Here are some key factors to consider to help you filter out noise and narrow your search.
Budget: If you want to reach an agreement, it may be worth waiting for a major discount day (such as Black Friday or Labor Day) when most retailers, including the original manufacturer, offer sales or cash discount incentives. You can also save by waiting for the next update cycle and considering the previous generation model, which is usually available once a newer version is released. While newer models often bring moderate battery life, processing power, and design improvements, updates are often iterative. Previous models are still very good in terms of performance and functionality. When making your final decision, you should still consider all other factors, especially software and operating system updates.
Battery: Most Android smartwatches on this list can charge 24 to 72 hours of battery life alone, depending on what you use for acute features such as GPS or Oblist-On-On-On displays. But a few stand out. If battery life is your top priority, the OnePlus Watch 3 is your best choice; it can last up to five days with enabled training, or be active in an always-on display for about three days. For Samsung phone users, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is worth splurge, offering at least a full day more than other Galaxy models (though still no match for OnePlus). If you’re looking for longer battery life at a lower price, the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5 and Enduro models are also reliable alternatives.
Wear operating system update: One of the warnings of Android smartwatches is that most manufacturers cannot control the update cycle of the operating system. Google Management Wear operating system updatesand there is no guarantee that every watch will receive them. That’s why it’s important to study how many updates there are on your watch. This information is usually listed on the manufacturer’s website or in our reviews. Without this study, you may wait for a year to update or find that your model is not qualified. Samsung leads the team, expected to use the latest news on the Pixel Watch 3 and OnePlus Watch 3 in its Galaxy Watch model, and follows closely behind with up to three years of support. Others, like Mobvoi, have been known to have been slow to roll out updates, and while these older models may save you money upfront, they may not be the same as they will in the future and may end up spending more money in the long run.
Watch 3 is too big for my wrist.
design: The benefit of having so many Android watches is the wide breadth of design options you can use; different screen shapes, cover materials, size options, and more. You can choose a more traditional watch design with stainless steel finish and bulky frames like the OnePlus watch, or choose a sleek, minimalist design with almost no gaps on the Pixel Watch 3. Size is another important factor to consider. If you have smaller wrists and prefer watches that don’t overwhelm your arms, you must avoid the Galaxy Watch Ultra and OnePlus Watch 3, as they only have one size, giant and giant, respectively.
Wi-Fi only with cells: Your choice of smartwatch may depend on whether it offers only LTE or Wi-Fi options, so it is worth exploring early to avoid going the wrong way. For example, the OnePlus Watch 3 is only available in Wi-Fi models, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra is only cellular. Most users will find Wi-Fi models that are good enough to track exercises and make mobile payments without nearby phones. However, features such as notifications, messaging, and calling still need to be within range of your phone, and if you plan to leave your phone behind from time to time and want full smartwatch features on the go, it may be worth splurge on the LTE version, which could add $50 to $100 to $100, and may require a monthly load charge.
