Smartwatch Deals & Offers

Smartwatch: Wearable Technology

Smartwatches bring cutting edge technology to your wrist in a convenient and stylish format. They contain operating systems which work with a smartphone, allowing you to carry out a range of tasks on the go and tracking your wellness levels at the same time. Most have a rechargeable battery along with interchangeable straps or faces, so you won’t need to wear them under your sleeve for smart occasions.

Fitness Tracking, Calls and Apps

The smartwatch concept dates back to the 1970’s, when the Hamilton Watch Company created the first LED digital watch which they called the Pulsar. Not long after, Japanese tech giants Seiko, produced their T001 watch with a video screen, which was worn by James Bond in Octopussy (1983). By 1994, Timex was ready to release the Datalink watch, capable of downloading data wirelessly, and this was followed by the Samsung SPH-WP10 in 1999, which boasted 90 minutes of talk time. Watches with larger faces and touch-sensitive displays followed from Fossil and IBM, but it wasn’t until 2012 that a Kickstarter campaign allowed Pebble to revolutionise the smartwatch market. They created a niche device with mainstream appeal, but other companies like Apple, Huawei and Samsung, were quick to pick up on the trend.

The Different Types of Smartwatches

The different models of smartwatch all work on three main operating systems. Broadly speaking, the Apple Watch is only compatible with the iPhone, whilst Android Wear can be used with iOS and Android handsets. Tizen mainly works with Android but does offer some compatibility with iOS. Whichever you opt for, as smartwatches need to connect regularly with a smartphone, you’ll need a high degree of compatibility. Here’s a more in-depth look at the strengths and weaknesses of each OS.

• WatchOS – Naturally, Apple only make their smartwatches compatible with their own software, but it offers an incredible experience. WatchOS wearables are very fast, with high-grade fitness apps and modes that help you control how your watch behaves. The touch-interface lets you scroll, send texts and create different fitness schedules effortlessly. These are easy watches to use and can be personalised depending on how you’d prefer the interface to look. However, like most Apple gadgets, the WatchOS is at the more expensive end of the smartwatch spectrum.

• Android Wear – Android Wear has improved considerably since its first launch and now has a multitude of new functions. These include Android Pay, 4G calls, and Google activated voice control. Most new smartwatches are linked up to this OS, notably those from major players like LG, Sony, Huawei and Samsung. Devices with Android 4.3 or higher will have compatibility, but if you’d prefer to check, go to: g.co/WearCheck on your device for a definitive answer. When Android Wear watches do work with iPhones, some functionality, like apps and Wi-Fi connectivity, can be lost. That aside, the interface will be pleasantly familiar to existing Android users and scrolling through your updates is a simple task.

• Tizen OS – Used in Samsung devices like the Gear S2, the Gear S3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Tizen OS is very intuitive and has great design features. Based on Linux, the OS is open source and is compatible with some Android and Apple gadgets. If you find it hard to read the tiny font on some smartwatches, the Tizen OS is ideal because you can alter the size of the text. As it’s not used on a huge number of wearables, new developments and updates are slow to materialise, plus there are fewer apps.

Smartwatches for Kids

If you know a younger fitness fan who’s keen to join in, but not yet ready for an adult sized smartwatch, the Vtech Kidizoom Smart Watch DX could make a great gift. They can use it to take photos and videos, but there are also a few helpful apps and a pedometer, so they can see how far they’ve walked.

What to Look for When Choosing a Smartwatch

There’s a lot to consider before investing in a smartwatch, start by thinking about how you intend to use it and then check out the key specs of those which catch your eye aesthetically.

• Compatibility – Possibly the most important issue to bear in mind when you are looking into the various types of smartwatch is compatibility. In order to use apps, or receive emails, text messages and calls, you’ll need to pair it with your phone. Confirm whether your handset and watch can communicate before you buy, and also check out the operating system’s capabilities.

• Navigation Options – Most smartwatches can be used just like a smartphone, as they have a touchscreen for moving between applications and menus. There are others which have a selection of small buttons, or even a bezel that can be adjusted to look for what you need. The form an interface takes will not have an impact on the gadgets’ overall performance, but it can affect the degree of utility on offer. This becomes an issue if you are trying to input a sequence of numbers or letters, because in that scenario touchscreens are so much easier to use.

• Fitness and Exercise Tracking – Although fitness trackers are separate devices, you can buy smartwatches which have just as many health-related features. Two of the best options for fitness fans are the Samsung Gear S3 and the Apple Watch Series 2, which have GPS capabilities, a heart-rate monitor and waterproofing, so they can be worn in a pool. These advanced devices make it easier to monitor your progress as they log the exercise you do, and how it affected your heart.

• Battery Performance – Some smartwatches can last for up to fourteen days on one charge, whilst others will begin to flag after 48 hours. They usually come with a rechargeable battery, but the number of times you’ll need to plug it in will vary depending on the model and its features. Large bright screens, innovative sensors and advanced heart-rate detectors can drain a device significantly.

• App Selection – Smartwatches are a relatively new technology, but some versions offer hundreds of different apps. Currently, it’s the Apple Watch which has the widest range of more than 20,000 options for users to choose from. You can arrange a lift with Uber, keep up with friends on Instagram and find out what’s happening in the world with the BBC. Apple has even created an App Store for their watch, so you can pick up extra software when it’s needed. Android also has an impressive array of apps, and these can be downloaded directly to your watch, rather than going through a handset first. The Tizen from Samsung has less choice, but you’ll still get to choose between a sizable 1400 apps with their Gear S3.

• The Details – You can spend a lot of time checking over the bigger issues but don’t forget to verify the smaller details. Not all smartwatches show the time when they aren’t in use, so if you’ll be using it as a normal watch as well, be sure to buy one that does. Also check that you can swap between straps, as you may want to vary the look of your smartwatch for a night out or to coordinate with different work outfits.

Apple Watch: Close your rings by Yocelin

How is a Smartwatch Different from a Fitness Tracker?

Wearing a smartwatch is much like having a handset on your wrist, especially if you invest in one of the high-end versions. The Apple Watch allows you to receive calls or texts and respond, you get a good suite of apps and the chance to monitor your fitness levels. However, if you don’t really want or need that level of functionality, a fitness tracker could be a better choice. These devices are created for one reason, to help you track your fitness objectives. You won’t get all the extras that come with a smartwatch, but for their one job, they are ideal.

Enhancing the Functionality With Smartwatch Accessories

In some ways the smartwatch itself is an accessory to the smart phone, but there are other products you can buy to go with your wearable. Brands like Fitbit and Apple tend to create extras that only work with their watches, but there are many more accessories on the market.

• Power Pack – A portable charger that you can carry with you, power packs can recharge a smartwatch so they provide many additional hours of service. Between uses, the pack can be quickly recharged for your next journey.

• Sports Straps – It’s always a good idea to have a couple of extra straps for a smartwatch. Many are virtually identical to traditional watches even down to the leather strap, but you can buy more durable silicone sports straps for when you workout. They come in a wide selection of colours and feel soft against the skin.

• Smart Scales – Track your weight, body fat and BMI all at once using a set of smart scales. The Fitbit Aria 2 works wirelessly with the Fitbit app to show how your fitness levels change over time. It can be used to manage the data of eight different users, but won’t share private details.

• Faceplates – You can change the look of your smartwatch using a colourful faceplate. You’ll still be able to use all the buttons and charge the watch whilst it’s in place.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wearing a Smartwatch

If you’re worried that your smartwatch might end up gathering dust, here are some pros and cons which could help you make a buying decision.

The Pros:

• Information at a Glance – We all know how simple it is to check a watch in seconds, but with a smartwatch you can also keep an eye on the weather, receive calendar alerts and view your activity targets. When it is synched to your handset, you have no need to even pick up your phone. Rejecting and answering calls has never been so simple. Smartwatches allow you to get on with work, exercise or relaxation, whilst handling any notifications in a quick, convenient way.

• A Wellness Booster – Health tracking is one of the most popular uses of a smartwatch, most can be set to automatically record the number of steps you take and your sleep pattern. You can see how many calories you burned during a walk or workout and ensure you keep up with a fitness plan. These kinds of features are usually spread over a number of devices, but with a smartwatch all your health information can be stored and collated in one place.

The Cons:

• It Can be a Distraction – Much like smartphones, smartwatches can interfere with your train of thought if they regularly ping with notifications. Whilst a phone can be kept out of sight (and mind) or turned to silent, the various alerts from a smartwatch appear on your wrist where they are hard to ignore. The only way to avoid the issue is to switch your phone to Airplane Mode, but then you could end up worrying that you missed an important message.

• Stress over Neglecting Goals – When you are tracking your health closely over a period of time, you can feel bad if things begin to slide. Of course, smartwatches are designed to give you a little encouragement, but missing your daily step count, or failing to get enough restful sleep can leave you feeling guilty.

Tips on Buying Best Price Smartwatches

You can buy the latest smartwatches from all the best-known brands at online retailers like Argos, Amazon and The Watch Shop. If you have a particular wearable in mind, you can shop direct from the manufacturer and pre-order new devices, by visiting the Apple shop, the Samsung shop or the Fitbit homepages.

Great smartwatch deals can be found when retailers launch their annual post-Christmas offers, but lower prices are also common in the spring, summer and bank holiday sales. Major retailers like Currys, Tesco and Very always line up technology reductions during the Black Friday event, which happens at the end of November each year.

Smartwatch Discounts at HotUKDeals

All best smartwatch offers on recent models can be found at HotUKDeals, we list every price cut as it’s announced, online or on the high street.