The 6 Best Apple Watch Alternatives
Apple is the reigning king of the smart watch world and, following the release of Series 5, that doesn’t look set to change. Described by many as beautiful, elegant and miles ahead of the competition in terms of its technology, it’s not hard to see why so many people aspire to own one.
However, Apple’s iWatch isn’t perfect – its battery life is sub-par, its sleep tracking isn’t great and it costs a heck of a lot to purchase. It may be the most popular smartwatch on the market but not everyone necessarily wants to join the orchard of Apple fans – this article is aimed at those people.
Join us as we take a detailed look at the six best Apple watch alternatives. Whatever your budget might be, and whatever you’re hoping to use the watch for, we guarantee that there will be a beautiful watch on this list perfect for your requirements.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a more traditional watch (think, not a smartwatch or fitness tracker) that is designed to look fantastic at a reasonable cost, see this Invicta watches review on Superwatches.
1. Amazfit GTS
Source: Amazfit
Probably the closest you’ll come to the Apple Watch Series 5 in terms of appearance, Huami’s newly-minted Amazfit GTS also comes packed with an abundance of technology. In fact, some people argue that the watch actually offers more than Apple in terms of features, and represents much better value for the money.
Featuring a 2.5D glass display with a 341ppi pixel density, the Amazfit GPS boasts up to 14 days’ worth of battery life. It’s also water resistant and has an in-built heart rate sensor to keep track of your workouts.
RELATED: Best Smartwatches For Women
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Source: Amazon
When you think of Apple’s rival, you think of Samsung. Whether you own an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy, people tend to fall into one of the two camps – you’re either an Apple admirer or a Samsung supporter.
In the world of smartwatches, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active is the South Korean brand’s answer to the iWatch. Offering double the battery life and at half the price, this Apple Watch alternative is very stylish and a great option for both work and at the gym. It is also waterproof and includes a plethora of in-built technology, including a heart rate sensor, GPS and LTE (for smartphone notifications) starting at $149.
3. Guess Collection X60016G1S
Source: Watches & Crystals
Who said you had to have a smartwatch? If you’re looking for a watch that works in the traditional way, simply letting you know what the time is, then there is a huge range of options out there which do this very cheaply.
Take the Guess Collection X60016G1S watch for instance. This watch is minimalism personified – sleek, sophisticated and super cost-effective. Why worry about needing to charge your watch every night? For just under £180 you can pick up a beautiful traditional watch with a battery life that’ll last months rather than minutes.
4. Fitbit Versa 2
Source: Amazon
Smaller, sleeker and less expensive than its Fitbit Ionic predecessor, the Fitbit Versa 2 is a great alternative to the Apple Watch. Its sleek look is matched by a lightweight design, which features all the usual technology you’d expect – music, workouts, sleep tracking, etc. It also has a battery life of three days and the option to use Fitbit pay if you’d rather leave your wallet at home.
However, one of the main reasons for its cheap price comes because it doesn’t have an in-built GPS. Therefore, it may not be the best option if you’re a runner, hiker or simply keen to keep track of where you are while out and about.
RELATED: Fitbit Versa | The Smart Fitness Tracker For Everyone
5. Withings Steel HR Sport
Source: Withings
If you’re looking for a watch that you don’t need to worry about charging all the time, then look no further than the Withings Steel HR Sport. Offering a battery life of up to 25 days, the smartwatch also has basic fitness tracking, GPS tracking and is the perfect choice for users who want a smartwatch which looks like a traditional watch.
However, because of this design, the watch has a tiny digital display. While it will still notify you whenever you receive a text or phone call, if you’re looking to use the watch for communication means then you should look elsewhere.
6. Garmin Venu
Source: Garmin
If you are looking for a watch with a stylish exterior that is perfect for recording workouts, the new Venu GPS smartwatch line from Garmin is the ideal option. Thanks to its AMOLED display, the watch really is a thing of beauty, offering animated workouts, payment options, music and 24/7 health monitoring.
What’s more, the watch can also track hydration, respiration and sweat loss to keep you on top of your workouts and in the best possible health. Its five-day battery life is also particularly impressive but, at $300, it is almost as expensive as Apple’s offering.
Want to see how the Fitbit Versa 2 stands up to the Apple Watch Series 5? CNET breaks down the differences between the two in the video below.
