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Apple Watch alternatives: what can the (cheaper) smartwatch competition do?
Apple Watch alternatives: These smart watches want to take on the top dog
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Smart watches can make everyday life easier and are popular companions for sports and fitness activities. Top dog Apple is already selling the well-known Apple Watch in the fifth generation. But what (cheaper) alternatives are there?
Smart watches have not only been inspiring people since yesterday. Well-known manufacturers have been bringing new models onto the market for years. So does top dog and technology giant Apple. The Apple Watch has been part of the American company’s range since 2015 and is already in its sixth generation. But the high purchase price or the Apple universe is not suitable for everyone and users are looking for Apple Watch alternatives. Here we present five smartwatches.
Top dog Apple Watch
The Apple Watch not only scores in terms of popularity, a test by Stiftung Warentest from 2020 also chose the latest Apple Watch Series 6 to the winner. The watch offers the reasonable sports measurement as well as the best test results for telephony, messages and general operation. Warentest found the operating instructions and battery life only mediocre. An important innovation of the sixth generation is an always-on screen that is up to 2.5 times brighter than that of the Series 5. In addition, an optical oxygen sensor measures the oxygen in the blood and instead of the barometric altimeter, Apple has installed one in the Series 6 active altimeter. In addition, the battery of the new Apple Watch charges faster and lasts longer.
Cheap Apple Watch alternatives
Like all smart gadgets, smartwatches collect personal data from their users. In exchange for the use of heart rate monitors, sleep trackers and the like, the watches collect data. This not only affects the big manufacturers like Samsung or Garmin, but also the cheap Apple Watch alternatives. Therefore, before making a purchase, always find out about the data protection of the products and apps used.
1. Amazfit Smartwatch
Compared to the Apple Watch, the case of the Smartwatch consists of Amazfit from plastic. However, the optics can keep up with the original. With up to 45 days of battery life, the Amazfit should last longer than Apple’s watch. The 1.65 inch display has enough space for reading notifications. An app for iOS and Android enables connection to different devices. Classic functions such as step counters, GPS, heart rate monitors and sleep trackers are also included. The smartwatch is also waterproof.
2. Lintelek Smartwatch
The breathable belt of the Lintelek smart watch should have a positive effect on comfort. Six brightness levels enable individual adjustment for different times of the day and night. The heart rate is continuously recorded and should enable a comprehensive analysis of the sleep quality. The 1.3 inch color screen offers enough space for a detailed display.
The competition’s Apple Watch alternatives
There are not only cheap options, but also products from well-known competitors.
1. Garmin Forerunner 245
In a test by Stiftung Warentest in 2019, the Apple Watch Series 5 made it to first place. the Garmin Forerunner 245 was the only other model in the test that also got a good grade. In terms of measuring accuracy of the fitness functions, it can keep up with the Apple Watch when running and walking. In contrast, she performs worse in swimming and cycling. Battery life and music playback, on the other hand, work better than with Apple. The Garmin Forerunner 245 received the overall grade “good” (2.2) in the test.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
When it comes to notifications, telephony, navigation and music, Samsung’s smartwatch is also interesting. the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active was only rated “satisfactory” (2.9) by Stiftung Warentest, but scored with its touchscreen and low price. As far as the fitness functions are concerned, however, users should make compromises with the smartwatch. The Samsung Galaxy Watch should also offer 45 hours of battery life and integrated memory for hundreds of songs. The watch is made of high-quality aluminum and is water-resistant.
3. Huawei Watch GT2
The framework of Huawei Watch GT2 made of stainless steel should give the watch a high-quality and stable look. Bluetooth 5.1 ensures a stable connection technology. The watch is also waterproof, has a pedometer, heart rate monitor, sleep tracker and GPS, and good speakers. That too microphone should be convincing and well suited for telephoning. According to the manufacturer, the battery life should be 14 days. Using an app, you can pair both Android and iOS-based devices — however, it is not possible to connect an app store, so you can only access the pre-installed apps.
Apple Watch Alternatives
The options range from cheap to expensive. When choosing your new smartwatch, keep in mind that it is not a fitness tracker. The two gadgets are often confused because their functions partially overlap. However, an authentic Apple Watch alternative is only a real smartwatch and not a fitness tracker. Smart watches can do more, for example they are also suitable for making phone calls or can display notifications from different apps. Many smartwatches from other manufacturers can be paired with the iPhone, but the interaction is not as extensive as with the Apple Watch because it is optimally adapted to the Apple ecosystem.
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