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Smartwatches are definitely a tempting piece of technology, but do you really need one? If you're debating purchasing a smartwatch, you'll probably want to know of some smartwatch features and smartwatch benefits.

For those wondering 'do I need a smartwatch' and 'are smartwatches worth it', here are all the pros and cons of owning a smartwatch to help you make that all-important decision!

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In this blog:

• The pros of a smartwatch
  • They keep you connected
  • You can use apps
  • They help you find your phone
  • You can track your health and fitness
  • The battery life is better than a phone
• The cons of a smartwatch
  • They can be expensive
  • Not every make and model has the same features
  • They're not to everyone's style
  • If you're happy with your phone, they're not necessary

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The pros of a smartwatch

They keep you connected

Smartwatches have the capability to receive and make calls and texts, essentially acting as a second phone that you wear on your wrist!

Some smartwatches even have their own cellular connectivity, which means they don't need your existing phone to be connected to send and receive texts and calls. Cellular smartwatches will have their own phone number, so they really are like a second phone!

Even smartwatches that don't offer cellular connectivity can still keep you connected. GSP smartwatches will need to be connected to your iPhone and within a certain distance, but they'll also be able to make and take calls as well as send and receive texts.

You can use apps

Another of the many smartwatch features is that you have access to apps on your watch. While not every app you have on your phone will work on your watch, there are still plenty that work.

Depending on the make and model of your smartwatch, you should be able to access apps that track your health and fitness, timers and clock apps, weather apps, YouTube and even some games apps made just for smartwatch playing!

They help you find your phone

Most smartwatches have a 'Find Phone' feature that you can use when you've misplaced your phone.

To use your smartwatch, you'll most likely have to connect the watch to your current phone, so when or if you ever misplace your phone, you can simply use the 'Find Phone' feature to ring your phone through your watch to locate it!

The same goes for if you've misplaced your watch or any other devices connected to your watch. If you've lost your watch, you'll be able to use the same feature on your phone to ping your watch even if it's on silent.

You can track your health and fitness

What does a smartwatch do, we hear you ask? For health and fitness, it can count steps, distance, calories, heart rate, pulse rate, sleep and some even go beyond this. So when it comes to smartwatch benefits, this is a big one!

While it's true that you can somewhat track your health and fitness on your phone, nothing compares to the accuracy of a smartwatch. Along with the improved accuracy, they also have much more features that can help you track your health and fitness.

Most smartwatches are water resistant too, meaning you can use them to count laps in the pool or keep track of the sweatiest of workouts without fear of damage.

The battery life is better than a phone

If you're still sitting here thinking that all these features are doable with your smartphone, you're technically right. But the one thing that your phone can't beat a smartwatch on is battery life.

Depending on the make and model of your watch, the battery life will vary, but generally they can last up to 10 days between charges with standard use. We can't say the same for any smartphone, however.

The cons of a smartwatch

They can be expensive

It's no secret that smartwatches can be expensive. The newest Apple Watch starts at £419, while the latest Samsung Watch starts at £269.

However, if you can't afford to spend £400+ on a watch, there are some other options you can take into consideration. Older models are often cheaper than the latest releases, so if you can find an older model that has all the features you want, you should be able to snap one up for less.

Another option is to consider buying a refurbished smartwatch. You can buy both older and newer refurbished models, so this is a great option if you want to knock even more money off an older model or if you still want to buy the newest model but don't want to pay out full retail price.

Not every make and model has the same features

Before splashing out on a new smartwatch, you'll want to double-check that the make and model you want comes equipped with all the features you're looking for.

As there are so many different makes and models, you can't assume that they all offer the same smartwatch features. For example, there are some smartwatches that focus on fitness and health, such as Fitbits, while watches like the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch tend to focus on phone-like features.

They're not to everyone's style

While it does depend on the watch you buy, smartwatches can be a bit unsightly if you're used to traditional watches.

The Apple Watch is rectangular in shape, which goes against the traditional round clock face. Most smartwatches have rubber straps, which can be off-putting for some. Luckily, there are lots of straps available, including different colours and materials, so the strap shouldn't be too much of an issue.

If you're after something that looks traditional and has a metal strap, however, you might struggle to find a style to suit your needs.

If you're happy with your phone, they're not necessary

We hate to say it, but a smartwatch isn't a necessity. For the most part, your smartphone should be able to do most of the things a smartwatch can do (although, maybe not as efficiently).

If you're unsure whether you want to pay for a smartwatch, take a look at the pros and see which of those you'd be happy to continue doing on your phone. It might be that you decide a smartwatch is worth it, but if you use your phone to do everything you would on a smartwatch, is it worth buying another piece of tech?

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