Best Smartwatch 2025: Wearables for Android & iPhone

The Pixel Watch 3 watches are packed with features without being overwhelming.

They excel as a companion to a mobile phone, preferably a Pixel but any Android will do, unlike Samsung’s custom features for Galaxy users who pick a Galaxy Watch.

The new larger model offers better visibility and battery life without compromising on comfort, and Fitbit integration is increasingly good for exercise. It’s hard to complain about anything other than the economics.

Bear in mind that the Pixel Watch 4 has been announced (on sale in October) so we anticipate seeing plenty of Pixel Watch 3 deals as retailers try and offload stock in favour of the newer device.

Who should buy the Google Pixel Watch 3?

Those keyed into Google’s ecosystem who want quick access to key apps on their wrist.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Further considerations

No dual-band GPS, which limits fitness tracking somewhat.

Even though it won’t be wowing any long-term Samsung fans with major upgrades over the Galaxy Watch 7, the Watch 8 is still a solid device that easily stands as one of the most competent Wear OS watches you can buy right now, and it’s largely down to the iterative changes that Samsung has made over the years.

Samsung’s One UI Watch overlay is right up there with the software experience provided by Google’s own Pixel Watch, offering a clean, yet wonderfully stylised take on Wear OS that now feels like a genuine competitor to Apple’s watchOS. The tile system in particular remains a great feature that we wish Apple would replicate, as it gives you quick access to your most important apps.

Arguably, the biggest change on the software front is the move from Google Assistant to Google Gemini right out of the box. Having access to a fully fledged AI on your wrist is a game changer, as you can get detailed answers to intricate questions, and have a conversation that retains the context of what’s already been said, all of which is leagues ahead of anything Siri can do

Just like previous Galaxy Watches, the fitness tracking experience is as good as it’s ever been, flanked by detailed sleep tracking metrics that put all of that data into tangible, clearly worded advice.

Admittedly, the Galaxy Watch Ultra inspired design might not be to everyone’s tastes, but we’re big fans of the change, and overall the Galaxy Watch 8 shows off just how far Wear OS has come in the last few years. As a side note, while we have reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, we found the device to be lacking in a way that the standard Watch 8 isn’t.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8?

Those who want a great all-round Wear OS smartwatch with solid fitness tracking.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Further considerations

The day-long battery life is still a pain, and it’s a problem the OnePlus Watch 3 doesn’t have.

The OnePlus Watch 3 builds on the good work OnePlus did with the Watch 2, which made it one of the best WearOS smartwatches and smartwatches outright.

For the Watch 3, it has stuck to the same case size (although a smaller 43mm was made available at a later date) and has grown the size of the display all while still managing to offer a battery life that makes it go further than the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch and the Google Pixel Watch.

The WearOS experience remains strong too and now runs on WearOS 5, bringing richer Google app integration, with an upgrade on its double chipset setup also made to make software run smoother overall.

There are big changes on the health tracking front, where OnePlus has added ECG, where support for the feature at launch will vary until OnePlus gets the regulatory clearance to enable it.

It will also let you track your temperature and keep a check on your vascular health, so if you were hoping for a OnePlus Watch with more health tracking, you’ve now got it.

Who should buy the OnePlus Watch 3?

Anyone who values battery life above all in their smartwatch.

OnePlus Watch 3: Further considerations

It’s not quite as much of a looker as the Pixel Watch 3 or even the Galaxy Watch 8.

The Series 10 is the sweet spot of the Apple Watch range, remaining at the same price as the Series 9 with a number of upgrades making it an excellent buy – provided you are sticking to the cheaper models if you want good value.

Things can get very expensive if you want a cellular model or a Titanium case, which replaces Stainless Steel and automatically comes with cellular.

Many improvements to the Series 10 come in the form of small refinements but there are some major upgrades. Mainly the new screen which, in the larger size, is bigger than the Ultra 2’s and has new Wide-OLED tech making it easier to view.

Somehow this comes in a slimmer case and there are other benefits if you want them like sleep apnea tracking. If you want the latest model, the Series 10 won’t disappoint but looking for a deal on the Series 9 might be better value for you.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 10?

Apple users who want to have the best wearable experience possible, without paying for the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Apple Watch Series 10: Further considerations

Unless you absolutely need an always-on display, the Apple Watch SE is a better value buy for most people. The Series 11 could arrive very soon.

The Apple Watch SE is now over a year old, but it’s still is the best Apple Watch for most people with an iPhone. A big part of that is the price – it’s relatively affordable, which isn’t something you can often say about Apple hardware products.

It has many of the features of the more expensive Apple Watch Series 8, including a premium chipset, solid battery life and car crash detection.

If you equally value smart features like third-party app integration, music storage, contactless payments, and full fitness tracking, the Apple Watch is still the best smartwatch if you have an iPhone. The SE does everything surprisingly well, considering it’s the cheapest one.

Who should buy the Apple Watch SE?

Budget-conscious iPhone users who want a great, yet affordable wearable to pair with their handset.

Apple Watch SE: Further considerations

The day long battery life is still a pain, and it’s outdone by cheaper and similarly priced wearables from the likes of Garmin and Fitbit.

If you want a smartwatch with more of a health focus and don’t need the blood pressure capabilities of the Huawei Watch D2, then this is the way Huawei has gone with the Watch 5.

This centres around a new X-Tap sensor made up of a pressure, ECG and PPG sensors. It’s not best placed for everything on the side of the watch, but allows for a one-tap Health Glance of no less than nine indicators to help you check if something’s not right, so you can take action.

The health side of the Watch 5 might even be a bit overwhelming at times, but it is still the main reason to buy it over rivals.

It’s attractive, durable and available in two sizes, but that’s not a hard combination to find in the smartwatch world these days. The smartwatch side of things isn’t quite up to the top competition with sub-par experiences when it comes to payments, music controls and app support.

Huawei has made it compatible with Android and iOS and it features good battery life, eSIM and a Titanium build, so there’s lots to lure you.

Who should buy the Huawei Watch 5?

Anyone who’s obsessed with health tracking metrics.

Huawei Watch 5: Further considerations

Huawei’s ecosystem doesn’t feature the same level of app functionality to what you’ll find on Wear OS and watchOS.

As much as we love Garmin watches, the abundance of options at the higher end has always made things tricky when deciding which specific model to buy. Thankfully, the brand has now made things much easier for anyone who’s been thinking about picking up the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as the Garmin Venu X1 serves as a direct competitor to Apple’s outdoor-ready smartwatch.

Unlike Garmin’s rounded chassis of old, the Venu X1 looks exactly like an Apple Watch from a distance, adhering to a square design that harks back to the lesser powered Garmin Venu Sq range. This refresh not only adds a large (and bright) two-inch display that’s easy to read at all hours of the day, it also slims it all down to the point where the watch is only 7.9mm thick, making it very comfortable to wear.

Despite its new design however, the Venu X1 benefits from all the sports and fitness tracking features that Garmin fans have come to expect, and in our testing of the heart-rate monitor, we found the results to be closely in line with a dedicated chest-worn HRM strap, which in turn helps to accurately inform the watch’s recommendations for rest and recovery.

It is a bit unfortunate that the watch doesn’t boast dual-band GPS tracking as you can find it on cheaper smartwatches nowadays, but it didn’t have a major impact on our GPS results during testing. Plus, the Venu X1 still benefits from eight days of battery life which trounces Apple and Samsung’s two-day longevity for their respective ‘Ultra’ watches.

Who should buy the Garmin Venu X1?

Fitness enthusiasts who want a running watch with plenty of modern sensibilities.

Garmin Venu X1: Further considerations

Dual-band GPS isn’t available, but you can get it on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The Watch 2 Pro is the first premium Xiaomi smartwatch that we can recommend, and there’s one big reason for that: Wear OS. Switching to Google’s software allows for access to third-party apps via the Play Store, making it a much more powerful device.

And with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor under the hood, performance is also very good. An attractive stainless steel bezel around the attractive 1.43-inch touchscreen gives the Watch 2 Pro a premium aesthetic, while a rotating physical crown makes navigation easy.

And with loads of health and fitness features (including sleep tracking), built-in GPS and the option for 4G, there’s a lot to like about the Watch 2 Pro.

Provided you can live with just one day of battery life, that is. The lack of automatic workout tracking, cluttered companion app and bulky design aren’t dealbreakers, but do you mind have to charge it every night? If not, the affordable price makes the Watch 2 Pro a real contender.

Who should buy the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro?

Wear OS fans who simply want an affordable smartwatch that also packs an eye-catching design and display.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: Further considerations

The lack of automatic workout tracking is a big loss for anyone invested in keeping tabs on their daily exertion.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the ultimate smartwatch for the outdoors, even if there are very few upgrades compared to the 2022 original. If auto night mode and higher brightness aren’t important to you, it might be worth saving some money.

But there are plenty of reasons you might want to go for it over regular watches such as the Apple Watch Series 9. It’s significantly bigger and more expensive, but also adds extra layers of durability and better battery life.

It can still handle extreme environments, including very high and low temperatures and high altitudes, plus up to 100m underwater. There are also useful features such as dual-GPS and a physical action button that you’ll only find on the Apple Watch Ultra.

Elsewhere, everything you love about the regular Apple Watches are still here, including extensive fitness tracking and intuitive watchOS software. But it still only works with an iPhone, and you might be hoping for more in-depth data in some situations.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2?

Apple fans who want the absolute best watchOS experience, not to mention a rugged wearable that’s ready to face the elements.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Further considerations

The Watch Ultra 2 is outdone by the cheaper Garmin Venu X1 when it comes to battery life. The Ultra 3 could arrive very soon.