Frequently Asked questions about Smartwatches

When were smartwatches invented?

The original ‘smartwatch’ was developed in the early 1970s, though the smartest thing it could do back then was store 24 digits! Then, throughout the 1980s, Seiko developed its line of smartwatches, and by the late 1990s, the first Linux smartwatch had been born. However, 2010 was the real turning-point for smartwatch technology. Not only did the tech improve significantly, but key players such as Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit are in the game. In fact, it was during this decade that smartwatches became an everyday accessory rather than a luxury.

How many people actually own a smartwatch?

Over the last 10 years, the popularity of smartwatches has skyrocketed. Statistics from 2019 show that 16% of the US population own a smartwatch; a figure that is set to grow throughout 2020. Whilst smartwatches have no age-limit, young adults tend to be the biggest fans. In fact, according to one study, nearly 40% of UK Millennials own a smartwatch.

Are smartwatches only for men?

(silly question, but worth an answer)

Traditionally, smartwatches were techy gadgets aimed at a predominantly male audience. But things have definitely changed over the last decade. Women are now just as likely to own a smartwatch as men. These days, there are some great smartwatches for women on the market, as well as luxury smartwatches for men.

Will smartwatches replace smartphones?

You can make calls, texts, and payments, browse your favourite apps, and even track your health on a smartwatch. So, surely, it’s only a matter of time before smartwatches replace smartphones, right? Well, perhaps…
The main reasons why smartwatches haven’t fully replaced smartphones yet are: (1) some people prefer the larger screen of a smartphone. (2) Many smartwatches still need to ‘talk’ to a smartphone’s network or piggy-back of its GPS so they are not fully independent.
But, watch this space! Some tech experts believe that, by 2025, the majority of smartwatch users will be using their smartwatch on a cellular network. If this happens, smartphones could become an ‘occasional-use item’, much like a tablet or iPad.

Will smartwatches replace traditional watches?

Yes, smartwatches are likely to replace traditional watches. In fact, if you look around, you’ll see that this is already happening. Many of the best-selling smartwatches are hybrid watches which look like traditional watches. Think Garmin Vivomove, Skagen Falster,Moto 360, and Withings Steel HR. So, smartwatch technology has already begun to infiltrate the traditional watch sector.

What’s more, smartwatches are just as affordable (if not, more affordable) than traditional watches. You can pick up a smartwatch for under £100 ($130) these days. Also, you can charge it electronically, so there’ll be no need to buy a replacement battery. That said, it seems very likely that smartwatches will replace traditional, battery-powered watches.

How much does a smartwatch cost?

Thanks to huge competition in this marketplace, there is a smartwatch to suit every budget. The cheapest Fitbit now sells for around £80 ($100), whilst the priciest Apple Watch sells for around £500+ ($650). You could also find lots of good value Chinese branded smartwatches from Xiaomi and Huawei which cost around $25-$100 depending on the model.

Where to buy smartwatches?

Often, the cheapest place to buy a smartwatch is online. This is because online stores don’t have the same overheads as brick-and-mortar stores. However, be sure to buy your smartwatch from a reputable online seller and check their returns policy before parting with your cash. It depends what kind of watch you are looking for. If you are on a tight budget, and looking for an expensive one, consider buying a second-hand smartwatch online, but watch out for counterfeit/stolen goods. There are many relatively cheap smartwatches which give a good value for money.

Are smartwatches worth it?

Before buying their first smartwatch, most people ask themselves, ‘Is a smartwatch really worth it?’. We think smartwatches offer great value, though not all smartwatches are right for all people. To get the most out of owning a smartwatch, it is important to choose the right model.

Can smartwatches work without a smartphone?

Yes.

There are a few smartwatches that don’t require a smartphone. The Apple Watch series and the Samsung Galaxy Watch, being two. This is because they have their own cellular connection. This is a premium function, and you’ll pay for this. It’ll enable you to make calls and reply to texts. 

The downside to this smartphone freedom is that it’ll drain the battery of your smartwatch. 

The alternative to a cellular connection and the added cost is to find a smartwatch with wifi capabilities. This means you still don’t need to be near your phone. Your smartwatch won’t be able to send texts, but if you use internet-based messenger services like WhatsApp or Messenger, you can stay in touch.

Can smartwatches make calls?

Yes! Many smartwatches allow you to make and receive calls. To make the call, these watches will usually connect to your smartphone’s network via Bluetooth. However, some smartwatches, (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2) are available on LTE (cellular). Opting for the LTE version is more expensive, but it means you’ll be able to make/receive calls without your phone being there.

Be warned, though, that a smartwatch with this function will see a big hit on the battery life. If you’re connected to your network all day, this will drain the battery fast. The connection itself may also be patchy, depending on how long you’re hoping to keep it on for. 

Tip: If you want to make calls via a smartwatch but you don’t want to purchase an LTE model, Apple Watch seems to offer the best value. This is because if your smartphone network offers ‘Wi-Fi calling’, your Apple Watch will be able to make calls via the Wi-Fi even when your phone is not present. (This assumes that your watch has access to a Wi-Fi network, and that your phone has been connected to that Wi-Fi connection at some point in the past).

Can smartwatches take photos?

The camera is one of the most well-used features on a smartphone. So, if smartwatches were to replace smartphones, they’d have to offer a pretty good camera. At this time, smartwatches don’t really cut the mustard in this department. Some of the Samsung watches and the Apple Watch do let you control your phone’s camera via your wrist which can be helpful for taking group photos. But that’s about as far as it goes…

The reason you don’t often see a camera on an adult’s smartwatch because they aren’t designed to replace smartphones. Modern smartphones have cameras of incredible quality so smartwatches, therefore, offer a control option on your smartphone’s camera.

If you do want a camera, the Samsung Gear 2 has one that's on a par with that of a smartphone.

Rumour has it that LG’s next smartwatch will feature a start-of-the-art built-in camera, so watch this space!

Can smartwatches monitor blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a common health concern, so there’s definitely a demand for BP monitoring. Measuring blood pressure (BP) at the wrist poses a challenge as BP is usually measured on the upper arm using cuff technology. As of yet, 3 smartwatches claim to be able to track BP via the wrist.
When it comes to blood pressure monitoring, there are 3 devices you should be aware of:
· The Omron Heart Guide can reliably track BP and it’s even FDA approved! It is big and bulky, though, so it’s not for everyone.
· Secondly, there’s the ASUS Vivowatch BP, which also has ECG technology. This is not FDA-approved, though it may be in the near future.
· Aside from this, the Samsung Galaxy Active 2 also offers BP monitoring via the BP Lab App, but it is not available in all parts of the world.

How do smartwatches measure heart rate?

Most smartwatches use a technology called photoplethysmography (or PPG) to measure heart rate. Typically, a green light is projected on the skin hundreds of times per second and the reflection of the light is captured. Since more light is reflected between heartbeats, this can give a good indication of heart rate (with the help of an algorithmic software). The hardware used for PPG is usually called an ‘optical heart rate monitor’.

PPG gives a good indication of heart rate, but it is not 100% accurate. If you are looking for precision, you could pair your smartwatch with an external HR strap (Suunto offer some great options).
Looking to the future, smartwatches should become more accurate at measuring heart rate. This is because a handful of smartwatches are beginning to incorporate ECG technology (look out for watches with an ECG/EKG sensor). Instead of using light to measure heart rate, these devices measure electrical currents underneath the skin. [See: ‘Which smartwatches have EKG?’].

How do smartwatches track steps/activities?

Most smartwatches calculate steps using a ‘3-Axis Accelerometer’. This is hardware that can be found in most smartphones, so it’s nothing spectacular. However, some watches also have a gyroscope to measure orientation and an altimeter for measuring elevation. If you’re looking for precise activity tracking, looking out for a device that has all three sensors!
The data from these sensors can be combined with other information from the health app to produce some interesting health stats – such as calories burned.

How do smartwatches monitor sleep?

Nowadays, most smartwatches claim they can ‘monitor your sleep’, but what does this really mean? Well, most watches have sensors that can measure movements and cardiovascular data (heart rate, heart rate variability etc.). When combined, this data can be used to determine (1) how long you’ve slept for, and (2) how long you spent in each of the four ‘stages’ of sleep.
Indeed, during rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM), heart rate, breathing, and bodily movements speed up, so this will be picked up by the sensors.
So, smartwatches can monitor not only the length but also the quality of your sleep. Pretty smart, huh?

How do smartwatches measure stress?

A Smartwatch measures stress by collecting your cardiovascular data and plugging this into its proprietary algorithm. Clearly, stress is experienced as a mix of physiological and psychological symptoms. For this reason, smartwatches don’t claim to be 100% accurate in this department.

Can smartwatches record audio?

Yes. Though it isn’t a universal feature. Manufacturers tend to avoid adding this as a feature due to the cost of including a microphone and a speaker. They also add bulk to the watch and may put people off if they’re looking for a more sleek and lightweight timepiece.

However, those smartwatches offering Siri, Bixby and Google Assist need this feature to enable you to talk to your assistants. You can then use the microphone to record voice notes, which you can send to others.

Which smartwatches can record conversations?

Many smartwatches can record your voice. Choose a watch with a built-in speaker such as the Apple Watch (3 series+), Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, or Ticwatch Pro.
On some watches, you may need to download a third-party app like Wear Audio Recorder or Voice Recorder Watch to capture and store your recordings. If you visit the above links, you can cross-check the compatibility of these apps with your desired smartwatch.

Which smartwatches have GPS?

Smartwatches can either have connected GPS or in-built GPS. As you’d expect, connected GPS devices are cheaper; our favourite is the Fitbit Versa. You need to carry your smartphone with you when using a connected-GPS smartwatch, so they are not usually the best choice for runners.
These days, an increasing number of smartwatches have in-built GPS. Examples include, Garmin Forerunner 935/945, Apple Watch, many of the Suunto watches, Fenix 5, Fitbit Ionic, Huawei Watch/2 and Garmin Vivoactive.

Which smartwatches have GLONASS?

GLONASS is a similar satellite system to GPS though it is thought to be more helpful for navigating challenging terrains. So, if you’re looking for a hiking watch, choose a GLONASS device. The Garmin Fenix and Garmin Instinct have GLONASS, as do many of the Suunto watches

Which smartwatches play music?

Plenty of smartwatches can play music on your Bluetooth headphones nowadays. If you are music lover, look for a watch that has around 4GB of storage (this translates to around 500 songs). Our favourite smartwatches that play music are Garmin Forerunner 245 music (or 645), Fitbit Ionic/Versa, and Garmin Vivoactive 3 music.

Which smartwatches have Spotify?

Spotify is great for trying new music! It is supported on Apple Watch, and many of the Samsung, Wear OS, Garmin and Fitbit watches. This handy resource can provide further details on compatibility and set-up details.
It is worth noting that you will have to be a Spotify premium member to get offline playback.

Which smartwatches are waterproof?

A lot of smartwatches are ‘water-resistant’ rather than ‘water-proof’. Water-resistant watches will probably survive the occasional shower, but they shouldn’t be taken swimming.

To know if a watch is waterproof or not, take a look at its ATM (atmospheres) rating. This refers to the amount of pressure it can withstand underwater. 5ATM translates to around 50 metres underwater. If you are looking for a waterproof watch, it’s best to look for a minimum of 5ATM.

Our favourites are Garmin Swim, Samsung Watch Active 2, or Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR (which is resistant to 100 metres!). For regular swimmers/divers, the Garmin Descent MK1 is also a good option.

Which smartwatches can be used without a phone?

The following smartphones can work without a phone (choose LTE version):
· Apple Watch (series 3+)
· Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
· Samsung Gear S3/ Frontier
· LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition
· LG watch sport
· Huawei Watch 2
It’s thought that more of the Wear OS smartwatches will soon become available on LTE, so watch this space. New options are being added all the time.

Which smartwatches have Google Pay?

Google Pay allows you pay anywhere that accepts contactless payments! But which watches have it? Well, Wear OS Devices can run Google Pay. Our favourites are TicWatch Pro, Fossil Sport/ Explorist HR, Misfit Vapor 2, and Skagen Falster 2. Apple Watch has its own payment system called Apple Pay.

Which smartwatches have ECG/EKG?

Now, very few smartwatches offer ECG/EKG sensors. The ones that do are:
· Apple Watch 4
· Samsung Galaxy Active 2 (but the tech hasn’t really gone live yet)
· Asus VivoWatch BP (not widely available yet)
· Withings ScanWatch
It’s likely that many more smartwatches will start bringing out this technology over the next couple of years.

Which smartwatches can detect Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep Apnoea is a worrying condition where your breathing stops and starts throughout the night. At this time, there is no smartwatch that can reliably detect Sleep Apnoea. However, Withings are hoping that their ScanWatch will gain FDA approval for detecting Sleep Apnoea. This watch is designed to detect atrial fibrillation and sleep apnoea, so it would be quite revolutionary.

Fitbit also say they are working on detecting Sleep Apnoea though developments have been slow.

Can smartwatches be used without a phone?

es, a handful of smartwatches can run on their own cellular network. Look out for “LTE”connectivity if you want a standalone smartwatch.
Our favourite LTE smartwatches include the Apple Watch (series 3+) and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. [For a longer list of LTE smartwatches, see “Which smartwatches can be used without a phone?”].

Can smartwatches make calls?

Yes! Many smartwatches allow you to make and receive calls. To make the call, these watches will usually connect to your smartphone’s network via Bluetooth. However, some smartwatches, (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2) are available on LTE (cellular). Opting for the LTE version is more expensive, but it means you’ll be able to make/receive calls without your phone being there.

Be warned, though, that a smartwatch with this function will see a big hit on the battery life. If you’re connected to your network all day, this will drain the battery fast. The connection itself may also be patchy, depending on how long you’re hoping to keep it on for. 

Tip: If you want to make calls via a smartwatch but you don’t want to purchase an LTE model, Apple Watch seems to offer the best value. This is because if your smartphone network offers ‘Wi-Fi calling’, your Apple Watch will be able to make calls via the Wi-Fi even when your phone is not present. (This assumes that your watch has access to a Wi-Fi network, and that your phone has been connected to that Wi-Fi connection at some point in the past).

Can smartwatches send texts?

Most smartwatches will buzz when your phone receives a text. However, only some will allow you to reply to texts.

Some newer smartwatches let you connect with friends and family via text, email, calls and social media. These smartwatches boast the same features as your smartphone, including texting. They aren’t designed specifically for texting, but it’s something they can do! 

So, which smartwatches let you send texts? Well, aside from the Apple Watch, there’s the LG Watch Urbane, Samsung Gear Sports/Gear S3/Watch Active 2, Huawei Watch 2, and Motorola Moto 360. If you want to send texts independently of your phone, you’ll need to choose an LTE smartwatch.

You can also send quick replies on the Garmin Fenix, and Fitbit Charge 3/Ionic/Versa (on Android only). These watches piggy-back off your phone’s network, so your phone will need to be nearby.

Can smartwatches access the internet?

As it stands today, most smartwatches don’t function as a standalone device. They don’t have their own internet connection. They can be connected to the internet, though. A lot of watches are designed to connect to a device that does have a connection.

Once connected, usually to your smartphone, the internet wakes up your smartphone. It enables capabilities such as GPS navigation, notifications, fitness data syncing and third-party apps shared with your phone.

This feature helps you make and receive calls and texts.

Which smartwatches will work with an iPhone?

As you’d expect, Apple Watch is fully compatible with iPhone. But are there any other options for iPhone users? Well, all Wear OS devices are compatible with iPhone (iOS 9.3+). These include Skagen Falster, TicWatch E2, Fossil Gen 5., Etc. Samsung and Garmin watches also work well with iPhone.
Fitbits are also compatible for the most part, although the option to send ‘quick reply texts’ is missing for iPhone users.

Which smartwatches work with Android?

Although some have paired an Apple Watch with an Android phone, the results aren’t pretty. So, what other options do you have? Well, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit watches work well with Android 4.4+. Also, all Wear OS Devices run a version of Android, so they are compatible with Android 4.4+.
Our top picks are Sunnto7, Fossil Sport, and Skagen Falster, though you can read the full list of Wear OS Devices here!

Which smartwatches work with Samsung?

The most compatible smartwatches will be those from the Samsung range. Our favourite is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. Nevertheless, Samsung phones operate on Android so any Samsung phone (4.4+) should support any of the Wear OS devices.
Often, Fitbits don’t pair very well with Samsung phones. This pairing will usually work, but you might not have access to all the Apps/features.

Which smartwatches work with Amazon Music?

Amazon music is compatible with selected Garmin devices, including Fenix series, Vivoactive 3 music and Forerunner 245/645 music. You can read more about it here.

Can smartwatches play music?

Yes!

There are many smartwatches that can play music. Some connect to wifi to stream music. Some connect via Bluetooth to your wireless headphones. Some have built-in storage for use as an mp3 player. Some will pair with your smartphone’s music player. 

A smartwatch can be really handy if you want to enjoy hands (and phone) free music. You can control your music with a simple tap on the display. 

A good proportion of smartwatches support apps like Spotify. Brands like Apple, Samsung, LG and Garmin are great for music lovers. 

Can smartwatches play games?

Yes.

Smartwatches have always come with some sort of game. They haven’t spent much time developing this feature because the benefits aren’t great enough. Why would you want to use such a small screen for games? This will also drain the battery quickly. 

On the whole, though, if you want to play games, the option is indeed there. There are apps you can download to your watch. They’re working on Pokemon Go, which might be the ultimate smartwatch game. Otherwise, you can check out the Google Play and Apple Store for some novelty games.

Can smartwatches detect an irregular heart rhythm?

Yes, a handful of smartwatches claim to be able to detect atrial defibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) via their ECG sensor. At this time, the Apple Watch is the only FDA-approved watch that can detect atrial defibrillation.

Is the health data accurate?

Most smartwatch companies will admit that health-tracking via their devices is not 100% accurate. However, the data is still pretty reliable. Indeed, health tracking can provide you with a variety of health metrics to support your fitness, weight loss, and wellbeing. Speaking very generally, Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Suunto are renowned for their precision, so if you’re serious about health tracking, consider one of these brands.
Having said that, some cheaper brands offer great precision, too, (such as Huawei 2), so keep your options open. You can improve the accuracy of your data by:
· Wearing the watch reasonably tight
· Wearing it on your non-dominant arm
· Updating your device regularly
· Charging your device often so you don’t ‘lose’ any health data

Can smartwatches detect atrial fibrillation?

Yes.

Atrial fibrillation measurements are available on some smartwatches, which was pioneered on the Apple Watch. Since release, others have been adding it to their wearables to compete, though Apple's is currently the most reliable.

Can smartwatches monitor sleep patterns?

Yes. The majority of smartwatches have a tri-axis accelerometer – the device that monitors movement. Some have a gyroscope which tracks rotation and orientation. It uses this movement data to translate it into sleep patterns.

But it’s not super-accurate. There’s a lot of guessing involved as you’re relying on a sensor purely looking at your movement.

Are smartwatches safe?

On the whole, smartwatches are safe. In fact, features like Google/Apple pay, and the ability to make calls from our wrist can actually help us to feel safer. What’s more, they can help us monitor our health, and the connectedness they offer may even protect against loneliness…
Even so, a smartwatch is an electrical device that stores our personal data. As such, we should handle them with care.

Will smartwatches cause cancer?

Some people worry that the radiation emitted from smartwatches could cause cancer. Others claim this is nothing more than conspiracy. So, who’s right? Is it this something we should be concerned about? Well, a report from Utah university suggests that, whilst smartwatches may emit a small amount of radiation (as smartphones do), there is very little evidence to suggest that this level of radiation would cause cancer.

Can smartwatches be hacked?

Since the VTech big data breach scandal of 2015, smartwatch manufacturers have begun to take data security more seriously. Thankfully, this means hacking is not a serious threat to most smartwatch users. However, you should still take steps to protect yourself:
· Start by installing a digital safety solution on your device such as Norton.
· Also, when downloading Apps, allow as few ‘permissions’ as possible.
· Update your device regularly so that it has the most up-to-date protection.
· Finally, if you decide to sell your device, make sure you restore it to factory settings!