Smartwatch: the main advantages and disadvantages of the popular gadget

In the times of smart cell phones, handheld tablets and voice-controlled artificial intelligence in your living room, it is not surprising that so-called smart watches are enjoying increasing popularity, not only in this country.

Extremely smart wrist watches live up to their name, as they offer many practical features that often overshadow the functionality of this or another smartphone. But what exactly can these smartwatches do? Is the device worth it for someone who already owns a smartphone? What are the other advantages and disadvantages of smart watches?

If you pay more attention to other people’s wrists these days, you might get the impression that at least every third person wears one of the so-called smartwatches. Der Siegeszug dieser schlauen Uhren kommt aber auch nicht von ungefähr, denn ähnlich wie die Smartphones – deren Erfolgsstory übrigens bereits schon vor sage und schreibe 25 Jahren begann – bieten auch die cleveren Chronometer zahlreiche überaus nützliche und praktische Funktionen, die den Alltag zum Teil deutlich vereinfachen ability. But before we take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of different smartwatch models and their technical details, the first step will be to devote ourselves to the question of what a smartwatch actually is, what it can do and who this gadget is. to fit at all.

Smartwatch: what it really is and who needs it?

The first question to be answered is what exactly is this technical marvel. One smart watch Simply put, it is a smartwatch (wristwatch) that can not only display the time, but also offers a set of functions similar to modern smartphones. Most models have a special slot for SIM cards, Bluetooth and WLAN, so you can be reached on the go at any time. In addition, the smartwatches can be used as MP3 players or digital fitness trainers – and many other applications can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store if necessary. Good to know: In some of these apps, the smartwatch may meet certain technical specifications or must be used with a smartphone.

In addition, WhatsApp messages, SMS or emails, for example, can be read and sent in no time without having to rely on the smartphone. However, if you still do not want to do without your mobile phone, you can use the smartwatch to control the mobile and all functions, such as the built-in camera, simply and easily right from your wrist. In short, it can be said that a smartwatch is a kind of digital assistant that simplifies a lot and in most cases also looks good in practice. Little tech marvels seem to offer many advantages, but what about the disadvantages?

These are the advantages and disadvantages of a smart watch

Before you consider buying a smartwatch, you should definitely know the advantages and disadvantages of digital watches. That is why, in the following text, we will deal with the most interesting advantages and disadvantages of the smartwatch in more detail.

smart watch advantages

• Connectivity / Cashless Payment: With a smartwatch, cumbersome payment at the cash register is a thing of the past, as many models are equipped with the necessary mobile payment technology (and an NFC chip). Good to know: NFC is an acronym for Near Field Communication, which enables wireless data exchange over a short distance (for payment for example).
• Remote control: Smart watches (depending on the model and function group) provide the option to remotely control not only the cell phone but also other tech gadgets such as the smart home system directly from the wrist.
• Reliable navigator: Of course, this smartwatch is also suitable for outdoor enthusiasts who are often outside and do not want to be out of their way. And since most smartwatches now have a built-in GPS function, you can easily navigate to the desired destination even without a cell phone etc.
• Digital Fitness Coach: If you want to take care of your health and want to know more about your current fitness and health status, you can also use the smartwatch as a practical and useful assistant – for example as a pedometer, heart rate monitor or even as a reminder for diabetics.
• More safety for young people: There are now also special smartwatches developed especially for children. Such models have, for example, the location and the SOS function, which significantly increases the safety of children. Compared to a cell phone, the possibility of a smartwatch being lost is much less.

Disadvantages (possible) of the smart watch

• Data Security: At least because of the lack of authentication options, almost anyone can see personal data who can get their hands on a smartwatch. So if you turn the watch off while doing sports, for example, it’s best to turn it off directly beforehand.
• Sometimes it is very difficult to use it: because the screen of the smartwatch is very small for understandable reasons, it sometimes lacks usability. Entering text can be cumbersome and complicated.
• Battery life: Even if manufacturers are working on more powerful batteries, battery life is still within manageable limits. It can happen – depending on how extensively you use the smart chronometer – that you have to charge the smartwatch every evening. So there is still a need for improvement here.
• It is not completely independent of the smartphone: although smartwatches offer many different functions, they are primarily designed to be a complement to the smartphone. So it is necessary for some models to connect it to the mobile phone to be able to fully use all the features.
• Voice control issues: There can also be complications with voice recognition from time to time, especially in a noisy environment. In this case, you then rely on manual entry, which – as mentioned earlier – is not always straightforward.