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Longines Watch Review

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Longines Watch

So you’re here wondering if Longines watches are worth the price tag?

Maybe you have a penchant for the luxury market and you love wearing a well-crafted timepiece. 

Perhaps even you like the craftsmanship that gets folded into a Swiss-made watch?

Whatever your reasons, you’ve come to the right place.

Longines is a luxury watchmaker with almost 150 years experience in the industry. They’re a well-known as well as much-loved brand. Their reputation sings of beauty as well as accuracy as well as being part of the Swatch Group.

Background

Longines started life under a different name but formally became known as such in 1866 when the factory began producing the watches. 

Now, Longines watches are found in more than 150 countries.

They’re famous for making luxury watches for good reason. They make a lot when it comes to variety, and every model is exceptional.

If you’re here because you’re thinking about investing your money into a Longine watch, let’s discuss five reasons why that is a great idea.

History

If we take a moment to admire the Master Collection, for men ($1,727.30) and the ladies ($1,429.22). You get a sensational classic design as well as functionality.

Back in 1832, Longines started what would become a legacy for high-quality design. They made sure every model was developed to meet the demand of the market as well as the changing scene of technology. Throughout time, you can see Longines has made watches that were advanced for their age.

Cut to 2005 and the Master Collection hit the market. This range was based around a mechanical dress watch. It was a homage to their own continued heritage and success.

Within this range, you’ll note a lot of traditional looks. There are different features like an automatic chronograph, date window, power reserve display and even the moon phase on some.

The newer releases have a rightful place in the luxury watch market. They offer stainless steel with genuine leather straps. 

You will find large Hindu-Arabic numerals on the automatic version. It’s bold and makes a statement. It offers a sophisticated blue hour, minute and second hand as a contrast against the silver dial. 

It’s perfect for a formal occasion or if you’re in a very highly-paid profession…

Image

Let’s look at the Hydro Conquest ($984.50)

If you love both luxury and a more sporty look, the Hydro Conquest has got you covered.

Another shining example of professional craftsmanship. This watch is considered by many to be a symbol of status. You’ll often see it in the business world.

Watches like this act as a sign that you’ve worked hard, overcome challenges and have earned your current position.

They are a showcase of your success and offer an ego-boost to boot.

When the Hydro Conquest was released, this was a significant achievement for Longines as this launched their international success.

It offers a ceramic back bezel, which is one of the most noteworthy features of the watch. To ensure the dark ceramic doesn’t lose its vibrancy, it comes with varied surface finishes to add to its elegance. 

The dial is matte, the case is polished and all-in-all, it is a visually striking piece.

Packed with Features

Now we’re looking at the Men’s Conquest VHP ($1,000.00).

Much like luxury cars, watches by Longines carry a lot of value. It depends on which model you buy, but where you could spend money on clothes that will eventually become outdated, a Longine is a far better investment choice.

The Conquest VHP is a quartz watch and the initials stand for Very High Precision.

It has a perpetual calendar so the date will set itself, even in a leap year. 

It has a crown that will let you set the time in the traditional way if you’d like.

The battery on this watch is so durable that it’ll give you five years of wear. In times of low energy, you’ll know because the hands will move to the 12 position. 

The case is high-grade stainless steel and comes in 42mm or a slightly larger 44mm if you like a chronograph. It’ll offer you 50m of water-resistance for some peace of mind against little splashes.

Only the best materials are used

The example here is the stunning La Grande Classique ($895.00).

Longines watches are full of the tiniest components that work together to produce a flawless time-keeping experience.

Exceptional precision is used in their manufacturing and as such, they are known for their masterful Swiss-craftmanship.

To guarantee this level of performance, the watchmakers use only the best materials, like 18 karat gold and carbon fibre. You’ll also see synthetic sapphire crystal and genuine leather. This particular watch comes with a white dial and an 18 karat gold case.

The La Grande Classique is a product of many years of genius innovation and skilled design. It works as an accessory just as much as an accurate timepiece.

Ladies can also get a model for $825.57.

Inside it has quartz movement. The face is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, which is also anti-reflective for excellent readability. There are Roman numerals and an hour and minute marker on the men’s version.

They are both water-resistance to only 30m, but this is OK for a shower or if you get caught in the rain.

Made to last

Longines Heritage Military Watch ($2070.00)

One reason why Longines watches are a great thing to put your money into is how long they last. They’re made by hand and this process is a combination of classic technique with modern-day technology. So, they’re genuinely premium.

Every single watch goes through a rigorous inspection before it gets the logo applied.

The Heritage Military watch is no exception.

Noted for its durability, this watch is a homage to an older version made in 1918. It has 12 large numbers and offers the date at the 3 position. 

It has a sapphire crystal dome protecting the face and a leather strap.

Furthermore, it offers 42 hours of power reserve and 30m water-resistance.

Summary

Longines is world-renowned for its rich heritage in the luxury watch market. If you’re thinking of investing, you can’t really go wrong.

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Smartwatches with the Longest Battery Life

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smartwatches with the longest battery life

So, smartwatches with the longest battery life? Smartwatches have taken centre stage in the world of fitness and lifestyle and gadget lovers are snapping them up as soon as they’re being released. These days there are so many brands and types of smartwatches with different features that you’ll want to do your homework before taking your pick. Questions around battery life are undoubtedly one of the most import questions you’ll want to ask about your future smartwatch. So, if you’re wondering which smartwatch has the longest battery life, you’re in the right place.

Battery Life

The truth about smartwatches and battery life is certainly straightforward. The more features your watch has and the more it looks and works like a smartphone, the more energy it uses. Apple smartwatches have tried very hard to function like smartphones, consequently this has done their reputation for battery life no favours. Some watches and their batteries are designed to deliver certain functions better than others. Fitness watches tend to have little to no music or phone features but are excellent for tracking your movement over long periods of time.

While some smart and fitness watchmakers are finding ways to make their watches run for longer without needing a recharge, others are not taking the importance of battery life very seriously at all. We’ve listed the best smartwatches currently on the market for their battery life, and interrogated favourites like Apple to find out why this tech giant, however popular, isn’t always the best choice. So, here are our choice of smartwatches with the longest battery life

Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar

Garmin have come a long way since their first smart fitness watches and today it’s safe to say that they are the number one smartwatch for battery life on the market. The Garmin Fenix 6 lasts more than 120 days depending on how it’s being used. In full GPS mode it lasts up to to 150 hours and in full expedition mode, up to 56 days, depending on how sunny it is.

This is thanks to the introduction of solar charging and better power storage. Making this muscly watch an attractive option for hardcore adventurers and anyone who appreciates the convenience of not having to think about running out of power half way through the day. On the other hand, its the solar charging panels that are behind its bulky design so if you’re interested in owning a smartwatch that doesn’t interfere with activities such as typing, this is probably not your best option.

Unlike some of the more popular smartwatch brands, Garmin has set its sights on delivering a premium product for people with a specific need by trimming down all its other features. With that said, this model is able to store up to 2000 songs, a much needed improvement on the first few models, and they also added the much needed Garmin Pay. Consequently, you can leave the house and go for a run with only a door key.

Pros:   
  • best outdoor tracking function
  •  longest battery life
  • pay function
  •  music
Cons:
  • not very stylish
  • pricey

Mobvoi’s Ticwatch Pro 4G LTE

ticwatch-e2

Secondly, the Ticwatch Pro 4G Lite. Although this smartwatch’s battery only lasts up to 30 days, compared to the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar’s 120 days, you get a lot more functionality packed into its stylish display.

However, 30 days of battery life is still a much longer lifespan than most smartwatches can boast. This is thanks to the watch’s layered display technology, which means it actually has two displays – OLED and LED. OLED stands for organic light emitting diode, which is a similar display used in TV screens, smartphones and computer monitors. As you can imagine, this display mode uses much more battery power than the LED screen. How it works is the LED display is activated when you’re not using the OLED display.

This, of course, is optional and can be changed in your settings. The catch is that if you do change the settings display to OLED only, you’ll have to charge your watch every two days. But this still isn’t as often as the Apple Watch Series 5, which struggles to make it past the 24 hour mark and has to do with the flagship feature Apple created for it called the Always On Display. In OLED mode, the Ticwatch pro has great fitness tracking apps and features like google assistant, power by Wear OS, Google’s smartwatch operating system.

Pros:   
  • Smarter than most fitness watches
  • Longer battery life than most smartwatches
  • Stylish design
Cons:  
  • 2 days battery life in OLED mode

Huawei Watch GT 2

Luxurious and stylish with none of the sporty design features emblematic of so many fitness and smart watches, the Huawei GT2 consists of a touchscreen and two buttons on the side. Its battery lasts up to two weeks on a single charge and although this is less than the Ticwatch’s 4 weeks, it’s still longer than most smart watches.

Special about this smartwatch is that it preserves its battery without you having to make the choice between basic LED and smartwatch functionality. This is thanks to a built in setting that turns the watch off when it faces away from you. You can change the setting if you want but a little warning will pop up on the screen saying this will halve your battery life.

To thank for its longer battery life is Huawei’s own light OS, along with the manufacturer’s choice to limit the apps on the watch to only those pre-installed on the OS. Not being able to install third party apps might be an issue for some people, but how many apps do you realistically want to use on your watch?

Huawei’s pre-installed apps are based around fitness and health tracking making it a much more stylish fitness alternative to the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar, especially if you don’t plan on embarking on very long outdoor expeditions.

Pros:   
  • Balance between style and function
  • Automatic battery saver
Cons:  
  • limited apps

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Why Smartwatches are Beneficial

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Why have a smartwatch

Have you got friends who’ve upgraded their watch game recently? Have you noticed people looking (and talking!) at their wrists more often? Do you wonder why that is? More than likely some people around you have invested in a smartwatch. So, why are smartwatches beneficial? Now, digital watches have been available for quite some time. Some of them even quite advanced with features such as calculators. However, it wasn’t until about 2010 that technology companies started to release watches that had smartwatch type features. It was in 2013 that the first smartwatch in the guise of what we understand a smartwatch to be today was introduced to the market by a small company called Pebble. The rest as they say is history.

What is a smartwatch?

In order to answer why smartwatches are beneficial it’s important to understand what it is. A smartwatch is a portable device that is meant to be worn on a wrist. A type of wearable, the smartwatch is also seen by many as an extension to a smartphone. It has similar features such as touchscreen and a range of apps and sensors to monitor health and fitness activity. There are two types of smartwatch that occupies the market; the first being the everyday use type, a device that is designed to replace the traditional watch but relies on a smartphone. The second is the speciality range, designed for specific functions and audiences, for example a smartwatch for elderly where the main element is location tracking and safety. The speciality watches can be a cross between a phone dependent wearable device and an independent fitness tracker.

Uptake of the smartwatch had been slow. With people not quite sure why smartwatches are beneficial, what to do with them or classifying them as not being necessary because it did everything a smartphone can do. However recent statistics show that things may be changing on this front. In 2017 sales of smartwatches and fitness trackers was up 16% on 2016. The Smartwatch market then saw an increase of 23% on 2016. With Apple, Google and Samsung continuing to invest development into the sector the popularity of the smartwatch looks set to carry on.

 If you’re not yet one of the converted, lets us take you through reasons for why wearing a smartwatch is a good idea.

It tells the time

Yes, it is obvious that the smartwatch tells the time. However, isn’t it easier to glance at your wrist to check if you’re late for your appointment than to think where you’ve left your phone and look around for it? Sales of traditional watches have been on the decline as smartphones have dominated the market, but the smartwatch reminds us what a key item the watch actually is.

Fashion Accessory

The smartwatch can be confused with the digital watches we’ve mentioned above or even the more recent activity trackers and so you could be forgiven for thinking they are a bit boring, clunky and mechanical looking. On the contrary, the modern smartwatch comes complete with a library of colours, materials and watch faces to suit all types of occasions – whether it’s a work day or fun at the weekend.

Are we there yet?

We’ve become accustomed to using the map function on our phones to assist with navigation. But, did you know it is even easier with a smartwatch? There is an increased risk of missing the next turn if you are too busy reviewing the direction on your handset or worse the smartphone is dropped during the constant put away, take out, put away scenario. A smartwatch makes navigation much easier, with the route available at a glance. The Apple Watch goes further, notifying you which direction to turn with distinctly different vibrations for left and right.  When driving, a flick of the wrist will provide reassurance that you’re on the right route. A smartwatch is ideal for navigation purposes on vehicles where it would not be appropriate to use a handset such as a motorcycle.

Entertainment

The smartwatch makes entertainment even easier to access. Granted the screen size is a factor but it’s ideal for public transport journeys where keeping the phone aloft can prove to be a challenge. It’s also ideal to use the smartwatch when you want to quickly share a funny YouTube video with friends and family. Perhaps the better entertainment factor with a smartwatch is its music capabilities. Listening to music on your smartphone is even more enjoyable with a smartwatch. You can skip tracks, change the volume and play around with your playlist all from the device on your wrist. Newer smartwatches even allow music to be stored directly onto the device so no need to have the smartphone with you as well.

Notifications

Perhaps one of the smartwatches most useful features is its ability to alert you to calls, text messages and social media updates. Rather than having to get the handset out each time it vibrates or pings. Not every notification will be important i.e. requiring an action), a smartwatch makes it easier to manage notifications quickly and easily. It may seem trivial but the potential to save time and simplify situations you’re in is huge. For example a quick glance at your watch in a meeting wouldn’t be considered rude as it would if you were to start rummaging for your phone. Also when out and about running or taking part in other physical activity you may decide to not take your smartphone with you. You can decide when alerts come through on the smartphone so as to keep the process efficient.

Making and answering calls

How this activity is undertaken will vary on the type of smartwatch. Some devices allow the wearer to accept or decline calls through the watch. Others will allow this but also give you the option to answer the call through the watch itself. Both options require your handset to be nearby. There are now cellular versions of the smartwatch available on the market, which means you can use the watch independent to a smartphone including being able to make calls. Although the appearance of voice dictation into a smartwatch can look strange, it is a useful feature allowing you to respond to important messages in a timely manner without compromising what you may be doing at the time i.e. out for a run or busy in the kitchen.

Health and Wellbeing

It can be easy to assume that the smartwatch is only good for tracking yours steps. It does of course track daily steps but it does so much more which can really make a difference to a person’s health. Due to the smartwatch being capable of doing more than just tracking steps, it is more likely to be worn on a daily basis rather than taken off and being forgotten about. A smartwatch is not just a pedometer, it has various built in sensors to monitor and record other activity such as heart rate and blood pressure. The latest edition of the Apple Watch even has the capability to perform an ECG. Other useful health related features include sleep monitoring, calorie counting and a range of apps to support stress management.

Safety

Smartwatches are equipped with GPS as standard, most will require you to pair the watch with your handset whereas others have stand alone GPS built in. This is key for a number of reasons. Not only does GPS allow you to track sports activities such as running and hiking, measuring speed and distance accurately but it also helps to track your location for safety purposes, particularly useful if on your own or in an unfamiliar environment. For that reason smartwatches are ideal for offering loved ones peace of mind for when elderly relatives are out and about. Some smartwatches also have the ability to detect falls and take action if needed i.e. contact emergency services if no movement is detected. Many smartwatches, especially the specialty types, have SOS/panic buttons which if activated can contact identified individuals through the phone either via message or by making a call.

On the subject of safety, smartwatches are expensive as are smartphones. However you’re more likely to draw attention to yourself using a smartphone than you are your smartwatch, offering the wearer a degree of reassurance.

Losing your smartphone can be disastrous, but with a smartwatch the risk is significantly minimised. Most smartwatches are programmed with the ‘Find Phone’ feature, especially useful if you have a habit of misplacing your phone!

Many modern smartwatches are also waterproof, providing connectivity in all types of weather and activity.

Battery life

Keeping your smartphone charged can prove challenging. Having a smartwatch reduces that urgency – more use of smartwatch equals less use of smartphone, saving valuable phone battery life. Evidence shows that battery life on smartwatches is of a good standard lasting between 18-24 hours for devices such as the Apple Watch and up to a few days and even a week for some of the speciality watches.

So yes, it is true that a smartwatch can do everything a smartphone can, but as we’ve described above it can do that and more. The smartwatch shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for the smartphone – it doesn’t have to be a choice between the two – but as a must-have accessory for today’s tech savvy individual.

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Boxing Day – The Best Fitness Trackers To Buy

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Fitness Trackers Boxing Day deals

With all the Boxing Day deals rolling out, it can get overwhelming fast. After all, there are innumerable options and some enticing discounts attached. However, the goal is not to find the most discounted item; instead the focus should remain on getting the most bang for your buck. 

When it comes to fitness trackers, not all provide the same utility and what is best for you, might not be so for others. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the best fitness trackers according to some commonly sought out categories: 

Best All-rounder: Fitbit Versa 2

Fitbit Versa 2

Features

24/7 Heart Rate Tracking Monitors Sleep Displays smartphone notifications Customize with appsIn-built Music controls with Spotify6 Day Battery LifeWater Resistant and Swimming Tracker Bluetooth GPS Personalized RemindersLightweight design FitPay

Having more of a smartwatch look, the Fitbit Versa 2 provides some well-stacked features as a fitness tracker. It can track your heart rate while jogging, swimming, weightlifting, or even as you go about your day. Attending to calls, texts and emails is also an added bonus within a fitness tracker allowing you to extend its use to your life while reducing distractions as you workout. 

There are some limitations, however. While there is built-in Spotify functionality for the music lovers, it is limited in comparison to other trackers on the market. The band is not a full-function GPS smartwatch, however. Its GPS function is only available when connected with your phone through Bluetooth. 

All in all, as an overall multi-purpose smartwatch, the Fitbit Versa 2 is a definite contender for its functionality, design and price. 

Pros 

  • Smartwatch design in a sleek and compact construction
  • Amoled display
  • Long battery life 
  • Alexa functionality available
  • Water resistant 
  • Tracks various physical activities and sleep
  • Comes with Always-On mode

Cons

  • Does not come with in-built GPS
  • Heart rate is not tracked through an ECG
  • Limited Spotify functionality

Best Budget Tracker: Amazfit BIP Smartwatch

Features

30-day battery life with quick chargeOptical Heart Rate Monitoring4-Activity modes and Sleep Tracking Built-in GPSReceive alerts from texts, calls and emailsModern smartwatch designIP68 Water resistance

Among the budget fitness trackers available on the market, the Amazfit BIP smartwatch stands out due to its sheer superiority above the rest. While most fitness trackers boast 2-4 days of battery life, BIP delivers up to 30 days of battery life in a single 2.5 hour charge. This alone provide utility for avid users who are in need of some simple tracking. 

Amazfit provides 4 physical activity modes to choose from–namely outdoor running, treadmill, cycling and walking. It will track your steps, calories and distance while also tracking your heart rate. While you cannot reply or use third-party apps, the basic functionality still allows you to receive alerts from your phone. 

Pros 

  • Great Price
  • Long Battery Life 
  • Always On Screen 
  • Durable Construction
  • Basic Smartphone Functionality Available
  • In-Built GPS

Cons

  • No Mic or Speaker 
  • Music Integration Not Available
  • Limited Activity Options

Best Activity Tracker: Fitbit Charge 3

fitbit charge 3

Features

Sleek, Non-Intrusive Design Heart Rate Monitoring Fitness and Sleep Tracking 7-Day Battery Life Smartphone Notification Alerts ActivatedWater Resistant for Tracking Swim SessionSimple, Straight Forward UI DesignFitPay Available as an Add OnProvides Reminders to MoveTracks Up To 15 Different Activities

Fitbit designed the Charge Series as their traditional take on a fitness tracker. While it does provide some smartphone integration functionalities, the tracker stands out with the range of activities it can monitor. From running to swimming to yoga, you’ll most likely be covered by the modes available; however, there is the standard heart rate monitoring in case you like to stick with the basics. 

GPS is available through bluetooth connectivity, but it does not have the feature built-in like many others do. The construction is lightweight and durable while the interface is seamless. Therefore if you’re looking for a tracker to monitor your every move, this might be the one for you. 

Pros 

  • Water Resistant (Up to 50M) 
  • Automatic Exercise Recognition and 15 Mode Options
  • Sleep Tracking and Guided Breathing Based on Heart Rate
  • Provides Reminders to Move
  • Discreet, Yet Fashionable Layout
  • Long Lasting Battery Life 

Cons

  • No Built-In GPS
  • Heart Rate Calculator Can Be More Accurate

Best For Tracking Calories Burned: Garmin Vivofit 3 

Garmin vivofit

Features

Automatic Activity Detection with MoveIQ1 Year Battery Life LCD with Backlit DisplayCalculates steps, calories, distances, intensity and sleep qualityProvides Reminders to MoveWaterproof

Garmin Vivofit 3 exemplifies the less is more mantra. As compared to the current line-up, it has no altimeter, GPS or heart rate tracking, however its use lies in the absence of those features. You can connect a separate heart rate monitor to calculate your intensity and calories burned which provides a far more accurate calculation than typical wrist trackers. 

You’ll benefit from the analytics within the Garmin app while the tracker itself possesses a straightforward overview. This band is preferred for individuals with an intermediate fitness level who need accurate data, but are able to perform their own analytics.

Pros 

  • Made for Comfort
  • Tracks basic activities and metrics required 
  • No-frill UI Design 
  • Waterproof
  • Long Battery Life

Cons

  • Design looks cheap
  • LCD provides a dim display
  • Slow to register live-activity
  • Battery will need to be replaced after a year

Best GPS: Samsung Gear Sport

Samsung Gear S2

Features

Physical and Nutrition Goal TrackingHeart Rate MonitorWater Resistant Receive Notifications From Your Phone Through Bluetooth Pairing Samsung Pay EnabledSpotify Compatible Touch and Audio Controls Available Quick View InterfaceDurable BuildIn-Built GPS

Samsung Gear Sport provides many of the features available in other trackers, but it does come with a built-in GPS and bluetooth system. This allows users to drop off their phones at home and go for a run without any distractions. That said, it does considerably drain the battery so you might want to conserve the battery when you’re not using the GPS. Additionally, it might not be suitable for hikers given the limited power. 

While it does not provide much in terms of activity categorization, its waterproof functionality provides a decent incentive for runners and swimmers. Additionally, users can also utilize their Spotify Premium to help them listen to music on the go. Overall, if you need a decent integrated GPS tracker, Samsung Gear Sport has you covered. 

Pros 

  • Clean UI Design 
  • Embedded Bluetooth and GPS functions
  • Water Resistant 
  • Sleep Monitoring Available 
  • Great for Swimmers and Runners
  • Comes With Widgets For Easy Customization 

Cons

  • No Speaker
  • Battery Drains Quickly From GPS Use
  • Limited Activity Tracking

Conclusion

Look past the hype this Boxing Day and choose the tech which delivers what you need. Remember to keep your fitness level, activities and goals in mind when making the decision. For example, if you want to track your blood pressure, any ordinary heart rate tracker will not suffice and you should explore your options. This will ultimately help you snag the right tracker for your lifestyle. 

Garmin Instinct

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Female rock climbing and being spotted by male partner

Garmin watches are well known for their impressive sports tracking abilities, and the Instinct certainly doesn’t disappoint in this respect. With its wealth of customisation options and its rugged appearance, it’s a great choice for anyone who loves the outdoor lifestyle. It has no shortage of features, but is this the right smartwatch for you? We take a closer look at what the Garmin Instinct has to offer.

The Background

The Instinct follows on from Garmin’s earlier Vivoactive and Fenix ranges combining the former’s lightweight design and the analytical advanced features of the latter.

The Features

The Instinct is a very functional smartwatch, although its five-button control system isn’t very user-friendly. One of the top features of this watch is its customisation abilities. From its 12 pre-loaded watch faces to its customisable data, you can really get a lot out of this watch – once you’ve mastered the learning curve of its controls.

The Design

The Instinct doesn’t have the most stylish design but it does come in a choice of three appealing colors – graphite, tundra and flame red. There’s also the possibility of a little extra customisation thanks to the Quickfit straps.

The Instinct weighs 52g and has a 45mm casing. This makes it less chunky than many of its rivals, including the Fenix. The strap is made from comfortable silicone which makes it easy to wear anywhere.

The monochrome screen is a bit of a let-down when compared with other watches. Its 128 x 128 pixel display offers a no frills experience, even though it provides you with all the information you need to see. However, if you’re serious about an outdoor lifestyle, the simple display could be one of this device’s greatest benefits.

The Fitness Tracking

As you’d expect from a Garmin device, the Instinct has its focus firmly on outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a quick and simple way to view their vital stats. Hikers, trail runners and climbers will appreciate the effective tracking on this device, although those who participate primarily in a sport which isn’t mentioned above will find that there are better alternatives out there. The activity interface isn’t the most informative or detailed, but it should be sufficient to accommodate most requirements. The strength and gym activity option is difficult to use and, due to its manual management, it makes it just too challenging to be worthwhile.

What Are The Main Advantages?

  • Water resistant to 100 meters
  • Slim design which isn’t too bulky for slim wrists
  • Excellent for outdoor activity tracking
  • Longer battery life
  • Easy to read screen, even in low lighting conditions  

What Are The Main Disadvantages?

  • No color screen
  • Limited features and statistics
  • Best suited to outdoor sports

Competition

The Garmin Fenix

If you find the sports tracking of this smartwatch appealing but want a more stylish option with higher-end look and feel, the Garmin Fenix range could be a better option. It offers many of the same features as the Instinct but looks more appealing.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for wider range of features, such as the ability to make contactless payments, receive your notifications on the go or play your music as you jog, there are better alternatives. The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a good choice for Android smartphone users, while it’s hard to beat the Apple Watch Series 4 if you’re an iPhone user who wants maximum functionality on the move. However, both of these come with higher price tags.

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

We know that not everyone wants the same thing from their devices, so we make sure to look at all the different aspects of each model before bringing you the details you need to know.

First, we look at the design aspects of the watch. We see how comfortable it feels to wear, how attractive it looks and how user-friendly the controls are. Is it a watch that can take you from day to night effortlessly? Will it work on slim or chunky wrists? Does it feel secure?

Next, we look at the various features of each watch. Can it play music? Take calls on the go? Push your notifications? Does it have GPS tracking? What are its fitness tracking capabilities? We put all of these factors to the test, and work out just how much effect each has on the device’s processing power, memory and battery life. Will the battery last as long as the manufacturer suggests? Will the tracking stats stand up to expectations? Does it let you do everything you need it to?

Finally, we collate all of this information and put it all together in a review for you so that you can make a well informed decision about which is the right smartwatch to suit your needs.

In Summary

If you’re an outdoors enthusiast who is looking for a durable, robust and rugged smartwatch to show your vital stats while hiking, mountain climbing or trail running, you’ve found it in the Garmin Instinct. It isn’t the most beautiful watch, and it certainly isn’t the most advanced in terms of its display or functions, but it does the job that it was designed to do – to give serious outdoor sports enthusiasts an efficient way to track their activities – and it does it well.

Xiaomi Mi Band 4

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Display of one orange Xiaomi MI Band 4 and one black Xiaomi MI Band 4

Xiaomi might not be the best known activity tracker brand, but it’s becoming more popular as word spreads about its appealing combination of low cost and well-featured functionality. The Mi Band 4 is the most recent release from this budget brand, and it’s the most fully featured yet.

The Background

Year on year, the Xiaomi adds even more features to the Mi Band without hiking up the prices. The Band 4 is the most recent development, boasting even more exercise profiles along with a better display. While the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 was last year’s best value tracker, this new model has improved on its functionality in several ways.

Mi Band 4 - Perfect for boys and girls.
Mi Band 4 – Perfect for boys and girls.

The Features

Although the Mi Band 4 doesn’t compete with high-end smartwatches and activity trackers, it does offer some excellent functionality for the price. Its updated Bluetooth 5.0 support ensures that there are no connectivity issues while the integrated heartrate sensor is another great feature.

The Mi Band 4 is designed for use in China, and when used in its native country, it offers even more functions such as public transport payments, contactless payments and the Xiao AI assistant. Elsewhere, the Mi Band 4 is capable of relaying emails, texts, calls and notifications. While you aren’t able to reply to them, it’s still nice to be able to read messages.

There are also a number of customisation options which come included in the Mi Fit app. These include custom vibration patterns, scheduling for automatic screen wake up, a night mode, a do-not-disturb mode and support for several watch faces.

The mi Band 3 (compared to 4)
Mi band 3 for comparison

The Design

The Mi Band 4 is certainly an improvement over its predecessor and, while the tracker looks quite generic with its unassuming case and black band, its improved display makes it worth the investment.

The Mi Band 4 features a 0.95in RGB AMOLED display with a 120 x 240 pixel density and 400-nit brightness. The display is touchscreen activated and is controlled with swipes and taps. It’s possible to detach the tracker case from the silicone band and switch the bands out with a wide variety of other options to give you even more versatility.

Fitness Tracking

As you’d expect, the Mi Band 4 tracks all your major stats – from steps taken and distance travelled to the number of calories burned, active heart rate and rest time. It also tracks your sleep patterns. There is no inbuilt GPS tracking functionality though, so distance metrics aren’t the most accurate unless you’re prepared to go for a run with your GPS-connected smartphone.

The Mi Band 4 also has several different workout modes and is capable of tracking a wide variety of activities including outdoor running, treadmill, walking, cycling and swimming – it can recognise no less than five swimming styles and record 12 data sets including stroke count and swimming pace. It has a 5ATM water resistance rating.

The Mi Band 4 pairs with a smartphone through the Mi Fit app. This has three separate sections – profile, friends and workout. All are easy to understand. You can connect with other users through the friends section to see their health data and activity levels while the profile area contains your own settings, goals and personal information.

Mi Fit data can be synced with Google Fit or WeRun which gives you even more flexibility.

What Are The Main Advantages?

  • Water resistant to 5ATM
  • Tracks a great range of exercises
  • Interchangeable straps
  • Integrated heart monitor
  • Sleep tracking function
  • Connected GPS functionality
  • Bluetooth 5.0 support for better connectivity
  • Displays notifications

What Are The Main Disadvantages?

  • Cannot respond to notifications
  • No integrated GPS function

Competition

The major competitors to the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 are the Samsung Galaxy Fit and the Fitbit Inspire HR however both of these devices are more costly and offer little more in the way of features and fitness tracking functionality. Nevertheless, if you don’t like the Mi Fit app, you may want to consider the Inspire HR since it uses the Fitbit app which is leading the way in fitness tracking and offers a refined user experience.

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

It’s our mission to help you to choose the best smartwatch or activity tracker for you by supplying you with the key information you need to make an informed decision. To achieve this, we always thoroughly test and review every element of each device, beginning with its appearance and design. We test to see if the watch is visually appealing as well as comfortable to wear, and also test the battery life and functionality.

We test all of the activity tracking functions to make sure that they’re fit for purpose together with the GPS and the data connectivity where applicable. We test processing power and speed, as well as the third-party downloadable apps to make sure that everything lives up to expectations. Finally, we present you with all the facts so you can choose.

In Summary

With each passing year, the Xiaomi brand adds even more features to the Mi Band range without increasing the prices to a hugely inflated level. The Mi Band 4 stands out from the crowd thanks to its improved display and exercise profiles without costing the earth. If you’re looking for one of the best affordable fitness trackers on the market today, you won’t be disappointed if you buy this device.