Smartwatches have had a somewhat rocky start in the mobile tech industry. And while 2016 has seen a slowdown in production from many manufacturers, it’s also seen a leap forward in function and form for the newest entrant in the smart technology sphere. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best smartwatches of 2016.
Apple Watch Series 2
While not the friendliest or most intuitive operating system among smartwatches, Apple has managed to make improvements to WatchOS that make for a more competitive device. But the standout feature Apple has added to the new Apple Watch is water resistance.
It’s not completely waterproof but you can go for a swim in the pool or the ocean. Apple does warn that the water resistance will reduce over time. But it’s still a great feature that more OEMs should offer.
Samsung Gear S3
Samsung has created a beautiful smartwatch that looks like a watch. It features their own custom OS called Tizon, which while not as intuitive as Android Wear, has amazing stability and fluidity. It never lags and is amazingly snappy in operations.
It’s definitely better when used with Samsung smartphones, but will pair with other smartphones. The standout feature with the S3 is the ability to use it without your phone. It has built-in LTE, GPS, speakers, and a mic.
LG Watch Urbane 2
Samsung isn’t the only manufacturer making smartwatches capable of full functionality without the presence of your smartphone. LG has refined it’s stylish Watch Urbane and included an LTE radio as well. Running Android Wear, the Urbane 2 is compatible with all smartphones and has the largest collection of third party apps as a result.
Battery life could be better, and the price is a little steep compared to the competition, but LG has crafted a smartwatch that passes as a luxury watch first and wearable device, second.
Huawei Watch
Huawei has come out swinging with it’s own beautifully crafted smartwatch. Thin bezel, elegant simplicity and a gorgeous display make the Huawei Watch a serious contender for those looking for an Android Wear device.
The 1.4-inch AMOLED display has the highest pixel density on any Android Wear smartwatch to date. And with the Huawei Watch 2 on the horizon, the price has dropped dramatically.
Nixon The Mission
This is the smartwatch for the extreme action sports enthusiast. It’s easily the most durable and rugged smartwatch available. Water resistance of 10 ATM (100 meters) makes this the only smartwatch you can wear while surfing. The Mission runs Android Wear, making it compatible with all smartphones. Especially appealing to surfers is the integrated Surfline application, giving you the most up-to-date information on the surf forecast.
What’s nice about 2016 is the range of options available for the smartwatch wearer. There’s luxury options, different OS options, and rugged options. You really can’t go wrong with any of these smartwatches as they’re a huge step up from earlier generations and a good sign of things to come.
