Best smartwatches for iPhone: buying guide
The smartwatch has quickly become one of the most requested and trendy accessories and many companies in the hi-tech sector, together with the most important watch brands, have joined their forces to create increasingly innovative, original and fashionable models. Nowadays, in fact, it is possible to find all types and for all budgets, able to provide cutting-edge features for the management of different aspects of daily life on the move and at the same time characterized by a certain attention to the aesthetic side of the product. .
When it comes to the iPhone, however, there is always some doubt about the compatibility of the product with the Apple operating system. Even if in the datasheet of many products of brands other than Apple it is guaranteed operation with devices from the bitten apple, in reality, it is always better to probe the question thoroughly so as not to end up with a “half-service” smartwatch.
For this reason, I decided to create this buying guide that can shed light on the different characteristics of “smartwatches”, in order to facilitate you in identifying the best smartwatches for iPhone. If you want to spend a few minutes of your precious time reading the next paragraphs, I am sure that you will be able to identify the perfect model for your needs and you will be satisfied with your next purchase. I wish you a good reading and a lot of fun!
Index
- How to choose an iPhone smartwatch
- Format
- Operating system
- Functionality
- Other characteristics
- Which iPhone smartwatch to buy
- Best iPhone smartwatches
- Best iPhone compatible smartwatches
- Best cheap smartwatches for iPhone
How to choose an iPhone smartwatch
Let’s start by talking about the fundamental features useful for understanding how to choose a smartwatch for iPhone: in this way you can select those that you consider essential for your needs and check their presence in the models you are going to examine.
Format
First of all let’s take a look at the different types of formats on the market: in this respect, we can, first of all, distinguish between smartwatch and smart band . While the first is a device with a classic clock format capable of fulfilling various tasks, ranging from managing calls and app and message notifications to the use of apps for monitoring well-being and physical activities, the smart band it is generally cheaper and limited in functionality “specialized” fitness bracelet and health tracking. In this guide I will focus mainly on smartwatches: if you are interested in fitness trackers instead, you would do well to consult my guide dedicated to these devices.
Another essential element to consider is the display. In fact, based on the type of interaction you want to perform between your iPhone and the watch, it is essential to check some fundamental characteristics.
The shape is certainly the one that has the greatest impact from an aesthetic point of view: you can find it with a circular or square dial. Generally speaking, we can say that the circular-shaped dials are more elegant, but they involve some more sacrifices in terms of usability and screen space than the square-shaped ones. From a functional point of view it is obviously appropriate to consider the dimensions, which, then, must also be related to the weight. The larger the display, therefore, the more the object could be tiring to wear but also easier to use.
Another distinction must be made between the OLED / AMOLED screen which, although equipped with an excellent contrast with absolute blacks and reduced energy consumption (due to the fact that the black pixels are actually turned off), can present difficulties in viewing in light conditions. intense and LCD LED , which, thanks to the presence of liquid crystals, is able to better manage situations in which the sunlight is particularly strong. All smartwatches have touch functionality, but in some cases, they are integrated with special buttons to facilitate access to certain functions, or, for example, a rotating crown, very similar to that present in some traditional watches with a circular dial.
Closely related to the display is the resolution parameter: it is important, with such a small screen, that the images displayed are as sharp as possible and that the brightness is adjustable to adapt to various environmental situations. Also to be considered is the presence of Always on , which allows you to constantly view on the time clock, notifications and other elements (in low-power mode, so for example without animations or many colors) without forcing the user to turn the wrist or tap on the screen to activate the time display or other information.
Operating system
One of the first features to check to determine the compatibility of the smartwatch with your iPhone is certainly the operating system installed on the latter. You must know, in fact, that in recent times several have been developed, even from open source platforms, which offer various features capable of communicating with iOS devices but, in many cases, with obvious limitations.
- watchOS– if you are looking for perfect compatibility with your iPhone (only starting from the iPhone 5 model), surely you will have to refer to the Apple Watch, the only one that have the aforementioned operating system and offer complete integration of the features present on your “iPhone. “. Obviously, it allows you to take advantage of all the features of the Siri voice assistant to also control music, timers, reminders, messages to send and much more.
- Wear OS– this is the version of Android developed by Google that is present on many smartwatches and, in general, on wearable devices. The minimum requirement to allow communication between Wear OS and iOS is to have at least one iPhone 5 with iOS 9. Therefore, the Wear OS app will need to be installed on your iPhone to facilitate linking and sharing information. I must warn you, however, that you will encounter some limitations, which, based on subjective needs, could also be very important: for example, it will not be possible to manage calls (therefore neither start nor answer them) or respond to notifications. of many messaging applications which, therefore, will be viewable only in reading. Even Google Assistant, one of the strengths of devices with Wear OS, is only partially integrated with iOS, so some features, such as event notifications or voice commands related to calls, will not be available. Other features such as Google Pay (as long as NFC is present), Google Fit or the playback of multimedia content, on the other hand, are regularly accessible.
- Tizen OS– the Samsung home operating system (destined to merge with Wear OS) is present on all its very popular smartwatches. The manufacturer certifies compatibility with iPhone starting from the iPhone 5 model, warning, however, that some features may not be available. Also in this case, as for the Wear OS, several system inputs cannot be processed by the iOS, so you will be unable to handle calls or respond directly to message notifications. Furthermore, some proprietary features such as Samsung Fit, Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, Music Manager are unavailable. Only free apps can be downloaded from Samsung Galaxy Apps. Finally, I would like to point out the possibility of experiencing slowdowns between Galaxy Watches and iPhones,
- Ubuntu Touch– the mobile version of the Linux-based open-source operating system is compatible starting from version iOS 9.0, but always with limitations, in particular regarding notifications and calls.
Functionality
Many of the main features of smartwatches are closely linked to the sensors that the device has. If you love outdoor activities, sport and are very attentive to health, you certainly cannot do without the tracking functions which, by now, are implemented in many models and allow you to monitor the number of steps and calories burned. , with programs dedicated to various sports.
On more advanced models you may also find sensors for detecting the heartbeat and even the oxygen saturation level. To consider, then, functions such as those for monitoring the quality of sleep.
The presence of the GPS, which can also be used without pairing with the smartphone, support for localization during trekking and outdoor activities.
Some of the applications built into smartwatches that are useful for collecting movement and physical activity data can be easily synchronized with the app iPhone Health, especially for Apple Watches, while for other models you may experience partial integration. some data.
If you love to vary the interface of the device and often want to customize it, many smartwatches offer dedicated screens for iOS devices that can be easily downloaded from the reference stores.
Other characteristics
There are many other features that you need to pay attention to to be sure you are in possession of a smartwatch that perfectly meets your needs. For example, as for the smartphone, it is important to check the autonomy of the device among the technical specifications, so that you do not abandon yourself too soon during your daily activities.
For this reason I advise you to base your choice also on the actual use you make of the device, evaluating at the same time the quality and power of the device. processor, as well as the availability of memory to dedicate to the installation of new apps.
Even the materials, in this respect, are of particular importance: many smartwatches are made to withstand shocks and contact with water, with a level of impermeability that can also allow the device to be used for swimming, in the shower. , or in adverse weather conditions.
The strap is the other essential component in this type of product: if you want it to last a long time, check that it is of good quality, or that replacements are easily available, perhaps in different versions to match your look: it is still a matter of an accessory that must be worn.
Which iPhone smartwatch to buy
Now, let’s get to the point: in this section I will help you decide which iPhone smartwatch to buy, showing you which ones I think are the best compatible devices. I’ll start immediately with the Apple Watches, which represent the best choice ever, and then continue with some valid models of the main alternative brands and a section dedicated to the best economic solutions.
Best iPhone smartwatches
As indicated in the previous chapters, there is no way to match the performance of an Apple Watch: if you have an iPhone and you want maximum performance to be guaranteed, it is the only solution to be able to manage calls, notifications and fully access all the features offered by the iOS operating system. So let’s see the best iPhone smartwatches made by Apple.
Apple Watch Series 6
The latest one arrived at the time of writing this tutorial. Apple Watch Series 6 represents the evolution of series 5, even if, to be honest, there are not many functional differences between these two models. In particular, the S6 is equipped with a new dedicated chip which, compared to the 64-bit dual-core of the predecessor, increases performance by 20% and also integrates a sensor dedicated to monitoring blood oxygenation. Format-wise they are both available in two variants, with a 40mm case (324 × 394 pixels) or 44mm (368 × 448 pixels), and it is possible to choose between the materials aluminum, stainless steel or titanium: if, therefore, you want to save something, you can also choose the Apple Watch Series 5.
For the rest, we can safely say that this is the ultimate in smartwatches for iPhones: if you have an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 and you want to manage all the functional aspects possible through the smartwatch, including calls, notifications of apps and messaging services, music streaming (eg Apple Music and Spotify, with the possibility of saving songs directly on the watch’s memory) and tracking of physical activities and payments ( Apple Pay ), I strongly suggest you consider the investment that the purchase of this product inevitably involves.
Furthermore, from the point of view of well-being, the Apple Watch S6 provides monitoring that takes into account numerous parameters, thanks to the precision of the sensors it is equipped with: I would like to point out, in particular, the possibility of performing a single-lead electrocardiogram with the ECG app, sleep monitoring and the emergency service to call for help in the event, for example, of a bad fall. Finally, the presence of the Always ON mode and the availability of a version with GPS + Cellular functionality should not be underestimated which, provided you have subscribed to a wireless plan with your operator (currently in Italy you can only use Vodafone), allows you to leave your iPhone at home and only use the smartwatch for all occurrences.
Apple Watch SE
You will not notice any particular differences from an aesthetic point of view between the Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE: the design is the same, the display has the same large dimensions (it is only slightly less thin in the SE model) and the style of the straps is also the colorful one typical of Apple. From a performance point of view, however, the fact that the Always ON mode is not integrated contributes to increasing its autonomy (about 18 hours for normal use). It does not have sensors for ECG and blood oxygenation, but it has all the other features related to fitness and wellness, including those for emergency calls and fall detection. Finally, the SE model also includes a version that can easily replace the iPhone thanks to the GPS + Cellular mode (after signing up for a wireless plan with your operator). If you want to save some money, giving up the latest generation technologies of the SE6 and SE5, but still have an all-rounder smartwatch, this could be a great choice.
Apple Watch Series 3
Are you looking for a device that is perfectly compatible with your iPhone and has all the basic features in terms of fitness, health and connectivity, while saving a significant amount? In this case I recommend that you evaluate the Apple Watch Series 3: the latter has two versions of the dial ( 42 mm or 38 mm ) with a smaller X-ray retina glass display (respectively 312 × 390 pixels or 272 × 340 pixels). From the point of view of sensors you can take advantage of the heart rate detection, GPS and altimeter, as well as a convenient service for emergency calls, while it does not have a compass or Always ON mode
Best iPhone compatible smartwatches
If you want to experiment with a different model than the Apple Watch, as you are not particularly interested in all the features guaranteed by the compatibility of the latter with your “iPhone by”, in this section I will show you what I consider the best iPhone compatible smartwatches.
Amazfit Bip S
Amazfit smartwatches are undoubtedly among the most requested and appreciated for a long series of reasons. The Bip S model, in addition to ensuring good compatibility with iOS starting from version 9.0, is structurally very resistant and light and is equipped with a 1.28-inch Corning Gorilla 3 tempered glass display with 176 x 176 resolution and range chromatic 64 RGB which always provides clear and detailed information visibility. From the fitness point of view, the various sensors it is equipped with record numerous physical data through which it is possible to improve performance in training (it allows access to as many as 17 sports modes) and monitor the biological data relating to heart rate with particular attention. It is also integrated with a GPS + GLONASS dual satellite positioning system that accurately records the routes followed. It is waterproof, therefore also ideal for swimming (withstands up to 50 meters deep), while as regards the autonomy it can even reach up to 40 consecutive days with a recharge cycle.
Mobvoi Ticwatch C2 Plus
Elegance in the world of smartwatches is not necessarily opposed to the need for fitness: the Ticwatch C2 Plus model by Mobvoi is a prime example of this, which integrates numerous particularly interesting features into a very balanced device with a modern and captivating design, as well as a 1.3-inch AMOLED display and functional hardware RAM to 1 GB. Compatibility with iPhone is the limited one guaranteed by the Wear OS operating system, but you can certainly refer to numerous features, which can also be recalled via the convenient side buttons and connected to the various integrated sensors: in particular, I would like to point out the presence of an efficient heart rate monitor, GPS and NFC for digital payments. The strap is leather, but a silicone accessory is provided. The device has an excellent impermeability which guarantees its correct functioning even for swimming activities.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Are you particularly drawn to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch models? I understand, they are extremely efficient and elegant devices at the same time: if, therefore, you are willing to give up some features, in particular relating to the compatibility of the iPhone with the Tizen operating system, I think that the Watch 3 model is one of the best at you can refer to. Its classic design, with the steel case enclosing a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display and rotating bezel which simplifies navigation between the various functions, is enriched by the presence of a comfortable leather strap. Despite this, the smartwatch has a profoundly sporty soul: the technological component allows you to acquire a wide range of parameters relating to heartbeat, blood oxygenation and allows you to monitor physical activity in 40 different modes, also providing a report to the end of the workout. It is water-resistant and guarantees excellent autonomy thanks to the 340 mAh battery.
HUAWEI Watch GT 2
Even the well-known brand Huawei produces high-quality smartwatches compatible with iPhones, such as the Watch GT 2 model , which boasts characteristics of undoubted value: it has, in fact, cutting-edge technology for intelligent energy saving that allows to bring the duration of the battery up to 2 weeks. The 1.39-inch AMOLED display is equipped with a high-precision touch sensitivity, while from the point of view of geolocation it provides a double system (GPS, GLONASS) that increases its accuracy exponentially. In addition to supporting you in physical activity thanks to 12 training modes, it implements high-quality systems that efficiently measure various parameters related to well-being: for example, the systemTruSeenTM 3.5 monitors heart rate, TruSleepTM 2.0 measures sleep quality and TruRelax monitors blood pressure.
Fitbit Versa 3
You have certainly heard of Fitbit smartwatches, which are among the most popular among fitness lovers. No? in this case I suggest you take a look at the Versa 3 model, especially if you want to improve the monitoring of your parameters during physical activity. This device, however, is only compatible from iOS 12.2. Furthermore, I would like to point out the presence of a sensor that continuously detects with precision the heartbeat rate and a GPS module that accurately shows the path taken during training, in addition to the dedicated functions that inform you of the calories burned.at the end of physical activity sessions, sleep quality or nutrition. It has integration with major music streaming platforms, but also with the voice command capabilities offered by Alexa. The battery life is guaranteed for over 6 days and uses a particularly fast charging system.
Fossil FTW4025
Even the famous watch brand Fossil has created a very interesting line of well-made smartwatches. In particular, the FTW4025 model, equipped with the Wear OS operating system, manages to combine the perfect fit and the great resistance of stainless steel, with several useful features such as the music player, the heart rate monitor, the fitness tracker, the GPS and the alarm clock. just to name a few. Not only that: the device is waterproof and has a storage space of 8 GB, as well as guaranteeing long-lasting autonomy thanks to easy customization of the usage settings.
Best cheap smartwatches for iPhone
You don’t want to spend a lot on your new smartwatch: you are looking for an essential model but, of course, you want to realize the best possible integration with iOS for this price range. So let’s see what are the best cheap smartwatches for iPhone.
Lifebee ID205L
This nice Lifebee model, available in various colors, is compatible with iOS 8.1 or later and offers very interesting fitness tracking features: in particular, I would like to point out those of heart rate monitor, sleep monitoring and pedometer. It is waterproof, with a level of water resistance that meets the IP68 level of the international standard: you can, therefore, swim in the sea or wash your hands, for example, but avoid using it with hot water. It integrates a GPS module and convenient controls for playing music.
Vigorun 025L
If you are looking for a particularly feature-rich smartwatch with excellent battery life, you would do well to evaluate Vigorun ‘s 025L model. From the point of view of fitness tracking it is possible to choose between various sport modes, such as running, walking, hiking, cycling, climbing, but it is also particularly suitable for Yoga or Pilates enthusiasts due to the presence of some dedicated functions. It is also possible to activate the monitoring of sleep, breathing and heartbeat 24 hours a day for 7 days a week. As for performance, it is one of the best for this price range: the intelligent energy-saving algorithm allows you to use it even for 10 days with a recharge cycle, and is equipped with an interesting automatic brightness adjustment system based on the environmental situation.
Honor Band 5
One of the most popular smartband also compatible with the iPhone is the model Band 5 of Honor. In fact, it can be a faithful companion who will follow you in all sports activities, but in particular, I would like to point out the presence of functions dedicated to swimming: it is, in fact, able to detect the speed, the distance traveled and the calories consumed, guaranteeing also a water resistance and a resistance up to 50 meters deep. The sensors it is equipped with allow you to measure many other parameters of your well-being: the quality of sleep (in this respect it can detect various problems and provide personalized suggestions), blood oxygenation or heart rate, just to name a few.
Yamay SW020
One of the most popular items for this price range is certainly the SW020 model by Yamay, compatible with iOS starting from version 8.1, thanks to the many features related to well-being that it offers. In fact, in addition to the functions of pedometer, stopwatch, calorie consumption and calculation of the distance traveled on foot, it is possible to perform, through the wrist sensor, the measurement of the heartbeat, or even set alerts for a sedentary lifestyle or breathing guide.. With this model it is also possible to manage music via the integrated player and activate the convenient search functionality of the phone. It is waterproof (IP68 level) and has a good battery life (up to 7-10 days of use with one charge cycle).
Smart T D13
This Smart T model is one of the most feature-rich and customizable available for this price range. Compatibility with iPhone is guaranteed starting from the iOS 8.0 version through the Da Fit app , which uses the connection to the smartwatch sensors to report statistics on physical activity, sleep quality, but also blood pressure and oxygen levels. in the blood, all in real time. You can also set an alert on the sedentary, which will alert you after a long period of inactivity to stimulate you to follow a healthier way of life. It has excellent autonomy and is waterproof: you can take it with you even while swimming.
