You’re in the market to look for a companion for your phone which can either be a smartwatch or tablet– we’ll focus on the former for this article. Smartwatches provide a convenient way to check notifications, answer phone calls or listen to a podcast. You can also use your them to make payments, monitor your fitness, and in some instances even remotely control your phone’s camera for the perfect group photo.
But not all smartwatches were created equal. Depending on what phone you have and what your needs are, there are a number of options to choose from. For example, the Apple Watch won’t work with an Android phone but all other watches in this roundup will work on an iPhone or an Android phone.
Aside from their prices, these watches also differ in various aspects such as their size, battery life, internal specifications, features, and much more. So rather than just going out and buying the first smartwatch you see, it’s important that you carefully consider exactly what you want to get out of one first.
Whether you’re an iOS or Android user, there’s a smartwatch out for you. From popular picks such as the Apple Watch as well as offerings from the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and other fashion brands, you’ve got a lot to choose from.
Our picks for best Smartwatch for 2023
Below you’ll find our top picks for the best smartwatches, each with their individual specifications and our brief thoughts on each model. We’ll be updating this list every few months as new models come out, so make sure you check back often to see what our latest picks are.
1. Apple Watch Ultra
Specs & Features
Weight: 61.3 g | Thickness: 14.4 mm | Resistance: IP68 100m | OS: watchOS | Screen: 1.92 inches, LTPO OLED, 2000 nits | Processor: Apple S8 | Sensors: Heart rate, SpO2, Temperature | Connectivity: LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 542mAh
- Large bright screen
- 2 day battery
- Extreme fitness tracking
- Big and chunky
The Apple Watch Ultra is currently the best smarwatch in the market. It has the largest display and the longest battery life compared to other Apple Watches. It can track your fitness across extreme contidions and still look good as an everyday watch. While expensive, it is comparable in price to previous generation Apple Watches with high-end finishes and cellular connectivity. If you’re looking for the best health & fitness smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra is the one to go for.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Specs & Features
Weight: 46.5 g | Thickness: 10.5 mm | Resistance: IP68 50m | OS: Android Wear OS | Screen: 1.4 inches, Super AMOLED | Processor: Exynos W920 | Sensors: Heart rate, Temperature | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 590mAh
- Good performance
- Beautiful screen
- Nice fitness features
- Big and chunky
- Battery life could be better
- No Cellular connectivity
With the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Samsung is aiming at the outdoor fitness enthusiast with a chunky and rugged look. The watch performs well and has a big and beautiful AMOLED screen that does a good job of showcasing Samsung’s OneUI. Being based on Android Wear OS, you also have access to Google Play Store and tons of apps. About the only thing missing is cellular connectivity.
3. Huawei Watch GT3 Pro
Specs & Features
Weight: 50 g | Thickness: 10.9 mm | Resistance: IP68 30m | OS: HarmonyOS | Screen: 1.43 inches, AMOLED | Sensors: Heart rate, Temperature | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth | Battery: 530mAh
- Beautiful and premium looking
- Good performance
- Limited apps
- Can't use for payments
If there was one watch in this roundup that you could wear in a forma light out, it would be the Huawei Watch GT3 Pro. It’s a beatiful watch with premium materials, excellent build quality and a really nice screen. You also get a stellar two week battery life which is the highest out of any watch in this roundup. Huawei has also worked with local companies like Talabat and Emirates to have their apps on its wtach platform. About the only thing missing is a tap to pay feature.
4. Fitbit Vera 4
Specs & Features
Weight: 37.6 g | Thickness: 11.2 mm | Resistance: IP67 50m | OS: Fitbit OS | Screen: 1.5 inches, AMOLED | Sensors: Heart rate, SpO2, Temperature | Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 6 days
- Excellent battery life
- Great fitness features
- Fitbit Premium free for 6 months
- Not as fast as other smartwatches
- Very vanilla design
The Fitbit Versa 4 is the most affordable watch in this round-up costing just under AED 1,000. But just becasue it’s the cheapest doesn not mean that it’s not great- quite the opposite. This fitbit watch You get six months of Fitbit Premium free with it which is excellent at tracking health features. The Fitfit 4 also has an excellent battery life lasting almost a week. And the watch is extremely light which is great for comfort and extended use.
5. Apple Watch SE (2022)
Specs & Features
Weight: 33 g | Thickness: 10.7 mm | Resistance: 50m | OS: watchOS | Screen: 1.78 inches, LTPO OLED, 1000 nits | Processor: Apple S8 | Sensors: Heart rate | Connectivity: LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC Payments | Battery: 296mAh
- Most affordable Apple Watch
- Good performance
- Light and comfortable
- Battery life is mediocre
- No always-on display
Apple updated it’s affordable Apple Watch SE for 2022 giving it the same processor as it’s highest-end watches but at a much lower price. You get similar fitness tracking features as other Apple watches and excellent integration with your iPhone or your AirPods. However, this is Apple’s lowest-priced watch so don’t expect all the features of more expensive models such as an always-on display or a temperature sensor.
Best smartwatch FAQs
Which Smartwatch is best to buy?
The Apple Watch Ultra is currently the best smartwatch with excellent fitness features, a striking design and great interoperability with the iPhone.
What should I look for when buying a smartwatch?
You need to make sure your Smartwatch plays nice with your other devices. For example, Apple Watches don’t work on Android phones but a Galaxy Watch does wotk with Android phones and the iPhone.
How much do you need to spend on a smartwatch?
There isn’t a set answer to how much you should spend on a smartwatch. If you’re looking for a premium build and high-end features then expect to pay over AED 2,000.
What other smartwatches are there other than Apple?
The Apple Watch is extremely popular but there are plenty of other companies that make good smartwatches such as Samung, Huawei, Xiaomi and Fitbit.
How durable is a smartwatch?
A good smartwatch is reasonably durable if you take care of it as its supposed to take some wear and tear. But it is glass at the end of the day which can break.
Should you buy a smart watch?
A smartwatch is an excellent way to track your fitness or your sleep. It’s also a good companion device to answer calls, respond to notifications or take with you when you don’t need to carry a phone.