Any good alternatives to Apple Watch?

[iHorseHead]

Hey!
After I've had so many issues with iPhones I've decided to go for an Android (I think) and give them a shot. Any good Android watches out there though?

 

[dukebound85]

may have better luck on a non-apple forum.

 

[Oohara]

may have better luck on a non-apple forum.

On the contrary, the 'Alternatives' subforum here offers some of the best Android discussion on the internet, because most of the users use both iPhones and other phones and so are able to compare them in a relevant way. Some of them even have the rare superpower of being non-biased in doing so...

This thread might have been originally posted "upstairs" in the regular iPhone forums though in which case don't mind me.

Hey!
After I've had so many issues with iPhones I've decided to go for an Android (I think) and give them a shot. Any good Android watches out there though?

I know there already are a ton of old threads on the various watches, at least the major ones, but I'm also interested to hear if anyone is using an Android watch today which they're happy with. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best iPhone I've ever used but to my surprise there still are aspects of iOS that irk me, so I'm at least toying with the idea of going Android next year (I'll still have iOS access through my iPad).

And yeah at this point I'm so used to having the AW that an immediate question becomes if there are any acceptable alternatives for Android. The AW is a functionality beast in so many ways - but the fact is that it's also a 'fashion' (don't like that word but you know what I mean) item, and as such I'm actually getting really bored with its looks. That includes the watch faces, a point where I feel really let down by Apple's design team.

One issue with Android watches for me so far though is that they're all round. I do like a smartwatch to be square/rectangular, that feels much more modern and appropriate for a smartwatch for me than a shape that tries to emulate an old analog watch. I've whined about this before but I'll say it again: if someone came out with a smartwatch lightly based on kind of 80's digital watch design, I'd be all over that sucker and it would definitely push me towards Android.

I'm talking raw metal casing, angular, don't mind a little speaker grille, you get the idea... A slim profile would be key but I don't mind losing some functionality to get it. Hey I'd even take a greyish green monochrome liquid crystal resembling display... I'm actually surprised that no one has attempted to make such a watch yet. There must be droves of now middle aged 70-80's kids like me that would jump on a watch like that. I mean since we seem to be liking old school synths and mini NES-consoles and Stranger Things and whatnot just fine... I swear if I had a few million available and one iota of business experience, I'd make that **** happen right now.

Oops looks like I ranted a bit. Felt good, I've hardly posted since I got my 12 Pro Max and went into the comfy corner thinking I'd never have to discuss this stuff ever again... But there ya go, gadget nerd lust rearing its ugly head again

Anyway, I'll restate OP's question to get us back on the rails... Anyone using an Android watch that they're happy with right now?

EDIT: since posting I did find one retro looking smartwatch, but it seems to have way too many weak spots and for $40 I guess they weren't aiming for the quality level I was thinking of: https://www.gsmarena.com/amazfit_neo_review-news-45962.php No touch screen, bad strap material and adjustment capabilities, only tells you that you have a notification but doesn't actually show it, etc. Kind of the right idea but done the wrong way.

 

[The_Interloper]

I know there already are a ton of old threads on the various watches, at least the major ones, but I'm also interested to hear if anyone is using an Android watch today which they're happy with.

I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy Watch and I'm very happy with it. Wife has a Galaxy Watch Active 2 and likes that too.

I've whined about this before but I'll say it again: if someone came out with a smartwatch lightly based on kind of 80's digital watch design, I'd be all over that sucker and it would definitely push me towards Android.

Amazfit Neo might fit the bill for you. The Amazfit Bip S Lite is more Apple Watch-like in looks and build but with significantly better battery life. Garmin Venu Sq may also be of interest.

 

[mi7chy]

Wait for the new Galaxy watch running Android Wear instead of Tizen. And, Google watch.

 

[AustinIllini]

There really aren't any.

 

[The Game 161]

Hey!
After I've had so many issues with iPhones I've decided to go for an Android (I think) and give them a shot. Any good Android watches out there though?

Galaxy watch is a good option or the active as it’s less bulky.

I would wait another month or 2 when samsung will likely announce a new galaxy watch partnering with google so it could be good.

 

[Klyster]

I've used my Galaxy Gear S3 Frontier pretty much daily for 5 years now.
Sure, there's a lack of features compared to the Apple watch, but as far as my usage goes, it's been near perfect.
I still get a days worth of battery and imo, it still looks better than Apple's weird looking watch.

 

[Blue Quark]

Well, let's see...

I own a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, which is without a doubt the nicest smartphone I've owned this far. Unlike its replacement (the S21 series) it actually has a microSD slot, and that slot supports cards up to 1TB. Moving data of any description on to or off of the phone requires no specialized software, working equally well in GNU+Linux, Windows, or macOS.

I also own a Galaxy Active 2 smart watch, and so far it's been incredibly solid. Putting those two together has yielded an incredibly seamless experience for noticably less money than what you'd pay for Apple's hardware, and with none of the restrictions Apple places on theirs.

One thing (and I don't view it as trivial, either) that Apple has going for it is their commitment not to harvest and sell user data, in many instances not collecting it where a Google-ecosystem product would have.

 

[GadgetSN]

I was given an offer to buy a brand new Galaxy Watch 3 for £135 direct from Samsung two weeks ago. Thought the offer was too good to pass so I ordered.

I spent 2 full days with the watch and decided that smart watches are just junk at the moment. No decent features or real usefulness especially with the current battery lives. With the watch 3, you get about 1 day of battery life with most things turned on. If I wear such a watch I always want things turned on e.g. the sensors, sleep tracking, always on display etc. One day's worth of battery life, (meaning you can't use the sleep tracking function amongst others is not good enough). Smart watches also look terrible on the wrist especially the active/active 2 and the Apple watch.

In the end, despite the good price, I returned the watch to Samsung for a refund. Smart watches need exponential improvements before I consider one again. Will stick to wearing my AP mechanical watch.

 

[TopherMan12]

Apple Watch is just so far above anything else on the market. I used Samsung Galaxy Active Watch 2 and then Galaxy Watch 3 this past year before switching back to iPhone. Apple Watch was one of the things I was looking most forward to getting back. Galaxy Watch 3 was not bad, but it is no Apple Watch. I'll be interested to see what comes out of Google buying Fitbit, but I expect it will take a while for them to catch up with Apple's advancements in the tech.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I've whined about this before but I'll say it again: if someone came out with a smartwatch lightly based on kind of 80's digital watch design, I'd be all over that sucker and it would definitely push me towards Android.

They did--the watch was called a Pebble. Too bad Fitbit up and killed it entirely. Pretty much a very 80s watch, no fancy voice control, just a e-paper display, two or three actual buttons, and very open source. It physically looked a lot like a Casio from the 80s. They weren't for me personally but I could understand the appeal of one.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Wait for the new Galaxy watch running Android Wear instead of Tizen. And, Google watch.

Why would anyone want Wear OS today? It's pretty abandoned and relies entirely on one's love of Google apps. Given how often Google kills apps or services I don't even expect it to stick around for the next few years.

I've had and used WearOS watches over the years, and it was very featureless (like stock Android) compared with a Samsung Galaxy Watch. This Tizen hate doesn't make sense since it does a lot of things that WearOS can't, especially battery life. Try asking the Assistant to turn on water lock mode, or theatre mode, even dim the screen. Can't do it. Assistant even fails to work at all a lot of times. Bixby works much better on the Galaxies.

Version 1.1 of Android Wear was quite nice though. Since WearOS 2.x it's gotten quite broken. I used to be able to get navigation to work entirely by voice with a watch, was extremely handy while driving. Since 2.x you ask it to 'navigate to Day's Inn in Winston Salem North Carolina' it correctly starts Maps, but sits there spinning a bit, then says 'Couldn't start navigation.' It still bugs out the same way on my Urbane. Still unfixed. It still launches the app on the phone, but you have to use your phone which defeats the convenience of a watch.

 

[Blue Quark]

Going back to the question of the OP, one thing I would like to add to my previous comment:

Unlike the Apple Watch, Samsung's Galaxy watches will work on pretty much any hardware you want (so long as it's reasonably current), including iPhones (unlike the Apple Watch, which will refuse to work with anything outside the iOS ecosystem). However, Galaxy Watches run in a very, very slow data transfer mode when paired to an iPhone. Also, you lose access to a bunch of features. Conversely, when paired to a Samsung phone, there are features beyond those you get when connected to any other Android phone.

Vis a vis Tizen vs. WearOS... well, I can't really speak to WearOS since I have never used it (I don't think I've even ever seen it). The only two smart watches I've ever had were Fitbit's Versa (I think that's what it was called) and now the Active 2. Fitbit's stuff are, I think, kind of well-intended junk. If you're using an iPhone, or if you're using a certain fairly limited range of Android phone, they work and I am told they work great. However, if you try and use them on any of a variety of other Android phones, they do not work reliably, or they do not work at all.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Two years ago, our Best Buy and various other electronic stores stopped even carrying Android Wear watches, at all. I asked and they told me (at Meijer, Best Buy, and Walmart) that Android Wear isn't selling--at all. They replaced the section for them at Best Buy with smart baby monitors, night lights, etc. It's an Apple Watch/Galaxy Watch section elsewhere. That was the writing on the wall for me regarding Wear OS. The newest watches Best Buy even had before EOL'ing the section were the Fossil Q Founder and Moto 360 v2.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen hide nor hair of Fitbit in awhile, either. I guess their destroying Pebble didn't bode well for them...

 

[geraldem]

Nope…once you have experienced an Apple Watch, it is difficult to be satisfied with any of the android alternatives. Trust me, i have tried all of them. I have completely resigned that if I want a great watch experience, I have to be on the Apple ecosystem.

 

[iHorseHead]

Nope…once you have experienced an Apple Watch, it is difficult to be satisfied with any of the android alternatives. Trust me, i have tried all of them. I have completely resigned that if I want a great watch experience, I have to be on the Apple ecosystem.

You've tried every single Android Watch? Wow

 

[Steve Adams]

Depends on what you want to accomplish. I like my garmin vivoactive more than my apple watch. It's tracking is much more accurate and notifications are reliable and do not disable the phone's notifications. Downsides? There are not 15 million different straps available and you are not cool wearing it.

 

[Klyster]

Nope…once you have experienced an Apple Watch, it is difficult to be satisfied with any of the android alternatives. Trust me, i have tried all of them. I have completely resigned that if I want a great watch experience, I have to be on the Apple ecosystem.

But the Apple Watch looks pants, isn't aesthetics part of the experience?

 

[Allyance]

Well I have had 5 iPhones (3,4,6s,X & 12P) and two watches, never had any issues. Would never consider switching to Android. I know my son like androids, but he got his daughter and wife iPhones!

 

[spinedoc77]

Apple Watch is just so far above anything else on the market. I used Samsung Galaxy Active Watch 2 and then Galaxy Watch 3 this past year before switching back to iPhone. Apple Watch was one of the things I was looking most forward to getting back. Galaxy Watch 3 was not bad, but it is no Apple Watch. I'll be interested to see what comes out of Google buying Fitbit, but I expect it will take a while for them to catch up with Apple's advancements in the tech.

What did you find lacking on the GW3? I'm really liking my GW3 and haven't found too much that it doesn't have vs the AW. I think the AW does much of it better and smoother, but Samsung does a really good job as well. I'm hoping them going back to Android Wear for the GW4 will be that much better.

 

[TopherMan12]

What did you find lacking on the GW3? I'm really liking my GW3 and haven't found too much that it doesn't have vs the AW. I think the AW does much of it better and smoother, but Samsung does a really good job as well. I'm hoping them going back to Android Wear for the GW4 will be that much better.

First and foremost the watch faces have much more customizations as as app icons. The square design helps facilitate that more, I think. I have daily weather across the middle, my health rings in the top left, time in top right. On the bottom I have my timer, workout, and music. And there are a number of combinations that I could use instead of what I have. GW3 was extremely limited in that regard. There are a ton of really cool looking faces available, but they lack severely in the ability to customize.

Also, in both my galaxy watches, listening to music from the watch to bluetooth was simply horrible. The watch had a hard time connecting the earphones unless I held my wrist up to my head. I have no idea why that was.

Finally, there are a lot of iPhone apps have integrations with AW and that is extremely nice.

Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed GW3 and I would recommend it for a self-contained smart watch that is very useful in tracking workouts and such. I just think Apple has AW on another level.

I am definitely interested to see progression in watches in the Android space. Hopefully, Samsung can makes some big strides in their next version.

 

[spinedoc77]

First and foremost the watch faces have much more customizations as as app icons. The square design helps facilitate that more, I think. I have daily weather across the middle, my health rings in the top left, time in top right. On the bottom I have my timer, workout, and music. And there are a number of combinations that I could use instead of what I have. GW3 was extremely limited in that regard. There are a ton of really cool looking faces available, but they lack severely in the ability to customize.

Also, in both my galaxy watches, listening to music from the watch to bluetooth was simply horrible. The watch had a hard time connecting the earphones unless I held my wrist up to my head. I have no idea why that was.

Finally, there are a lot of iPhone apps have integrations with AW and that is extremely nice.

Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed GW3 and I would recommend it for a self-contained smart watch that is very useful in tracking workouts and such. I just think Apple has AW on another level.

I am definitely interested to see progression in watches in the Android space. Hopefully, Samsung can makes some big strides in their next version.

I actually find the GW3 has much more customization, in particular you can download galaxy watch studio and make your own custom watch faces. Maybe the AW has something like that by now, I'm unsure as my last AW was a year ago. Look through all the watch faces available on Samsung's store, it's thousands and thousands, plus again you can make your own down to each individual pixel, art element, etc. I found the opposite, the choices on the GW3 were immense and honestly probably too much as I don't have that much time, lol.

Bluetooth I'm unsure as I haven't tried that, my phone is always nearby for music. I kind of get the feeling that the AW is better standalone, but I haven't tried my GW3 on it's own without the phone. I think both tiny screens would drive me bats.

Yeah the integration of apps is great, no argument there. I'm hoping the GW4's shift to Android Wear is going to open up a huge amount of apps since it doesn't have to rely on Tizen apps anymore. Samsung has done a great job with the basic apps, the Tizen store is actually not bad at all, but just the sheer amount of apps on the Android store will help. Conversely I think Samsungs penchant to innovate will elevate Android wear as well, it will be a great synergy.

 

[TopherMan12]

I actually find the GW3 has much more customization, in particular you can download galaxy watch studio and make your own custom watch faces. Maybe the AW has something like that by now, I'm unsure as my last AW was a year ago. Look through all the watch faces available on Samsung's store, it's thousands and thousands, plus again you can make your own down to each individual pixel, art element, etc. I found the opposite, the choices on the GW3 were immense and honestly probably too much as I don't have that much time, lol.

Bluetooth I'm unsure as I haven't tried that, my phone is always nearby for music. I kind of get the feeling that the AW is better standalone, but I haven't tried my GW3 on it's own without the phone. I think both tiny screens would drive me bats.

Yeah the integration of apps is great, no argument there. I'm hoping the GW4's shift to Android Wear is going to open up a huge amount of apps since it doesn't have to rely on Tizen apps anymore. Samsung has done a great job with the basic apps, the Tizen store is actually not bad at all, but just the sheer amount of apps on the Android store will help. Conversely I think Samsungs penchant to innovate will elevate Android wear as well, it will be a great synergy.

I looked into the designer for Galaxy Watch and it is great for designing a face, but I'm talking about integrating other apps into the face. You can't do that on Galaxy. In the designer you have a fixed number of built-in complications to choose from and that is all. But yes, if you want a massive selection of faces to choose from then GW definitely has more options. And the ability to integrate other apps into the face may not be important to some so it comes down to preference.

 

[spinedoc77]

I looked into the designer for Galaxy Watch and it is great for designing a face, but I'm talking about integrating other apps into the face. You can't do that on Galaxy. In the designer you have a fixed number of built-in complications to choose from and that is all. But yes, if you want a massive selection of faces to choose from then GW definitely has more options. And the ability to integrate other apps into the face may not be important to some so it comes down to preference.

That is a valid point, integrating apps into the watchface. You can have shortcuts though, and I find that satisfies most of my needs. But if you want something custom, such as a live stock ticker, then I think you can't do that on a GW. I actually ran into that difficulty when designing my watch face. On my AW I had a widget for % chance of rain, just one number but I used it a lot. I could not replicate that on my GW, neither through the studio program or through searching for a watch face.