What’s the deal with smartwatches? Should I get one?

I’m thinking about getting a smartwatch, specifically the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 (it’s way cheaper than an Apple Watch). But I’m stuck on figuring out if it’s worth it for me.

All the fitness tracking stuff doesn’t really do it for me, and I have no clue how sleep tracking even works. I’d love to hear how you guys find smartwatches useful for things like productivity or other features that aren’t fitness-related.

For context, I’m a medical doctor, and I’ve always used regular watches. The idea of personalizing the watch and having lots of cool watch faces really appeals to me though!

As a doctor, you might find these features useful:

  • Rejecting calls with a quick reply.
  • Setting reminders.
  • Checking your schedule.
  • Using the timer or calculator.
  • Monitoring your heart rate or SpO2, which can even help you keep track of your own health.

@Raven
Don’t forget notifications. It’s really handy to glance at them while driving, and you don’t need your phone to vibrate all the time.

@Raven
Notifications for calls, texts, and emails are super helpful. Vibrations are better than audio alerts most of the time.

I use mine to keep track of my kids’ schedules without getting sucked into random apps on my phone. I honestly wish they made watches without fitness options since I don’t use those. For me, it’s all about notifications, alarms, WhatsApp, and paying with NFC. Oh, and of course, telling the time!

Smartwatches are great for staying connected without constantly picking up your phone. I’ve got a Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is amazing because it has its own data. But I also use a Xiaomi Watch Pro 2 for its main features—it’s much cheaper and will soon get Wear OS 4.

If you’re on a budget, check out lesser-known brands like CMF Watch or One Watch 2R. They often include freebies too.

I got a smartwatch mainly to get call and text notifications. Over time, I started using it for sleep and fitness tracking too, but notifications are still my top reason.

I was in your position once. I asked people with smartwatches, and their answers were all pretty underwhelming—mostly notifications for messages and texts while their phones were still in their pockets.

I ended up buying a Garmin 255S for counting laps during workouts, and it worked great for that. It also gave me useful insights into my sleep and health. But I didn’t like the screen in daylight, so I got a Samsung Galaxy Watch for its bright display.

The Garmin’s battery lasts 7 days, while the Samsung needs daily charging. Long story short, I’ve gone back to wearing regular fashion watches most of the time and only use the Garmin for workouts. The smartwatch isn’t a replacement for your phone, just a convenience tool.

Thanks for all the feedback—it’s been super helpful!

Smartwatches don’t do much your phone can’t already do, but they’re convenient. I use mine for cooking timers since it’s risky to handle a phone with oil or water around.

It’s also great for quick glances at the time or date without pulling out my phone. Notifications help when I’m busy, and the ‘find my phone’ feature is a lifesaver for someone who always misplaces their phone. Lately, I’ve been using it to track my daily steps too.

Beyond fitness tracking, a smartwatch makes it easy to glance at reminders, check your schedule, or quickly see if a call or text needs your attention. Some even let you reply directly from the watch.

The Redmi Watch 4 isn’t a true smartwatch since it doesn’t run Wear OS, so it’s limited to mirroring phone notifications and basic replies. You can’t install apps on it.

If you’re on Android, look into Wear OS watches—they offer apps like Google Keep, Calendar, Gmail, and even Google Maps for navigation. For iPhone users, Apple Watches are the best bet.

Secondhand Samsung watches can cost around $100, and if you like them, you can trade up for discounts on newer models.

I’m a med student, and my smartwatch is amazing for keeping me connected while looking professional. Instead of pulling out my phone (especially with gloves on), I can just glance at my watch for notifications.

It’s also great for driving, cycling, and gym workouts. Definitely worth it for those situations!

Start with a budget smartwatch and see how you feel about it. I use a Tozo S5 that I got for under $80 AUD, and it works fine for notifications and music control. It’s not perfect—I sometimes have to reconnect it—but the battery lasts days, and it does what I need.

If you end up liking it, you can consider upgrading to a more advanced model later.

Another thing: I use my Samsung watch for contactless payments in stores. It’s super convenient.

I have a Watch 4, and it’s pretty great. The fitness tracking is just there if you need it, but I mainly use it as a regular watch with extra perks like a bright AMOLED screen, call-making, and a loud, clear speaker. Setup is easy too.

As a doctor, you might appreciate heart rate tracking. Some watches even notify you if they detect an irregular heartbeat.

The difference between cheap and expensive watches is usually in fitness accuracy. Cheaper ones are good for resting heart rates but struggle during intense exercise. I use a Garmin Vivoactive 3, which works well for my Zone 2 cardio sessions. It’s worth it, especially if you’re looking for something reliable and affordable.

I use mine for tracking physical activity, GPS routes, and even voice assistance. It’s also great for managing smart home devices and saves your phone battery by reducing screen time. If it gets damaged, it’s less of a loss compared to a regular watch.