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Best Smartwatches of 2025: Apple, Samsung, and More

  • Writer: Charles Cooper
    Charles Cooper
  • Jan 12
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jul 23

Smartwatches have officially gone from “nice to have” to essential everyday tech. Whether you’re tracking marathon splits, managing your sleep, checking your heart rate mid meeting, or just replying to texts on the fly, today’s best smartwatches are more capable, more stylish, and more personal than ever.


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In 2025, we’re seeing huge strides in battery life, AI powered health insights, LTE independence, and cross platform compatibility. Whether you’re team Apple, all in on Android, or just want the most accurate step count for your morning run, there’s a smartwatch out there for you.


Let’s dive into the Best Smartwatches of 2025, fitness ready, style conscious, and smarter than ever.


Best Overall: Apple Watch Series 10


Price: From £419

Platform: iOS only

Why It’s Hot: A decade in, and Apple’s flagship still leads the pack, especially with the bold new redesign in Series 10.


Apple Watch Series 10 brings:

  • A bigger, edge to edge microLED display

  • New magnetic strap interface

  • Siri on device (no internet needed!)

  • Enhanced fitness features with Recovery Metrics

  • Seamless iPhone free usage with WatchOS 11


Battery life still tops out around 36 hours, but fast charging makes it manageable.


Perfect for: iPhone users who want peak smartwatch functionality, fitness tracking, and unmatched app support all wrapped in a sleek, customisable design.


Best for Android: Samsung Galaxy Watch7


Price: From £349

Platform: Android only

Why It’s Hot: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch7, running Wear OS 5 and powered by their new Exynos W1000 chip, is faster, smarter, and smoother than ever before.


Top features:

  • Galaxy AI coaching (including real time form correction!)

  • Dual frequency GPS for ultra precise location

  • Custom workout detection

  • Enhanced bioactive sensor with 5 lead ECG support

  • Up to 3 days battery (5 on the Watch7 Classic)


The Watch7 plays beautifully with Galaxy phones, but any Android will do.


Perfect for: Android users who want a premium, fitness forward smartwatch that nails the balance between health tracking, style, and productivity.


Best Budget Pick: Amazfit Balance


Price: ~£199

Platform: Android and iOS

Why It’s Hot: The Amazfit Balance quietly crushes the budget game. With ultra long battery life (up to 14 days!), tons of fitness modes, and Zepp OS 3.5, it’s a brilliant alternative to bigger brands.


Highlights:

  • BioTracker 5.0 PPG for heart, stress, SpO₂

  • Zepp Aura for sleep coaching & meditation

  • Built in Alexa and offline voice assistant

  • Stylish round AMOLED display


Sure, it doesn’t have 4G or a massive app store, but for the price, it’s a steal.


Perfect for: Budget savvy fitness fans who want reliable health tracking and battery life without breaking the bank.


Best for Runners: Garmin Forerunner 965


Price: £599

Platform: Android and iOS

Why It’s Hot: If your idea of a good time involves PBs, lactate thresholds, and VO2 max, the Forerunner 965 is your wrist bound best mate.


Features:

  • Brilliant AMOLED display (finally!)

  • Training Readiness and Real Time Stamina

  • Full triathlon mode + in depth metrics

  • Turn by turn navigation

  • Week long battery (even with heavy GPS use)


Garmin’s ecosystem (and app) remains unmatched for training analysis and post run insights.


Perfect for: Serious runners, triathletes, and data driven athletes who want to optimise every training session.


Best for Health & Wellness: Fitbit Sense 3


Price: From £249

Platform: Android and iOS

Why It’s Hot: Fitbit’s latest flagship, now with deeper Google Health integration, is all about holistic wellbeing, not just steps and sleep.


Standout health features:

  • Electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor

  • Skin temperature tracking

  • AI stress detection + daily mood journaling

  • Guided breathing + wellness coaching

  • Fitbit Premium still unlocks rich insights


The Sense 3 is sleek, lightweight, and comfy enough to wear 24/7.


Perfect for: Anyone focused on mental health, mindfulness, and long term wellbeing rather than just hardcore workouts.


Best Battery Life: Huawei Watch GT 4


Price: From £229

Platform: Android (limited iOS support)

Why It’s Hot: The GT 4 is a stunner, and with up to 14 days of battery, it’s ideal for those who hate charging every night.


What you get:

  • Gorgeous AMOLED screen

  • TruSeen 5.5+ sensor for continuous heart tracking

  • Sleep, stress, and menstrual cycle insights

  • Dual GNSS tracking

  • Clean HarmonyOS interface


It lacks 3rd party app support in the West, but for core fitness and smartwatch essentials, it’s rock solid.


Perfect for: Users who prioritise battery life, style, and long term tracking, with a touch of fitness functionality.


Best for Productivity: Google Pixel Watch 2


Price: From £349

Platform: Android

Why It’s Hot: The Pixel Watch 2 refines everything the first gen started, now with Fitbit smarts baked in and the best integration for Gmail, Calendar, and Assistant.


Why it works:

  • Snapdragon W5 chip = smoother performance

  • Built in AI summaries for notifications

  • Stress and heart zone tracking

  • Tight Google Home integration

  • Improved battery (~24 30 hrs)


It’s compact and stylish, with a minimal aesthetic that suits both work and workouts.


Perfect for: Android users in the Google ecosystem, balancing fitness and productivity in equal measure.


Most Stylish Smartwatch: Withings ScanWatch Nova


Price: ~£429

Platform: Android and iOS

Why It’s Hot: A hybrid smartwatch that doesn’t look like one, the ScanWatch Nova blends classic diver watch aesthetics with clinically grade health tracking.


Features include:

  • ECG and SpO₂ sensors

  • 30 day battery life (!), 5 ATM water resistance

  • Sleep, steps, and respiratory rate tracking

  • Premium build: stainless steel, sapphire glass

  • Discreet OLED display for notifications


It’s subtle, elegant, and functional, ideal for those who don’t want to scream “tech”.

Perfect for: Style conscious professionals who want health features without the full smartwatch vibe.


Honourable Mention: TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro


Price: From £329

Platform: Android

Why It’s Hot: Mobvoi’s latest dual display tech is smarter than ever. With military grade durability, GPS, and a multi day battery, it’s a beast for adventurers and casual athletes alike.


Key highlights:

  • Wear OS 4 with improved apps

  • Snapdragon W5+ chip

  • Secondary is always on LCD for battery savings

  • 90+ sport modes

  • Fast charging + rugged build


Perfect for: Those who want a bit of everything, outdoor workouts, notifications, Google Assistant, and real world toughness.


How to Choose the Right Smartwatch in 2025


Functionality vs. Fitness: If you’re more about email alerts, navigation, and phone calls, lean toward watches from Apple, Samsung, or Google. But if fitness, recovery, and training are your top goals, Garmin, Fitbit, or Amazfit are better suited.


Platform Lock In: iPhone? Get an Apple Watch nothing else works as seamlessly.Android? You’ve got more choice, but Google + Samsung work best for full feature access.


Battery vs. Features: High end features drain more battery. If you don’t want to charge nightly, choose devices like the Huawei GT 4, Amazfit Balance, or Garmin Forerunner.


Style and Comfort: Remember, you’ll be wearing this all day. Comfort, strap options, and how it looks on your wrist matter just as much as what it can do.


Final Thoughts: The Best Is What Works for You


In 2025, the smartwatch market is stronger than ever, and that’s great news for consumers. Whether you're chasing triathlon medals, checking your blood oxygen levels before bed, or just trying to move more each day, there’s a smartwatch tailored to your goals and lifestyle.


From Apple’s new futuristic edge, to Samsung’s AI enhanced fitness focus, to Garmin’s athlete first detail, the options are smarter, sportier, and more stylish than ever.

So, which wrist companion will you choose?


— Charles Cooper, Wearables & Fitness Tech | The Tech Advisor

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