Smartwatches are great devices to add a bit of discipline to your life. These gadgets might appear tiny, but you can’t begin to imagine the massive impact they can have on your everyday life.
From recording your daily steps to becoming your coach in training sessions and playing the role of your doctor via measuring the heartbeat, blood pressure, and blood-oxygen rate, you can’t underestimate them.
According to a research report concerning the positive impacts of smartwatches on humans published by NWPC, around 57% of smartwatch owners started exercising more often after buying a smartwatch.
For users who don’t want to take their smartphone everywhere, a standalone smartwatch with the feature of inserting a sim card is all they need in their life. Once you learn to operate this watch, you can make calls from your wrist in no time.
Also, smartwatches are way more portable than smartphones and reasonably priced. If you have never bought a standalone smartwatch before and are a bit confused, this article has all the information you will need.
[azonpress_tables id=”22″]
How I Made This List
With so many standalone smartwatches on the market, it was hard for me to finalize a few and list the best smartwatches for you.
That is the reason I decided to make a road map for me to follow, i.e., compose a list of all the features I will judge and rate the watches on.
Once I successfully made the list of the features I wanted in a standalone smartwatch with a sim card, the whole process got way smoother and hassle-free. Below are some things I didn’t compromise on while choosing a smartwatch.
· Battery Life
As standalone smartwatches tend to be used more often than normal smartwatches focused on fitness or other health metrics, getting one with extensive battery life is important. Also, there is no use in switching from a phone to a watch when all you are going to do even now is to keep putting your device to charge whenever you get the chance.
· Comfort
Another thing that needs to be given utmost importance while getting a standalone smartwatch is its comfort. Unfortunately, multiple brands in the market focus on smart features in the watch, but one thing they don’t pay heed to is the users’ comfort.
As these smartwatches come equipped with some high-technology features, they are more likely to get heavy, inhibiting you from keeping on wearing them for a longer time.
Moreover, the strap used in these watches isn’t too soft either, so you would want to take off the watch at the very first chance. So, I was most inclined towards comfortable watches to save users from this trouble.
· Microphone
When you are ditching your smartphone for your smartwatch, you need to ensure that your watch is efficient enough to take all the burden you put on it.
One of the most crucial things you are going to need from your smartwatch to be able to answer calls is its microphone.
Therefore, while making my list of the top standalone smartwatches in the market, I tested their microphones and prioritized those featuring a heavy-duty microphone.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Smartwatch
[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B09D341DB6″]
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 is a premium smartwatch with a rotating bezel for easy navigation, excellent and latest software, and multiple high-class fitness and health tracking features.
With the release of the SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4, the brand hasn’t just stepped into the market with a proficient smartwatch featuring a compelling design.
Still, it has proved how it can turn an unloved product into something users want to embrace.
In-depth Features of SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4
The word Classic in this watch’s name says a lot about its design. The overall style of this standalone android smartwatch is inspired by traditional and contemporary geometry.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 is the last piece left from the collection of this brand, coming with a rotating bezel that makes navigating through different watch faces and menus an easy task.
If you have ever tried a smartwatch with a virtual bezel, you must know how frustrating it gets to stroke the edges of this small gadget to be able to interact with the device. Also, the virtual bezel isn’t too efficient either.
It features a fluoroelastomer band to provide extra comfort so they can wear this smartwatch for long hours without any hassle. This silicon-like material is way less irritating and more comfortable than the rubber material used in the bands of the majority of smartwatches.
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 is an excellent smartwatch if I talk about the display. At least, this is what I have seen so far. Its bright display with bold colors is so clear that you can read it in glaring daylight or while on the run.
Multiple health tracking sensors, including ECG, Afib, and BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis), are also found in this smartwatch, making it a great medical watch, and medical experts often recommend it.
The sleep tracking feature on the SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 is also more advanced than the one in other smartwatches. In addition to measuring your sleeping routine, it can detect the snore too.
Though the battery life of this smartwatch is average at 245 mAh, its battery draining time is pretty slow. With the GPS enabled on a 5K 40-minute run track, its battery fell to only 11%. Similarly, additional features like health and fitness sensors don’t drain the battery more than 3%.
What do I like About This Smartwatch?
- It features 4G LTE for connectivity
- You get BIA, ECG, and Afib sensors on the watch
- Its battery drainage time is slow with fast charging
- The watch has a physical rotating bezel for easy navigation
What Don’t I Like Much?
- The watch features an exorbitant price
- Workout controls on this smartwatch are fiddly
Customer Reviews on the SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4
This smartwatch scored a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on the scoreboard. Considering the impressive features of this smartwatch, I was expecting at least a 4.8. But on reading through their comments and reviews, I could see most of them appreciating the different features of the smartwatch.
But one thing repeated by most users is that this smartwatch didn’t really have the wow factor and sometimes feels like an ordinary smartwatch.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic strikes a perfect balance between quality, functionality, and performance, and this smartwatch’s matt finish and classic design add more to it.
With the availability of 4G LTE, a microphone, and a speaker, you won’t struggle to respond to calls and sync messages. Although the battery life of this smartwatch is average, it is compensated but its low draining time.
TicWatch Pro 3 Multimedia Smartwatch
[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B09S6K6PCR”]
The TicWatch Pro 3 is the smartwatch that addresses all your daily life concerns. This smartwatch features a sleek design and fast software with three-day battery life.
Though there is nothing specific that this smartwatch surpasses other watches on the market in, you get all you expect from a robust, high-quality smartwatch.
You get everything from basic workout apps and features to message reviewing and replying.
In-depth Features of the TicWatch Pro 3
The TicWatch Pro 3 comes with the best Wear OS 3 software with a sleek design and the right display size that doesn’t make the watch feel too chunky or too small.
The synthetic strap of this standalone smartwatch for teenagers with stitching gives it the feel of a premium gadget which is a great deal considering its reasonable price.
Thanks to the water and IP68 dust rating of the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch, it can easily be worn in shallow waters as you swim and even on your long trekking journeys.
The TicWatch brand powers this smartwatch’s health and fitness tracking apps. For instance, you get TicExercise, TicSleep, and TicHealth, along with other such apps which are not seen in other smartwatches on the market.
This is the first watch to come with the new Snapdragon 4100 chipset. I even tried watching YouTube Videos on this smartwatch, and it didn’t lag even once, making it a fast one.
Though the smartwatch already features a long battery life at 577 mAh that easily lasts for two to three days without a charger, you can still boost the time by switching to Essential mode, which increases it up to 45 days.
With the sim card slot available on the smartwatch, you can carry it around on its own without needing your smartphone.
As the watch features fast software, you won’t have to wait much for your messages to load.
Due to the high-quality microphone, you get on TicWatch Pro 3, responding to phone calls and making one gets easier.
What do I like About This Smartwatch?
- You get an extensive battery life of 577 mAh.
- The smartwatch comes with noticeable performance improvements
- It features a dual display
- The Snapdragon 4100 Chipset processor prevents lagging
What Don’t I Like Much?
- It lacks an ECG sensor
- The sleep tracking is inaccurate
Customer Reviews on TicWatch Pro 3
Most customers gave it a solid 5.00 out of 5.00 and applauded it for accompanying and helping them everywhere. This smartwatch’s dust and water resistance features are rarely seen in others, which most users like.
But one thing that was majorly responsible for making it stand at a rating of 4.99 out of 5.00 overall is its extensive battery life and fast processor.
Some users were concerned about the inaccurate sleep tracking, but it didn’t affect them much as the other fitness apps were exceptional.
With the processor, design, health tracking apps, sensors, connectivity, battery life, and all the aspects you could think of on a smartwatch, the TicWatch Pro 3 has shown large improvement in all of them, much more than what you can imagine.
One disadvantage of this smartwatch is the absence of an ECG sensor, but the accuracy provided by TicHealth covers it up.
For users wanting a smartwatch with many premium features and benefits, the top one being the ability to sync with an android smartphone perfectly, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the right purchase.
Fossil Gen 6 Modern Featured Smartwatch
[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B0B4829WQ7″]
The Fossil Gen 6 Modern Featured Smartwatch comes with multiple features to put you in awe. From its fast processor to great battery life and stylish hardware enriched with some outclass health metrics and in-built fast charging, this smartwatch will surely not fail to impress you.
In-depth Features of Fossil Gen 6 Modern Featured Smartwatch
The Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch features a Snapdragon Wear 4100 plus chipset that is known to cause an increase in the watch’s speed to around 30%. This makes Gen 6 more responsive to actions than Gen 5 and all the earlier models.
The 1 GB RAM and 8GB Storage space of this smartwatch also adds to its speed, which you will notice while switching between different apps on the smartwatch.
Though the display of this smartwatch is no different from its predecessor and is the same 1.28 AMOLED display, this is still the top-quality display you can get your hands on.
Coming towards the standalone features of the Fossil Gen 6, it is compatible with Android phones. Still, it features a SIM slot allowing you to make calls and send and receive text messages without relying on a smartphone.
Also, thanks to the robust connectivity features of this smartwatch, you will rarely face problems connecting it to your phone otherwise.
Though the Fossil Gen 6 isn’t a fitness smartwatch, you can still measure and track all the good and basic health and fitness metrics on this smartwatch.
For instance, for the periodic measurement of your heartbeat, oxygen level, and blood pressure, you get the Cardiogram app on this smartwatch.
You can also track your workout routine based on the kind of workout you’re involved in, i.e., outdoor or indoor.
It also features multiple apps for monitoring other health metrics, including meditative breathing, sleep cycle, and others.
What do I like About This Smartwatch?
- It features a sleek design, easier to wear for a long time
- This smartwatch works smoothly without any lagging
- You get a wider display
- The watch works both with and without a SIM card
What I Don’t Like Much?
- The battery life of the watch isn’t the best
- It hasn’t changed much from its predecessors
Customer Reviews on Fossil Gen 6
On the rating board, Fossil Gen 6 stands at 4.5 out of 5, thanks to its attractive hardware and immersive software. Most of the users complimented the design upgrade of this smartwatch and talked about easy navigation.
One thing I saw most users appreciating is the excellent connectivity features of this smartwatch. They can use it with and without a SIM card impressed them the most.
For users wanting a standalone smartwatch that acts as a perfect replacement for a fitness tracker, the Fossil Gen 6 is the right product to rest their backs on. Though you won’t get excellent battery life on this smartwatch, its fast-charging feature compensates for that.
Similarly, users wanting the perfect android standalone smartwatch can go for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. Those searching for an extensive battery life need to check out the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch.
Garmin 010 Venue Smartwatch
[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B07WLN9RYD”]
The Garmin 010 Venue Smartwatch is the first Garmin smartwatch featuring an AMOLED display. It is an all-around smartwatch with extensive battery life, a brilliant display screen, and full-fledged fitness features.
Being a standalone smartwatch, it has tons of additional features you don’t normally get in most smartwatches on the market.
Large storage to keep more than 500 songs and smart sensors for tracking outdoor and indoor activities make it an exceptional watch.
In-depth features of Garmin Venue 010
Garmin has been producing smartwatches for a long time, but its focus has always been practicality, and the brand doesn’t give much importance to design.
But with the release of Garmin Venue 010, the company stepped into the exterior game and introduced a smartwatch that looks sleek but is equipped with advanced features too.
You will find a noticeable improvement in the smartwatch’s design from its predecessors, even at first glance.
The sharp and vibrant AMOLED display of Garmin Venue 010 makes it easily viewable even in direct sunlight. Due to this, you can easily take this watch with you to your outdoor adventures.
The case of this smartwatch is super compact and light, i.e., 43grams making the watch easier to wear all day and night without any trouble. The standard rubber strap of Garmin Venue 010 makes it comfortable to wear while exercising.
You can easily use this smartwatch for over five days on a single charge, making it a decent smartwatch.
In addition to a wide range of sensors and monitors, the Garmin Venue 010 smartwatch supports SIM cards freeing you from the burden of carrying your smartphone everywhere.
To add fun and excitement to your daily workout routine, Garmin Venue 010 smartwatch features an animated video feature. When doing yoga, pilates, or other physical exercises, you will see an animated character doing the workout on your watch’s screen.
Garmin Venue 010 smartwatch comes with a new workout mode called breathwork. You can choose between different kinds of breathwork from focus, relaxation, and coherence so you can relieve your stress.
Garmin Venue comes with some other apps and features to make your life easier. For instance, you can use Garmin Pay to make quick and secure payments.
Similarly, the watch has a huge storage space allowing you to save over 500 songs and enjoy them even when you’re offline.
What do I like About This Smartwatch?
- It features a crisp AMOLED display
- You get Garmin Pay support for convenience
- The smartwatch features a 5-day battery life
- It comes with unique breathwork exercises
What I Don’t Like Much?
- The smartwatch is too expensive
- The touchscreen is not too responsive
Customer Reviews on Garmin Venue 010
The Garmin Venue 010 smartwatch is widely accepted as a smart fitness tracker with all the additional features you want from a standalone smartwatch.
The breathwork exercises on this smartwatch are the one feature users appreciated the most and were seen in awe of as they don’t find it easily on other smartwatches.
Garmin Venue 010 smartwatch is worth the money because of the large number of high-quality features it comes with. Still, it is especially advantageous for the existing Garmin users wanting an AMOLED display upgrade.
For users wanting a standalone smartwatch that can last for a long time on a single charge, the TicWatch Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 are the best options.
Similarly, customers wanting a classical design and a smartwatch that isn’t just rich in features but looks good too can get the new Fossil Gen 6 Modern Smartwatch.
How to get the best smartwatch standalone smartwatch?
To make buying a standalone smartwatch easier, I have made a buying guide to assist you throughout the process.
· Charging
If you don’t want to wait for long hours while your watch is on a charge, it’s best to go for a smartwatch featuring a fast-charging feature.
You can’t deny that no matter how good your smartwatch’s battery life is, it needs to be charged quite frequently. Conversely, a fast-charging smartwatch will make this process a little less frustrating for you.
· Build Quality
Standalone smartwatches are generally more expensive than other smartwatches in the market. So, before you invest your money in them, it’s better to check the quality of these gadgets and ensure that the one you are getting is robust enough to last a long time.
This will save you from money wastage, and you won’t have to start hunting for another smartwatch soon.
· Sim Card Slot
I don’t think it’s needed to be said here that before buying a watch, ensure that it has a sim card slot as it’s a provided fact.
But one thing I would surely want to mention here is the position of this slot. The sim card slot is either at the bottom or towards the side of the smartwatch.
If you don’t know much about the smartwatch, I recommend getting a smartwatch with a sim slot to the side. It’s because you don’t have to open your watch’s case to insert a Sim card, saving you and your smartwatch from any damage.
FAQs
i. How to use a galaxy watch standalone?
To use the Galaxy watch standalone, you first need to turn it on, set up the smartwatch following all the on-screen prompts, and get on to the main procedure of selecting and setting a mobile data plan after inserting your SIM into it. For added privacy, it is also recommended to set a PIN.
ii. Can smartwatches be used without a phone?
Yes, the standalone smartwatches come with a SIM card slot and all the features from a speaker to a microphone you would need to make and receive calls. You can even send or respond to text messages on these watches without much hassle.
iii. Can standalone smartwatch access the google play store?
Yes, most of the standalone smartwatches in the market come with a built-in Google Play Store for downloading third-party apps.
Now that you know of some of the best standalone smartwatches you can ever get your hands on, you are all set to get one for yourself the earliest and save yourself from the struggle of carrying your smartphone everywhere with you.
Of all the standalone smartwatches I have talked about here, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the one I like the most because of its excellent display, smooth navigation, and long battery life. One feature I like the most about this smartwatch is its perfect synchronization with the smartphone.
