If you’re an iPhone owner and you want to join the wearable revolution, the Apple Watch Series 2 isn’t your only choice – there are a whole host of iOS-compatible smartwatches on the market, with features that Cupertino’s smartwatch can only dream of.
Plus, of course, Android Wear is compatible with iOS. Sure, it’s fairly stripped back and not the full Google smartwatch experience, but it means iPhone users now have plenty of options to choose from. And it will only get better with Wear 2.0.
Read this: Check out our latest smartwatch reviews
So, if you find the Apple Watch a little too pricey or just not your style, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best alternatives to pick from, any of which will sync seamlessly with your iPhone with zero fuss.
Fossil Q Crewmaster
While Fossil’s collection of full-display Android Wear smartwatches are well worth checking out, their dated screens and second-rate iOS support makes them troublesome to recommend over the mighty Apple Watch Series 2.
We’ve selected the hybrid collection here, which puts activity tracking and smartwatch notifications via vibration behind a classic analogue wrist watch. All the smarts are provided by wearable giant Misfit, which Fossil acquired in early 2016.
They’re selling buckets for Fossil, and for many, make more sense and provide greater wearability than a full-on smartwatch, while offering many of the benefits.
Check out our review of Fossil Q Grant.
$175, fossil.com | Amazon
Ticwatch 2
With the demise of Pebble, the Ticwatch 2 is now our plucky smartwatch start-up of choice. The Ticwatch 2 boasts a vibrant 400 x 400 OLED panel at an eye-popping 287ppi, which is one hell of a display in a smartwatch that costs just $199. The OS needs some work, but there’s built-in GPS, a heart rate monitor – in fact, most things you could ask from a smartwatch.
Check out our Ticwatch 2 review.
$199, ticwear.com | Amazon
Huawei Watch
While the Huawei Watch 2 might be on hold for now, the first Huawei Watch is every bit the luxury opposite number on the Android Wear side of things. Unsurprisingly then, the price tags are roughly shoulder to shoulder.
There are plenty of metal link straps to choose from and options of rose gold too, but it’s the pin-sharp 10,000:1 contrast display that will probably catch your eye. The missing GPS is the only blot on its copybook but otherwise a very cool customer and now compatible with iPhone, of course.
Take a look at our full Huawei Watch review to see what we love and hate about the sleek Android Wear watch.
From $299, consumer.huawei.com | Amazon
Fitbit Blaze
For those looking at the Apple Watch’s fitness and health capabilities, the Fitbit Blaze is a worthy alternative. Fitbit’s ‘fitness watch’ trounces Apple’s undercooked health features and still includes notifications from your iPhone’s stock apps – although WhatsApp is still missing on iOS for now, despite support being added for Android.
While runners and cyclists will find the balance of features a dead rubber, the Fitbit’s daily activity tracking with its emphasis on resting heart rate tracking steals the show.
Check out our full Fitbit Blaze review to see what we made of the Apple Watch smartwatch rival.
$249.99, fitbit.com | Amazon
Garmin Vivoactive HR
Now with built-in heart rate tracking, the Garmin Vivoactive HR is possibly the most complete sports watch ever made. Much like the Apple Watch, the Vivoactive HR is designed for those who dabble in lots of sports, featuring modes for running, walking, cycling, golf, and more via Connect IQ.
With Garmin’s impressive notifications support added into the mix, it’s a powerful Apple Watch competitor and the battery life is also top notch, too.
Get our definitive take with our Garmin Vivoactive HR review.
$269, garmin.com | Amazon
Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Smart
Again, for those looking at the Apple Watch for its mediocre fitness tracking, the Mondaine is a much more attractive competitor. The traditional Swiss watch manufacturers aren’t going to sit back and let Apple have its own way, and the Helvetica No 1 Smart from luxury firm Mondaine is proof of that. Like the Withings Activité, it combines a traditional watch face with a second dial for fitness tracking.
There are no notifications but some smart tracking features (the watch actually uses the same MotionX sensors found inside products from Jawbone and Nike). If you care more about style than Twitter alerts, this could be the answer.
$950, mondaine.com
Polar M600
Polar’s first ever Android Wear smartwatch doesn’t feel all like a smartwatch, but that’s actually a good thing.
You still get all the Wear goodies on board including notification and app support, but it lives more in the background letting Polar’s sports tracking features, such as the built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring and Polar Flow software, take center stage.
While it’s pretty pricey for a Polar watch and it’s nowhere as good looking as the Apple Watch Series 2, it’s still a strong contender as a sporty alternative.
Read our full Polar M600 review.
$299, polar.com | Amazon
Tag Heuer Connected
Yes, this is the most expensive Android Wear watch out there by some distance, but if you want a luxurious smartwatch around your wrist, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Essential reading: Upcoming smartwatches to look out for
The Connected looks like a classic Tag for starters with first-class build quality and a host of impressively detailed custom watch faces. Android Wear is there keeping things running but it definitely takes more of a backseat than it does on Wear alternatives from LG, Motorola and company.
Tag is definitely onto a winner here. Now we just need to Google to up its game on the software front.
Have a look at our full Tag Heuer Connected review.
$1,500, tagheuerconnected.com
LG Watch Urbane
The Urbane is a decent copy of a dress watch, something the Apple Watch has never been able to achieve. Whether you get the silver or gold finished stainless steel one thing is for sure: it’s shiny shiny. There’s no missing it. The full round, now smaller but still sizeable bezel is seriously eye- and light-catching.
The LG Watch Urbane second edition exists, but if you want a stylish yet simple LG Android Wear watch, this is still the one to go for.
Take a look at our full LG Watch Urbane review.
$349, lg.com | Amazon
Vector Luna
Warning: the Vector Luna has no touchscreen but you may actually prefer it this way. It might take a little time to unlearn all that tech has taught you over the last eight years but there is an advantage to this platform agnostic smartwatch’s three-button control. It means that the battery life lasts a staggering one month on a single charge. Eat that, Apple.
The Luna is also a swish little number if you opt for one of the higher-end styles and finishes. Drawbacks include a slightly flaky notification set-up and a screen that does let the side down somewhat. It’s called pay-off for that month of battery.
Read more in our Vector Luna review.
$299, vectorwatch.com | Amazon
SOURCE:http://www.wareable.com/apple-watch/best-apple-watch-alternatives-ios-smartwatch-950
