Talk to me about smart watches please!

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

It's my birthday soon and I've decided I'd like a smart watch. I have an iphone so naturally the go to watch would be an apple watch. But they're so damn expensive I'd prefer to look at other options first! I've seen this Fossil watch which looks really nice, does anyone know anything about Fossil?
I'd like it to do the usual time/date, weather would be handy, fitness tracker etc.

Any other recommendations please?

Bump :)

Love my Apple Watch! No experience of others, sorry. It’s been worth every penny. I’ve excercised everyday since getting it 3 months ago.

We recently got smartwatches. We were looking into buying Fossil smart watches but after reading reviews and comparing the features we went with Garmin instead. They're fab and it's really motivated us to get moving

I got a cheap Huawei Band 2 Pro as I wasn't sure I would use a fitness band/smart watch. I did, so now I'm shopping for a new one too - but as I'm definitely more about the fitness features rather than the 'smart' features I'm probably going to go Garmin. (plus I don't care if it looks pretty!)

I guess it depends what features you think you will use, and which features really matter to you.

I have a willfull smaet watch it was cheap but doesn't always work with all my iPhone apps I find it a little temperamental

Honestly if you're an IPhone user just get the Apple Watch! Love love mine

I have a fitbit Versa lite and I love it. It's a lot cheaper then the Apple watch, and probably doesn't have anything like the spec, but it does everything I need. My only advice is to go in somewhere and try a few different ones on before you buy. I liked the look (online) of the Samsung galaxy watch but it looked huge on my (v skinny) wrist.

Not being funny @Badtasteflump but where do you suggest I go when all the non-essential shops are still closed?

TBH I am looking at the Apple watch series 3, apparently they do pretty much the same thing as the new series 5 it's just much cheaper. I guess when you think people merrily spend thousands on a watch that is just a watch, in comparison a couple of hundred is fairly acceptable on a watch that does a lot more 🤔

I've had a fitbit, good but limited on functions, heart rate monitor not accurate. Then after reading loads of reviews I bought an iwatch, it's brilliant. It motivates me to exercise.

Is try and stretch for the series 4, I did, apparently it's a lot better than the 3.

Ha ok good point. Maybe just take into account the measurements in the descriptions then? Some of them are huge....

I have an I Watch as my DH bought it for me. I really wanted a smart watch but didn't want to spend so much money on one.

I was looking at Garmin Forerunner 45S. I asked the opinion of my friends in my running group and they all recommended it.

I do love my IWatch but this is the one I would have bought.

It depends what you want it for I suppose. My husband and I have matching garmins (by accident) not anything very fancy but I measure miles, steps, hydration and find it a good motivator.
I don't know if I can check messages on anything on it but that isn't why I wear it. The kids have huaweis. One in particular shows messages and calls and it was about 40quid. It's smaller and daintier looking than mine.

I had a fitbit blaze but I now have a huawei watch as I have a huawei phone and I love it.

It is big but I love a big watch.

Can change the watch face whenever you like loads of options. Can read WhatsApp and text on it and also take phone calls on it.

I have to admit I have an Apple Watch and I really love it. I love how it works with my phone and it's so intuitive. I love the activity rings. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is quite wide and I have big fat chunky arms so it sits low on my wrist and that means I accidentally activate Siri quite often which is irritating by pressing the little dial. I'm sure there is a way for me to turn that off in the settings though.

I’ve been looking at the Apple Watch. Just incase you didn’t know if you go celular ones they only work with EE, vodaphone or o2, and and if you are on EE and don’t get it from them so say Apple or curry’s etc then you need to pay £7 pm for the privilege of EE letting you use the watch. (Friend has just had to do this after buying the 5 in an Apple store, I’m assuming the same is true of the 3). I would think the other 2 networks will be similar.

I’ve had a normal fossil watch for going on 7 years. I love it. Never had a problem with it. No clue on the quality of the smart watch’s.

DH and I both have series 1 Apple watches and they still work brilliantly. We found a new thing the other day (can start Strava tracking from the watch itself) which got us both excited. I'd definitely recommend if you have an iPhone, and probably a series 3 unless you want to get all the bells and whistles.

Saying that, the only downside on the Apple watch is the huge tan mark you get from it - I was due to be at a wedding this Saturday (obviously postponed) and I have no idea what I'd have done about the mark given I wouldn't have worn it with my posh frock!

Definitely go for an iwatch if you have an iPhone, sometimes other brands don’t sync with your phone properly

@Sparticle yeap I have the tan mark too 😂

@whatshappeninginthisworld I see yours and here is mine! To be honest it just looks like I have a very dirty arm but it’s the best tan I’ve had in years 😁

@Sparticle haha yours is worse than mine
The tan is good though 😆

I have this Fossil Smart watch. I've set it up with Googlefit to count steps. It's big and blingy.

I've been leaning towards Apple watch but am put off by battery life. Having to charge it every night is now making me think Fitbit....