Apple Watch 7 – the best for iOS
The Apple Watch Series 7 is one of the best smartwatches on the market. But without an iPhone, it won’t be possible to carry out even the initial setup after purchase – they are so closely integrated with iOS. Also, if you have an Apple Watch on your hand, then a MacBook, iPad or iPhone with the same Apple ID nearby can be unlocked without entering a password.
I chose the Apple Watch 7 over the newer Watch 8 for a number of reasons. The case, screen, processor and most of the functions of these models are almost the same. Apple Watch 8 has added new options – a car accident sensor and a thermometer. But a thermometer does not fully measure body temperature – only its relative changes. However, the new model is noticeably more expensive. So Apple Watch 7 is a rational and optimal choice.
A very smooth and well-designed interface, durable curved glass, metal body, protection from fresh and salt water – Apple Watch looks and feels like a premium device. It also has the best vibration on the market: at first it’s hard to believe that when scrolling, it’s not the wheel that clicks, but the motor inside the case.
With Apple Watch 7, you can answer incoming calls and messages, open maps, view photos from your smartphone, control music and even the camera. Notifications are delivered correctly from most instant messengers, but for WhatsApp you will have to install the third-party WatchChat application on your phone.
There is no separate application store for the Apple Watch – the watch itself downloads adapted versions of what is installed on the connected iPhone. Many popular applications like Todoist, Yandex maps and music, Telegram, and most services related to sports and a healthy lifestyle have such versions.
The Apple Watch 7 has a ton of health and fitness monitoring features. The watch counts steps, monitors pulse, blood oxygen saturation, and performs an ECG quite accurately. While washing your hands, a 20-second timer automatically starts, and the signature activity rings periodically remind you to get up and stretch.
There are dozens of programs on the workout tracking list, including rowing, rock climbing, and Pilates. The subscription service Apple Fitness + is available separately – a trainer is shown on the screen of a MacBook, iPhone or TV with a connected Apple TV , and the watch monitors the condition of the body and records activity.
The Apple Watch 7 screen is noticeably larger than that of the Watch 6 or SE, although the body is almost the same. The OLED matrix with a huge brightness reserve of up to 1000 nits does not fade even in the bright sun, the colors are rich, and the image is perfectly clear thanks to a pixel density of 326 ppi.
There is an always-on display mode: when you are not looking at the clock, the screen does not go dark at all, but goes into an energy-saving mode with reduced brightness. This feature increases power consumption, but it doesn’t require you to lift your wrist or touch the screen to see the time.
The fastening of the straps is non-standard; they will not fit on watches from other brands. But the choice of branded and third-party accessories is large: watch 7 is compatible with straps from all generations of Apple watches.
A serious drawback of the Apple Watch 7 is its low battery life. With frequent notifications, an always-on screen, and regular health monitoring, the watch runs out of battery after a day and a half to two days. By modern standards this is not enough.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 – the best for Android
Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Google’s Wear OS and is compatible with any Android device. They do not work with iOS devices.
Galaxy Watch 5 was released in the summer of 2022 . They work a little longer, charge faster, but otherwise remain almost unchanged. The only difference in design is that there is no longer a Classic version with a mechanical rotating bezel; all new Samsung watches have a touch bezel. At the same time, the current generation is significantly more expensive than the previous one, so Watch 4 is a better buy.
The case is metal, you can swim in the watch. The dial screen is covered with tempered glass with a good oleophobic coating. The Galaxy Watch 4 is on par with Apple’s in terms of brightness and clarity . Due to the round shape, Samsung watches look more like regular watches, but there is less space for notification text than on the rectangular Apple Watch.
The controls are controlled by a touch screen and two buttons – “Home” and “Back”. There is a mode for increased screen sensitivity to recognize touches with gloves in winter.
All applications are downloaded directly from Google Play – you can install Viber, Todoist and YouTube Music, notes applications and much more. “Maps” work autonomously, without a smartphone. The watch allows you to receive incoming calls to communicate on the go or while driving – there is a microphone and speaker. You can also respond to messages without taking your smartphone out of your pocket.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can measure ECG, pulse, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure, and also monitor sleep quality. They can even roughly measure your body fat percentage. The watch tracks steps and calories burned, and there are many sports tracking programs to choose from, such as running, swimming and cycling.
The weak point of the watch is its autonomy. With active use, by the evening the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has 20–25% left , so you need to charge it every day. You can disable some sensors and services to get up to two days of work, but then during training they will have to be activated manually each time. If you enable the always-on display and put all sensors in constant tracking mode, the watch may run out of power in the evening.
The strap is removable, standard width 20 mm – it can be easily changed to any for a regular watch. The set includes a good silicone strap.
Despite its weak battery, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the most interesting smartwatches on the market. They are fast, support many apps, have a great screen, and monitor many health indicators.
Previously, the Galaxy Watch worked with Samsung smartphones – but after the update, Samsung unlocked all the functions and sensors for any Android device, and also allowed you to replace the built-in assistant from Bixby with the smarter Google Assistant. ECG and pressure measurement functions may not work on other smartphones.
The controls are controlled by a touch screen and two buttons – “Home” and “Back”. There is a mode for increased screen sensitivity to recognize touches with gloves in winter.
All applications are downloaded directly from Google Play – you can install Viber, Todoist and YouTube Music, notes applications and much more. “Maps” work autonomously, without a smartphone. The watch allows you to receive incoming calls to communicate on the go or while driving – there is a microphone and speaker. You can also respond to messages without taking your smartphone out of your pocket.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can measure ECG, pulse, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure, and also monitor sleep quality. They can even roughly measure your body fat percentage. The watch tracks steps and calories burned, and there are many sports tracking programs to choose from, such as running, swimming and cycling.
The weak point of the watch is its autonomy. With active use, by the evening the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has 20–25% left , so you need to charge it every day. You can disable some sensors and services to get up to two days of work, but then during training they will have to be activated manually each time. If you enable the always-on display and put all sensors in constant tracking mode, the watch may run out of power in the evening.
The strap is removable, standard width 20 mm – it can be easily changed to any for a regular watch. The set includes a good silicone strap.
Despite its weak battery, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the most interesting smartwatches on the market. They are fast, support many apps, have a great screen, and monitor many health indicators.
Previously, the Galaxy Watch worked with Samsung smartphones – but after the update, Samsung unlocked all the functions and sensors for any Android device, and also allowed you to replace the built-in assistant from Bixby with the smarter Google Assistant. ECG and pressure measurement functions may not work on other smartphones.
Alternatives. Galaxy Watch 4 has a Classic version – in a steel case and with a mechanical rotating bezel to control the device. It also has larger and smaller options, but both Classic versions are larger than usual by a couple of millimeters. The functions of the watches are almost identical, but due to the design and materials, the Classic is more expensive.