What to Look for in a Smartwatch in 2025

In 2025, smartwatches have gone way beyond step counting and phone notifications. They’re full blown digital assistants, health monitors, productivity partners, and style statements, all strapped to your wrist.

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Whether you’re training for your next marathon, monitoring your sleep, or simply trying to avoid pulling your phone out every 10 seconds, there’s a smartwatch that fits your life.

But with so many options on the market, from Apple and Samsung to Garmin, Huawei, and budget friendly brands like Amazfit and Xiaomi, choosing the right smartwatch can feel overwhelming. The key? Knowing what features actually matter for your lifestyle.

Let’s break it down.

1. Fitness & Health Tracking That Works for You

A smartwatch should support your goals, not guilt you into workouts you don’t enjoy. In 2025, the best watches offer customisable tracking for everything from HIIT and yoga to open water swimming and even stress levels.

Look for:

• Heart rate monitoring (24/7): Still the bread and butter of fitness wearables, but now more accurate thanks to multi sensor arrays.

  
  

• Blood oxygen (SpO2): Useful for serious runners, hikers, and even tracking potential respiratory health issues.

  
  

• Advanced sleep tracking: Good watches now track sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and offer personalised suggestions.

  
  

• Menstrual cycle and fertility tracking: More inclusive features are becoming the norm, with smarter insights driven by AI.

• Workout recommendations: Some models even analyse your recovery and suggest workouts to match your readiness.

  
  

If you’re into holistic wellness, consider models that offer HRV (Heart Rate Variability) data and stress monitoring with breathing exercises.

2. Battery Life: All Day or All Week?

Smartwatch battery life is still one of the biggest differences between models. Apple Watches, for instance, need a daily top up, while some Garmin or Amazfit models last up to two weeks on a single charge.

Ask yourself:

• Do you want fast, powerful features (like LTE, bright displays, lots of apps)? You'll likely charge every day or two.

  
  

• Do you prefer a no fuss, long life device that tracks essentials and doesn’t need constant attention?

Bonus in 2025: Solar assisted charging is creeping into more premium watches, especially in outdoor focused lines.

3. Operating System & App Compatibility

Before buying, double check what phones the watch supports. For example, Apple Watches still don’t play nicely with Android phones.

Key Platforms:

• watchOS (Apple): Smooth, app rich, best for iPhone users.

  
  

• Wear OS (Google: Now vastly improved, available on Pixel Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and others.

  
  

• Lite OS / Zepp OS / Proprietary: Used by Huawei, Amazfit, Xiaomi etc. Not as app rich, but usually more battery friendly and focused on fitness.

App ecosystem is also key. Want Spotify offline, Google Assistant, WhatsApp replies, or third party health apps? Make sure your watch supports them natively.

4. Style That Suits Your Wrist & Life

Your smartwatch is probably the most visible piece of tech you wear every day, so looks matter.

Things to consider:

• Display size and shape: Square vs. round is a personal choice. Larger screens offer easier navigation, while smaller ones look more discreet.

  
  

• Strap options: Quick swap bands are great for going from gym to dinner.

  
  

• Material: Aluminium, stainless steel, or even titanium? Choose based on budget and durability.

Fashion collabs are still big in 2025, with designer editions and colour customisation more widely available. If style and comfort are a top priority, consider slim profile models that still pack in features.

5. Smart Features You’ll Actually Use

Forget gimmicks. What really adds value?

• Voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri integration means you can control your smart home, set reminders, or check weather hands free.

• Offline music: Stream or store Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, or Deezer directly on the watch.

  
  

• NFC payments: Contactless payments with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Garmin Pay are incredibly handy.

• Find my phone / keys: A surprisingly life saving feature for the forgetful.

In 2025, AI powered assistants on some smartwatches can even auto suggest replies to messages or detect patterns in your habits. While still not perfect, it's a glimpse at the future of wearable intelligence.

6. Water Resistance & Ruggedness

Most modern smartwatches are 5ATM rated, meaning they're safe for swimming and showering. But if you’re big into adventure, hiking, or outdoor training.

Look for:

• MIL STD 810G certification: Shock, dust, and heat resistance.

• Sapphire crystal displays: Less prone to scratches than regular glass.

• Water resistance up to 100m or more: For divers or triathletes.

7. Price vs. Value: What Should You Spend?

Smartwatches range from £30 to £500+, but the sweet spot for most users in 2025 is between £100 and £250.

Budget under £100?

You’ll likely get:

• Basic fitness tracking

• Long battery life

• Fewer smart features

• Decent build quality

Top picks: Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, Amazfit Bip 5, Huawei Watch Fit 3

Mid range £150 to £300?

• Better sensors

• GPS and more workout modes

• Voice assistants

• Stylish design and more responsive UI

Top picks: Galaxy Watch 6, Fitbit Versa 4, Pixel Watch 2

Premium £300+?

• Premium build (steel/titanium)

• LTE options

• Advanced health metrics (like ECG)

• Third party app support

Top picks: Apple Watch Series 9, Garmin Venu 3, Withings ScanWatch Nova

8. Bonus: Kids & Family Features

Some smartwatches in 2025 cater specifically to kids and teens, with features like:

• Geolocation & geofencing

• Parental controls

• Step challenges & fitness badges

They’re a great way to introduce smart tech safely and encourage physical activity.

Final Thoughts: Know What You Want from a Smartwatch

With all the noise around smartwatch features in 2025, it’s easy to get distracted by the flashiest spec list. But the best smartwatch for you depends on how it fits into your lifestyle.

Ask:

• Do you need long battery life or prefer all day smarts?

• Is health tracking your top concern, or is it convenience and notifications?

• Do you want a stylish everyday piece or a rugged training partner?

Whatever your goals, smashing a new PB, staying on top of your busy life, or just looking sharp while doing both, there’s a smartwatch out there that’s more than ready for the job.

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