The Apple Watch has long been the dominant player in the smartwatch market, and for good reason. It boasts a seamless user experience, a robust app ecosystem, and comprehensive health and fitness tracking features. However, it’s not the only smartwatch in town, and certainly not the only one worth considering. If you’re looking for Watches Comparable To Apple Watch, whether due to platform preference, budget constraints, or simply seeking a different style, you’ll be pleased to know there are numerous excellent alternatives available. This guide explores some of the best smartwatches that can rival the Apple Watch in various aspects, offering compelling choices for different needs and preferences.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic
For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch series has consistently been the top contender as a direct competitor to the Apple Watch. The latest Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic models continue this trend, offering a polished Wear OS experience with Samsung’s signature flair. Like the Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch6 comes in two sizes and offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and workout detection. The Classic model distinguishes itself with the return of the physical rotating bezel, a beloved feature that provides a tactile and intuitive way to navigate the interface, somewhat similar to the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown in terms of navigation utility. While both Galaxy Watch6 models work seamlessly with Android phones, it’s worth noting that certain health features like electrocardiograms (ECG) and irregular heart rate notifications are exclusively available for Samsung phone users, mirroring Apple’s ecosystem limitations to some extent. Battery life on the larger Classic model can reach two full days, slightly edging out some Apple Watch models in longevity, though heavy use and always-on display will reduce this. If you are invested in the Android ecosystem and seek a smartwatch with comparable features and a similar level of polish to the Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch6 series is a prime choice.
Withings ScanWatch 2
If you prefer a more traditional watch aesthetic but still desire smart health tracking capabilities comparable to an Apple Watch, the Withings ScanWatch 2 presents a compelling option. Its hybrid design cleverly integrates a classic analog watch face with a small, discreet PMOLED display for notifications and health data. The ScanWatch 2 excels in health monitoring, offering features such as heart rate tracking, ECG, blood oxygen (SpO2) measurement, and comprehensive sleep analysis, placing it squarely in competition with the Apple Watch’s health-focused features. One of its standout advantages is its exceptional battery life, lasting up to 30 days with light use, far surpassing the daily charging requirement of most smartwatches, including the Apple Watch. However, the small display can be limiting for viewing notifications in detail, and the GPS relies on a connected smartphone, which might be a drawback for runners or cyclists who prefer phone-free tracking. The ScanWatch 2 is available in 42mm and 38mm sizes, catering to different wrist sizes. For users prioritizing health tracking and a classic watch look with extended battery life, and who find the Apple Watch too tech-centric in appearance, the Withings ScanWatch 2 is a strong contender.
Google Pixel Watch 2
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is Google’s direct answer to the Apple Watch, and it shows. Running Wear OS and deeply integrated with Fitbit’s health and fitness platform, the Pixel Watch 2 offers a smooth and feature-rich smartwatch experience, particularly for Android users. It boasts automatic workout detection, fall detection, SpO2 monitoring, and a redesigned Fitbit app for a more modern user interface. Google has also incorporated safety features like Safety Check, Car Crash Detection, and Bicycle Fall Detection, enhancing its appeal as a comprehensive safety and health companion, similar to Apple Watch’s safety features. The Pixel Watch 2 is praised for its comfortable design and effective health and fitness tracking, providing reliable data on heart rate, sleep, and workouts, with improved workout screens displaying key metrics at a glance, much like the Apple Watch’s workout interface. However, like its predecessor, battery life remains a point of concern, typically lasting around a day, requiring daily charging similar to the Apple Watch but without the same longevity some users might expect from alternatives. For those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem and seeking a Wear OS smartwatch that mirrors the Apple Watch’s functionalities and user-friendliness, the Pixel Watch 2 is a compelling alternative.
Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro
The Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro stands out primarily for its exceptional battery life, a feature where it significantly surpasses the Apple Watch and many other competitors. Thanks to its innovative dual-display technology, which combines a low-power display for always-on information with a vibrant OLED screen for interactions, the Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro can achieve up to four days of battery life on a single charge. This makes it an excellent choice for users who prioritize battery endurance and dislike frequent charging, a stark contrast to the daily charging needs of the Apple Watch. However, its design is described as somewhat plain, lacking the aesthetic appeal of the Apple Watch or other fashion-forward smartwatches. It runs Wear OS 3.5, a slightly older version, and Mobvoi’s update history raises concerns about timely software updates to the latest Wear OS 4, which might lag behind competitors like Samsung and Google in software advancements. If battery life is your paramount concern and you are willing to compromise on design flair and potentially software update speed, the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro is a strong contender in the realm of smartwatches comparable to Apple Watch in functionality but excelling in battery performance.
Huawei Watch D2
The Huawei Watch D2 distinguishes itself with a unique and potentially life-saving feature: built-in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). This smartwatch incorporates an inflatable cuff within the strap, allowing for on-demand blood pressure readings and 24-hour monitoring, a capability not found in the Apple Watch or most other consumer smartwatches. ABPM is crucial for gaining an accurate understanding of blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day, making the Huawei Watch D2 particularly valuable for individuals advised to closely monitor their blood pressure. Beyond blood pressure monitoring, it also offers standard fitness and sleep tracking features. However, it has limitations, including the lack of a voice assistant unless paired with a Huawei phone and a less polished app experience with limited data interpretation compared to Apple’s Health app. While its design might be perceived as a chunky Apple Watch imitation and it may not excel in all areas compared to the other watches listed, the Huawei Watch D2’s unique blood pressure monitoring feature makes it a noteworthy option for health-conscious individuals for whom this specific functionality is a priority and who are seeking watches comparable to Apple Watch in health features but with a distinct focus on blood pressure. Availability may vary by region, as it is not officially sold in the US.
Apple Watch Series 9
It’s impossible to discuss watches comparable to Apple Watch without mentioning the Apple Watch Series 9 itself. It remains a top-tier smartwatch, offering a comprehensive suite of features, a smooth user experience, and tight integration within the Apple ecosystem. The Series 9 includes all the standard health and fitness tracking features, along with innovative additions like Double Tap, a gesture control allowing users to interact with the watch by tapping two fingers together. While undeniably excellent, the Apple Watch Series 9 is often criticized for its price. It’s recommended to seek it out during sales to obtain it at a more reasonable price point, ideally under $300. While this article focuses on alternatives, the Apple Watch Series 9 serves as the benchmark against which other smartwatches are often compared, and understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial when evaluating alternatives.
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
For budget-conscious buyers seeking watches comparable to Apple Watch’s feature set but at a lower price, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE (Fan Edition) is worth considering. It represents Samsung’s attempt to offer a more affordable Wear OS smartwatch. However, while it is a competent budget option, it does come with compromises compared to the flagship Galaxy Watch series and, by extension, the Apple Watch. The Galaxy Watch FE features a smaller screen that is less bright, a slower processor, and a smaller battery, resulting in a less premium experience overall. While its health sensors are largely similar and provide accurate data, the overall performance and battery life are less impressive than the standard Galaxy Watch6. Interestingly, the price difference between the Watch FE and discounted Watch6 models can be minimal, making the regular Galaxy Watch6 a more sensible purchase for most users seeking value. The Galaxy Watch FE can be viewed as an entry-level alternative, but for a slightly higher investment, the standard Galaxy Watch6 offers a significantly richer and more comparable experience to the Apple Watch.
Avoid These Smartwatches: Montblanc Summit 3
Not all smartwatches live up to the hype, and some, despite their premium branding, fall short of offering a compelling alternative to the Apple Watch or other strong contenders. The Montblanc Summit 3, while undeniably a beautiful and luxurious-looking smartwatch, is an example of style over substance. Despite its high price tag, it lacks essential features such as a speaker and Google Assistant, and its fitness functionalities are underdeveloped. Ultimately, the Montblanc Summit 3 fails to justify its premium price with a feature set and user experience that can genuinely compete with the Apple Watch or even more affordable and feature-rich alternatives. It serves as a reminder that a high price and luxury brand name do not automatically translate to a superior smartwatch experience comparable to the market leaders.
Conclusion
The smartwatch market offers a diverse range of options for those seeking alternatives to the Apple Watch. From the feature-rich Samsung Galaxy Watch6 for Android users to the health-focused Withings ScanWatch 2 and the battery life champion Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5 Enduro, there’s a smartwatch to suit various priorities and preferences. The Google Pixel Watch 2 provides a direct Wear OS competitor, while the Huawei Watch D2 carves a niche with its unique blood pressure monitoring. While the Apple Watch Series 9 remains a top contender, exploring these comparable watches allows consumers to find the perfect wearable companion that aligns with their individual needs and budgets, proving that excellent “watches comparable to apple watch” are indeed readily available.
