The term “smartwatch” might have entered your ears for the very first time in 2013, but in 2014 it spread faster than a wildfire. The rising popularity of these new gadgets (fitness bands, too) came out of nowhere, like a digital stranger in the night, and took us by surprise. Suddenly, smartwatch was the main buzzword in the world of tech, and big names such as Samsung, Sony, Motorola, and LG were trying to outbest one another by churning out more chic and nifty models.
While we’re (patiently) waiting for the outcome of this never-ending battle, take a look at our pick of the best smartwatches in the past two years.
Apple Watch: The Best of the Best
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether Apple’s watch will succeed or fail – it will still be the most talked about piece of wearable tech in 2015. Promoted and announced like it’s Christ’s second coming, the hype around the Apple Watch is completely understandable. Is it justified, though?
Pros: A perfect blend of fashion and tech; small, elegant, and, according to many, the best looking smartwatch made to this date. It offers support for Siri and Apple Pay, and it’s compatible with over 3,500 apps.
Cons: Lack of GPS, poor sports features, can’t add new contacts .
Motorola Moto 360: No Budget Worries
In the sea of square and plastic wearables of 2013 and 2014 appeared the Moto 360, with a fantastic build quality and an even better price tag. It’s trendy, affordable, and without a doubt one of the best Android Wear smartwatches out there. If you can get past its flaws.
Pros: Budget-friendly, Google Voice commands support, Google Now alerts, water-resistant.
Cons: One-day battery life (at best), low-resolution screen, inefficient processor.
Pebble Steel: One for Tech Lovers
Released shortly after the original Pebble watch, the Pebble Steel enjoyed enormous success on Kickstarer and became one of the most sought-after smartwatches in the world. While the features may be mostly the same as those of its predecessor, you can see that the Pebble Steel is definitely the better device out of the two.
Pros: An impressive battery life (up to 10 days on a single charge!), both iOS and Android support, stainless steel design, over 6,000 apps available, water-resistant.
Cons: No Android Wear (though some might not find this a con), a maximum of eight installed apps at the time, could use a better display.
LG Watch Urbane: Nothing Quite Like it
You can’t miss the Watch Urbane, really – it looks quite a bit like the LG G Watch R, expect more prettier and stylish. If you want to get a traditional-looking wearable, then the Urbane is definitely your perfect match. The LTE version of the LG Watch Urbane comes with more RAM, a bigger battery, and LTE, Wi-Fi, and NFC.
Pros: Luxurious design, sharp OLED display, gesture controls for reading notifications, decent battery life.
Cons: Quite pricey and heavier than its competitors; doesn’t offer a smooth Android Wear experience.
Sony Smartwatch 3: Meant for Sports
The Sony Smartwatch 3 is the envy of all of its rivals thanks to its sporty style, built-in GPS feature, and the latest Android Wear update. Thanks to the GPS feature, you can go for a run, take your smartwatch with you, and leave your smartphone at home! Definitely a plus for sports enthusiasts.
Pros: Built-in GPS, minimalist, lightweight, a standard USB charging port, IP68 rating (more time in the water).
Cons: A fairly mediocre display (slightly dull), a minimalist design (some people just love their smartwatches to be more
extravagant.
Think another watch should be on the list? Go ahead, give us your suggestions!