From science fiction devices to our everyday reality. Over the past decade, smartwatches have evolved rapidly, transforming from bulky, clunky devices that served little purpose apart from looking cool into everyday productivity and health companions that millions of people can’t live without.
In this article, we’ll explore the history and evolution of smartwatches, tracing their journey from concept to the sophisticated devices we know and love today, including the newest Apple Watch features that have made it a leader in the smartwatch market. We’ll also explore where to find the best deals if you’re considering buying a new Apple Watch series or perhaps even a used Apple Watch.
The Evolution of Smartwatches
A Look Back: The Journey of Smartwatches
Smartwatches as a concept have been in existence even as far back as the early beginnings of media like comics and cinema. It wasn’t until 1972 that Pulsar came out with the first watch with a digital display that humanity got a glimpse of this beloved concept in real life. From then on, more and more innovative smartwatches began to hit the market.
Just 10 years later, in 1982, Seiko released the groundbreaking Seiko T001 TV watch. The watch featured a digital clock on the top, and just below that was a 1.2-inch LCD display and small antennas embedded into the watch, which allowed users to watch TV on their wrists for the first time ever. Then, in 1999, Samsung released the SPH-WP10; though bulky and odd-looking, it was the first watch to make calls. Two years later, IBM came out with what can truly be described as the first glimpse of the modern smartwatch: the IBM Watchpad 1.5. This watch was released with functions like a touch-sensitive screen, Bluetooth, a vibrator, an inbuilt speaker, and even a fingerprint sensor.
Fast forward to 2013, Google released Android Wear (now Wear OS) along with the first true smartwatch from Samsung. The Galaxy Gear. It was a companion device, so it needed a phone to work, very different from what we see today in the new Apple Watches.
Just a year later, a hush fell over the audience as Apple CEO Tim Cook, having just unveiled the iPhone 6, uttered those iconic words: “One more thing.” And with that, the world was introduced to the very first Apple Watch.
It was also at this time that smartwatches began to transform from simple lifestyle accessories into complex health monitoring devices. The original Apple Watch was released with a bunch of health and fitness tracking features like the heart rate monitor, calorie tracking, and more. Then later that year, the Galaxy Gear 2 was released with a heart rate sensor and a similar set of health features.
Smartwatch Advancements: What’s New?
Now that we know the backstory, what are smartwatches like today?
Design Innovations
Smartwatches have gone from bulky, odd-looking, heavy devices to more lightweight and compact, even adopting eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
With most modern smartwatches, it’s much easier to wear them 24/7, even through the night, without hand fatigue. In fact, one of the key selling points of the new Apple Watch series is how thin and comfortable it is.
Modern-day flagship smartwatches like the Apple Watch 2 Ultra, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Garmin Marq, etc., use high-grade titanium frames and sapphire screens to make the watch as durable as possible without making it heavier.
Smartwatches, like the newest Apple Watch, feature watch faces that look better than ever and they’re even more functional. With just a few clicks, you can customize a smartwatch’s face to look however you want.
Lastly, bands have not just gotten a lot more customizable; they last longer, are much easier to swap out, and look so much better than in the early days of smartwatches.
Enhanced Health and Wellness Tracking
In the past few years, smartwatches have gone from fancy watches with touch screens to actual healthcare devices. Thanks to advanced health monitoring features, smartwatches can now aid the early detection and diagnosis of diseases. These features have helped save millions of lives around the globe. Some advanced health monitoring smartwatch features are:
ECG (Electrocardiogram): Measures electrical activity of the heart to detect potential heart rhythm irregularities like atrial fibrillation.
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Tracks blood pressure readings, helping users monitor hypertension and make lifestyle adjustments.
Blood Oxygen (SpO2) Monitoring: Measures the percentage of oxygen in your blood, which can be helpful for individuals with respiratory conditions.
Sleep Apnea Detection: Monitors breathing patterns during sleep to identify potential episodes of sleep apnea.
Stress Monitoring: Tracks heart rate variability and other physiological signals to assess stress levels.
Smartwatches don’t just help save lives; they can also help you live a better, healthier life. Thanks to AI, modern smartwatches can provide personalized health insights to help you live your best life.
Connectivity and Productivity
Seamless Connectivity: Many smartwatches now boast WiFi and cellular connectivity, enabling independent access to the internet and phone calls.
Smart Home Integration: Modern smartwatches, like the newest series Apple Watch, can seamlessly integrate with smart home ecosystems, allowing you to control lights, thermostats, and other IoT devices with a simple tap or voice command.
Battery Life
Back in the day, smartwatches barely got through a full day’s use, but that’s not the case anymore. Many smartwatches, especially flagships like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, can last multiple days on a single charge. But Garmin takes it to a whole other level.
Many Garmin watches can last up to almost a full week on a single charge. So, just one charge on Sunday and you’re good for the whole week. They’ve even managed to make solar-powered smartwatches that almost never die. If that’s not enough for you, most smartwatches, including the new Apple Watch, have a low battery mode that can squeeze out extra hours from the device.
Why Buy A Smartwatch today?
A lot of people who tried smartwatches in their early phase may still look at them as laggy, inefficient, “dumbed-down,” small-screen phones worn on your wrist with terrible battery life. Well, that’s not the case anymore.
Smartwatches have matured into reliable health devices, capable of monitoring even things like the electrical activity of our hearts (ECG monitoring), dangerous disturbances during sleep like sleep apnea, etc.
Thanks to seamless connectivity (WiFi and cellular options), these smartwatches can do a lot on their own. They can receive and send texts and calls, stream music, make payments, and even back up your data to the cloud without needing your phone.
These advancements significantly improve day-to-day living by:
Improving Health & Wellness: Proactive health monitoring (heart rate, sleep, stress) empowers you to make informed lifestyle choices. Also, early detection of potential health issues allows for timely intervention.
Boosting Productivity: Quick access to notifications and information minimizes distractions from your phone.
Enhancing Convenience: Independent connectivity allows for greater freedom and flexibility. The seamless integration that smartwatches have with smart home devices simplifies daily routines.
Improving Safety: The newest series of Apple Watches features a suite of emergency features and peace of mind features like location tracking, emergency SOS, and crash detection.
What to Look for When Buying a Smartwatch
Compatibility
The first thing to look at is compatibility: Is the watch compatible with the devices I already own? And how well do they work together?
For iPhone users: If you have an iPhone, the new series Apple Watch would be a far better choice regardless of how tempting an Android-based watch is to you. That way, you’ll get seamless connectivity between both Apple devices, and you’ll enjoy the newest Apple Watch features. Also note that Apple Watches, including the new series Apple Watch, are only compatible with an iPhone.
For Android Users: On Android, most smartwatches and smartphones are compatible with each other regardless of their manufacturer.
While most Android smartwatches and smartphones are compatible, if you want the full suite of features available, along with ecosystem perks, and the most seamless experience, consider using your Android smartwatch with a smartphone from the same manufacturer.
Battery Life
If long-lasting battery life is a top priority for you, then Garmin smartwatches are the best fit for you. Many Garmin watches have most of the health features you need and can last for nearly a full week. Other smartwatch brands usually give 1-3 days of battery life, totally usable but not close to Garmin.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Look for smartwatches that monitor things like calories, blood oxygen, sleep tracking, heart rate, sleep apnea, and other useful features that you think you’d need. On the fitness side, make sure the watch makes it easy to start and monitor workouts (like cycling, running, etc.), has built-in GPS, and has water resistance. Most importantly, make sure it seamlessly integrates with your preferred health and fitness app so you can easily get all the data on your phone.
Style and Comfort
The smartwatch market has many watches with different looks, shapes, and sizes. So make sure to choose a smartwatch that best complements your personal style. Also consider how comfortable the smartwatch is on your wrist.
Where to Find The Best Apple Watch Deals
You can find the best deals on Apple watches for sale at SmartphonesPLUS. Not sure which smartwatch to pick? Read our How to Pick a Smartwatch Guide.
Where to Sell Your Old Smartwatch
Have an old Smartwatch you don’t use anymore laying around or do you want extra cash? Sell your smartwatch to SmartphonesPLUS. It’s simple, convenient and we offer high trade-in prices. If you’re not ready to sell yet, you can lock in your trade in price now for the future.
