I'm after a smartwatch and don't want to break the bank, but I have limited knowledge of them.

CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 09:52

Hi, I'm after a smart watch - I have a Samsung S9 if that's important. I'm always happy to spend extra money for quality - But like anyone, I love a good bargain.

I haven't been keeping up to date with what the best value smart watches are, but here's a run down of features I'd like:

  • Good battery life
  • Steps tracker
  • Music controls
  • Message and email notifications (ability to respond is even better but not a requirement)
  • GPS (lowest priority for me and not a must)

Any other feature is a bonus after that.

I guess my budget would be up to $200. Obviously if the right watch came in at significantly less than that's what I'd go for. But if I had to, I'd spend the money.

Thank you so much for help in advance!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 09:55

    Can't find how to edit my post - But I also own a pair of Bose Soundsport Free wireless earphones. Is it possible to connect to both at the same time? Would make listening to music in the gym much better. Thank you.

  • jjjaar on 09/02/2020 - 10:13
    +1

    Music controls, or the ability to store music?

    • jjjaar on 09/02/2020 - 11:08
      +1

      The reason I ask is because the Garmin Vivoactive 3 can control music played on your linked smartphone, but doesn’t actually store anything itself.

      It can do all of you other things too, also has Garmin Pay if you have a compatible bank.

      This device is about $500rrp. It was on sale for $250 for quite a while at rebel and JB. I think Kogan still sells the black one for $240.

      • CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 11:46

        Thanks, just music controls. I'll check that one out - no issues with connecting to both the watch and earphones at the same time?

      • CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 12:50

        Tacking on from my question - I don't need to keep an eye out for 'music' version do I? I only listen to music through my spotify playlist, so storing songs is meaningless for me.

        • jjjaar on 09/02/2020 - 15:14
          +1

          I’ve never actually used it to control music, because I use the buttons on my wired earphones to do that.

          I don’t see why there would be any issues connecting the watch and the earphones at the same time, Bluetooth tends to allow many connections at a time. But I also can’t confirm with certainty that it works.

          No, the music version is the one that stores music on the watch itself, and is more expensive.

          I haven’t tried it with Spotify either but I can give that a go and report back.

          Edit: works with Spotify. The song information also comes up on the watch, including when it’s an ad.

  • Noblejoker on 09/02/2020 - 10:21

    Tell us about your phone - Android or iPhone
    I don't have Apple but the iWatch is great, even older gen

    • jjjaar on 09/02/2020 - 10:25
      +6

      I have a Samsung S9

  • k-rokfm on 09/02/2020 - 10:45
    -3

    Battery life > avoid the Apple Watch at all costs then. It will last a day at the start, but after a couple of months of good use it won’t last a day anymore.

    My partner has had 3 of them (all different gens) and all have been doing this.

    • b0rnwithabeard on 10/02/2020 - 08:18
      -1

      i’ve had mine for over a year and i still only need to charge it every 2-3 days

  • spal on 09/02/2020 - 10:50
    +2

    Mi Band 4, for about $40 it would do everything on your Wishlist except music control. It is the favourite here. So you know that it is good.

    • CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 11:47

      Thanks spal, unfortunately no music control breaks the deal for me!

    • bamzero on 10/02/2020 - 11:08

      Mi band 4 has music control, swipe sideways and it displays track name, and gives you volume control, play/pause and skip track controls.

      Can display notifications from any apps you choose but can't reply.

      I get around 2 weeks battery life with notifications for emails and messaging (and animated watch face).

      For the~$40 it's a great entry level smart band.

  • CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 12:56

    Hows this one for only $40? https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-pulse-wellbeing-smart-wat…

  • qwerty on 09/02/2020 - 13:32

    Amazfit Pace

    • sacah on 09/02/2020 - 19:34

      Don't discount Amazfit, I have used the Amazfit bip for just over 2yrs, it's still functioning well, the battery still lasts about 35 days, was about 45 when new. Great value to money, as others have said, watch Youtube reviews to get a good idea about smartwatches, and be serious about what you'd actually use it for, prices can steeply increase feature by feature, and if you don't really use it often, is it worth it?

  • Davo1111 on 09/02/2020 - 14:21
    +1

    whatever you buy, watch the reviews on youtube.

    btw, if you need music controls while exercising, imo you need physical buttons. Others will probably disagree.

    • jjjaar on 09/02/2020 - 15:21

      100% watch YouTube reviews. Most are just great at just explaining its features without forcing an opinion on you.

      Also, I agree with physical buttons for music controls.

  • PAOK11 on 09/02/2020 - 14:55

    Why you need music controls? Surely your earphones do that

    • CustardShot on 09/02/2020 - 16:29

      The bose sound sport frees buttons are quite clunky I've found. Would love to have the option on a watch.

  • Ozzie15 on 10/02/2020 - 09:17
    +1

    Garmin Venu user here

    Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music < Garmin Vivoactive 4 < Garmin Venu
    They all store music, NFC payment, GPS, industry-leading HR and steps counter, ability to respond to notifications (Android users can do that)
    Vivoactive 3 and 4 have 5+ days battery life, thanks to their transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) while Venu can go up to 4 days and has AMOLED touch display.

    I should add the prices starting from $350 for vivoactive 3 and approx $550 (for Venu) but it's a long time investment.

  • mattyman on 10/02/2020 - 10:32

    Fitbit Versa 2? It has Fitbit pay, tracks steps and heart rate, has 4-5 days battery life, it has music controls but only Spotify and no GPS.

    • Ozzie15 on 10/02/2020 - 13:04

      Wife has a Versa 2, the battery only good for 2.5 days especially if you work out.
      It also has Deezer.

  • drick on 10/02/2020 - 10:37
    +1

    Xiaomi MI Band 4 does most of your requirements and is less than $50

    Good battery life - YES 20-25 days
    Steps tracker - YES
    Music controls - YES (basic play, pause, last & Next songs)
    Message and email notifications (ability to respond is even better but not a requirement) - YES you'll get alerts and can ream them but you cannot reply.
    GPS (lowest priority for me and not a must) - NO

    Go here for the latest deals: ozbargain.com.au/product/xiaomi-mi-band-4

    I personally like the MI Band 4 because they do what I need but they're not fancy like top of the range smartwatches.
    They may be worth trying for the price.

    • Noblejoker on 10/02/2020 - 12:56
      +1

      +1 for 'you can ream them'

  • Mattmattmatt on 10/02/2020 - 11:04

    As another option, I've got a Fossil Q Hybrid. It has a face, not a screen. I think they're about $150-$200.
    Battery lasts about a year before replacement (regular cheap watch battery)
    Step counter view-able on phone app, not on watch.
    3 customizable buttons which can be set for music control.
    It'll notify you of notifications through vibration and the hands moving to set numbers

    • CustardShot on 10/02/2020 - 18:15

      Thanks mate - and those music controls work for Spotify? If so, might be on to a winner here.

      • Mattmattmatt on 11/02/2020 - 08:18

        Yep I use it for Spotify and podcast addict. I don't use the volume controls but use one button for play/skip forward/skip back (press/double press/longpress), one button for date display and one for stopwatch.

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