Guide
How to navigate the jungle of Apple Watch bands
by Lorenz Keller
Buying advice: find the ideal smartwatch or sports watch for you here
16.8.2019
Translation: machine translated
A smartwatch is practical: you have a lot of information directly on your wrist and no longer have to take your smartphone out of your pocket for every little action. And you can usually wear them while doing sports - unless you have higher demands, in which case you need a proper sports watch. In this buying guide, we'll tell you which variants are available and which models are recommended.
Smartwatch for every day
However, the Apple Watch can only be used with an iPhone. You can't connect it to an Android smartphone at all. But don't worry, there is a good smartwatch for you even without an iPhone. Although there are individual functions that are reserved for smartphones from the respective manufacturer, you can basically pair it with any smartphone - usually even with an iPhone.
The Galaxy Watch from Samsung is versatile and, with the right watch face, looks like a classic wristwatch at first glance. The apps from Samsung's in-house operating system Tizen OS are somewhat hidden, but offer you all the functions of a smartwatch. Plus points are awarded for the rotating bezel, which is used for operation alongside the touchscreen, and for the option to save music from Spotify offline.
If the bezel and Spotify don't appeal to you, the Huawei Watch 2 is worth a look. It runs Android Wear. This guarantees a perfect connection to all Android smartphones - and the watch supports Google Pay as a contactless payment method. However, the battery does not last as long as the Galaxy Watch. The Fossil Explorist HR also has Android Wear on board and three buttons on the side for operation in addition to the touchscreen.
The Huawei Watch GT and the Honor Watch Magic are two further alternatives from the same manufacturer. Huawei relies on its own development for the software of both watches and equips them with significantly less memory. In return, the Watch GT offers the longest battery life.
Smart watches that accompany you during sport
Normal smartwatches also monitor your fitness and provide you with information during sport and subsequently with collected data. However, there are special models that are even better suited as a training companion. Be it through the materials used or special functions. They all have GPS on board, so you don't need to take a smartphone with you.
Sports watches for runners
With all the smartwatches mentioned so far, you can of course go jogging, cycling and usually also swimming. However, if you are only looking for a sports watch for running, you can get away with it at a lower price. The Forerunner 235 and the Polar M430, on the other hand, have an integrated heart rate sensor. All three models can be paired with your smartphone and not only transfer data to their apps, but also display notifications from them.
Smart watches for women
Contrary to the manufacturers' advertising and target group definition, this is not about colours or designer straps. You know best what colour you like anyway. However, there are smart watches whose apps allow cycle tracking. To do this, they analyse their measurements about you, but also expect information about your menstruation. At this point, I would like to refer you to my colleague Livia's reviews of the Fitbit and Garmin offerings: .
Apple has also announced an extra app for cycle tracking for watchOS 6, the software that is expected to come to the Apple Watch in September.
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deAs a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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