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Original poster

Can someone talk to me about smart watches (assume I know nothing)

19 replies

Hellocatshome · 23/02/2023 17:00

So I know absolutely zero about smart watches. DS wants a smart watch for his 13th birthday. He has tiny wrists. He has a Samsung phone. He swims and uses WhatsApp.

What on earth do I need?!!!

OP posts:
amylou8 · 23/02/2023 17:34

There's so many on the market now, from a basic £15 counts your steps and tells the time, to ones costing as much as a new iPhone. If your son does doesn't know what he wants your best bet would probably be a trip to PC world. They carry all the main brands, have them on display, and someone there will be able to give you advice.

Worldgonecrazy · 23/02/2023 17:45

What does he want it to do? Count steps? Read messages? Track fitness? Look cool? Make calls?

That will narrow it down a bit,then go and look at a few. John Lewis usually have a good range to look at.

randomuser2019 · 23/02/2023 17:51

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This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

JobbieBobbie · 23/02/2023 18:07

I really like my Apple SE - it was £250 I think. It's waterproof and I can pay for things using it.

So yes, set your budget and things will probably become a bit clearer.

chipsandpeas · 23/02/2023 18:10

JobbieBobbie · 23/02/2023 18:07

I really like my Apple SE - it was £250 I think. It's waterproof and I can pay for things using it.

So yes, set your budget and things will probably become a bit clearer.

no point getting an apple watch as the OPs son has a samsung phone and it wont work

JanglyBeads · 23/02/2023 18:14

MSE Martin Lewis has a good page on buying smart watches.

Whambamthankumam · 23/02/2023 18:14

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request

SavBlancTonight · 23/02/2023 18:17

You will get the most value out of a samsung watch to go with the samsung phone. But it will be a lot more expensive than a cheap and cheerful smart watch I have a 4 - you don't need the 5 - but the 4 is still expensive. I got mine as part of my phone contract though which worked out quite well.

Huwai do a good cheaper smart watch would work too and might allow some messages to be visible, although probably not to respond.

JobbieBobbie · 23/02/2023 18:19

Yes, I realised after I posted about the Samsung phone!

megletthesecond · 23/02/2023 18:22

As he's going to grow I wouldn't spend much.
My 16yo DS is a skinny whippet and has only just got one of the (cheapest) Garmins. Even then that was about £170. It reads phone messages for him and he can set alarms etc.
Me and DD have fitbits. They're a bit cheaper. Mine was £90 and I can reply to messages using voice recognition typing, which I think is amazing.

lljkk · 23/02/2023 18:24

budget?

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 23/02/2023 19:11

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request

Well its not necessary at all but part of the fun of being a child is you get to ask for Birthday presents which aren't necessary.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hellocatshome · 23/02/2023 19:13

Sorry everyone. Budget would be up to about £300 as it could be joint present with grandparents etc and we always spend more on 13th/16th/18th presents normally he only gets about £50 spent on birthdays.

He wants to be able to reply to WhatsApp and Text messages, look cool and maybe use for tracking exercise etc if coach allows it in the pool.

OP posts:
SausagePourHomme · 23/02/2023 19:15

samsung galaxy watch5 is really nice and you can get it for around your budget. integrates really nicely with the phone

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 23/02/2023 19:30

SausagePourHomme · 23/02/2023 19:15

samsung galaxy watch5 is really nice and you can get it for around your budget. integrates really nicely with the phone

Thank you, can I ask a stupid question after I've bought the watch is that it? Does it just use his phones data etc? He has unlimited data. I dont want to buy the watch then find I have another monthly bill on top of his phone bill.

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JobbieBobbie · 23/02/2023 19:36

I don't know how it works for a Samsung watch (probably the same?), but if you want an Apple Watch to work independently of your phone, you do need to pay more per month. I've usually got my phone with me, so I bought the cheaper Apple SE watch where you don't need to pay extra per month. The choice was between GPS only or GPS + cellular.

SausagePourHomme · 23/02/2023 21:49

As long as he has his phone nearby it uses that for Internet connection, so no additional bill.

You can pay extra so the watch can be stand alone but he won't need it.

I love mine

AuntieStella · 23/02/2023 22:01

Make sure he's aware that you mustn't wear smart watches in exams!

I think a Garmin might be a possibility - there's a range of price points and functionality - the Forerunner or Fenix series would be worth a look, he won't need the top of the range versions (look at the Forerunner 245/255 at approx £150, or the 745 (£300 and upwards depending on retailer). Or Fenix 5 (c.£180)

They will show WhatsApp notifications and you can click to see the message, but have to reply on the phone. No additional data costs.

Coros (triathlon watches) are very good - similar to Garmins but about half the price. Have a browse and compare specs

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 23/02/2023 22:04

Thank you everyone, I have ordered a bluetooth Samsung Galaxy 5 watch from CEX for £150 on the proviso we will check it doesn't look rediculously huge in his wrist, if it does it can go back.

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