Smartwatches are one of the best gadgets on the market right now. You can answer calls, write messages, search the web, track your workouts, play music — and even tell the time. They truly are one of the most convenient technological devices; however, bear in mind that not all are made equal.
When buying a smartwatch, there is a lot to consider to ensure you are getting the best deal. There are a lot of poor-quality devices that may look good on the surface, but do not even compare to some of the top-of-the-range products.
This article is designed to inform you about what new smartwatch buyers need to look out for, so that they are not needlessly out of pocket. Here are three things every first-time buyer should know.
Make Sure It’s Compatible with Your Phone
Smartwatches are at their most useful when they are connected to your mobile device, as it allows your apps and saved files to synch up, creating a good synergy between the two. However, this can only happen if the phone and watch are compatible.
This is a vital thing to consider, as there are many brands and makes that do not gel well with each other, meaning that depending on your phone, you’re tied to what you can get. For example, iPhones are only compatible with Apple watches, whereas some Google and Samsung watches work with all devices, but only have full functionality with Android phones.
Smart watches are not a replacement for your phone; they are simply an accessory, a supplement that allows you to interact with your phone in a more convenient way. If your watch is not compatible with your mobile phone, then you will simply lose a lot of key functionality like phone calls, messaging, and even notification alerts.
You Can Get a Great Deal Buying Used
In a lot of instances, buying used technology may not always be the best practice; however, this is not the case for smartwatches. These devices are built to be durable and long lasting, meaning that a used watch that has been well looked after still has incredible value. You may struggle to get the latest model of watches when buying used, although you can still get some very current versions for reduced prices.
Another great thing when buying used is that you are not losing out on functionality as a lot of older models can still do most of the tasks that you care about.
There is a huge variety of watches you can buy, too, ranging from smartwatches with leather straps and Smartwatchs for girls, meaning everyone can be kitted out with this great piece of technology.
Consider How Many Apps You Want
Some watches can download thousands of apps, ranging from the obviously useful to others that may not be for everyone. When buying a watch, you need to consider what you plan on using it for and whether a huge selection of apps is something that you want.
Apple watches are the runaway leader in this metric, as they have more than 20,000 apps available for their watches that can be downloaded directly to smartwatch. However, not all 20,000 apps are going to be useful; in fact, there’s a high possibility that a lot of those won’t even work. It’s also worth considering that more apps means a more congested home screen, which isn’t great considering how small the display is.
Google watches offer a far more limited app selection, but they do cover the basics. However, this does mean that you are limited with your customization choices.
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