Type

Everyday smartwatches

7 models · 4 makers, ~$249–$500

These run a full app platform, Apple's watchOS or Google's Wear OS, so they do the most away from the phone: replies, maps, payments, third-party apps, and on LTE models calls without a phone nearby. The cost is the battery. The headline figures assume the screen sleeps between glances, and the makers' own always-on figures are shorter. They are also the most tied to one phone ecosystem.

Ordered by price, lowest first.

Apple Watch SE 3 smartwatch
Apple~$249

Apple Watch SE 3

Everyday smartwatch · watchOS

iPhone onlyPaid tier: Apple Fitness+2 FDA-cleared features
smartwatch mode
18 h
always-on display
not published
GPS workout
7 h
  • 18 h battery
  • Always-on display
  • Sleep apnea alerts

Best for: First-time iPhone watch buyers, or a child's watch set up through Apple Watch For Your Kids

Google Pixel Watch 4 smartwatch
Google~$350

Google Pixel Watch 4

Everyday smartwatch · Wear OS

Android onlyPaid tier: Google Health Premium3 FDA-cleared features
smartwatch mode
30 h
always-on display
30 h
GPS workout
not published
  • Satellite SOS
  • 30 h with AOD
  • Dual-band GPS

Best for: Android owners who want Pixel Watch health features for less and don't need the newest software

Samsung Galaxy Watch9 smartwatch
Samsung~$380

Samsung Galaxy Watch9

Everyday smartwatch · Wear OS

Android; some features need the maker's own phone2 FDA-cleared features
smartwatch mode
40 h
always-on display
30 h
GPS workout
not published
  • 30 h with AOD
  • Dual-band GPS
  • FDA-cleared ECG

Best for: Samsung Galaxy phone owners who want a light everyday watch with full health features

Apple Watch Series 12 smartwatch
Apple~$399

Apple Watch Series 12

Everyday smartwatch · watchOS

iPhone onlyPaid tier: Apple Fitness+4 FDA-cleared features
smartwatch mode
24 h
always-on display
not published
GPS workout
10 h
  • 24 h battery
  • FDA-cleared ECG
  • Hypertension alerts

Best for: iPhone owners who want the full Apple health suite and don't need multi-day battery

Google Pixel Watch 5 smartwatch
Google~$400

Google Pixel Watch 5

Everyday smartwatch · Wear OS

Android onlyPaid tier: Google Health Premium3 FDA-cleared features
smartwatch mode
30 h
always-on display
30 h
GPS workout
not published
  • Loss of Pulse alert
  • 30 h with AOD
  • Dual-band GPS

Best for: Android owners (any brand) who want Fitbit-grade health tracking on Wear OS

How the types differ →