Which smartwatch suits you?
5 current models tested
Whether iPhone or Android, maximum battery life or best value for money: we show you which smartwatch suits your needs in 2026.
Quick verdict for the time-pressed
There is no single "best" smartwatch – but there is a best smartwatch for you. We compare five currently relevant models that serve different priorities: maximum ecosystem integration, the longest battery life, or the best value for money.
- iPhone users: practically can't get past the Apple Watch Series 11 – Apple does not allow full pairing with Android
- Android users have two mature but differently focused Wear OS options in the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Google Pixel Watch 4
- Maximum battery life: the Amazfit Balance 2 (up to 21 days) and Garmin Venu 4 clearly outlast classic OLED smartwatches
- All market prices on this page were verified via live retrieval from Amazon.de on 24 August 2026
The best smartwatch for every use case
Instead of a single "test winner", we show you which model is best suited to which need.
Apple Watch Series 11
Premium smartwatch with an always-on LTPO3 OLED display, S10 chip, ECG, blood oxygen measurement and up to 24 hours of battery life – exclusively for iPhone users.
- Up to 2,000 nits of display brightness, notably brighter than earlier generations according to Apple
- 5G RedCap on Cellular models for the first time, enabling faster mobile connectivity
- Comprehensive health features: ECG, blood oxygen, hypertension and sleep apnoea notifications
429,00 €
View on Amazon →
Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Android flagship smartwatch with the first Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, a larger battery and comprehensive health tracking including an AI fitness index.
- First Snapdragon Wear Elite processor in a Galaxy Watch – noticeably smoother multitasking according to reviews
- 20% larger battery than the Watch8 (40mm), up to 40h runtime without AOD according to the manufacturer
- Very bright display (up to 3,000 nits according to an independent test), easy to read outdoors
364,90 €
View on Amazon →
Google Pixel Watch 4
Wear OS smartwatch with an Actua 360 display, Gemini AI, comprehensive health sensors and, as the first smartwatch, a Satellite SOS emergency call feature.
- Actua 360 display with high brightness and a larger active display area according to Google
- New: Satellite SOS – emergency call via satellite even without mobile network coverage
- Comprehensive health sensors: ECG, loss of pulse detection, sleep and stress analysis
284,05 €
View on Amazon →
Garmin Venu 4
Fitness smartwatch with a new stainless steel case, a brighter AMOLED display and up to 12 days of battery life, plus Garmin's comprehensive health ecosystem.
- Up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (45mm) according to Garmin – confirmed at around 10 days under heavy use in TechRadar's test
- Comprehensive health features: Garmin ECG app, Pulse Ox, Sleep Score, Body Battery, HRV status and women's health
- New, high-quality stainless steel case with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
431,90 €
View on Amazon →
Amazfit Balance 2
Sport smartwatch with up to 21 days of battery life, 170+ sport modes and dual-band GPS – notably cheaper than the flagships, but without ECG.
- Very long battery life of up to 21 days according to the manufacturer
- Large, bright 1.5" AMOLED display with sapphire crystal (2,000 nits)
- 170+ sport modes including a specialised HYROX and golf mode with map support
214,50 €
View on Amazon →The key data at a quick glance
| Model | Operating system | Price (live) | Rating | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 11 Apple |
watchOS (requires a paired iPhone) | 429,00 € | Amazon → | |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Samsung |
Wear OS (Samsung One UI Watch) | 364,90 € | Amazon → | |
| Google Pixel Watch 4 |
Wear OS 6 | 284,05 € | Amazon → | |
| Garmin Venu 4 Garmin |
Garmin Connect (proprietary) | 431,90 € | Amazon → | |
| Amazfit Balance 2 Amazfit |
Zepp OS | 214,50 € | Amazon → |
What really matters when buying a smartwatch
Before you decide on a model, it's worth looking at four key criteria: operating system compatibility with your smartphone, everyday battery life, the actual scope of the health features, and the price segment. We explain all four points in detail in our buying guide.
FAQ on the smartwatch comparison
Our verdict
The five models compared here serve different priorities: the Apple Watch Series 11 remains practically unrivalled for iPhone users and impresses with mature health features. On Android, the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 leads on the overall package, while the Google Pixel Watch 4 offers a unique safety feature with Satellite SOS and Gemini AI. Anyone prioritising long battery life and sport features is well served by the Garmin Venu 4 or the especially affordable Amazfit Balance 2.
Sources
This comparison is based on the manufacturers' official product pages (apple.com/de, samsung.com/de, store.google.com/de, garmin.com/de-DE, de.amazfit.com), Amazon.de product pages verified via direct live retrieval (prices and ratings, as of 24 August 2026), and independent reviews from connect.de, netzwelt.de, test.de and other specialist media (see individual sources in the relevant product sections).