A Guide to Buying a Smartwatch (Part 2)

 

Hello reader, welcome back to part 2 of a Guide to Buying a Smartwatch.

A. Evaluate the Fitness and Health Tracking Features (Because You’re Not Just Counting Steps Anymore)

Gone are the days when a fitness tracker was little more than a step counter with grand aspirations. These days, the smartwatches are miniature personal trainers, wellness coaches, sleep specialists, and undercover therapists—one on your wrist. Not all watches share exactly the same healthy skills, so it's helpful to know what you need.

Basic Fitness Tracking (Casual Vibes)

If you’re just looking to casually keep tabs on your activity:

• Steps

• Calories burned

• Distance walked

• Reminders to move

• Basic workout logging (like running, walking, cycling)

Watches like the Oraimo Watch ES 2, Redmi Watch 5 Active, Fitbit Inspire, Amazfit Bip, or even budget-friendly Huawei models got you covered. Lightweight, affordable, and battery champs.

Ideal for: Everyday users who just want to stay mindful and get in their 10k steps.

Intermediate Health Features (Levelling Up)

Wanna go beyond basics? These are must-haves:

• Heart rate monitoring (real-time + resting HR)

• Sleep tracking with sleep stage breakdown

• SpO2 (blood oxygen levels)

• Menstrual cycle tracking

• Fitness goal coaching

• Multi-sport modes (swimming, hiking, strength training, etc.)

Most Xiaomi Watches, Fitbit Versa/Sense, Samsung Galaxy Watches, and Garmin Venu land in this category.

Pro tip: If you want to improve your workouts, look for VO2 max estimates and recovery insights.

Advanced Health Tech (For the Biohackers, Athletes & Wellness Nerds)

These smartwatches are basically wearable labs:

• ECG/EKG monitoring – Detects irregular heart rhythms like AFib. (Apple Watch, Fitbit Sense, Galaxy Watch)

• Skin temperature sensors – Helpful for sleep, cycle tracking, or spotting illness.

• Stress level tracking – Uses HRV (heart rate variability) to sense when you’re stressed.

• Body composition analysis – The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6/7 can estimate body fat percentage, water percentage, and muscle mass.

• Blood pressure monitoring – Still emerging, currently available on some Samsung models (with calibration).

Ideal for: Athletes, people with medical conditions, biohackers, or health data nerds.

Bonus Features to Consider:

• GPS (built-in vs. connected): Built-in GPS is ideal if you run, hike, or cycle and want precise maps without your phone.

• Swim-proofing: If you plan to shower or swim with your watch, make sure it’s rated at least 5ATM or IP68.

• Third-party app support: Some watches let you install fitness apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, or Calm.

• Integration with your health app: Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, etc. Make sure the data syncs to where you want it.

Not All Metrics Are 100% Medical Grade. Although watches are great at detecting trends over a period of time, don't use them to self-diagnose heart issues or rule out a doctor. They're wellness devices, not medical devices—unless cleared by your local health authority.

B. Build Quality and Comfort Matter (Because You’re Gonna Be Wearing This All Day)

Watches stay strapped to your wrist from sun-up to lights-out, so if it doesn’t feel right, it won’t be right, no matter how many features it has.

Comfort Is King

Go for a lightweight design that won’t make your wrist feel like it’s lifting weights all day. Silicone, leather, and fabric straps are more comfortable for daily wear, especially during exercise or sleep tracking. 

Bonus: The majority of smartwatches offer swappable bands, so you can dress them up or down, depending on your mood.

Durability Is Non-Negotiable

If you're outdoorsy, sporty, or otherwise accident-prone (no judgment ?), durability needs to be your number one concern:

• Look for 5ATM or higher water resistance (okay for showers, rain, swimming).
• Rugged watches must be MIL-STD-810G certified (military-grade durability), which means they'll survive drops, intense temperatures, dust, and beyond.
• Scratch-resistant displays (e.g., Gorilla Glass or sapphire crystal) = peace of mind bonus.

Pro Tip: Try Before You Buy

If you can, go in-store and strap it on your wrist. What looks rad in photos can be clunky, scratchy, or weird IRL. Comfort is super subjective, don't skip this step if you can avoid it.

C. Check App Support and Features (Because Your Watch Can Be More Than Just a Clock)

Apps are what turn your smartwatch from “meh” to “whoa.” But not all watches have equal access to app ecosystems, so it’s worth checking what’s actually available before buying.

Must-Have App Access

Want Spotify, Strava, Google Maps, WhatsApp, or calendar reminders on your wrist? Double-check the watch’s app store.

Apple Watch boasts the overall best app ecosystem.

Wear OS watches (Google's operating system) also have a ton of apps that they can use.

Other companies like Huawei or Amazfit do not offer much third-party app support, remember that!

Handy Features to Look For

• Mobile Payments: Does it accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay? Game changer.
• Voice Assistants: Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa—all handy for setting a timer, operating smart home devices, or answering texts without your hands.
• Smart Home Control: Toggle your lights, thermostat, or garage - right from your wrist.
• Offline Music Playback: Great for working out without your phone (if you wear Bluetooth headphones).

A few watches boast niche features that sound amazing—like gesture control or customised emojis, but end up being novelties you never use. Prioritise features that actually make your day-to-day better.

D. Pricing: Don’t Break the Bank (Unless You Want To)

Smartwatches come in every size, shape, and price range. Whether you're in the mood for a simple step tracker or a supercomputer on your wrist, there's something out there for you. But here's the thing: pricey doesn't always mean best for you. It just boils down to what you actually need.

Here's the rundown:

Budget Picks (KES 5,000–15,000)

If you just need the essentials: steps, heart rate, perhaps a few notifications, these are wonderful choices:

Brands to consider: Xiaomi, Realme, Amazfit Bip Lite, Oraimo, CMF by Nothing

Pros: Affordable, better than expected battery life, decent fitness tracking

Cons: Limited features, lower display quality, less app support

Mid-Range Sweet Spot (KES 15,000–40,000)

You want better features, a better build, and a more polished experience, without draining your account:

Brands to consider: Fitbit, Huawei, Samsung Galaxy Watch (older generations), Amazfit GTS/GTR

Features: Better health monitoring, AMOLED displays, GPS, and better app integration.

Best for: Fitness enthusiasts, everyday smartwatch users, and those who want top-notch performance with style.

Premium Tier (KES 40,000+)

Join the world of premium wristwear:

Big brands: Apple Watch Series, Garmin Forerunner/Fenix, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, TicWatch Pro, Withings ScanWatch

These are the big guns: ECG monitors, high-end looks and feel, LTE, leading-edge metrics, lots of apps

Best for: Pros, athletes, tech enthusiasts, or those who just expect the best of everything

Pro Tip: Set your budget, and then check out features in that price point. Don't let fancy advertisements trick you into spending extra on features you'll never even touch (hi, underwater oxygen saturation graphs).