Fitness Technology

The Ultimate Smartwatch Buying Guide 2018

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The Ultimate Smartwatch Buying Guide 2018

The smartwatch is the ultimate smartphone accessory – not only can it tell the time, but it can also receive important notifications and run native apps. The most high-tech of the many options to choose from even allows the user to search the internet using their voice, track exercise using GPS, make and receive phone calls, and send messages. However, trouble may arise when trying to decide on the best option as there are just so many to choose from. As such, we’ve consulted the top tech experts to provide a comprehensive guide to the best 3 options available right now.

Apple Watch 3

  • OS: WatchOS 4.3
  • Compatibility: iOS
  • Display: 1.53” OLED
  • Processor: S2 dual-core
  • On-board storage: 8GB / 16GB
  • Battery life: 18 hours
  • Charging: Wireless
  • IP rating: IPX7
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC

While the Apple Watch Series 3 is essentially the Apple Watch 2 with some new features, these features have made a big difference. While 8GB Apple Watch 3 does not allow for LTE connectivity, the 16GB option does have LTE capabilities, but this does impact on the duration of the battery. The Apple Watch 3 is still waterproof, so you can swim and run in the rain without concern, and the built in GPS means you don’t have to bring your phone along on a run.

Ticwatch Pro

  • OS: Wear OS
  • Compatibility: Android 4.3+ / iOS 8+
  • Display: 1.4” 400×400 OLED paired with LCD screen
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 – perfect for checking on horse racing betting quickly
  • On-board storage: 4GB
  • Battery life: 48 hours and 5 days extra in Essential mode
  • Charging: Magnetic connecting pin
  • IP rating: IP68
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC

Suitable for use with an Android or Apple phone, the Ticwatch Pro features a unique dual-screen and is manufactured by Ticwatch – a company ahead of the smartwatch pack in many ways. The dual screen feature consists of a transparent LCD display which displays the time, your heart rate, and details when the battery becomes low, layered atop a full-colour OLED screen which provides all the benefits of the Wear OS. Features include integrated GPS, NFC for Google Play, Bluetooth for listening to music and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset ensure lightning speed processing.

Fitbit Ionic

  • OS: Fitbit OS
  • Compatibility: Android / iOS
  • Display: 1.42” colour LCD
  • Processor: Dual-core 1.0GHz
  • On-board storage: 2.5GB
  • Battery duration: 48-72 hours
  • Charging: Proprietary charger
  • IP rating: 50m water resistant
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

While the move from fitness tech to smartwatches was always going to be a challenge for the renowned company, the Fitbit Ionic succeeds on many levels. Still maintaining a strong focus on fitness, the Ionic can track almost every form of exercise from running and swimming to weight lifting and it also offers dedicated bodyweight coaching sessions. With the variety of fitness tracking options, the bright display, and the recent drop in price, the Fitbit Ionic is perfect for those who want a smartwatch, but still keep an intense focus on exercise and wellbeing.