Cheap smartwatch recommendations for running

xdigger on 11/07/2019 - 12:34

Not sure where to post this in the Mobile or Fashion category but here goes. I'm looking for a cheap smartwatch so I can go without my phone when I run. Ideally the requirements would be:
Time.
Voice comms./SMS. (I can live without)
GPS tracking of run route.
Blootooth music.
Battery life lasting >1 day without charging.

I considered a smartwatch with LTE (physical SIM or e-SIM) so I can go jogging listening to music/take calls/GPS without my phone but it seems like only Telstra and Optus have e-SIM capability? Does resellers like Amaysim and Belong have Optus and Telstra e-SIM capability? I can live without the calls/text eSIM function if its out of budget, I don't need anything too fancy when I'm out running in the park.

I was interested in the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier due to its cheap $200 pricetag. Or are there any other recommendations for smartwatches with bluetooth music/GPS tracking and maybe map directions?

Mobile Smartwatch

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 11/07/2019 - 13:09

    the three providers that provide Esim are the big three, Voda, optus, Telstra. I don't think any of the MVNO's have esims yet, so you must have a plan with them directly.

    I use the older generation Galaxy Gear s2, battery is big enough to run for the whole day but will generally require a quick recharge before it's usable for the second day.

    I believe map directions are still streamed from your phone. The watch doesn't have enough memory / processing power to run satnav apps, so it relies on the phone running the GPS app (HERE WeGo in Samsung's case), and sends the turn by turn directions to your watch.

    If you're okay with a watch that has less features (e.g doesn't do Samsung pay and has a smaller app ecosystem) Xiaomi's line of Amazfit watches are pretty cheap and can be had for around $100, up to $200 depending on the generation. Try googling Amazfit Verge, Amazfit verge lite or Amazfit Stratos

    • xdigger on 12/07/2019 - 10:21

      I think the S3 can run Google Maps or HereWeGo Maps natively? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX4aWnkq7aY

      • scrimshaw on 12/07/2019 - 10:30
        +1

        You can ask in the Gear S3 subreddit but I do believe newer versions of Here WEGO now have full offline navigation capability with the ability to store map data directly on the watch.

        I haven't tested it myself however and the last time I used it (2 mths ago), it wasn't available and a phone was needed to provide map data.

  • NotAnAudiophile on 11/07/2019 - 15:05

    Galaxy Watch Sport.

    • xdigger on 12/07/2019 - 10:22

      I don't think the Galaxy watch is an upgrade over the S3 Frontier? Happy to be corrected.

  • listentomystory on 11/07/2019 - 15:25

    Don't know. It's really difficult to find a proper smart watch with blootooth nowadays.**

    Have a look at watches by Mobvoi (TicWatch).

  • theHMASfriendship on 11/07/2019 - 16:23
    +1

    *blootueth

  • xdigger on 12/07/2019 - 10:19

    Thanks guys for the suggestions and for spotting the mistake in my WOT ;)

    Can I use Samsung Pay on the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Watch on a non-Samsung phone such as LG v30? Does the S3 Samsung Pay work almost everywhere, ie Colesworth?

  • NotAnAudiophile on 12/07/2019 - 10:23

    I've been on a quest for a better fitness watch over my current Galaxy Watch and narrowed down to the Garmin forerunner series. The new versions support both spotify offline playlists and garmin pay which is well supported here. Unfortunately E-Sim will still be a top 3 Telco (Telstra, Optus, Voda) feature for a long time….

    • xdigger on 12/07/2019 - 11:03

      Yeah I looked at Garmin too but the cheapest Garmin Vivoactive Music that suits my running needs cost about $375 which is abit pricey when the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier cost $100 less with similar features.

      • NotAnAudiophile on 12/07/2019 - 11:05

        If you have BUPA or AIA, you can get 20-25% off from Garmin AU website.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join