I'm a watch dinosaur - I like automatic movements and the occasional quartz watch. Have avoided the "Smart Watch" fad up til now. But I've been wearing a Garmin VivoSmart fitness band with a regular watch and was looking for something that could carry off both purposes at the same time . . . without looking like I'm wearing a smartphone on my wrist. I'm also an Android phone guy so . . . adios Apple watch. But that's OK.
Look, if you're looking for a device like this you have a choice: you can buy a true "smartwatch" with a bright and shiny display, the ability to track your steps (Apple/Samsung), read your emails . . and a crummy battery life. Or you can buy a fitness devise with Smartwatch features . . . like a Garmin.
I choose Garmin. I bought the 40mm size because it looks like a regular watch and doesn't look goofy with dressier styles. No, it doesn't have the bright AMOLED display like the Apples and Samsungs, but it does have the "always on" display which is easy to read in any light. In dark areas, you can program it to brighten with a wrist snap or a tap. Again, it's like a regular watch in that way - which for me is a must. And yes, you can customize the face or download others with the Garmin IQ app. Works fine for me.
It's the fitness innards where Garmin really shines, and it tracks damn near every bodily function you have. Steps is just the beginning. Lots of pre-programmed workouts along with heart rate and Pulse Ox monitoring. Garmin just buries the competition in the fitness arena, if that's important to you.
Yes, you can read texts etc but . . . well, I have a phone for that. No, I don't want to read emails on my watch. The Garmin VA2 looks and acts like a real watch. It's just smarter and the fitness stuff cannot be beat. And the battery life buries the Apples and the Samsungs. I get 2-3 days with just the basics on.
If you don't care much about the fitness criteria and want a wrist display to parrot your phone . . . get thee to the Apple store. Just make sure you bring your charger everywhere. If you want a solid smart-ish watch that looks classy and is packed with health and fitness utilities . . . get the Garmin.
No regrets here.
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