The 7 Best Android Smartwatch to Buy Before 2024 Ends

Android smartwatches have become an essential gadget for many people, particularly those looking to enhance their smartphone experience with a wearable device that offers convenience, health tracking, and more. While the Apple Watch may dominate the smartwatch market, Android users also have a wide variety of smartwatches, thanks to the versatility of Wear OS and the customisation by different tech companies.

The Apple Watch Ultra Is The Best Smartwatch And It’s Not Even Close 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z6kzkg7yYG

— Naseem Speach (@naseem_speach) October 2, 2024

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a tech lover, or just someone looking for a sleek and functional accessory, Android smartwatches cater to various needs. In today’s listicle, we’ll explore some of the best Android smartwatches to buy before 2024 ends, highlighting each offering unique features and benefits.

7 Best Android Smartwatch in 2024

1) Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

Pros:

• Sleek design
• Several AI-powered health features
• Fast performance with the Exynos chip
• Accurate fitness tracking

Cons:

• Battery life lasts only a day
• Requires a Galaxy phone to unlock all features

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is one of the standout Android smartwatch choices for Android users, known for its comfortable design and comprehensive health tracking capabilities. Available in two sizes, the Galaxy Watch 7 sports a sleek, circular build with a vibrant AMOLED display, ensuring it looks stylish on any wrist. One of the watch’s most exciting new features is its AI-based Energy Score, which combines sleep and fitness data to offer personalised insights into your overall health.

This smartwatch comes with Samsung’s BioActive Sensor, which can measure heart rate, ECG, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), offering a comprehensive view of your metabolic health. Another impressive addition is the sleep apnea detection feature, suited for users looking to monitor their sleep patterns more closely.

However, like its predecessors, the battery life remains a sticking point. The Galaxy Watch 7’s battery lasts only a day, requiring frequent recharges. Despite this drawback, its fast performance, thanks to Samsung’s first 3-nanometer Exynos chip, makes it one of the best options for Android users, especially those with Samsung smartphones.

2) Google Pixel Watch 3

Pros:

• Sleek design with two size options
• Excellent health and fitness tracking, including Cardio Load
• Deep integration with Google’s ecosystem
• Bright, easy-to-read display

Cons:

• Battery life (1-2 days) could be better
• Durability concerns with the domed display

Google’s Pixel Watch 3 is another excellent choice for Android users, particularly those invested in the Google ecosystem. Available in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, the Pixel Watch 3 offers improved performance and design over its predecessor. In our testing, the watch delivered smooth performance and intuitive navigation, akin to the experience of using an Apple Watch.

Health tracking is a crucial focus for the Pixel Watch 3, with features like daily activity monitoring, heart rate tracking, stress levels, and ECG readings. For fitness enthusiasts, the new Cardio Load and Target Load metrics help customise workouts and monitor cardiovascular health. Plus, with six months of Fitbit Premium included, users can take advantage of advanced fitness insights and sleep-tracking features.

One of the major cons of the Pixel Watch 3 is its battery life, which lasts about a day for the 41mm model and close to two days for the 45mm model. While this limitation may be a dealbreaker for some, the watch’s sleek design and deep integration with Google services make it an ideal smartwatch for those with Pixel smartphones.

3) OnePlus Watch 2R

Pros:

• Affordable with excellent value
• Sleek design with a lightweight aluminium case
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Lacks LTE support in certain regions
• Lacking major upgrades in health sensors compared to its competitors

The OnePlus Watch 2R is a budget-friendly option without compromising on essential features. With a large 1.43-inch OLED display, this smartwatch is bright and easier to read in various lighting conditions. Powered by a Snapdragon W5 chip and Wear OS 4, the Watch 2R provides solid performance while keeping the price competitive.

In terms of design, the Watch 2R differentiates itself from the OnePlus Watch 2 by being lighter, thanks to its aluminium build, and featuring dual-tone chronograph markings on the bezel for added style. The watch also boasts military-grade durability, making it an affordable option for users who tend to be rough on their devices.

The only significant downside is the absence of LTE support in the Indian variant of the Watch 2R, which limits its standalone functionality. Nevertheless, for those looking for an affordable yet stylish Android smartwatch with good health-tracking features, the OnePlus Watch 2R is a solid contender.

4) Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

Pros:

• Exceptional battery life (up to 80 hours)
• Comprehensive fitness tracking
• Powered by the latest Snapdragon W5+ chip

Cons:

• 50mm case may not suit all wrist sizes
• No built-in digital assistant

For fitness enthusiasts prioritising battery life, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is an excellent choice among Android smartwatches. With an estimated battery life of up to 80 hours, this smartwatch far outlasts most of its competitors. The watch is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Plus chip, ensuring fast performance and future-proofing.

The TicWatch Pro 5 excels in health and fitness tracking, offering advanced metrics such as VO2 Max, recovery time, and heart rate zone colour-coding for instant feedback during workouts. For outdoor adventurers, the watch includes multiple GNSS systems, a barometer, and a compass, making it a versatile companion for hiking or backpacking.

The only real drawback is the size — the 50mm case may feel too large for some wrists, and the lack of Google Assistant is a noticeable omission. Despite these issues, the TicWatch Pro 5 remains a top pick for users who want a fitness-focused smartwatch with excellent battery life.

5) Garmin Venu 3

Pros:

• 14-day battery life
• Detailed fitness and health tracking
• New nap-tracking and recovery time suggestions

Cons:

• Limited third-party app support
• The OS can be less intuitive for new users

Garmin is well-known for its fitness trackers, and the Garmin Venu 3 is no exception. With a 14-day battery life, this smartwatch easily beats most other Android smartwatches in terms of longevity. The Venu 3 prioritises health and fitness features, including nap tracking, a sleep coach, and a wide range of workout profiles.

While Garmin still lacks the extensive app ecosystem of other Wear OS devices, Venu 3’s accuracy in fitness tracking, especially in terms of GPS performance, makes it a standout for athletes. Additionally, the watch includes voice assistant functionality and can mirror notifications from your smartphone, providing a seamless user experience.

However, Garmin’s operating system can feel less intuitive than those on other smartwatches, and first-time users may experience a learning curve. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Venu 3 is a strong choice for those prioritising fitness and wellness features over third-party apps and insignificant integrations.

6) Fitbit Sense 2

Pros:

• Continuous stress monitoring with a cEDA sensor
• Holistic health-tracking features, including ECG and sleep metrics
• Slim, comfortable design

Cons:

• Limited third-party app support
• Some Google features are only available on Pixel device

Fitbit has been synonymous with fitness tracking for years, and the Sense 2 Android smartwatch takes it to the next level. With continuous EDA (electrodermal activity) sensors, Sense 2 can monitor stress levels throughout the day, providing body response alerts to encourage mindfulness. It also offers many other fitness features, from heart rate monitoring to sleep tracking.

However, the Fitbit Sense 2 does have some drawbacks. Despite being Google-owned, it lacks third-party app support and is a more restricted app ecosystem than other Wear OS devices. Google Wallet and Google Maps, two priority features of Wear OS, were not initially available on launch but have since been added through updates.

7) Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Pros:

• Rugged, durable design ideal for outdoor use
• Advanced health metrics, including sleep apnea detection and body composition analysis
• Long battery life (up to three days with full features enabled)
• Accurate GPS tracking and TrackBack feature for adventurers

Cons:

• Bulky design, which may not suit all users
• Full functionality requires a Samsung smartphone

Lastly, on our Android smartwatch listicles, we have the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, an excellent choice for outdoor adventures. Built with a rugged titanium exterior and a sapphire crystal display, it can withstand extreme conditions. The 1.43-inch AMOLED display is protected by an always-on screen and infrared night mode, ensuring visibility even in low-light conditions.

The Watch Ultra’s health tracking offers comprehensive heart rate, blood oxygen, and body composition measurements. It also excels in GPS tracking, making it ideal for hikers, runners, and cyclists. A unique TrackBack feature helps you find your way back during outdoor activities, adding an extra layer of safety.

However, despite its many strengths, the battery life is average, lasting about 2-3 days with all features enabled. Moreover, its bulkiness might not suit users looking for a more compact wearable. In addition, EKGs and sleep apnea detection require the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is limited to only Samsung phones. Thus, you may need to spend an extra budget to enjoy the amenities.

Parting Notes

In 2024, the Android smartwatch ecosystem has grown significantly, offering users more options than ever. Whether you’re looking for advanced health tracking, seamless integration with Google services, or long battery life, you can always find one that fits your needs.

Regardless, the market is still somewhat fragmented, especially with features like Google Assistant not yet available on all Wear OS devices. However, Android smartwatches have significantly closed the gap with Apple Watches’ functionality and design.

Thus, get your hands on one today and share your experience on our Twitter page as we cover the latest news and guides on Tech, gaming and AI.