The Good & Bad of Smartwatches
If you're someone who likes staying fit, you might have thought of getting a smartwatch—that is, if you don't already own one. And if you don't, are they really worth the splurge as much as people say they are, or are they a waste of money? Let's take a closer look at the ways smartwatches can fall short of the mark—and how they can be genuinely useful.
1. Tiny Screens
Smartwatches aren't meant to be gigantic, but their tiny screens leave much to be desired. Small buttons and dimensions also mean that you may accidentally tap on something you didn't mean to. And if you're trying to send a text? Forget about it.
2. Limited Functions
Sure, you can text on your smartwatch, listen to music, and track your fitness, but these are all things you can already do on your smartphone. Why get another device to do the same things? With its tiny screen, it's not surprising that functionality is also limited.
3. Short Battery Life
Some smartwatches on the market may last for several days on a single charge, but if you're spending big bucks on high-end brands like Apple, don't expect the battery life to blow your mind. Depending on how often you're using it and what you're using it for, you might only get one or two days out of it before you'll need to juice it back up.
4. Don't Work Well with All Phones
If you have an Android or iOS smartphone, you'll probably want to buy a smartwatch that matches the ecosystem you're already in. Otherwise, you may experience lags, glitches, or errors because the software is incompatible.
5. Can Be Uncomfortable to Wear
Sweat a lot? Wash your hands often? Regular watches can be uncomfortable enough, but smartwatches may only make things worse. Plus, since you're supposed to keep them on most of the time, the build-up of sweat and moisture can make for unpleasant scents.
6. May Produce Inaccurate Readings
Smartwatches are supposed to give you relatively accurate readings to help you stay on top of your fitness goals, but these trackers may still sometimes show inaccurate numbers. If you're relying on these devices for health data as well, it may be worth getting a better alternative.
7. Expensive for What They Do
Smartwatches can take a huge chunk out of your wallet. And yet, despite their expensive price tag, they're not always worth the big bucks you pay. And unless you're serious about keeping up with your fitness goals, they're pretty much just a useless (but pricey) accessory on your wrist.
8. Limited Customization
Want to customize your smartwatch so that it fits your personality and lifestyle? Tough luck. Other than swapping out your wristband for different colors and material types, the actual user interface design is pretty much baked in, so don't bother thinking you can personalize everything.
9. Can Be Distracting
Just like smartphones, smartwatches can be extremely distracting. They're sitting on your wrist all day, meaning you're bound to look at it whenever notifications come in or the screen lights up. You'll likely be even more tempted to swipe and scroll around on it.
10. You Can Tell the Time from Your Phone
Regular watches are meant to be a timeless (pun intended) accessory. You might think that smartwatches are worth the splurge much more because they have other functions built in, but why spend the big bucks if you already have a smartphone that can tell you the time and do other things?
Have we convinced you not to get a smartwatch yet? If so, you might want to stop here. Otherwise, if you're still leaning towards getting one, read on to see why smartwatches can sometimes be worth your hard-earned money.
1. Depending on the Model, You Can Use It Without a Phone
Smartwatches come in different models with various built-in functions and abilities. If you choose one with cellular support, you don't even need your phone to get the most use out of it. Pair it with a Bluetooth headset, and you can go completely hands-free.
2. Health & Fitness Tracking
The number one reason people invest in smartwatches is that they're able to track their health and fitness. While this data can sometimes be inaccurate, it still gives you a great idea of where your health is at, and may even alert you to abnormal signs and symptoms before you even recognize them.
3. Hands-Free Calls & Messages
If you can't connect your phone to your car via Bluetooth, you can just use your smartwatch to answer calls and texts—you just need to use your voice. The best part is that it's on your wrist, so you're less tempted to look at your phone instead of the road in front of you.
4. Media on the Go
Want to listen to music while you run but don't want to carry your phone with you? Don't worry; with your smartwatch, you can play your favorite tunes right from your wrist. No more bringing a clunky smartphone with you that might fling out of your pocket!
5. Emergency Features
Some smartwatches have built-in safety features that can detect if there's been an emergency. This is especially helpful for the elderly, who may sometimes experience falls without a way to contact anyone about their situation.
6. Fashion Investment
Smartwatches, while expensive, are designed beautifully. This means they're as much a fashion investment as they are a technology investment, and they'll last for years to come. If you ever want to swap out the band, just do so!
7. Convenience at Your Fingertips
Need to change your home lighting? Want to pay for your coffee without getting your wallet out? Thankfully, with a smartwatch, you can enjoy convenience at your fingertips by just holding out your wrist.
8. Helps You Use Your Phone Less
If you have a model that has cellular support, you can answer calls and texts without needing your phone nearby. This may, over time, help you ease off your smartphone addiction, given that you can get the same tasks done with your smartwatch without the extra padding that keeps your attention glued to it.
9. Future-Proof
Smartwatches aren't going away any time soon; in fact, they'll likely only get more complex and sophisticated from here on out, helping you get things done faster. Plus, built-in functions let you stay connected with the world with just a flick of your wrist.
10. Helps You Stay Productive
Whether it's workout reminders or tasks scheduled in your calendar, a smartwatch can keep you on top of your game so you're never falling behind. Sure, your smartphone can do this too, but having a device on your wrist makes it easy to glance and go.
