Many Android fans look longingly at the Apple Watch, after all, it is the best smartwatch. But without an iPhone (from generation 6S) it is not even suitable as a time indicator, and it does not get along with Android. Smartwatch seekers who own an iPhone also find reasons to look around at the competition. That may be due to the price of the Apple Watch: Even the Apple Watch 3, which has been on the market since 2017, costs at least 200 euros. Their successors are even more expensive: The Apple Watch 7, presented in 2021, costs from 400 euros. Apart from the price, there is another shortcoming: Some people are bothered by the smartwatch’s greatest weakness – its short battery life of one day. The editorial team has selected the best Apple Watch alternatives and reveals here on the basis of the test results why they can compete with the cult watch.
What makes an Apple Watch alternative
If you are looking for a suitable alternative to the Apple Watch, you want a watch that takes on the strengths of the Smartwatch. This includes:
- Fitness functions: Above all, the Apple Watch measures the heart rate precisely. It records many types of training, and the sensors help it: thanks to the barometer and GPS, it tracks routes and altitude.
- Health functions: The Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram (ECG) records the heart’s rhythm to check for the dangerous arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation. In addition, the smartwatch detects serious falls and sends an emergency call in the event of an emergency.
- Smart functions: Many iPhone apps and services have found their way onto the Apple Watch. This includes Siri, Apple Pay, Reminders, the Calendar, and Messages. Warning: Apple only allows messages to be sent via Apple Watch. If you connect your iPhone to a smartwatch from another manufacturer, you will only receive messages, but will not be able to send a reply via the watch. The LTE versions (“GPS + Cellular”) of the Apple Watch have an eSIM with which the watch can independently access the cellular network without being near the iPhone or WLAN.
Because the Apple Watch has an enormous number of functions on board, it is not surprising that its runtime is rather short. It has to be connected to the charger every day. The distance can only be increased by using energy-saving settings – which can be found in the Apple Watch battery tips from the editors.
Apple Watch alternative
Which smartwatch is an alternative to the Apple Watch?
In order to take on the Apple Watch, you need successful software that is easy to use and offers comprehensive, smart smartwatch functions such as messaging, apps and services. So that the fitness functions can compete with those of the Apple Watch, at least a movement and heart sensor, GPS, barometer and compass should be part of the equipment and deliver solid results. These criteria are best met by smartwatches from Samsung, Fitbit and Garmin. Below you will find three editorially selected alternatives to the Apple Watch. The table compares their most important functions at a glance.
Heart rate measurement in the test
Automatic sport detection
Fitbit Versa 3 as an Apple Watch alternative
The Fitbit Versa 3 (2020) scores with strong fitness functions. Apart from messaging functions, it gets along as well with iPhones as with Android phones. She installs apps with the help of her smartphone. In the third generation, the Versa is learning to record routes without a mobile phone thanks to the built-in GPS. The loudspeaker gives voice assistant Amazon Alexa a voice. Fitbit Pay enables payment functions. the Fitbit Versa 3 for around 160 euros is a powerful fitness smartwatch that detects and classifies sleep and activities – and scores with good, clever features. If you want an EKG, you can use the Fitbit Sense instead.
- Advantages over the Apple Watch: The Versa 3 has a longer battery life, is cheaper, also works with Android and offers sophisticated sleep tracking.
- Disadvantages compared to the Apple Watch: The smart functions of the Versa 3 are limited, their operation is a little less fluid than that of the Apple Watch.
Fitbit Versa 3 on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic for Android
For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic offers the largest range of smart functions – the refreshed Google system makes it possible: Instead of the Galaxy Store, there is the Play Store, many services such as Google Pay, Maps and Messages are on board, but stay at the same time Get Samsung services like Bixby and Samsung Pay. the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic denotes the nobler version with the eye-catching bezel, which has always made the operation of Samsung’s smartwatches special, there is also the sportier version Galaxy Watch 4. Shortcomings: The voice recognition did not always work in the test and some services – such as the Google Assistant – are missing still. The price is Galaxy Watch 4 Classic at the level of Apple watch, because it starts at around 270 euros.
- Advantages over the Apple Watch: The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic scores with its rotating bezel, works with Android and comes with Google services as well as a blood pressure and body analysis function.
- Disadvantages compared to the Apple Watch: The Galaxy Watch 4 series does not get along with iPhones. The system is still young and it remains to be seen whether the update frequency is finally as high and persistent as the Apple Watch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic on Amazon
Garmin Venu SQ Music with Apple form factor
What does the Garmin Venu SQ Music see when it looks in the mirror? Clearly that Apple watchbecause it has the same shape. The watch comes with a touchscreen and combines sporty and smart functions. It does its job pretty well, especially with the fitness functions, but the original is not quite up to par: the plastic housing is less impressive and is not scratch-resistant, and operation is more cumbersome. Fewer apps can be installed and there is no voice assistant. The music version (around 180 euros) has a music memory on board, but the basic version (around 140 euros; all prices as of January 6, 2022) does not have it.
- Advantages over the Apple Watch: The battery life is longer, the Garmin watch also works with Android, it is cheaper to buy and the app gives you the option of creating running training plans.
- Disadvantages compared to the Apple Watch: Garmin Venu SQ Music is not as high-quality and as pleasant to use as the Apple Watch, its smart functions are limited, and the display is somewhat poor in contrast.
Garmin Venu SQ Music on Amazon
Cheap copies for less than 50 euros may look similar, but they’re no good!
Stay away from cheap copies of the Apple Watch
There are some companies that are emulating the cult smartwatch. They imitate the design and offer their Apple Watch clones for under 50 euros on platforms such as Wish or via Amazon. COMPUTER BILD has already buttoned up such fakes and found that most of them offer solid fitness functions and are visually close to the model from Apple. At the latest when looking at data protection, the dark side of cheap watches becomes apparent: Chinese providers’ health data are insufficiently protected.