Can someone talk to me about smart watches? Just pretend I am from the Stone Age...

[Greensleeves]

My 16yo wants a smart watch. I assumed they would be quite expensive and basically like a smartphone but on your wrist. Have just had a cursory look on Ebay and they range from 5.99 to £££, there doesn't seem to be any particular make, and I am realising that this is one of those situations where I am going to buy the wrong thing

can anyone enlighten me?

.

sorry it's a boring one!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/wearable-tech/best-smartwatch-3497103/%3famp

you're looking at £300 plus for a proper smartwatch I thibk Also deoends on whener he has an Apple/IOS phone or and Android one (Google, Samsung, Huwawei etc etc)

Proper ones will cost. The cheapo ones connect via unsecured networks and are super-vulnerable to hacking (like many IoT kids toys).

Thanks calpop, that's pretty much what I was expecting, but when I started trawling I saw things like this

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DZ09-Smart-Watch-Phone-Camera-SIM-Bluetooth-Android-Compatible-Christmas/173562148287?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D55149%26meid%3Dbacbd3080cf549219a6fb118e93b9d1a%26pid%3D101006%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D173562148287&_trksid=p2045573.c101006.m3226

and this

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMA-09-Bluetooth-Smart-Watch-Phone-Call-Music-Heart-Rate-Monitor-for-IOS-Android/292737105858?hash=item44287dbfc2:m:mPchNpRiSRwSF1DFMeBoudA:rk:3:pf:0

which totally confused me! I don't know enough to make an informed choice and I certainly don't want to pay £300 if I don't have to :-/

I don't really understand the thing about the unsecured networks, or what could be hacked :(

Can someone explain what the actual differences are between the £30 and the £300?

To be honest, I'd keep away from the ones on Ebay. While they may work etc. the app support is likely to be shocking and you'll have fun and games making it work as the manuals are likely to be in chinese ;-)

You need to know more about what he wants from a smart watch

• Does he use iPhone or Android
• Is he after something that is more like a fitness tracker with notification features (such as a huawei band2/ fitbit etc)
• Or a super duper fitness watch like a Garmin?
• Does he want a real smart watch that you can install apps onto?

Lets be honest, if he's using iphone, he wants an applewatch but daren't ask for one.

His phone is a Samsung Galaxy S9, we are an Apple-free household because dh (computer programmer) hates them.

He's not remotely into fitness so I doubt he's looking for fitbit type stuff.

Im also an Android user and wpuld be looking at the Samsung Galaxy watch or the huawei watch 2, though personaly i dont really feel the nees for a smaetwatch amd just ise my phone.

Huawei Watch 2 smartwatch now a bargain £149.99 for Argos Black Friday
Trusted Reviews
1 day ago

The Huawei watch 2 gets good reviews and is impressively cheap in Argos at the moment.

My DS has(d) an iWatch.

Tbh it was a 3 month wonder.

He couldn't wear it to school (as smart devices are banned in school hours) even though you can set it to "just" be a watch (not blaming the school, I don't want teachers spending time checking the settings on every kids smart watch).

Outside of school he'd forget to wear it and you need your iPhone with it to make use of most functions. Needs charging every night.

It cost £300 plus and has been a gross waste of money.

I'd have been better spending it on a Tag Heuer or similar that would last a lifetime.

It's now found a home with my father who uses it to monitor his pulse (high blood pressure) and exercise. So not a total loss.

If he wants one then up to you, but I'd spend the minimum possible and ideally not bother at all.