The distinctive square-shaped iOS-based smartwatch is a wearable every iPhone owner wants to have. It is currently everywhere, with no shortage of important actors, athletes, designers, and musical artists donning it on their wrists. In fact, former U.S. President Obama was seen wearing one on multiple occasions. Regardless of their background, where they reside, or how much money they make, everyone wants to own an Apple Watch.
But wait, is it truly worth investing $350 for a 42 mm screen smartwatch that’s only compatible with iPhones? Moreover, when you have a poor battery life to deal with, the problems seem never to end. Here are the 14 best alternatives to Apple Watch.
Why should you start looking for an Apple Watch alternative?
- What many users of the Apple Watch have to deal with is the constant need to recharge it. It is very inconvenient, as it stops being a watch and becomes a gadget that requires a daily recharge.
- Furthermore, the watch is highly dependent on an iPhone. Surely you can still use it without one, but you won’t be using it as intended.
- The Apple Watch is not the best or even that accurate when it comes to fitness tracking.
- The watch doesn’t work with an Android device.
- And lastly, it is too costly.
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Apple Watch’s closest rival is Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. This smartwatch comes with a larger screen that measures up to 45mm, making it quite big compared to the Apple Watch.
Based on Tizen OS, the watch is equipped with an essential health-tracking mechanism, including an Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor to detect irregular heartbeats. It also has a pulse oximeter (SpO2) for measuring blood oxygen levels and a VO2 Max to assess oxygen consumption when exercising.
All this is on top of the built-in GPS and exercise monitoring, which is already incredible. Its features allow it to track various activities, several of which trigger automatically when you begin to move.
2. Polar Unite
Polar Unite is an Apple Watch alternative perfect for people who are into fitness and running. It has a rugged design, ideal if you’re the outdoorsy type.
The watch tracks your heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, and sleep patterns. Another great thing about this watch is that it can control music playing on your phone.
Unlike Apple Watches, Polar Unite is compatible with any Android device or Apple iPhone. It also includes several intelligent coaching functions. For instance, it has built-in fitness tests and running programs that help fine-tune your training regime. The watch comes with a battery backup of up to 4 days, GPS, Bluetooth, and most importantly, a reasonable price ($150).
3. Fitbit Sense 2
Those who are fitness-conscious and want something that can help them plan and stay on top of their health, would certainly prefer the latest Fitbit Sense 2. The watch comes with a ton of features, most centered around fitness and lifestyle tracking.
The watch has a GPS that can recognize and record more than 40 types of exercise and chart data accordingly. There is also a skin tracker for measuring your body temperature and an electrodermal activity setting to monitor your stress levels.
It even excels on the battery front, as it can last up to 6 days on a single charge. It is also waterproof and can handle activities such as swimming. The Fitbit Sense 2 is also compatible with Alexa for voice assistance and Google Wallet for easy payments.
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Galaxy Watch 6 is the latest offering in the wearable department, courtesy of Samsung. In fact, it is, at the moment, the fastest Android smartwatch in the world. Thus, it is a perfect alternative to an Apple Watch, as it can still work on an iPhone. It offers features such as sleep coaching, ECG trackers, heart rate monitoring, skin temperature sensors, and even blood oxygen measurement.
Certainly, there isn’t anything revolutionary about the latest Galaxy Watch 6. But we do have to say it is still better than an Apple Watch, in almost every department. Being recently released in August 2023, the watch is still very new for any major discussion, but initial impressions are mostly favorable.
5. Timex Metropolitan S
Timex Metropolitan S is one of the most stylish alternatives to the Apple Watch with some great features, like activity tracking and sleep monitoring. The watch has an elegant design and is perfect for people who want a minimalistic look on their wrists. It tracks heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, and distance traveled.
It has a 2-week battery life, onboard GPS, and 24/7 activity tracking, just like the more expensive choices. A soft black silicone strap complements the square black aluminum alloy case and a lens made of mineral glass to the high standards of Gorilla Glass.
6. FITBIT Versa 3
Fitbit has been in the wearables market longer than any other company on this list. Therefore, they’re seasoned veterans when it comes to developing smartwatches that are both capable and user-friendly.
Versa 3 is the third iteration in the Versa product line and comes with everything you’ll need to get started with your fitness journey. This includes a blood oxygen saturation tracker, 20+ activity modes, and personalized breath sessions tailored to your heart rate. It comes with built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, and comes with 6+ days of battery support. Let’s not forget the main thing here; it’s just $225.
7. Withings ScanWatch
If you dislike how ugly and inconvenient wrist-based gadgets are, get the ScanWatch from Withings instead. It has a cutting-edge ergonomic design, for one. What follows are several sophisticated 21st-century components under the hood, including ECG readings, respiratory scanning, and automated activity detection.
The battery life is something worth watching out for, which is 30 days. Best of all? Withings ScanWatch comes in at $280, making it one of the most affordable options on our list. If you’re looking for a simple but stylish smartwatch that can handle everything from swimming to working out, the Withings Scanwatch is worth considering.
8. Garmin Venu
The Venu model is Garmin’s latest attempt to compete with the Apple Watch. When compared to its more expensive competitor, it offers comparable features such as onboard music storage, contactless payments, and smart notifications, among others. It also takes advantage of Garmin’s sports-specific experience. The Venu comes packed with features, including wrist heart rate monitoring and all-day stress tracking.
It can also track your daily sleep and supply personalized insights based on your activity data. Garmin Venu has a sleek design and an impressive battery life of up to 5 days. At $350, it’s one of the more expensive options on the list. But if you’re looking for a feature-packed alternative to the Apple Watch that doesn’t sacrifice style or functionality, Garmin’s Venu is undoubtedly worth considering.
9. Huawei Watch GT 3
The Huawei Watch GT3 is a very suitable alternative to the Apple Watch. Although it is not that different in price, it certainly offers a fresh outlook. The smartwatch comes with both 46 mm and 42 mm round models, has an AMOLED screen, and sports a stylish crown dial.
The smartwatch offers features such as a heart rate monitor, dual-band five-system GNSS, GPS, distance tracking, and huge battery life. The smartwatch is also able to sync to Strava. The watch runs on the Harmony OS, and users can view notifications, and handle calls via Bluetooth.
10. Amazfit GTS 4
The latest offering from Amazfit, the GTS 4, is more like an Apple Watch clone. However, it performs better than its price tag. The device sports an AMOLED display with a battery backup of 4 to 5 days. The smartwatch is also superb for workouts, as it offers features that aid running and other exercises.
Other features include dual-band GPS, attractive and comfortable design, and tracking. But other than that, it offers nothing that can compete with the Apple ecosystem and the lack of apps.
11. Skagen Falster 3
If you want to get notifications but genuinely don’t care about all the other features smartwatches generally offer, check the Skagen Falster 3 model out. It has a slim and modern design with customizable watch faces, NFC support for contactless payments like Apple Pay, and fitness tracking capabilities such as heart rate monitoring and step counting.
You’ll also receive phone alerts on your wrist through vibrations. That way, you can decide whether and when it’s best to take action or dismiss them without having to pull your device out of your pocket every time someone pings you. The battery life is fantastic too, with up to 4 days between charges. For $295, there isn’t a lot to dislike. Plus, you get a complimentary 2 day battery backup.
12. Motorola Moto 360 Sport
Moto 360 Sport is yet another example of noteworthy Apple Watch alternatives. It has many identical features but also some unique characteristics that set it apart from other smartwatches.
For example, Motorola Moto 360 Sport has a built-in GPS so you can track workouts without having to carry your phone with you. It also sports a Corning Gorilla Glass display, making it more durable than most other smartwatches.
If you’re looking for the cheapest and the top alternative to the Apple Watch, the Moto 360 Sport model is certainly worth contemplating. It’s one of the best-selling Android Wear/Wear OS watches on the market, and offers a lot of features not available on other devices in the category. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than the Apple Watch.
13. SUUNTO 7
SUUNTO 7 is a great wearable for athletes, partygoers, and outdoors enthusiasts. It has a built-in GPS, barometer, and compass that make it perfect for tracking your outdoor activities. It also has a color touch-screen display and a long battery life of up to 40 hours.
Thus, you can stay connected even when you’re off the grid. It’s one of the most advanced watches on the market and offers everything you need to track your workouts and outdoor adventures.
To be more precise, SUUNTO 7 comes equipped with 70 different workout programs, free offline outdoor maps, and support for various third-party fitness apps. If its battery backup and functionality are your favorites, paying $400 for it should not bother you at all.
14. Mobvoi TicWatch E3
TicWatch E3 is one of the cheapest Wear OS watches on this list. However, it’s worth noting it isn’t the most beautiful device. Nonetheless, it’s a nice Android Wear watch. Remember, the Apple Watch Series 4 has long battery life and built-in GPS, as well as an accurate heart rate sensor and sleep tracking.
Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is a great alternative to the Apple Watch for people looking for a low-cost option. You get a great deal with Mobvoi TicWatch E3 as it comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, health monitor, fitness tracker, GPS, NFC, microphone, speaker, and is waterproof. Want more? How about compatibility with iOS and Android phones? All this for just under $200.