Smartwatches still have a long way to go before they become the must-have devices to get through the day. But they have evolved rapidly in the last few years and now we have a bunch of options to choose from. More and more people are buying smartwatches to track their fitness activities, check notifications without pulling out the phone, and easily access information. With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, here are the top five best smartwatches of 2018.
Five best smartwatches of 2018
The list doesn’t include Google’s upcoming Pixel Watch, which is rumored to debut later this month. Most other companies have already announced their flagship offerings for this year. Only time will tell how the Pixel Watch would stack up against the competition. With that in mind, let’s check out the top five best smartwatches of 2018.
1- Apple Watch Series 4
By far the most advanced and most powerful smartwatch you can buy right now. The Apple Watch Series 4 aims to become your ‘indispensable communication and fitness companion.’ Available in 40mm and 44mm options, the Series 4 Watch has slimmer bezels and a 30% larger display compared to Series 3. It comes in cellular as well as non-cellular versions. The Series 4 runs watchOS 5 software and Apple’s custom S4 chip. It offers 16GB of internal storage.
The device is water-resistant up to a depth of 50 meters. It is jam-packed with exciting new features such as Fall Detection and a built-in Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. The Fall Detection technology can detect hard fall and give you the option to call 911. If you remain immobile for a minute, the device will automatically call emergency services and notify your emergency contacts. The ECG sensor can detect if your heart is beating normally or if it shows symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
The Apple Watch Series 4 costs $399 for the GPS model. If you want to buy the cellular version, it will set you back by $499.
2- Samsung Galaxy Watch
The Galaxy Watch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It runs Samsung’s custom Tizen OS software and a dual-core 1.15GHz processor. Just like the Apple Watch Series 4, it is water-resistant up to a depth of 50 meters. It has a great Super AMOLED display, Samsung Pay support, a beautiful and reliable design, and fitness-tracking capabilities. If you don’t want to buy Series 4 Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch is the best option you have.
Navigating around the Tizen OS is pleasant thanks to the rotating bezel. Its only major drawback is the Bixby AI assistant, which still lags far behind Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. Also, the Tizen OS has a bunch of apps and watch faces, but the variety of apps is less than wearOS or Watch OS. It is currently available at $349 on Amazon.
3- Apple Watch Series 3
This was the best smartwatch until the debut of Apple Watch Series 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch. The Series 3 Watch features the dual-core S2 processor, 8GB/16GB storage, and an IPX7 rating for water-resistance. It has a pretty good battery life. It has fitness tracking capabilities, can give you directions, allow you to access notifications, and pay with your wrist using Apple Pay.
The Series 3 comes in both cellular and non-cellular versions. You can also upgrade it to watchOS 5 to enjoy new features such as Walkie-Talkie and others. Following the launch of Series 4, its price has been reduced dramatically to just $279. If you can’t afford Series 4, the Series 3 is still a great option.
4- Fitbit Versa
Fitbit is incredibly popular among fitness enthusiasts. The company entered the smartwatch market earlier this year with Versa and Ionic, the former being the cheaper of the two. They both are among the best smartwatches of 2018. They run the Fitbit OS software and a dual-core 1.0GHz processor. They are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. They are water-resistant up to 50 meters, and they offer 3-4 days of battery life.
The Fitbit Versa costs just $199 on Amazon. Both the Versa and Ionic offer quick replies, smartphone notifications, and the company’s female health tracking suite, which makes them more useful for women. You can also store music and make payments using Fitbit Pay. However, the Fitbit Versa doesn’t have a premium design like Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.
5- MobVoi TicWatch Pro
You have probably never heard of MobVoi, but its TicWatch Pro is one of the best smartwatches of 2018. The TicWatch Pro runs Wear OS software and works with both Android and iOS devices. It features 4GB RAM and Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor. It is currently available for $250 on Amazon.
What makes the TicWatch Pro stand out in the crowd is its dual-screen technology. Yes, it has not one but two displays, one placed on top of the other. The first is a low-power, transparent LCD screen that shows you time, your heart rate, and other essential details in low-power mode. You can switch to the second OLED display anytime you want. It gives you a full-fledged smartwatch experience in Smart Mode.
When you switch from the low-power Essential Mode to the Smart Mode, all the data is synced up and transferred to the Wear OS. If you keep the device in Essential Mode, its battery can last up to 30 days.
