It was not a long time ago when smartwatches were considered a novelty item that only a few people used to buy. However, things have certainly changed now as smartwatches have become mainstream with a number of brands offering high-quality models. For instance, Samsung smartwatches come in numerous models with different sets of features. With so many options available, one can get bewildered when choosing a smartwatch. In this article, we break down the factors that you should be aware of before getting a smartwatch.
Compatibility with Your Phone
This is one of the most important considerations for purchasing a smartwatch. Check the platform on which a smartwatch runs to ensure that it’s compatible with your phone. Apple has developed Watch OS, the platform used in Apple Watch devices. Watch OS is only compatible with Apple devices, meaning you can only use an Apple Watch with an iPhone.
Android Wear, the OS developed by Google, works well with both Android and Apple phones. Smartwatches by some manufacturers like Garmin, Fitbit, and Samsung use their own proprietary platform, which is compatible with both Android and iOS. For example, Samsung smartwatches use Tizen OS, which is compatible with any smartphone. Depending on the OS, there will be varying levels of compatibility with your phone and smartwatch apps.
Access to Apps
There are countless apps available for smartwatches. However, the apps you can access from a particular smartwatch differ according to the platform it runs on. Apple’s Watch OS has a large variety of apps to choose from. Now you can use many apps on a Samsung smartwatch thanks to the increasing gamut on Tizen OS. Opt for a smartwatch that supports the apps you would use the most.
Fitness Features
One of the top reasons why people purchase smartwatches is the health-related features they offer. Find out the features that a smartwatch offers before investing in it. A good smartwatch must at least track your steps, calories, workout and heart rate. Many smartwatches come equipped with GPS for mapping activities like jogging and cycling. This feature tracks your route during the activity without the need to carry your phone with you.
Another interesting feature is sleep tracking, which gauges the quality of your sleep. Some smartwatches offer more advanced fitness features such as monitoring blood oxygen level, estimating recovery time and measuring UV light exposure. Choose your smartwatch based on how many of these health-focused features you want.
Battery Performance
A smartwatch with a dead battery is as functional as an analogue watch. While some smartwatches have a battery life of 18 hours, others boast of days of operation on a single charge. A device with a large screen is likely to consume more power. More features generally mean lesser battery life; however, it can differ from brand to brand. Ascertain your primary use for a smartwatch and find the right balance between the features you need and the battery life. Some smartwatches also come with fast charging support, so you don’t need to worry about battery life. For example, many models of the Samsung Galaxy Watch come with a wireless fast charger.
Calling
One of the useful features of a smartwatch is the eSIM support. With this feature, your smartwatch can use your phone’s mobile number to make and receive calls. Thus, if you’re not carrying your phone, you don’t have to worry about missing a call as you will have your smartwatch on your wrist. Determine if you want this feature before choosing a smartwatch.
Build and Design
The perfect smartwatch ought to be strong and durable, so you can use it for years without damage. Steer clear of devices made of cheap materials that are prone to breakage. Furthermore, you should choose a waterproof smartwatch if you want to wear it near water. For example, if you want to track your activity during swimming, a waterproof smartwatch is what you need.
Also Read: The Deal About Smartwatches
Secondly, your smartwatch should be comfortable on your wrist and also look good. Choose the design of your smartwatch so that you would want to be seen wearing it. You can choose a watch with either a rubberized strap or a metal one, depending on your preference. Some brands offer smartwatches in different sizes and customization options for the straps of the watch. Moreover, Samsung smartwatches allow you to customize the face of your watch with the option to choose from millions of faces.
Other Features
After considering the above-mentioned factors, you can look for the other features that a smartwatch offers. Some smartwatches have NFC, which lets you pay for things with your watch. Certain Samsung smartwatch models let you store music locally and listen to it through a pair of earbuds. Explore the latest features offered by smartwatch brands and choose the one that seems useful to you.
Once you’ve determined which smartwatch suits you the best, you can purchase it at no-cost EMIs by using the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card. Convert the total amount into bite-sized monthly installments by using the EMI Network Card. This renders your purchase affordable and extremely convenient.
