Smart Watch or Fitness Tracker: what to choose and what is better?

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The modern world is rich in interesting and very diverse smart gadgets, without which it is difficult to imagine your life. Every year, useful new products appear on the market for the convenience of users. One of the most relevant devices are all the same wrist accessories that are used daily by people of different ages.

Mechanical watches are still classic accessories, but if you talk about such a purchase, the question arises: does it make sense to pay a tidy sum for a simple dial? After all, the classic version is able to show only time and complement the image.

Among the smart watches of the new generation, you can find models for every taste, including classic versions. It is enough to select the desired interface in the mobile application and combine the appearance of a mechanical watch with modern, practical functionality. As you know, there are several types of smart gadgets that allow you to monitor your health and duplicate some phone functions (reading messages, notification of calls, etc.).

When buying wrist Smart Watches, the question arises: what is their main difference from the usual Fitness Trackers? At first glance, they do have a lot in common. But there are also very significant differences, let's consider them in more detail.

The main difference between wrist accessories lies in the possibilities and functionality.

Fitness bracelets are updated models of trackers, the functions of which have been significantly improved. They have a notification system (calls, messages) and other thoughtful features such as GPS, heart rate monitor, step tracking, timer, weather view.

Smart Watches are devices with more features that act as a fitness tracker, smart watch, remote control and communication tool. Some models can be a continuation of a smartphone or a standalone device.

The main functions of smart watches are health monitoring and smartphone management, thanks to smart options. The capabilities of fitness bracelets are more focused on tracking the daily activity of the user.

Fitness Tracker or Smart Watch: what do they have in common?

1. Both devices can notify the user of phone calls using a Bluetooth connection, the display shows information about who is calling. The screen of the smart watch displays an incoming call with the ability to answer it, and the fitness bracelet notifies you with vibration about calls and messages.
2. The alarm function is provided for both devices.
3. Modern models of these two types of gadgets are equipped with an accelerometer. With this sensor, it is possible to count the steps taken with information about the route and speed of movement, determine the quality of the sleep phases and the soft wake-up function.
4. Display time on the display of both smart watches and fitness bracelets. The first ones have - a fairly large display (average diagonal - 1.4') with interesting dials (you can select the screensaver option for the main watch screen in the mobile application). This makes it easy to view the data. Fitness bracelets have a narrow display that provides time information only in numbers.
5. Both accessories are designed to be worn on the wrist.

What is the difference between a Fitness Bracelet and a Smart Watch?

Smart Watch

As mentioned above, Smart Watch has more features and functionality than a fitness bracelet.

Smart watch features:

• A complete replacement for a mobile phone, thanks to receiving and answering incoming calls, as well as making outgoing calls, sending and receiving messages from instant messengers or SMS.
• The smartwatch itself acts as a fitness bracelet, counting calories burned, distance traveled, monitoring the quality of sleep and activity.
• The device may be able to pay in stores using NFC technology, which may be characteristic of some models of smart bracelets.
• Manage music player and other media files.
• Smart watches are larger in size display.
• Smart Watches allow the installation of additional applications, as well as the use of a voice assistant.
• Complete OS.

Based on the above features, Smart Watch is a complete gadget for users of any age category and lifestyle.

Fitness Bracelets

A set of certain characteristics, options and parameters of fitness trackers allows you to use such devices as:

• Pedometer with additional functions of counting calories, activity during the day and measuring heart rate.
• These gadgets can only provide more detailed data in a smartphone application.
• Smart fitness accessories are able to keep the charge offline longer.
• As a rule, fitness bracelet models usually lack a specific OS.

Advantages and disadvantages of choosing a Smart Watch

When choosing a device and analyzing the purchase of a smart watch, a logical question immediately arises about its advantages and disadvantages. If we compare the convenience of using a watch and a smartphone, then a wrist accessory, according to the conclusions of users, is much more convenient and practical, since it does not require unnecessary movements.

The advantages of Smart Watch include the following:

• Most modern wrist smart accessories not only help measure heart rate, they are also able to provide tips and recommendations to improve health and sleep quality.
• Some models may have the NFC function (contactless payment and no need to look for a smartphone in your pocket when shopping in stores).
• The ability to unlock the screen with a glance or a simple gesture of the wrist, which is very convenient in the cold season.
• When listening to audio files in wireless headphones, you can see information about incoming calls, accept or reject a call.
• The pairing distance of the watch with a mobile phone is 10 meters.
• Convenience lies in the ability to receive notifications from social networks and instant messengers.

Disadvantages of smart watches according to user surveys:

• Rapid discharge of the battery due to the requirements of the device. Smart watches, on average, are designed for 2 days of active work.
• The inconvenience of using notepads for notes, if such a function is provided by the manufacturer.
• View video files on a small screen.

As we can see, the shortcomings of a smartwatch clearly do not affect the overall capabilities of a useful assistant, based on the advantages.

Choosing a Fitness Bracelet: advantages and disadvantages

The benefits of Fitness Trackers include:

• Motivation to move and monitor health indicators.
  This advantage is also available for smart watches. Many users only need a smart bracelet without much functionality just to use a pedometer, heart rate monitor and view the time. In fact, bracelets are able to motivate a person to be active during the day, which can become a good habit.
• The water resistance of the fitness bracelet allows you to safely dive into water to a depth of 3 meters, as well as take a bath or shower without worrying that water will cause the device to malfunction.
• Sleep quality control can be viewed in the application. All the necessary data during the user's sleep are displayed in the program: falling asleep, sleep phases, awakening. In the program you can find useful recommendations to improve the quality of sleep.
• Bluetooth connection allows you to be in touch if the user is in another room and busy with business, while the smartphone in silent mode transmits a signal to the fitness bracelet.
• Convenience and ease of use. You don't need to use your phone all the time and open the app every time to track your metrics.
• Suitable for permanent use.

The disadvantages of such Fitness Bracelets include their own list:

• Not every bracelet model measures the desired indicators with high accuracy. Errors in pulse measurements often occur.
• To recharge fitness bracelets, you need cables and mains power.
• Some accessories do not work without a mobile phone.
• The operating system may not be suitable for all smartphones or may not work correctly.

How to understand which is better: Smart Bracelet or Watch?

It is not so easy to find an answer to this question, taking into account individual preferences (in design, color, shape) and user needs. Therefore, you should choose a device based on personal wishes.

To select wrist accessories, you can confidently rely on the following criteria:

1. In order to increase the level of motivation, as well as to maintain health in good shape, a smart bracelet is enough that reads the most necessary parameters.
2. If you want to get a device that complements a mobile phone, it is better to consider buying a Smart Watch in terms of functionality.
3. Relying on a financial budget is also important. If it is very limited, you can consider budget offers of Smart devices that are in no way inferior in quality to models from the expensive category. But it is better to make a purchase from an official seller with a quality guarantee.
4. It is important to understand why the device is being bought, what functions are really needed and will be used regularly.
5. The design and appearance of the gadget should be selected according to personal preferences.
6. Checking compatibility with a smartphone is one of the important steps when choosing a device (for correct pairing).
7. Connecting via Bluetooth should be simple and hassle-free. That is, regular synchronization should be carried out quickly enough.

Understanding the price of the device

Fitness accessories are significantly cheaper than multifunctional smartwatches. The simplest devices from the category of trackers and bracelets on the Internet can be cheap. At the same time, most likely, such models will not function correctly, creating unpleasant impressions and providing inaccurate data. Prices for such accessories start from 200 hryvnia.

Smart Watch is a smaller version of a smartphone that allows you to enjoy using it and get more accurate data. Therefore, it is best to focus, again, on personal wishes and understand that any device is designed to complement a healthy lifestyle. Prices for a good smart watch start from 1000 hryvnia and can reach up to 70 thousand hryvnia.

The Gelius brand has conducted a qualitative analysis among a large number of buyers and provides a range of high quality smartwatches at prices that any buyer can afford. In the online store you can find many interesting models from 1000 hryvnia with a quality guarantee - 12 months.

Conclusion

The decision to purchase a fitness bracelet or smart watch for yourself, as a gift for friends and family, is the right step towards improving health (if, of course, the user has such a goal). Both devices deserve attention and consideration. It is important to understand what set of features you need to use on an ongoing basis. Such a purchase will surely bring positive emotions and a sufficient portion of motivation for everyone.