Cheaper smartwatch with some peculiar features - need recommendation

191x7 · November 3, 2021

I'm buying a new smartphone, the OnePlus 9, replacing the old OnePlus 6 that I own for the last 3 years and 3 months and I plan on using a smartwatch.

I was thinking of the OnePlus Watch, but it doesn't seem to have most of the features I need, so I'm looking at the available alternatives and I need your input.

I'm used to wearing watches, stuff like Casio G-Shock and some elegant ones that go well with a dressed-up look. And I have an extremely cheap smart wristband that has some nice features.

Features that I need:

- hydration reminder (to drink water)

- SPO2 measurement (blood oxygen)

- heart rate measurement

- sleep tracking

- body temperature measurement
- counting steps

- phone call notifications

- message notification

- a longer battery time (I don't want to charge the watch every day, 1-2 times a week would be great)

- phone locating (calling the phone, buzzing the phone)

Features that would be nice to have:

- blood pressure monitoring

- stopwatch & timer

- always-on screen

- durable build

- taking calls sing the smartwatch

- easily replaceable wristband

- a look that can go with silicone straps, plastic straps but also leather straps

- wifi for software updates / transfers

- "do not disturb" time

- some IP rating so it could survive a shower or rain

- fast charging

Features that are of no significant importance (things I don't really need):

- hundreds of different exercise tracking

- 4G sim support to use calls/messages without a phone

- GPS and other positioning for hiking/cycling maps and such

- storage for photos/music

- integrated browser, games and other apps

- iOS support (not using any Apple devices)

- rapid fast charging

I have some cardiovascular issues (and thus some limitations to exercising and the need for some cardio monitoring) and allergies (that prevent me from exercising in the nature).

I do exercise using a stationary bike and such devices, and it's not a priority to monitor such activities.

The budget would be 150€ or lower. If something exceptional costs 170€ I could stretch, but I'd prefer not to if not needed.

Can you name a few options?

Commodus · November 3, 2021

The options aren't great, since you're looking for a few features that are harder to find (particularly body temperature and blood oxygen tracking) in this price range.

My closest pick would be the Ticwatch E3, although you may have to get it on sale to hit your price target. It covers many of those bases, some of the nice-to-haves and, as a Wear OS device, can install apps to cover some of the software gaps. It's also one of the few watches that will get an upgrade to Wear OS 3 (in 2022), so that's worth considering. If there's an old Galaxy Watch on sale, it might be worth a look.

I would also forego dreams of a smartwatch with those features that also lasts multiple days on a charge. Wear OS watches rarely deliver more than "okay" battery life, and the ones with not-so-smart operating systems tend to fall short, as you noticed.

That's the frustrating part with smartwatches on Android. It's one giant sea of compromise, and it doesn't get much better when you move up the ranks (the Galaxy Watch 4 is better, but it still has so-so battery life).

191x7 · November 3, 2021

The thing is, the smart bracelet I bought for 25€ does temperature monitoring, spo2 and even bp. But it looks like a cheap wristband and the hydration reminder has a mind of it's own (I guess the app is to blame).