Timepieces do more than complete an ensemble; they’re essential tools in maintaining health. From tracking workouts to finding an Android smartwatch with notifications that deliver them regularly, this guide has you covered.
Android smartphone owners and Google ecosystem users who wish to experience Wear OS are sure to find it an attractive solution, granting access to Google Assistant and providing access to an extensive app ecosystem.
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple continues to lead the smartwatch landscape with a user-friendly software experience and a comprehensive app library. Their latest model, the Apple Watch Series 9, boasts improved fitness tracking as well as new features that improve upon those offered by its predecessors. Plus, its display is incredibly bright – reaching 1000nits max brightness for an always-on mode that activates with one tap or wrist gesture – it even detects sunglasses automatically!
Apple Watch Series 9 boasts advanced sensors capable of measuring heart rate, blood pressure, UV exposure and more. You can use your usage history and the conditions around you to predict when your battery will run out. It is more environmentally friendly than previous models, with its Apple-designed power management chip reducing energy consumption; it also makes significant changes to its supply chain and manufacturing operations by using 100% recycled aluminium, plastics and packaging made from fibre-based materials; the watchOS ten operating system allows users to see how their charge impacts the electric grid, helping users prioritize battery-saving modes during times of high demand.
As iPhone owners can attest, Android phone owners also have a range of smartwatch options at their fingertips. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 series provides an upgrade over its predecessor with a Classic version and boasts impressive battery life as well as intelligent features in a compact design. Meanwhile, the OnePlus Watch 2 provides exceptional battery life and many innovative features in an attractive compact form factor; furthermore, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5’s dual-layer display and powerful health tools make for excellent choices.
Though the Apple Watch Series 9 is a good smartwatch option, it does not contain all the features you may require. ECG monitoring was only added with a software update in September; additional new features, like being able to ask Siri health-related questions exclusively, come standard on Series 9. If you require something with more comprehensive capabilities like ECG monitoring or voice assistant functionality, then an alternative such as Garmin Vivoactive 3 or Withings Activite Pop better meet your needs.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 smartwatch is an ideal solution for Android users who wish to track fitness and access critical apps with one glance. Samsung has made some improvements over its predecessors by including slightly bigger screens and upgrading sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring, as well as adding some useful new features such as native period tracking and fall detection – as well as using your phone’s cellular connection for calls and texting messages.
Note, however, that in order to take full advantage of these features, a compatible Samsung phone is necessary. Alternatively, there may be other Wear OS options (like Google Pixel Watch or Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5) which could work better since they pair with more devices.
This year’s Galaxy Watch series marks the inaugural roll-out of Wear OS 4, offering faster experience and enhanced fitness features, such as a more accurate heart rate monitor that our Lab experts found comparable to that found on Apple Watch Series 9 devices, more precise accelerometer to improve step counting accuracy; and an innovative workout feature which lets you create and save customized workouts to do on the wrist.
Both Galaxy Watch models offer an appealing aesthetic with various case finishes and strap options. At the same time, the Classic version adds more refined touches with its raised rotating bezel of older Galaxy watches – while still providing similar functionality. Both watches use 300mAh batteries, while 425mAh power packs should give a decent all-day battery life for each.
If you want a top-of-the-line fitness tracker that works independently from your smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is your ideal solution in this price range. Android users without owning one from Samsung should consider Google’s Pixel Watch; alternatively, a less costly watch from brands like Amazfit or Garmin may provide an actual Wear OS experience without One UI watch skins like Samsung’s One Ui watch skin.
OnePlus Watch 2
The OnePlus Watch 2 provides unmatched value on the market thanks to its outstanding battery life and stunning display. Fitness tracking features such as ECG monitoring, skin temperature readings, and fall detection are also present; the only drawback is the lack of certain key health features found on Apple and Samsung flagship watches, such as ECG monitoring or period tracking capabilities.
OnePlus Watch 2 runs Google Wear OS software, giving users access to Google Maps, Wallet, Assistant, and Calendar, as well as the wide selection of third-party applications available on the Google Play Store. Setup is quick and effortless thanks to the Fast Pair feature, and the OnePlus app automatically recognizes it, providing a more effortless experience than some other brands of smartwatches.
As it runs Android, the OnePlus Watch 2 works with any Android phone — even from non-OnePlus makers like Samsung or Motorola — but is best suited to owners of OnePlus phones, offering all of its advantages without an exorbitant price tag.
For instance, the OnePlus app acts as a single hub for all your wellness data, with tabs that detail daily exercise progress, sleep quality and body metrics. Although its user interface may seem sparse at first glance, I wish there was an option to sync more than just calorie-burning info with other applications (currently only works with the eHealth app).
The Watch 2 is an impressive upgrade over its predecessor, and I highly recommend it to any Android smartphone owner looking for a reliable Wear OS device. But if you own an iPhone, I strongly urge you to invest in either the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Fitbit Pixel Watch 2, both of which provide superior experiences that work seamlessly with iOS phones while constantly improving with new updates and features.
Fitbit Pixel Watch 2
Google’s first smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2, still needs some work in terms of health and fitness features. While overall, it is an adequate device, nothing stands out over the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Apple Series 9 (even though both offer incremental upgrades).
Google Watch features Wear OS in its raw form, along with all of Google’s top apps and tools, such as Maps, Wallet, Assistant, Calendar, and Gmail, plus third-party app support via Play Store. It has excellent battery life while performing well at tracking activity, logging workouts and providing core fitness features such as daily movement reminders and stress management.
Similar to its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 2 offers on-wrist phone calls, text messaging and notifications; GPS support for mapping routes; accurate activity tracking using GPS technology; support for mobile payments through Android Pay; Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, Safety Check as well as various safety features like Fall Detection. Furthermore, this device tracks sleep metrics such as heart rate monitoring and SpO2 readings for monitoring women’s health stats, as well as on-demand ECG readings – perfect for tracking women’s health stats!
My tests with the Pixel Watch 2 revealed it could accurately track my heart rate during light cardio exercise and running, yet could not match up to the accuracy of chest straps on my iPhone and Garmin Forerunner 235 when doing more intense workouts such as boxing or HIIT sessions. Furthermore, other fitness trackers provide features like automatic workout logging or the capability of tracking specific activities (e.g. spinning, rollerblading or martial arts).
Android users have many Wear OS watches to choose from, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Motorola Moto 360 4G and Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5, as they offer reliable battery life, solid tracking and plenty of fitness and wellness features. Also worth mentioning is the Asus ZenWatch 3, with its dual-layer display, excellent battery life and extensive third-party app support.