A Guide to Buying a Smartwatch (Part 1)

Smartwatches have come a long way from their reputation as geeky wristwear—they're now fitness trackers, health trackers, sleep trackers, notification hubs, fashion statements, and even digital wallets. Whether you want to get one to help destroy your fitness goals, manage your busy schedule, or just flaunt on Instagram, choosing the perfect smartwatch isn't always as easy as scrolling through an online catalogue. 

This was the case when I was searching for a smartwatch for about two to three weeks, until I landed on an affordable smartwatch to my liking. Sp, before you shell out your cash on the newest wrist candy, the following are the ultimate 4 detailed tips to enable you to select the ideal smartwatch to suit your needs and lifestyle.

A. Know Your Ecosystem (a.k.a. Your Phone and Your Watch Gotta Be Besties)

This is likely the most important decision criterion when purchasing a smartwatch: compatibility. Smartwatches are usually optimized for their native ecosystem. Even though most will "pair" over Bluetooth with other phones, the things you really want to do—like respond to texts, sync health data, use voice assistants, or control media—are usually locked out if you're match-up-ming brands.

If You’re Team iPhone:

• Apple Watch is king. It integrates seamlessly with iOS.
• You can respond to iMessages, use Siri, unlock your Mac, tap into Apple Fitness+, and use Apple Pay—all from your wrist.
• You won’t even get full functionality from some non-Apple watches (like replying to texts) if you're on iOS.

Catch: Apple Watches don’t work with Android. Like, at all. They ghost Android like it owes them money.

If You’re Team Android:

You have more flexibility. Watches that work well include:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch (One UI Watch/Wear OS)
• Google Pixel Watch
• Fossil Smartwatches (Wear OS)
• Huawei and Amazfit watches (though with some app limitations)

You’ll enjoy features like Google Assistant, Google Maps, full Gmail and message reply access, and even some phone call support.

Note: Not every Android smartwatch uses the same operating system. Some use Wear OS, while others use bespoke software—this will determine what apps you can install and the level of integration you get with your phone.

Cross-Platform Compatibility?

Some watches like Fitbit, Garmin, Oraimo, Havit, Xiaomi Redmi and Amazfit offer apps for both iOS and Android, but:

• Limited third-party apps
• Message replies may not work on iOS or Android
• Health syncing might require extra steps
• Emoji support may be limited

If you're planning to switch between Android and iPhone in the future, look into brands like Fitbit or Garmin that are fairly neutral and still functional on both platforms, just with fewer bells and whistles. (And that is if you're willing to break the bank)

B. Figure Out What You’ll Use It For (Because Not All Smartwatches Are Built the Same)

Stop before you compare prices and specs and ask yourself: "Why do I even need a smartwatch?" This is one question I asked myself, and it's a point that is going to save you money, time, and a whole lot of buyer's regret.

Smartwatches are similar to Swiss Army knives—cool, but when you're opening boxes, you don't require all the gadgets. So, let's go through the major use cases and what to seek in each:

1. Fitness and Health Tracking

If you’re a gym rat, weekend runner, cyclist, or just trying to close those rings:

Must-have features:

• Heart rate monitor
• Step counter
• Sleep tracking
• SpO2 (blood oxygen) monitoring
• Built-in GPS for phone-free runs/walks
• Workout modes (running, cycling, HIIT, yoga, etc.)

Nice-to-haves:

• ECG (electrocardiogram) for deeper heart health
• VO2 Max tracking for serious athletes
• Fitness coaching or recovery tracking (like Garmin or Fitbit offer)

Pro tip: Fitness-first watches like Garmin, Fitbit, and Amazfit tend to crush in this department. Apple and Samsung do well too, especially with newer models. The Xiaomi's Redmi Watch 5 Lite that I currenlty own has a built in GNSS and it's perfectly accurate for tracking walks and run geographically.

2. Notifications & Communication

Want to check messages without whipping out your phone every five seconds?

Must-have features:

• Notification mirroring (texts, emails, WhatsApp, etc.)
• Quick replies or voice replies
• Call support (built-in mic/speaker or LTE version)

Nice-to-haves:

• Emoji and image support in messages
• Dictation or voice assistant integration (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Alexa)

This is where staying in your ecosystem really pays off. For example, Apple Watches let you fully respond to iMessages and use Siri natively on iOS.

3. Music & Entertainment

Are you someone who jams while jogging or podcasts on the go?

Must-have features:

• Music playback controls
• Offline music storage (important if you leave your phone behind)
• Spotify/Apple Music/YouTube Music support

Nice-to-haves:

• Bluetooth headphone pairing
• Integration with streaming apps

LTE-enabled watches let you stream without a phone, but they cost more and drain battery faster.

4. Smart Features and Lifestyle

Maybe you're all about that convenience life—no wallet, no problem.

Must-have features:

• Mobile payments (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay)
• Calendar and to-do apps
• Voice assistant integration
• Voice Recorders

Nice-to-haves:

• Smart home control (e.g. turn off your lights from your wrist)
• Find-my-phone
• Navigation (Google Maps/Apple Maps on your wrist? Chef’s kiss.)

These features turn your wrist into a legit productivity station.

5. Style and Fashion

Want your watch to look as good as it performs? We see you.

Must-have features:

• Sleek, customizable designs

• Interchangeable bands

• Variety of watch faces

Nice-to-haves:

• Always-on display
• Custom case colours/materials (stainless steel, titanium, etc.)

Brands like Samsung, Apple, and Fossil really lean into the style game, great for mixing tech with fashion.

C. Check Battery Life and Charging Time (Because No One Wants to Charge Their Watch Every Day)

Real talk, Battery life will make or break your smartwatch experience. What's the use of having all these awesome features if your watch dies before you're done with lunch?

Various watches have varying priorities — some bet big on clean displays and intense processing (hi, daily charging), while others bet big on longevity (hello, week long-lasting fitness watches). The trick is to find the balance that works for you.

Battery Tips & Tricks:

• Turn off Always-On Display to double your life.

• Use Battery Saver or Low Power Mode on travel days.

• Dim the screen brightness—you’re not lighting up a Christmas tree or the room for show.

• Disable apps or sensors you don’t use (e.g., background GPS or SpO2 if you're not tracking workouts).

Why so short? They’ve got:

• Fancy OLED displays

• Always-on screens

• Tons of sensors running 24/7

• LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi, and background apps

Great for: People who charge overnight or don’t mind a daily plug-in session.

If you're coming from a standard watch or fitness band, this can be irritating at first. If you are a light user, 2–3 days could be alright. But if you want a watch that is a marathon runner, look for ultra-efficient devices—even if it is at the expense of some exciting animations.

D. Display: AMOLED vs LCD vs Always-On

The display is basically what you'll be staring at every time you take a glance at your steps, read messages, or fake being busy during meetings. So, yes, it does make a huge difference. There are three things that are crucial here: display type, brightness and visibility, and always-on display (AOD).

1. AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode)

• Super vibrant colours
• Deep blacks (individual pixels turn off = true black)
• Crisp contrast & sharpness
• Battery-friendly when using dark themes or AOD

Primarily comes in high-end watches such as Apple Watch Series, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, Fitbit Sense 2. Nowadays, Oraimo watches and other brands have AMOLED displays at a lower cost. They are thought to be excellent both indoors and outdoors and appear beautiful, even under direct sunlight.

Battery tip: AMOLED can actually save battery with Always-On Display, since it only lights up the pixels it needs. But animations and brightness levels still affect power.

2. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

• The budget-friendly workhorse.
• Less vibrant, more muted colours
• No “true blacks” (backlight always on = greyish blacks)
• Still totally usable for day-to-day stuff

Generally cheaper to produce → used in budget or midrange smartwatches

This type of display is found in some low budget Oraimo, Amazfit, older Fitbit, and Huawei models. It gets the job done without breaking the bank. However, the displays are not as pretty or battery-efficient.

3. Always-On Display (AOD)

This is a feature, not a type of display — but it depends on the display tech.

• AOD means your screen stays dimly lit all the time, showing essentials like time, date, or step count — no wrist flick or button press needed.
• Most AMOLED watches have this option.
• Some LCD watches simulate it, but at a huge battery cost.

Why it's awesome:

• Feels more like a real watch.
• No awkward wrist-twisting to check the time.
• Perfect for subtle glances during meetings (or dates).

Why it might be a trade-off:

• It can drain the battery, especially on older models or if the brightness is high.

• You can usually toggle it off in settings if you need to save juice.

Pro Tip: AMOLED + AOD is the sweet spot, if the battery life is decent. Just make sure the watch you pick lets you toggle AOD off when needed.