The Pixel Watch 2 works with most phones running Android 9.0 or newer via the Google Pixel Watch app, which requires a Google Account to log in. It is not compatible with iPhones.

Most of the smartwatches on our list feature GPS connectivity, which means they can record your runs without the help of a companion device (the Garmin Lily is an exception). Most modern smartwatches also have an optical heart rate sensor that can take continuous and on-demand heart rate measurements. Similar to how the Apple Watch works only with iPhones, the Galaxy Watch 6 series is exclusive to Android phones. Samsung's latest smartwatches require a device running Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM. Although you can pair the Watch 6 with non-Samsung Android phones, some features, including irregular heart rhythm notifications, phone separation alerts, and the Camera Controller app, work only with handsets of the same brand. Google's Pixel Watch 2 runs Wear OS 4 and works with most phones running Android 9.0 or newer via the Google Pixel Watch app, which requires a Google Account to log in. It's not exclusive to Pixel phones and should pair just fine with devices from any other Android phone maker, including Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is our current favorite for its streamlined design, excellent health and safety features, and useful calling and texting capabilities. Outdoor adventurers might prefer the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, which offers a more durable titanium case, an even stronger sapphire crystal glass display, longer battery life, and a few outdoor-specific navigation features. Though it has limited access to apps, the Fitbit Versa 4 is an excellent fitness-focused smartwatch. We appreciate its attractive, comfortable design which offers a few improvements over the last generation, including a slimmer case, a physical button, and a more responsive touch screen. The latest model offers 40 exercise modes, up from 20 last generation.

Apple Watch SE (2022)

There are a few exceptions, including the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which offer multi-day battery life. In general, you get much better battery life with a Fitbit or Garmin watch. They typically last around six days on a single charge. For activation and setup, Fitbit devices require the Fitbit app, which is compatible with smartphones running at least Android 9 or iOS 15. Fitbit is in the process of migrating its app to Google's authentication platform. At this point, all new users will need a Google account to log into the Fitbit app. Legacy Fitbit users will soon need to migrate their account over to Google's platform to log in, a fairly painless process we detail in our Versa 4 review. Samsung's latest smartwatches feature popular Google apps like Assistant, Maps, and the Play Store, alongside Samsung's Bixby, Buds Controller, Pay, and more. The Pixel Watch features all the Google standbys, including Assistant, Gmail, Home, Maps, the Play Store, and Wallet. Music control, play, forward, stop with this music control. No need to reach for your phone just to change the music on your phone. Take advantage with the Bluetooth functionality. Make your smartwatch a remote for your smartphone’s camera, you can use your smartwatch as a shutter remote.

Samsung didn't reinvent the wheel with its latest flagship smartwatch, but it didn't have to. This newest version features a bigger, brighter 2,000-nit display, at the expense of some battery life, with the same sleek design as its predecessor. There are no limitations when you use the Pixel Watch 2 with a non-Pixel Android phone. By comparison, some Galaxy Watch 6 features only work only with Samsung handsets. Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 6 has a slight edge because of its lower price, better battery life, and more durable design, but the Pixel Watch 2 is an excellent, attractive alternative. All three Apple smartwatches on this list require an iPhone Xs or later with iOS 17 or later and do not work with Android handsets. With its fashionable look, solid design, and premium quality. The smartwatch offers a wide range of different functionalities. Below are the different features, from health, sports to basic notifications alerts. Features of Harry Lime Smartwatch Safety features include Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, and irregular heart rate and rhythm notifications. Cellular SE models also now support international emergency calling, so you can reach emergency services in more than 120 countries and regions without your phone while traveling. On the health front, we especially like the automatic 20-second handwashing timer. Who It's For

Which Platform Offers the Best Smartwatch Apps?

The Samsung Watch 6 Classic is an excellent option for those in search of a lifestyle-focused Android-compatible smartwatch. Choose this over the standard Watch 6 if you want a bit of bling and the improved functionality of its rotating bezel. If you want a WearOS smartwatch with long battery life, the Android-only TicWatch Pro 5 is worth a look. It offers a similar feature set as the Google Pixel Watch 2 in a more durable build with about three times the battery life.

The Apple Watch still has the largest number of high-quality apps and big-name developers, but Google's Wear OS platform is catching up. Google Maps on the Pixel Watch 2 (Credit: Will Greenwald) The Lily is an excellent choice for those in search of a fitness-focused smartwatch that doesn't look like one. Its attractive, female-focused design is its biggest selling point, but it also offers an impressive set of health-related features and decent battery life for its small size. The Lily works with both iOS and Android smartphones via the Garmin Connect app. The Galaxy Watch 6 is the best Apple Watch alternative for most Android users. It comes in small (40mm) or large (44mm) sizes, three different aluminum case colors (graphite, gold, or silver), and two connectivity options (with or without LTE), thus accommodating a wide range of buyers. Outdoor adventurers might prefer the still-available Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, which offers longer battery life, a more durable titanium case, an even stronger sapphire crystal glass display, and a few outdoor-specific navigation features. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is best for endurance athletes, ocean enthusiasts, and anyone else who spends a lot of time in the great outdoors. With a WR100 water-resistance rating, the Ultra 2 is the only Apple Watch suitable for high-speed water sports and recreational diving. It works for recreational dives at depths of up to 40 meters and can function as a dive computer with the Oceanic+ app. It's pricey, though, and people with smaller wrists might not like its bulky design.Galaxy Watch 6 smartwatches run Wear OS 4 with Samsung's One UI 5 Watch software. They require a smartphone running Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM. Note that although you can pair the Watch 6 with non-Samsung Android phones, some features work only with Samsung handsets, including irregular heart rhythm notifications, phone separation alerts, and the Camera Controller app.