Best Watches Deals on the Web!
We compiled the hottest watches
across the web for you.
- Last Updated On November 18, 2020
Best Smartwatch For iPhone 2024: Apple Watch, Amazfit GTS, Samsung and more
Written By:
The OD Team
BEST CHOICE
5/5
- Accepts software update
- Always-on display
- In-built compass
PREMIUM PICK
5/5
- Apple Pay
- Various connectivity options
- ECG
BUDGET PICK
5/5
- Reliable battery life
- Compass
- Always-on display
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Many people think that if they want to buy a smartwatch for their iPhone, they can only choose from the Apple Watch Series. While this Series is incredible, there are other smartwatches on the market that offer fantastic features for iPhone users.
For example, those that run on Google’s Wear OS are compatible with the iPhone and allow iPhone users to access tons of the smartwatch features. However, certain features can be unlocked by Android users only.
So the question is: which is the best smartwatch for iPhone? For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the top-notch models on the market with all their pros and cons so that you can choose without any confusion.
You’ll also find a buying guide with some of the essential features that should be on your checklist before making a purchase.
Table of Contents
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7 Best Smartwatches For iPhone in 2024
If you’re searching for an incredible Apple watch with an always-on screen display, you can’t go wrong with Apple Watch Series 5. This feature enables you to check whatever you want on your screen at any time without having to wake the screen up.
We love its 1.78″ OLED, and that it comes in various colors, including silver, pink and black. As for its band sizes, you can choose between 40mm and 44mm.
You might think that having an always-on display will drain the battery, but this is not true. In fact, the battery lasts from 24 to 36 hours, depending on your usage.
And while it comes with watchOS 6, you can upgrade it to watchOS 7. This way, you’ll have a smartwatch with the latest software even if the hardware is a bit old.
Moreover, it comes with a GPS tracking system, allowing you to know your location and preventing you from getting lost. Plus, you won’t need to check your phone every now and then since you can connect Apple Watch Series 5 to your iPhone via NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or LTE.
Once connected with your iPhone, it will show you notifications and calls on your wrist. You can even answer calls and reply to texts without reaching for your phone. What’s more, you won’t need to move around with cash, thanks to Apple-Pay.
The thing that distinguishes this watch from its predecessors is having a compass! This will benefit hikers, mountaineers and adventurous people since it tells you where you’re going, and it’s hard to get lost if you have it.
Further, Apple Watch Series 5 features on-board storage up to 32GB, allowing you to download apps and listen to music and podcast. This is an incredible feature for fitness lovers since they can have fun while working out.
Speaking of workouts, the Activity rings will motivate you to workout, tell you when you need to rest, and when you need to move more. You can even compete with your friends!
Moreover, it is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means that you can enjoy a walk in the rain. And of course, it won’t suffer any harm if you sweat.
Key Features:
- Accepts software update
- Always-on display
- In-built compass
- Apple-Pay
- Wireless charging
- Many connectivity options
Pros:
- Has an always-on display
- 32GB onboard storage
- Wireless charging
- Water-resistant
- Great for mountaineers
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Compatible with iPhone only
Apple Watch Series 6 is the latest Apple Watch, so it makes sense that it is pricey. Yet, it’s totally worth every penny.
For starters, it’s equipped with watchOS 7 and Apple S6 processor, which means that it comes with updated software. This software can transform your voice into text, allowing you to reply to messages very easily without needing an internet connection. Moreover, you can set a timer using Siri.
The feature that distinguishes it from the rest of the smartwatches is its ability to measure your blood oxygen. Further, you can check your heart rhythm using the ECG app, so it is quite like moving around with a doctor right on your wrist.
You can receive notifications on the smartwatch and even reply to texts without needing to grab your phone. Besides, it connects excellently with your iPhone either by Bluetooth, WiFi or by having a 4G eSIM in your phone.
Luckily, you won’t always need to have an internet connection as Apple Watch Series 6 can update you with the stats you need in regards to the health and fitness tracking apps even when you’re offline. However, you won’t be able to get notifications on your wrist without an internet connection.
Further, you can enjoy your runs and workouts while listening to music since you can download songs up to 32GB from the Apple Music app and listen to them offline. What’s more, you can go out without having any cash, thanks to this smartwatch as it allows you to pay using Apple Pay!
Apple Watch Series 6 is swim proof, so you can use it in pools and enjoy walking in the rain while wearing it. Plus, it has a GPS tracking system, so you can track your routes.
Lastly, it comes in two sizes: 40 and 44mm, and in many colors, including red, blue, gold, silver and gray, allowing you to choose whatever suits you best.
Sadly, the battery lasts for 18 hours only, which is not that good compared to its price.
Key Features:
- ECG
- GPS
- Heart rate tracking
- Siri
- Apple Pay
Pros:
- Features GPS tracking
- Allows you to receive texts and calls
- Excellent software
- Durable
Cons:
- Short battery life
If you don’t have enough money to pay for an Apple Watch but want one that looks similar that people might think you’re actually wearing an Apple Watch, go for Amazfit GTS. Both share the design and interface.
Moreover, it comes with an incredible battery life of 14 days, even if you use the GPS for 20 hours. In case you run all apps, including sleep tracking, the battery will last for five days, which is quite impressive compared to the other devices.
Further, Amazfit GTS has an always-on display, which dims a bit whenever you have your hands down and brightens when you raise your wrist to your face. This is quite impressive because you can always check the clock without needing to wake the screen up.
You can also check your notifications without the need to grab your mobile phone. However, some complain that you might need to pair your phone to your smartwatch every time after shutting it down in order to receive the notifications on your wrist.
One of the lovely features of this smartwatch is having a great activity tracker and a built-in GPS, which comes with 14 tracked sports that you can access by pressing for a few seconds on the side button.
You can also use it to track your running, cycling, hiking and swimming. It can even recognize your swimming position and record data. Of course, this means that it is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Moreover, you wouldn’t need to grab your phone while working out to change the music, thanks to its Bluetooth Music Control that allows you to do so through your wrist.
Plus, it comes with a compass, which hikers would find quite handy. There is also a find my phone feature and a stopwatch.
Key Features:
- Reliable battery life
- GPS
- Heart Rate Tracker
- Compass
- Always-on display
- Bluetooth Music Control
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- In-built GPS
- Incredible battery
- Tracks your activities
- Comes in several colors
Cons:
- No app store
If you need a smartwatch that’s compatible with iOS and Android simultaneously, go for Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2. Its circular display is quite different from the rectangular one of Apple watches.
Moreover, you can go for R820-40mm or R830 – 40mm. Yet, it’s worth mentioning that you might find it a bit difficult to check anything longer and bigger than a text, such as an e-mail. Also, there are three colors from which you can choose: cloud silver, pink gold and aqua black.
Further, this watch is pretty good for fitness lovers as it uses 39 work out modes to track your workouts. And it vibrates whenever it senses that you’ve stopped moving to remind you that you should get going again.
It also tracks your heart rate, which is fantastic as this means that you can always check on your heart and rest assured that it is healthy.
And it easily connects to your Bluetooth headphones, making listening to music a breeze. Besides, it comes with 4GB onboard storage, so you can listen to whatever you want. Yet, 4GB might not be enough for audiophiles.
Would sweating harm the smartwatch? Absolutely not, thanks to its IP rating of up to 50 meters, which also means that you can wear it if it’s raining without worrying.
Sadly, you won’t be able to access all the beautiful features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 if you’re not an Android user. For example, if you own an iPhone, you won’t answer phone calls or reply to texts through it.
Key Features:
- Heart rate tracking
- Water-resistant
- 39 work out modes
- Wireless charging
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Connects to Bluetooth headphones
- Connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Cons:
- Limited onboard storage
- Limited features for iPhone
If your primary concern is to have a smartwatch that doubles as a fitness tracker, go for Fitbit Ionic Watch.
With this watch, you’ll enjoy having personalized workouts on your wrist. Plus, it comes with a GPS tracking system that tracks your pace, runs, rides, and more, which means that you can always know how many steps you’ve moved.
Besides, it comes with a heart rate tracking app that tells you how well your heart is doing, and we believe that this is an essential feature in any fitness tracker.
You can access your sports app, check the weather and download up to 300 songs to enjoy listening to while working out, given that you can connect Fitbit Ionic to your iPhone via Bluetooth.
What’s more, you can enjoy contactless payments with Fitbit Pay, which is very lovely because you shouldn’t carry cash with you during working out since you might lose it. And we love its reliable battery of up to 4 days.
While the design is a bit basic, its screen is very durable and damage-resistant. Also, it is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Key Features:
- Fitbit Pay
- Personalized workouts
- Sports applications
- Excellent battery
Pros:
- Download up to 300 songs
- Reliable battery
- Has Fitbit Pay
- Features GPS
- Equipped with heartbeat tracking
Cons:
- Basic design
- Limited apps
As its name suggests, Garmin vivoactive 4 is a smartwatch that ensures you stay active for as long as you can. If you remain inactive for an extended period, the Move Bar feature will vibrate to let you know that you’ve been relaxing for quite some time.
It also counts your steps and then adjusts daily step goals according to the previous steps that were saved in the watch. And the in-built GPS allows you to preload around 20 locations.
Besides, you’ll have some animated workouts on your wrist that are very easy to follow, including pilates, yoga, and cardio. So, fitness enthusiasts will definitely find what they are looking for. Besides, you can use Garmin Pay for contactless payments.
Moreover, it’s equipped with a very impressive feature that is all-day stress tracking. This feature lets you know about your energy reserve, so you can realize when you need to take a break. All this data is easily accessible through the My Day widget.
Garmin vivoactive 4 allows you to download songs, playlist from Deezer, Amazon Music or Spotify, so you can enjoy them while working out without having your phone. And you can connect the watch to your headphones.
We love the safety features of Garmin vivoactive 4. To illustrate, it has safety and assistance features that can ask for help when paired with a compatible device. These can send your real-time location to your emergency contacts.
If you love to personalize your watch, you’ll appreciate knowing that there are thousands of free watch faces you can switch between. There are also many free widgets on the Connect IQ store.
Sadly, its battery lasts for around eight days if you use it as a smartwatch. However, if you use GPS and music, it’ll drop to 6 hours.
Key Features:
- Garmin Pay
- In-built GPS
- All-day stress tracking
Pros:
- Allows you to download songs
- Offers free widgets
- Has many watch faces
- Great for workouts
Cons:
- Short battery life
Skagen Connected Falster 3 is for people who want a smartwatch with a classic look with its circular display and metal wristband.
It’s a Wear OS smartwatch that is equipped with Google Fit and Google Pay. This means that you can enjoy watching workouts on the screen. Plus, contactless payments are an excellent addition, especially if you don’t love to walk around with a lot of cash.
Moreover, it features a built-in GPS tracking system that tracks distance. Besides, it is a 5ATM smartwatch, which makes it swimproof. This is an excellent piece of news for swimmers because they can activate the heart rate tracking function and check on their hearts while swimming.
You’ll also appreciate the help of Google Assistant that is always ready to help. What’s more, Skagen Connected Falster 3 comes with a speaker that sends audible alerts, so it reads your notifications out loud.
You’ll also be able to answer phone calls without grabbing your phone. Moreover, you can download third-party apps and enjoy 4GB storage and 1G RAM.
The battery is not very reliable, given that it lasts for around 24 hours only if you don’t use GPS. Yet, you can extend its life with the smart battery modes. Plus, the smartwatch comes with a magnetic USB charger that can charge 80% in less than an hour.
Key Features:
- Google Assistant
- Google Fit
- Swimproof
- Google Pay in-built GPS
- Answer phone calls
Pros:
- Allows you to receive notifications
- Offers contactless payment
- Fast charging
- Heart rate tracking
- Swimproof
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Not the best for fitness lovers
Smartwatches for iPhone - Buying Guide
Features to Look For When Shopping for an iPhone Smartwatch
Display
One of the essential features of a smartwatch is its screen display. You must make sure that the screen is big and clear enough for you to read it. Plus, go for one with an OLED or an AMOLED face because these show great colors and don’t drain the battery.
Design
Since you’ll wear your smartwatch for most of the day, you must get one with a simple design, so it doesn’t bother you.
Notifications
You might assume that all smartwatches allow you to receive calls and notifications on your wrist, but this is not true. So before making a purchase, check if the smartwatch will enable you to do this. Also, check if it allows you to navigate your apps.
Some top-notch smartwatches not only show you the notifications but also let you reply and answer phone calls. And this is a great selling point because you won’t need to grab your phone every now and then.
Fitness Tracking
If you’re a sports enthusiast, you’ll love having a fitness app on your wrist. Such features count calories, the steps you take, the stairs you climb and give you overall feedback on your activity.
Battery Life
Some smartwatches have batteries that need to be charged daily, while others can go for weeks on a single charge. Whether you want this or that depends on your preference. For example, do you need one that stays on from morning till evening when you return home? Or do you want one whose battery lasts for days?
You’re the only person who can decide, depending on your needs. If you want one with sleep tracking feature, for example, you must get one with an incredible battery life since you’ll be wearing it while sleeping, too.
Water Resistance
Buying a waterproof smartwatch is highly important. Otherwise, you’ll risk harming it if you wear it while running since you’ll surely sweat. It is also nice having a smartwatch that withstands rain, and it is even better wearing one that is swimproof.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you now know how to choose the best smartwatch for iPhone. However, if you’re still confused, let’s highlight some of the featured smartwatches.
If you are ready to invest money in a smartwatch, go for Apple Watch Series 5. You won’t be disappointed with its always-on screen display, in-built compass, Apple-Pay, or various connectivity options.
Yet, if you’re not willing to pay a huge sum of money, we believe it would be a great choice to buy Apple Watch Series 3 as it offers incredible features at a low price. For example, it sports a reliable battery, has many connectivity options, GPS, and is water-resistant. Its main drawback is that it lacks a compass.
In case you don’t care about having an app store, go for Amazfit GTS. It is the most affordable smartwatch on this list and has an incredible battery life of up to 14 days. Plus, it sports GPS, a compass, a heart rate tracking feature, and an always-on display. It’s also water-resistant and allows you to control the music without needing your phone.
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