Wearable suggestions please.

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Geektastic

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#262012 29-Dec-2019 23:05

I have just returned to Apple after about 6 years using Android.

That isn't the point of the post however.

I am left with my Samsung Galaxy watch, which whilst it will do some things with iOS, won't do all that it used to do with my Galaxy phones.

I dislike the Apple Watch - the battery life is hopeless and the square design does not do it for me at all.

What options are easily available which offer reasonable iOS integration and look like a watch not some prop from a 70's space adventure?

Ideally (minimum)

Count steps, calories etc

Be at least waterproof enough to swim with

At least show basic SMS/Alarms/Events from the phone

At least several days (ideally more) between charges

The two I have seen are the Withings Steel HR and one or two of the Suunto watches, although they have far more sports stuff on than I would ever use and aren't inexpensive.

What have I missed?

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#2382694 29-Dec-2019 23:11

Garmin watches do all of this. I have a 645m which I love.

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SheriffNZ

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#2382700 29-Dec-2019 23:48

stocksp:
Garmin watches do all of this. I have a 645m which I love.

I have the Forerunner 935 which I love. Check out dcrainmaker.com. He does impartial reviews on all the wearables.

Handle9

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#2382705 30-Dec-2019 00:22

Huawei Watch GT / GT2

Senecio

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#2382736 30-Dec-2019 09:18

Another Garmin 645m user here with an iPhone. It's more a sports watch with basic smart watch features but it does the basics that you want. I get 6-7 days of use from a full charge if I'm not particularly active. 4 days if I'm more active and using the GPS and Spotify with my AirPods.

While I love my 645m I'd probably recommend the 245m now. It was release a year later so it has a newer HR monitor and some capabilities that the 645m doesn't have.

Handsomedan

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#2382742 30-Dec-2019 09:33

Being an Apple guy and having an Apple Watch, I can categorically state that nothing will integrate anywhere near as well as an AW...that being said, I truly believe the best alternative is likely to be something from Garmin.

They have some lovely watches and they do all of what you are after.

My personal favourite is This one...

It's a bit spendy, but has a classic "watch" look about it.

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alasta

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#2382754 30-Dec-2019 09:51

Another vote for Garmin. I have a Fenix 5 Plus which I absolutely love, with my only gripe being that the weather widget doesn't work. This particular model is quite expensive and designed for athletic and adventurous types, so you would probably want to look at one of the Vivoactive or Vivomove models.

I previously had an Apple Watch for nearly three years and I hated it. It was too glitchy to use during competitive sports events, and the touch screen went berserk whenever unexpected got wet from sea spray, hand washing or condensation.

Geektastic

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#2383546 31-Dec-2019 23:07

Handsomedan:

Being an Apple guy and having an Apple Watch, I can categorically state that nothing will integrate anywhere near as well as an AW...that being said, I truly believe the best alternative is likely to be something from Garmin.

They have some lovely watches and they do all of what you are after.

My personal favourite is This one...

It's a bit spendy, but has a classic "watch" look about it.

It would be my first choice if it was round and looked like a watch - and had a battery that lasted longer than a day!

alasta

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#2383589 1-Jan-2020 09:57

For what it's worth I charged my Fenix on Sunday and have since done three 7km runs and one open water swim. The battery state is currently showing 62%.

As a matter of routine I charge it twice a week, but you might get away with doing it once a week if you are not highly active.

qwertee

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#2383631 1-Jan-2020 12:49

Migrated from a FitbitHR to a Fitbit Ionic.

Battery lasts 5 days, unless I am using GPS. Can swim wearing it and answer viber text messages with generic preset replies

Only downloaded music to try it. annoying that I cant change time on the cuff on a flight example, as I need internet access via the app.

Love the clock faces available, I use a very minimalistic clock face that only shows time and date.

kendog

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#2383658 1-Jan-2020 14:44

Geektastic:
Handsomedan:

Being an Apple guy and having an Apple Watch, I can categorically state that nothing will integrate anywhere near as well as an AW...that being said, I truly believe the best alternative is likely to be something from Garmin.

They have some lovely watches and they do all of what you are after.

My personal favourite is This one...

It's a bit spendy, but has a classic "watch" look about it.

It would be my first choice if it was round and looked like a watch - and had a battery that lasted longer than a day!

I resisted until the always on display was included.
With a round watch face it almost tricks you into thinking it’s not square, almost.
I’ve never had to charge it other than when I’m in the shower or having breakfast, so no issues with battery life.

Geektastic

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#2383683 1-Jan-2020 17:24

kendog:
Geektastic:
Handsomedan:

Being an Apple guy and having an Apple Watch, I can categorically state that nothing will integrate anywhere near as well as an AW...that being said, I truly believe the best alternative is likely to be something from Garmin.

They have some lovely watches and they do all of what you are after.

My personal favourite is This one...

It's a bit spendy, but has a classic "watch" look about it.

It would be my first choice if it was round and looked like a watch - and had a battery that lasted longer than a day!

I resisted until the always on display was included.
With a round watch face it almost tricks you into thinking it’s not square, almost.
I’ve never had to charge it other than when I’m in the shower or having breakfast, so no issues with battery life.

So only charge it on your birthday? 🤣🤣

kendog

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#2384163 2-Jan-2020 13:33

Geektastic:
kendog:
Geektastic:
Handsomedan:

Being an Apple guy and having an Apple Watch, I can categorically state that nothing will integrate anywhere near as well as an AW...that being said, I truly believe the best alternative is likely to be something from Garmin.

They have some lovely watches and they do all of what you are after.

My personal favourite is This one...

It's a bit spendy, but has a classic "watch" look about it.

It would be my first choice if it was round and looked like a watch - and had a battery that lasted longer than a day!

I resisted until the always on display was included.
With a round watch face it almost tricks you into thinking it’s not square, almost.
I’ve never had to charge it other than when I’m in the shower or having breakfast, so no issues with battery life.

So only charge it on your birthday? 🤣🤣

Luckily I wasn’t born Feb 29

Geektastic

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#2389337 9-Jan-2020 21:53

I note that Withings have a new model that they are starting to publicise that will have ECG ability. No idea if it will make it to NZ.

GSManiac

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#2389349 9-Jan-2020 22:15

I don’t understand why people get up in arms about having to charge a watch daily. We all do it with our phones. You put it on its charger before bed and wake up and put it on. rinse and repeat.

tbh if you’re an IOS user there is little point in looking outside of an AW. You’re just not going to get the same experience. Apple is too closed for any other brands to integrate well enough.

SheriffNZ

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#2389401 10-Jan-2020 05:43

GSManiac:
tbh if you’re an IOS user there is little point in looking outside of an AW. You’re just not going to get the same experience. Apple is too closed for any other brands to integrate well enough.

As an iOS user, I love my Garmin. I don’t want the Apple Watch “experience”. I want an accurate HR reading, I want a watch that can record a GPS track all day. I want a watch that can connect to a power meter. I want a watch where battery management isn’t a constant concern. An Apple Watch just doesn’t give me the experience I want.

Your use case obviously differs from mine. What we want from our smart watch experience differs too.

Each to their own.

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