The search for the best smartwatch of 2018 seems to be a difficult task due to the rate of its market expansion. We have made a mind-boggling list of great products for you to choose, ranging from latest Samsung releases to the well built Apple Watches. So, if you’re looking for a guide that will help you pick the best smart watch for you, you are in the right place.
Whether you’re looking for classy, functional, or a sporty watch to track your fitness goals, there’s at least one top-tech timepiece guaranteed to catch your eye on this list.
Top 10 Smartwatches to Choose From
1. Apple Watch Series 4
The Apple Watch Series 4, is certainly one of the best smartwatches around. I know it’s a bit on the expensive side, and it only works with an iPhone. However, it has topped the list mainly because of all the features that it brings to the table. It’s powered by a new S4 dual-core processor, that makes for smooth performance, and it also excels in terms of the battery life with 18 hours of quoted usage.
The Apple Watch Series 4 is available in two sizes i.e 40mm and 44mm, and both of them sport a beautiful OLED panel. The watch runs on Apple’s latest watchOS 5 software and offers some great features like GPS and heart rate sensor. The Apple Watch also supports electrocardiogram (ECG), however, that’s only available in the US. You can also buy a 4G LTE variant of the watch, and use it for calls and data without having to worry about your iPhone.
Compatibility:Â iOS
Pros
- Great build quality
- Good battery life
- A big and beautiful OLED screen
Cons
- Carries an expensive price tag
- ECG feature is only available in the US
Apple Watch Series 4 Price: – $399 (NGN145,500)
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is the best smartwatch you can buy if you are an Android phone user. Unlike most other smartwatches that run Wear OS, the Galaxy Watch runs Samsung’s own Tizen software, and it’s proven to work better than WearOS in some cases. The Galaxy Watch sports a 1.3-inch AMOLED display that’s surrounded by a rotating bezel.
The rotating bezel, which is also my favorite hardware feature of the watch, can be used to interact with Tizen OS. Not only is it satisfying to use, but it also keeps the display fingerprint-free. You can either buy the 42mm or the 46mm variant as they both are available in a couple of different color options. The watch also comes with an IP68 water resistance with an additional 5ATM pressure rating.
The Galaxy Watch is compatible with iOS as well, so it can be considered as a great Apple Watch alternative.
Compatibility:Â Android, iOS
Pros
- Beautiful OLED display
- Long-lasting battery
- Samsung Pay Support
Cons
- Limited app selection for Tizen
- Bixby is just as bad as smartphone version
Samsung Galaxy Watch Price -Â $350 (NGN128,00)
3. Fossil Sport
The new Fossil Sport is the only smartwatch in this list that’s powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor that’s said to improve the performance and battery life. It is also running on Google’s latest Wear OSsoftware and offers features like built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, and more.
Both 41mm and 43mm of the watch, as you can see, are available in a bunch of color options to choose from, so you can pair it with any outfit of your choice. The Fossil Sport also features a 1.2-inch AMOLED display, and it is rated to last for up to 24 hours on a single charge. The watch also comes with Google Fit with which you can track metrics like step count, calories burnt, etc. throughout the day.
Compatibility:Â Android, iOS
Pros
- Updated Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor
- Multiple color options
- Beautiful display
- GPS, NFC, and heart rate tracking
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
- Generic design
Fossil Sport Price – $255 (NGN93,000)
4. LG Watch W7
The LG Watch W7 has made it to the list mainly because of the fact that it has both a fully functional touchscreen interface with Wear OS and mechanical hands. That’s right, the LG Watch W7 brings the best of both world, and allows you to use it simply as a mechanical watch when it runs out of battery.
The LG Watch W7 features a premium stainless-steel design that gives it an elegant look. Couple that with its dual-functionality, you are looking at a watch that’ll definitely turn some heads. It sports a 1.2″ LCD panel and is powered by Qualcomm’s APQ8009w processor. The watch packs a 240mAh Lithium Polymer battery that’s rated to keep the lights on for about 24 hours.
It’s sport IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, however, it lacks other notable features like GPS, HR, etc. So might want to look into other options if those are your priorities.
Compatibility:Â Android, iOS
Pros
- Looks like a traditional analog watch
- Good battery life
Cons
- Lacks NFC, GPS and heart rate tracking
- Thick and chunky design
- Can be difficult to use the touchscreen because of the analog hands
LG Watch W7 Price $230 (NGN84,000)
5. Ticwatch Pro
Ticwatch may not be a household name when it comes to smartwatches, but the Ticwatch Pro is a unique watch mainly because of the fact that it has two displays. Yes, the Ticwatch Pro sports two displays that are layered on top of each other. There’s a transparent LCD panel on the top that can display time, heart rate, etc. But there’s also an OLED panel underneath it that gives you all the benefits of Wear OS.
The Ticwatch Pro, when used as a normal smartwatch with the OLED display, can last for up to 2 days. However, Mobvoi claims that the watch can last for up to 30 days when used with the LCD panel. That, in my opinion, is really flexible as you can continue using the watch even when the battery is running low. Apart from that, the watch also has a ton of other features like GPS, NFC for payments, etc. Yes, it is not powered by the latest chipset unlike other smartwatches in the list like Fossil Sport, but it’s worth taking a look at.
Compatibility:Â Android, iOS
Pros
- Innovative dual screen technology
- Great battery life when used in LCD mode
Cons
- Mediocre battery life in the smart mode
- No LTE variant
Ticwatch Pro Price $249 (NGN90,000)
6. Fitbit Versa
Fitbit, as we all know, is a popular name when it comes to activity trackers, and the Versa is pretty much the best of what Fitbit has to offer. It is powered by a dual-core processor and packs 2.5GB onboard storage. The watch’s sleek design and flashy color options give it an edge over the other fitness-centric smartwatches in the market.
The Fitbit Versa lacks GPS, however, it supports Fitbit Pay for contactless payments. The highlight of Fitbit Versa (or any Fitbit activity tracker) is the companion app and Fitbit’s highly active community. You can log your metrics and compete with your friends and family members to make sure that you’re always on top of your game.
Compatibility:Â Android, iOS
Pros
- Great battery life
- Fitbit’s feature-rich app and active community support
- Sleek and modern design
Cons
- Lacks GPS
- Limited notification interactions
Fitbit Versa $179 (NGN65,000)
Last Words: Top 6 Smartwatches In 2018
Well, that’s our list of best smartwatches in 2018 and ones you can buy in 2019. Of course, more smartwatches with better internals and features will be made available throughout the year, but these are ones that are worth considering right now.
