa and offline voice assistant: With Alexa...
  • 21 days of battery life and AMOLED always-on display with over 100...
ServicesBestseller no. 3
ServicesBestseller no. 4
HUAWEI Watch 4 Pro, space-class titanium alloy case & spherical sapphire crystal, titanium strap, eSIM mobile telephony, compatible with Android & iOS, German version*
  • Aerospace-class Titanium: The HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro...
  • Health quick check with 7 parameters: Health Glance records seven...
  • eSIM mobile telephony: with this smartwatch, you can stay connected without...
ServicesBestseller no. 5
LIGE Men's Smartwatch with Telephone Function for Android iOS 1.43'' Amoled HD Outdoor Sports Watch Smartwatch with 110 Sports Modes, Heart Rate Monitor/Sleep Monitor, IP68 Waterproof Pedometer, 360mAh Battery*
  • 【1.43 '' Amoled HD Touchscreen Rugged Smartwatch】LIGE 2023...
  • 【Improved composite steel case & IP68 waterproof】 The ...
  • 【Bluetooth call and message pushed smartwatch】 The smartwatch for ...
ServicesBestseller no. 6
SUUNTO 9 Peak Multisport Watch - Robust Outdoor Smartwatch, Sapphire Glass Screen & 100m Waterproof, Light & Thin, Precise GPS, Long Battery Life, Pulse Measurement on the Wrist, Made in Finland*
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE - Made of stainless steel and sapphire crystal; Weighs only 64...
  • PRECISE GPS & ROUTE PLANNING - Advanced GPS with 2 ...
  • LONG BATTERY LIFE - 5 intelligent battery modes for up to 170 ...
Bestseller no. 7
TESOFIT Smartwatch Men's 1,43 Inch AMOLED Display 60+ Days Battery, Bluetooth Calls and 70 Modes Sport 50 Waterproof, 24H Sleep Monitor, Military Smartwatch for Android iPhone (Black)*
  • Quality military standard - TESOFIT T2 smartwatch men's with...
  • Why choose AMOLED display--① Visible under sunlight - T2...
  • 60+ days super battery--TESOFIT Smartwatch contains a 100% pure...
ServicesBestseller no. 8
LIGE Smartwatch Men with Metal Strap, 1,39 Inch Military Smart Watch with Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Sleep Monitoring for Android iOS, 100+ Sport Modes Fitness Watch, IP67 Waterproof, Bluetooth Calls*
  • 【Stay in top health】Monitoring your health...
  • 【111 sports modes & 24 months warranty】 If you are a fitness enthusiast ...
  • 【Powerful battery & multiple functions】 The watch is equipped with a ...
ServicesBestseller no. 9
Amazfit T-Rex 2 Smartwatch Orologio Intelligente, GPS, Impermeabile 10 ATM, 150 Modalità di Sportive, Durata della Batteria di 24 Giorni, Cardiofrequencymeter, SpO2, AMOLED da 1.39"*
  • [Adventure Ready] Whether hiking, mountain biking, trail running...
  • [Ultra-long battery life of 24 days] The T-REX 2 Smartwatch offers...
  • [Powerful Zepp operating system and support for...
Bestseller no. 10
SUUNTO Race sports watch - outdoor smartwatch, 1,43" bright AMOLED display with sapphire glass, comfortable watch crown & buttons operation, precise dual-frequency GPS, long battery life, 100m waterproof*
  • Bright screen - 1,43” AMOLED Hi-Res display (466x466) and...
  • Quick operation - In addition to the touchscreen, the ...
  • Precise location - Advanced dual-frequency GPS enables ...

Traveling with the smartwatch

Especially when traveling and on vacation, the Smartwatch can be a useful companion. Above all, athletes benefit because they have their numerous activities in the Vacation can record with the smart watch. Regardless of whether swim in the sea, Jogging on the beach, the ride or the extended discovery tour on foot, all activities are included in the fitness statistics. But a smartwatch is also the first choice for anyone who is lazing around by the pool: it reminds them to get up every now and then and not to forget to breathe.

It belongs to us Smartwatch on the road to the essential part of travel gear and is one of the most important Holiday gadgetsthat we take with us on every short or long trip to get the most important information about vital signs or the surroundings of the resort - and to leave the smartphone in your pocket.

Sports watches – smart wearables for sports

Active and athletes can measure their activities on holiday with the matching multifunctional sports watch. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Active and athletes can measure their activities on holiday with the matching multifunctional sports watch. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

There are now a variety of electronic watches on the market. Some call themselves smartwatches, others call them fitness watches or multifunctional sports watches, outdoor watches or running watches. Our market analysis has shown that the transitions between the categories are fluid. Overall, there is a lot of debate about the usefulness of watches - for some they are useful assistants on the wrist, for others they are unnecessary frills.

Due to numerous new functions, the watches have an advantage compared to smartphones or Tablet some unique features that absolutely justify the purchase of a watch and make it a useful companion in everyday life, sports and traveling. The purchase of a smartwatch is therefore recommended in any case.

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Smartwatch reviews and tips – the wearables are much more than just toys

My conclusion

For us, the smartwatch has become a daily companion, which is worn from morning in the morning to evening. For sleep monitoring we could not get through then. Especially during sports, it is just useful to record your activities and to keep track of how to exercise with the smartwatch. In addition, heart rate recording, ECG and heart monitoring in the background are functions that give a certain degree of security in everyday life.

Furthermore, the smartwatch often supports its wearer in Smartphone leave it in your pocket and not use it. All in all, the smartwatch has become an almost indispensable gadget for everyone who wants to have a small and reliable assistant on their wrist at home, during sports and when travelling.

Which smartwatch model are you using? Share your experiences in the comments.

*Affiliate links (advertising) & Amazon advertisements with affiliate links / sales by Amazon or third-party providers on the Amazon marketplace. / As an Amazon partner, we receive a small commission - you don't pay anything extra. / Product data last updated on November 28.03.2024, XNUMX / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API / Product images are served via a privacy proxy / Disclaimer: The price shown may have increased since the last update. The actual price of the product as stated on the seller's website on Amazon.de at the time of purchase is decisive for the sale. A real-time update of the prices stated above is not technically possible. 

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