Two of the world’s biggest shopping days are fast approaching: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. From clothes and jewelry to video games and retro boomboxes, everything and anything will be on sale.
One hot holiday item to look out for this year are smartwatches. Smartphones and smart TV’s are already the norm inside households, but not everyone has a smartwatch yet. They are the perfect combo of jewelry and tech, and they keep growing in popularity year after year.
However, with so many options available, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Existing tech giants have already flooded the market, but there are definitely alternatives that may be a better fit for some. Here’s an overview of the top smartwatches available from Apple, Samsung and T1 Tact Watch.
Apple Watch Series 5
Unveiled to the public on September 10, 2019, the Apple Watch Series 5 is Apple’s newest smartwatch available. In classic Apple fashion, they launched it at an exclusive Apple Event held in the company’s Steve Jobs Theatre. In the same event, they also launched the new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 pro, and the new 10.2 inch iPad.
The Apple Watch Series 5 is the fifth generation of Apple watches launched since 2015. All Apple watches have the same shape: square with rounded corners. The Series 5 is no different in terms of look, and it is available in both a 44mm and 40mm display.
Where the watch differs compared to previous generations of Apple smartwatches is in the hardware. This updated series features Apple’s new ‘Always-On Retina’ display technology. People love this feature because it allows them to always see the time – just like traditional watches. People have long criticized smartwatches for this very issue, so this is a definite enhancement.
The Series 5 can also display a compass and ground elevation, making it a handy companion for hikers, travelers, and adventurers. Critics also praise the watch for its many health benefits which include an ECG app for monitoring heart rate, a menstrual cycle tracking app, and an app that can monitor physical activity and movement. The watch also features several basic lifestyle apps for streaming music, taking phone calls, and making payments.
The main downside to the Apple Watch is its hefty price. Like all Apple products, it is expensive. The watch starts at $500.00 and can creep to over $1,000 for some styles. Although the Series 5 is at the high end of the market, it still does not have some features found on other less expensive smartwatches.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
On September 27, 2019 Apple’s biggest rival, Samsung, also launched a new smartwatch called the ‘Galaxy Watch Activie 2’. It is the successor of the basic ‘Galaxy Watch Active’.
One reason people love this Samsung app is because of its round shape, which makes it stand out from the others. Many people think it looks like more high end. One downside though is that it is not as customizable as Apple’s Series 5 watches. There are not as many choices for colors and bands, which is a complaint for some consumers.
In terms of features, Samsung markets the Active Watch 2 to sports lovers. This latest watch comes with even more sensors for advanced health and fitness tracking apps, and also has improved waterproofing. According to a review by Tech Radar, the battery can also last for up to 4 days.
However, a consistent problem with Samsung watches is the limited third party apps available on the app store. This is restrictive for some users who want to use apps other than the ones made by Samsung.
In terms of price, the Samsung Active Watch 2 is a solid middle of the road option. The 44mm display is sold at $299.99 and the 40mm is $279.99.
T1 Tact Watch Midnight Diamond
Another option is T1 Tact Watch’s latest release, ‘Midnight Diamond’. This new tactical watch is military inspired and, according to the product’s website, was designed by a “small team of former military engineers”. It has a classic look and feel, and was intentionally designed to look like the classic 1990’s sports watches.
There is nothing retro about the watch’s technological capabilities though. It connects to smartphones and tablets via youtube. It can also do everything a basic smart watch can do including count calories, set alarms, display push notifications, and download apps.
One of the key selling points of this watch is its extreme durability. The company’s videos, which show how durable it is by running over it with an SUV, have even gone viral on Facebook and Youtube in recent years. Given this high level of durability, this watch is ideal for anyone who has a career in the military, sports, outdoors, or security fields.
The watch also has a small following of content creators on social media. They love the watch because of its remote control tool which can connect to smartphone cameras. Apple and Samsung watches are limited with third party apps, so this is a definite pro for YouTubers and content creators who make videos daily.
The price of this watch is only $80.00, making it extremely consumer friendly. For people who perhaps have never had a smartwatch before, it is an affordable option that provides all the features without breaking the bank.
Tips for purchasing safely
Making the right decision is unfortunately not everything a buyer has to worry about. Like all tech products, there is always the risk of buying a fake online – especially on Cyber Monday.
In general, those looking to make a smartwatch purchase online should take the following precautions.
Firstly, always take online reviews with a grain of salt. It is a known scam to create fake reviews on Amazon, Ebay, and Google. While some of these reviews are real, others are not. So be sure to use other methods to vet the seller.
For smaller brands, always be wary of sellers on Ebay and Amazon. For example, the T1 Tact Watch brand has been victim to scam sellers from China in the past. These scammers pose as an authorized seller on Ebay or Amazon, and then they ship out a counterfeit product. For those looking to buy the Midnight Diamond, the company recommends only buying directly from the company website, not a third party. These smaller companies also do not have the spending power like Apple or Samsung to crack down on fake sellers, so be sure to buy directly from the website.
It also doesn’t hurt to look for any recent press releases and news updates by the company. They may already be aware of fakes out there and they could have resources for helping those who were scammed get their money back.
Especially around the holidays, buyers should also be cautious of discounts that look too good to be true. According to the Consumer Reports website, “if a third-party seller is selling a new product for less than the established price, that could be an indication that it’s a fake. Even a small discount may be a red flag, since more counterfeiters are charging almost as much as the real thing in an effort to trick customers”.
Once a product is in hand, always double check the packaging. Make sure that the product’s packaging matches the logo and branding exactly. The product should also come with a manual or set of instructions, and it is common for counterfeits to not have this included.
Christmas 2019: Making the right smartwatch decision
Not all smartwatches will be the right fit for everyone. But when making the choice between Apple, Samsung, and the T1 Tact Watch, here are some considerations to help make the right decision for the right person.
For people who care more about brand recognition and using a watch as a status symbol, the Apple Series 5 watch is a solid option. Especially with the ability to choose from many different styles of bands to personalize it, Apple products are always a crowd pleaser at Christmas. However, in terms of technology, the watch is nothing to brag about. It is also not the most durable watch on the market, so if durability is important, Apple’s watches are not a wise option given the premium price.
For people who work outside a lot, T1 Tact Watch’s Midnight Diamond is an excellent option. It is reasonably priced and extremely durable. It can do basically everything other smartwatches can do but under half the price. It is also a great option for people who need to record a lot of videos from their smartphones. With its flexible remote control capabilities, the watch can make content creator’s lives so much easier. However, make sure to not buy the product from a third party website – only buy from the company website.
Samsung’s watch is a middle ground option in terms of price and features. It won’t carry with it the brand reputation of Apple, but it has a timeless style that some may prefer over the Midnight Diamond’s sportier look.
