✓ Independent comparison ✓ Genuine manufacturer data ✓ Updated 2026 ✓ No advertising influence
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Smartwatch Buying Guide 2026:
What Really Matters?

Before you buy a smartwatch, you should know these differences. Our guide explains operating systems, battery life, health features and water resistance clearly – so you don't pay for features you don't actually need.

Go straight to the comparison Frequently asked questions

Operating system – the most important decision to make first

Unlike with headphones or speakers, the choice of smartwatch is heavily tied to your smartphone. You should make this decision before all other criteria.

watchOS (Apple Watch Series 11)

Runs exclusively with a paired iPhone. In return, watchOS offers the deepest integration into Apple's ecosystem (Messages, Apple Fitness+, emergency call features) and, according to a connect.de comparison, the longest software update commitment (around 5 years) among the brands compared here.

Wear OS (Samsung Galaxy Watch9, Google Pixel Watch 4)

The platform jointly developed further by Google and Samsung offers the largest app ecosystem among Android smartwatches. Samsung additionally relies on its own One UI Watch overlay with deeper Galaxy smartphone integration, while the Pixel Watch 4 stays closer to Google's "pure" Wear OS experience and is the first smartwatch to offer Satellite SOS.

Garmin Connect (Garmin Venu 4)

A leaner system focused on sport and health tracking without a broad third-party app selection, but with noticeably longer battery life than watchOS or Wear OS.

Zepp OS (Amazfit Balance 2)

Similarly focused as Garmin Connect, likewise aiming for long battery life rather than a large app store. The Zepp app lets you analyse training data and sync it with other services.

Something to note iPhone users are practically limited to the Apple Watch – full pairing of Samsung or Google smartwatches with iOS is not possible. Android users, on the other hand, have a free choice between all five models compared here.

Battery life in everyday use

Battery life among the models in this comparison differs by a factor of 10 to 20.

1-2 days (Apple Watch Series 11, Samsung Galaxy Watch9, Google Pixel Watch 4)

Classic always-on OLED smartwatches with a bright, constantly active display generally need daily charging as a result. Manufacturer figures of "up to 24-40 hours" usually refer to a mixed usage mode; in practice, independent tests (e.g. netzwelt.de on the Galaxy Watch9) sometimes report "just over a day".

Up to 12 days (Garmin Venu 4)

Garmin smartwatches prioritise battery life more heavily than app variety. According to the manufacturer, the Venu 4 (45mm) lasts up to 12 days in smartwatch mode; TechRadar's hands-on test recorded around 10 days under intensive use – a very good figure for an always-on AMOLED display.

Up to 21 days (Amazfit Balance 2)

By far the longest figure in this comparison, according to Amazfit's manufacturer data in typical usage mode; under intensive use (lots of GPS tracking, always-on display) runtime drops to around 10 days.

Recommendation If you're already used to charging daily anyway (e.g. while sleeping), the shorter runtime of Apple, Samsung and Google is no disadvantage in everyday use. If you'd rather reach for the charging cable as rarely as possible, or use a lot of GPS tracking while travelling, Garmin or Amazfit are the better choice.

Health features: ECG, blood pressure & more explained

Not every advertised health feature is equally relevant to every user.

ECG (Apple Watch Series 11, Samsung Galaxy Watch9, Google Pixel Watch 4)

Records a simplified single-lead electrocardiogram via electrodes on the case edge and wrist, and can indicate signs of atrial fibrillation. Does not replace a medical diagnosis.

Blood pressure measurement (Samsung Galaxy Watch9)

Uses optical pulse wave analysis, which needs to be regularly calibrated against a classic blood pressure cuff to deliver reasonably accurate readings – no substitute for a medical device.

Blood oxygen/SpO2 (Apple Watch Series 11, Amazfit Balance 2 and others)

Measures blood oxygen saturation optically, usually via an LED sensor combination on the underside. Considered an established but likewise non-clinical additional feature.

Satellite SOS (Google Pixel Watch 4)

According to Google, enables an emergency call via satellite even when no mobile network is available – so far a unique feature among the smartwatches compared here.

Please note: All health features mentioned are wellness or screening tools, not medical diagnostic devices. If you notice any health irregularities, always seek medical advice.

Understanding water resistance: ATM, IP68 & more

Water resistance ratings follow different standards that can't be compared 1:1.

  • IP68 (Google Pixel Watch 4): First digit = dust protection (6 = fully dust-tight), second digit = water protection under a defined lab test
  • ATM (Amazfit Balance 2: 10 ATM, mathematically equivalent to around 100 m of water pressure): Describes the tested water pressure, not the actual diving depth in everyday use
  • Metre rating under ISO 22810 (Apple Watch Series 11: 50 m "swimproof"): Its own swim-proof standard for watches, likewise not a 1:1 diving-depth value
Practical tip For showering, hand washing and swimming in an outdoor pool, all the models compared here are sufficient. None of the models in this comparison is intended for scuba diving – that requires specialised dive watches.

Apple vs. Samsung vs. Google vs. Garmin vs. Amazfit – the honest brand comparison

Apple

Strengths: deepest ecosystem integration, very bright always-on display, longest software update commitment, very good Amazon rating (4.6★). Weaknesses: only usable with an iPhone, comparatively short battery life, highest price in this comparison.

Samsung

Strengths: first Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, most comprehensive health tracking including blood pressure, good test rating from independent media. Weaknesses: real-world battery life still only just over a day according to tests, few Amazon reviews so far as a new model.

Google

Strengths: unique Satellite SOS feature, Gemini AI right on your wrist, very good connect.de test score (92.2%), significant price reduction versus RRP. Weaknesses: shortest software update commitment (3 years) in the comparison, Gorilla Glass instead of sapphire crystal.

Garmin

Strengths: up to 12 days of battery life according to the manufacturer (TechRadar's hands-on test confirms around 10 days), new stainless steel case, very accurate heart rate measurement (Elevate V5), extensive health features (ECG app, Body Battery, Lifestyle Logging) and a 1.5 test rating from testberichte.de. Weaknesses: no standalone LTE, no colour map display, no AI voice assistant, only two control buttons instead of five as on Garmin's outdoor models.

Amazfit

Strengths: by far the longest battery life (up to 21 days), over 170 sport modes, notably the cheapest price in this comparison, very good Amazon rating (4.4★ from 1,226 reviews). Weaknesses: no ECG sensor, smaller app ecosystem (Zepp OS) than watchOS or Wear OS.

Care & tips for everyday use

  • Clean silicone and sport straps regularly with clear water to avoid skin irritation from sweat and cream residue
  • Regularly clear dust and skin oils from the charging contacts on the watch and charging cable/dock to avoid charging faults
  • Install firmware and app updates promptly, as manufacturers continually improve health and navigation algorithms
  • Wear the watch snugly but not too tight during ECG and SpO2 measurements, for more reliable sensor readings
  • Before water contact (swimming, showering), check the IP/ATM rating of the specific model rather than relying on a blanket "water resistant" claim
Frequently asked questions

FAQ: buying a smartwatch

Partly. The Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch require an Android smartphone for setup and full functionality. Garmin and Amazfit models such as the Venu 4 or Balance 2, on the other hand, can be paired with an iPhone via their respective app (Garmin Connect or Zepp), though with limitations on notifications and app interaction compared with Android use.
ATM (atmosphere) describes the water pressure a device withstands in a test procedure, not the actual diving depth in everyday use. 5 ATM (Google Pixel Watch 4) is considered suitable for showering, swimming and snorkelling in everyday life. 10 ATM (Amazfit Balance 2) provides extra headroom for serious swimming. The 50 m water resistance of the Apple Watch Series 11 under ISO 22810:2010 is its own swim-proof standard, not a pure ATM value.
The ECG features of the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch are based on medically approved algorithms and can provide indications of atrial fibrillation. However, they do not replace a medical diagnosis and are not a fully-fledged clinical ECG with multiple leads. If irregularities occur, medical advice should always be sought rather than relying solely on the smartwatch reading.
Only if you regularly want to be out and about without your smartphone (e.g. while jogging) and still want to stay reachable. Cellular models require an additional mobile plan from your provider and cost more both to buy and to run. For most users, the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth variant combined with your own smartphone is entirely sufficient.
watchOS (Apple) runs exclusively on Apple Watches and requires an iPhone. Wear OS (Google) is the Android platform jointly developed further by Samsung and Google, with the largest app ecosystem among Android smartwatches. Garmin Connect and Zepp OS (Amazfit) are proprietary, leaner operating systems focused on sport and health tracking rather than a broad app selection – but usually with noticeably longer battery life.
This differs considerably between manufacturers. According to a connect.de test, Apple offers around 5 years of update commitment, Samsung around 4 years, while Google commits to only 3 years for the Pixel Watch 4. Garmin and Amazfit provide firmware updates less regularly, but over a long period, without a fixed update commitment like the major ecosystem providers.
For most users, this is more of a bonus feature than a necessity. The blood pressure measurement on the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 also needs to be regularly calibrated with a classic cuff in order to deliver reasonably accurate readings. Anyone primarily interested in heart rate, sleep and activity will find these features on practically every model in this comparison, even without blood pressure measurement.

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