Smart watches do you have one, how much was it, what do you use it for, etc?

[QuarterMillionMan]

It never piqued my interest until recently. Prices run the gamut from lows of $39 for mainly sports or fitness tracking to Samsung Galaxy or Apple watches for many hundreds. My 56 yr old eyes might not be able to see the small screen but I'm considering buying one. What are some of the advantages or disadvantages of smart watches?

[ua_guy]

I bought my husband an Apple watch in 2018, IIRC it was $399. He likes some of the health benefits, although his is not as capable as the newer ones with heart monitoring (his tracks heartbeat, but was before the EKG and analysis features). It tracks his sleep and physical activity and he's used it to help him his fitness goals. He can place or receive calls with it, send messages. Mostly he uses it for reading/acknowledging messages on the fly. It does a bunch of other stuff too, or so I hear.

I've been resistant to buy any kind of smart watch for myself...he wants me to get one for the heart monitoring. But I do too much stuff with my hands around the house to wear nice things. I'd end up taking it off all the time! I have an old G-shock that I wear for everyday stuff. I don't mind if it gets soaked, whacked, or scratched.

[kork13]

DW has a Fitbit Versa 3, which is around $180. It's more fitness, less smartwatch... But it does have some of that capability.

Funny that you ask today, I was looking at this stuff again just this morning after my run, wishing I had one for tracking my runs. I also want something to help me with sleep (sleep tracking and hopefully to help me wake up better, which I struggle with). I'm waiting for Google's Pixel Watch, set to release this fall (probably ~Oct), with cost estimates around $250-$350. I've avoided most of the other options because I want the integration that comes with pairing smartwatch with cell phone (iPhone + Apple Watch, or in my case, Pixel + Pixel Watch).

ETA: What I haven't figured out is how much of a benefit getting an LTE enabled smartwatch would be for me. The biggest upside that I can see is having access to calls/texts, and especially music, without having to carry my phone with me on a run. But it would also mean another $10-$15/mo on my phone bill, and I think the LTE capable watches are also more expensive. So that's part of my calculus.

[srblanco7]

I use my smartwatch for multi-sport tracking (e.g., runs, strength, HIIT) as well as golf yardages, sleep tracking and resting pulse amongst other things. Both of my watches are garmin fenix - different generations. The newest generation incorporates solar charging which much improves battery life - which was really my only complaint regarding the 6th generation. Not an inexpensive alternative - but I'm pleased with them overall. It also provides notifications - but that's of a factor to me.

[bjl584]

I don't even own a watch.
My cell phone tells me what time it is.

I've never been much of a "techie" so I guess I can't really miss what I've never had

[Fishindude77]

No thanks !

[disneysteve]

I don't even own a watch.

I stopped wearing a watch shortly after getting my first iPhone and have never gone back so I can't help with any possible benefits to a smart watch. I will say I have no interest in a watch monitoring my sleep pattern because even if I had a watch, I wouldn't wear it to bed. My phone works as a fitness tracker just fine. I'm never without my phone when I'm exercising. If I want to know my pulse rate, it takes 10 seconds to figure it out myself.

I generally think they're a somewhat gimmicky add on to your smart phone.

[AJ444]

Had some version of the Apple Watch since it came out in 2015 and they run $399 and up. I have had several uses for it:

1. Fitness/sleep tracking

2. Stand-alone device when I don’t want my phone on me, going outside walking or if I don’t want to carry phone room to room. Often at work I’ll leave my phone at my desk and can still be reached on my watch.

3. Receiving messages when it would be considered rude to check my phone. For instance last week at work I was getting ready to present, while watching another presentation my boss had a last minute change and I was able to see it on my watch.

4. Backup, one time I was far from home and my phone bricked, I was still able to place calls and send receive texts on my watch.

5. Payments, it is darn handy to move my hand over the terminal and click twice to pay for a lot of things on the go.

6. Forgetfulness, I get notifications on my watch if I leave my phone or wallet behind.

Those things may not be useful for everyone, or enough of a gain of ease over other means, but I love the whole package.

[Drake3287]

I purchased my Apple Watch a number of years ago and loved everything it did including for exercise. I've seen purchased a higher-end watch that I've always wanted and now simply use the smart watch while exercising. Agree with being hard to read for many of us that use reading glasses!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I just replaced my samsung galaxy watch active 2 used from ebay for $30. I'm hoping to get the new pixel watch 2 when it comes out in the fall. of course with this new/refurbished galaxy watch active 2 for so cheap it's hard to not just replace it again with a 4 say next year!

Everything I just like it for getting messages and calls steps, etc.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Ok no one (or noone as some people spell it, lol) mentioned bluetooth pairing vs cellular connectivity for smart watches. I've been doing more research and the more that I look into it the more complicated it becomes. I haven't gotten one yet but would get one (Apple Watch) where I can connect independently to an added service (in the video they say about $10 a month extra). To make things more complicated I'm transitioning from an iPhone to Android on Crickett's $60 a month highest tier service (AT & T's network). Crickett's website doesn't show anything about adding a smart watch for $10 or more per month which I'm willing to purchase. Adding to another level of complication where I want to get Apple's Watch but won't be using an iPhone, will that force me into only getting a Samsung smart watch 4 model with LTE service? But then since I have Crickett which doesn't have add-on cellular services for smart watches, it looks like I won't be buying any smart watches and need to get one of the carries in this video. It's complicated, lol.

What Apple Watch Cellular Plans Cost on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile & More (Updated for Apple Watch 6) - YouTube

[QuarterMillionMan]

[ua_guy]

^ That brings up a good point. Features aside, using wireless resellers and mixing device ecosystems (Apple/Android/PC) can create an unwanted overhead of integration troubles and support. It may be you have to add a full 2nd line on Cricket just to connect your watch, which could easily eat up any savings by using a reseller. I believe the higher cost of Apple hardware and integration within the brand has ultimately provided more value than buying different devices based on price. Features is another thing, all preference, not meant to be an Apple v World debate.

DH's Apple Watch has its own line (T-Mo) and he does that so he doesn't always have to carry his phone. But when in range, Bluetooth integration is perfect.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Apple vs World is spot on. I'm still battling Apple trying to break free from its vise gripped like hold going with a new Android phone. I almost gave up once going back to Apple but I've got a second wind giving Android another go round. Apple has its strangle hold on me but I'm determined to break free from them but it's not easy, lol. As for getting a second line for a smart watch for cellular service I would rather cancel my Crickett service and sign up w/T Mobile $50 for a Magenta 55 plan and add the $10 wearable add on.

[james.hendrickson]

Guys, what does a wearable smart watch give you that your smartphone does not?