When deciding if a smartwatch or fitness tracker is right for you, it’s important to understand the key differences between the two. Smartwatches typically offer more functionality than fitness trackers, such as the ability to answer calls and send texts, while fitness trackers are focused solely on tracking activity and health data.
What is Smartwatch?
A smartwatch is a wearable device that has many of the features of a smartphone, including the ability to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, take pictures, and play music. It can also track your fitness activity, monitor your heart rate, and provide navigation directions. Smartwatches typically connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can display notifications from your phone on the screen. Most smartwatches also have built-in sensors that can track your steps, heart rate, and other health data.
While some smartwatches are designed to be used as standalone devices, others are meant to be used in conjunction with a smartphone. For example, the Apple Watch Series 4 can only be used with an iPhone, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch can be used with either an Android phone or an iPhone. Some smartwatches also have cellular connectivity, which allows you to make and receive calls without being tethered to your phone. However, these models usually cost more than non-cellular versions.
What is Fitness Tracker?
A fitness tracker is a type of wearable technology that is designed to help you stay active and track your fitness progress. There are a wide variety of fitness trackers on the market, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some fitness trackers are simple devices that only track your steps, while others are more sophisticated and can track your heart rate, sleeping patterns, and more. No matter what type of fitness tracker you choose, it can be a great way to motivate yourself to stay active and reach your fitness goals.
Difference between Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are both devices that can be worn on the wrist. They both track fitness data such as heart rate and steps taken. However, there are several key differences between the two types of devices.
- First, smartwatches generally have more features than fitness trackers. They typically include things like email, text messaging, and app support.
- Fitness trackers, on the other hand, tend to be more focused on health and fitness data. They may include features such as sleep tracking and workout tracking, but they typically don’t have the same level of app support or functionality as a smartwatch.
- Second, smartwatches are generally more expensive than fitness trackers. This is due to the additional features and functionality that they offer.
Finally, fitness trackers tend to have better battery life than smartwatches. This is because they don’t have as many features and can therefore avoid some of the power-hungry components that drain a smartwatch’s battery.
Conclusion
The fitness tracker market is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, while the smartwatch industry is projected to plateau. This may be due, in part, to the different purposes of these devices. Fitness trackers are designed primarily for tracking physical activity, whereas smartwatches offer a range of features that go beyond basic health and fitness monitoring.
A study by Kantar Worldpanel found that 71% of people who own a fitness tracker do not use it daily, compared to only 38% of those with a smartwatch. This indicates that there is a higher level of engagement with smartwatches, as users are more likely to wear them all day long.