Smart watch for Android/ Google

[Jamescrs]

Morning all,

Full disclosure im not a fan of smart watches myself- hence the lack of knowledge here.

I'm looking for a smart watch for the Mrs for her Birthday. She's not really into fitness but she wants one that counts steps and she can wear swimming in a pool when she takes the kids a few times a week.

So the criteria are fairly simple I think, needs to be waterproof and needs to link to Android (Samsung Galaxy S20).

My two front runners are the Galaxy Watch 4 and something by Fitbit.

Can anyone offer any advice or recommendations one way or the other?

Thanks

[David_M]

Jamescrs said:

I'm looking for a smart watch for the Mrs for her Birthday. She's not really into fitness but she wants one that counts steps and she can wear swimming in a pool when she takes the kids a few times a week.

So the criteria are fairly simple I think, needs to be waterproof and needs to link to Android (Samsung Galaxy S20).

My two front runners are the Galaxy Watch 4 and something by Fitbit.

My OH has had a few fitbits and likes them - I think a combination of reasonably "stylish" and the various things that they track. I think that the one that she currently has is the Luxe.

Some thoughts:

• Does she want a tracker or a smartwatch? Tracker being smaller screen and couting steps etc but really you need to use the app to see the data or a smartwatch with a big screen so that you can read msgs / play spotify etc?
• The swimming thing is very specific - is it necessary? Having googled quickly the fitbits are all rated 50m, which I have always understood to mean "not really waterproof" although it does say that swimming is ok. It also says that some of them the buttons need to be locked for swimming, so less useful.
• The fitbit app is weirdly cantankerous on Android (or at least was, not 100% sure now but worth checking) in that it would not work on all current android phones and generally connecting it could randomly be a PITA.

[Jamescrs]

David_M said:

My OH has had a few fitbits and likes them - I think a combination of reasonably "stylish" and the various things that they track. I think that the one that she currently has is the Luxe.

Some thoughts:

• Does she want a tracker or a smartwatch? Tracker being smaller screen and couting steps etc but really you need to use the app to see the data or a smartwatch with a big screen so that you can read msgs / play spotify etc?
• The swimming thing is very specific - is it necessary? Having googled quickly the fitbits are all rated 50m, which I have always understood to mean "not really waterproof" although it does say that swimming is ok. It also says that some of them the buttons need to be locked for swimming, so less useful.
• The fitbit app is weirdly cantankerous on Android (or at least was, not 100% sure now but worth checking) in that it would not work on all current android phones and generally connecting it could randomly be a PITA.

Thanks for the reply. She does want a proper smart watch rather than a tracker band.

She currently has a Fosil smart watch of some description which she wears daily and uses it for viewing notifications etc but it's looked quite tired in the 12 months She has had it and not waterproof.

She specif8cally wants to swim in it which Samsung say is OK with the watch 4 upto 5 feet depth for 30 mins. She won't be diving, just lengths so I think that should be OK?

[Tyre Smoke]

I'm not a fan of smart watches. But I got a Samsung Watch 4 free with my flip phone. So...

I'm very impressed. It works well with the flip, both being Samsung. It links with Samsung Health on your phone so auto detects steps, etc. Can also measure heart rate and blood pressure and apparently stress levels. Obviously it has loads of different faces available and all the apps.

Only downside? Needs to be charged every day. But it really isn't too much of a chore. Lots of different straps available from the bay which are easy to change.

[Big E 118]

These guys are a bit under the radar, I've only heard of them as I invested in their Kickstarter campaign some years back. I bought the then flagship watch and still use it for exercise.

The Google Wear/Fit integration is excellent, battery life excellent and I've not had any issues with my (around) 4/5 year old watch to date. Also OK for swimming.

https://www.mobvoi.com/uk

Edited by Big E 118 on Tuesday 28th June 08:23

[JagYouAre]

I have a Galaxy Watch 4 and regularly swim in it, it's great and actually the Samsung Health app which tracks the activities is really good for swimming, the stats you get are surprisingly detailed. I really like the watch overall, I'd say it's closest to the Apple Watch experience in terms of working perfectly alongside the phone, and of course with a Samsung phone it will be even better. My one gripe is that the battery can't last two days so there is a lot of charging involved.

Before that I had a Fitbit Sense, which was good but as mentioned above the app isn't as great. The wife has it now and she likes it. She also uses it for swimming no problems. Battery lasts a bit longer but not as many features/apps you can use. I am also expecting that Google will completely overhaul the Fitbit system at some point, having bought them some time ago.

[rigga]

Not a smart watch , but the latest mii band are very good, can read notifications ,although not reply,lots of fitness options as well as step counting, heart rate monitoring, is waterproof so swimming is ok, charge lasts approx two weeks ( wife charges her smart watch daily )

And really good value at about £40

[HTP99]

Fitbit Versa or Sense, you get the notifications and step count plus other health stuff, cheaper than a Galaxy watch and far better battery life.

I've a Fitbit Charge 5 as I'm not interested in a smart watch as I like a mechanical watch plus I couldn't do with constantly charging it, but I do like the health and fitness bits that the Fitbit offers, I'm very happy with it and a genuine 5 days battery life.

[RizzoTheRat]

Garmin Lily or Venu could be worth a look, much less sports focused than their other stuff.

Worth looking at what functions she might want to use. I thought Garmin Pay was a gimmick I'd never use until I bought my Fenix and now I use t all the time, so I'd say definitely look for something with Android/Gamin Pay, although a lot more banks support Android pay than Garmin pay.

Some stuff like step counting has become "gamefied" with people able to share what they've done with thier friends and compete a bit. If she has mates doing that kind to thing check what they're using as if all her mates are doing it on Fitbit and she has a Pebble she won't be able to join in.

Also if she just wants to step count and isn't interested in getting phone notification etc, take a look at Withings, they make normal looking analogue watches with fitness tracking and other smart features.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 28th June 09:01

[Alorotom]

Xiaomi Mii Band may be a reasonable compromise - lots of functionality and they're very small/light

I bought one (the 3 I think) just to try out after reading some hype about them and really rated it.

[Mammasaid]

Pixel watch is coming soon;

[ZesPak]

Bought my wife a Garmin VivoStyle which does exactly what you requested.
She utterly adores it and now has a couple of quick change straps (regular 20mm) for different occasions.
Gets tons of compliments on it as well. It's a hybrid watch and imho looks great.