A new study from market research firm Ipsos found that nearly a third of Singaporeans put on weight during the pandemic. Really, it’s no wonder. It’s been a couple of years since the COVID-pandemic struck, and quite a number of us are still working from home, leading an ultra sedentary lifestyle.
So, you might be trying to get back into shape or at least get more steps in. You’re researching for the best fitness tracker in Singapore, on one of the upcoming smartwatches in 2022 that was advertised to you. You’ve come to the right place!
Wearable technology can help us ‘hack’ our body. Fitness bands can track almost anything, from our step count, sleep activity (and quality), heart rate, oxygen level, stress level, auto-detect the type of exercise and even alert us if we’ve been sitting for far too long. As these fitness trackers are also smartwatches, we can check the time, sync them with our mobile devices, make contactless payments and even make/answer phone calls with them.
With 5G technology, the smartwatch to smartphone integration is going to get even better. 5G’s real advantage for smartwatches is that it delivers high speed networks reliably, which is great for real-time control, with zero delay. So if you are tapped into a 5G network like M1’s True 5G, you get 4x faster speeds than 5G non-standalone networks, which are 10x faster than existing 4G networks.
Fast and convenient, right? Here are the upcoming smartwatches of 2022, in no particular order, to help you level up your fitness and health.
1. Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 was just launched in October last year. Compared to its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 6, its always-on display is 1mm larger and now comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The Apple Watch Series 7 also sports a more rounded look, and charges quicker (about 33% faster).
For fans of the more extreme sports, Apple Watch Series 7 is more durable, with a dust and crack-resistant design as well as IP6X dust and water resistance. Like other Apple Watches before it, there’s also the signature Apple safety features that include abnormal heart rate alerts, fall detection, loud noise detection and Emergency SOS. Its features are more than your typical fitness band, as the Apple Watch Series 7 can monitor blood oxygen, and even check ECG.
Thanks to its premium finishes and more sophisticated features, this Apple flagship smartwatch is expensive and prices start from $599 and can go beyond $1,000, depending on your chosen specs, strap, case and screen size. Take note though, if you’re a non-iPhone user, you won’t enjoy the full functionality of this premium wearable tech.
2. Apple Watch SE
Enter the more affordable Apple Watch SE. While it doesn’t have S7’s always-on display, it’s a great smartwatch that mirrors most of the features users of the S7’s predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 6.
For the price, expect shorter battery life (no fast charging too) and fewer features. For instance, there is no ECG and blood oxygen sensor. There’s also no cellular connectivity, just GPS, and it only comes in aluminium instead of the fully-fledged Apple Watches that also have stainless steel and titanium finishes.It’s more bang for your buck though, priced from $419.
However, if you can hold out till the next Apple Watch launch in the later part of this year (maybe September?), there’s word that the Apple Watch SE 2 (if it’s happening) might hopefully have an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring and ECG.
3. Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit’s got a few popular fitness band models under its belt, which include the classy Fitbit Luxe, the premium Fitbit Versa 3, the stylish and stress detecting Fitbit Sense, and last but not least, the sports-oriented Fitbit Charge 5.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is waterproof with activity and heart rate tracking, and comes with an EDA stress monitor and an ECG app. It’s also got on-board GPS and can pair with both Android and Apple phones. Battery life is also decent, with the smartwatch lasting up to 7 days before needing to be charged.
However, don’t expect it to replace your smartphone. There are no music controls — and we know how important a tune with a good beat is essential to pacing your runs and achieving your next personal record.
Good news though, this advanced fitness tracker is priced at just $288 and comes with 6 months of free Fitbit Premium membership.
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Finally! A fitness band with a round watchface. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is light on the wrist, has a lasting battery life and performs well with good fitness features. It runs on a custom-built One UI Watch 3 Wear OS software, which was built by Samsung in consultation with Google. While this is awesome as there’s now a 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor that can measure blood oxygen levels, heart rate and even body composition as well as access to many wearable apps, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 loses out in terms of compatibility.
Just like how the Apple Watch doesn’t want to pair with Android, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 won’t pair with an iPhone and only Samsung phone users get to enjoy all the features, which include blood pressure and ECG monitoring.The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 retails from $398.
5. Garmin Watch: Garmin Venu 2
From golf to swimming, running to rack work at the gym, this smartwatch from Garmin caters to the needs of its fitness enthusiast wearers. The Garmin Venu 2 looks like a pretty standard fitness tracker, much like the original Garmin Venu. However, beyond its understated design, there’s a whole array of functions you can access and track from your wrist.
You can get your stress levels monitored, and there’s even a Body Battery energy score that looks after your mental well-being. The usual sleep, step, water intake, calories and so on are also covered.
What you’d expect from Garmin is its excellent on-board GPS, which is spot-on, with detailed maps to boot. The smartwatch’s apps and tools include Garmin Coach, a leaderboard for challenges you can join, and there’s even something called “muscle map graphics” that boost your training by helping you plan workouts around your major muscle groups (legs day, anyone?).
In addition, though some of us don’t mind logging “extra steps”, those who like to be super accurate when logging steps can rest assured that the Garmin Venu 2 won’t accidentally log steps during your cycling sesh. If you’re monitoring your heart rate to stay in the right zone at all times (yes, even when underwater), you can easily do so from the Garmin Venu 2’s high-res AMOLED display with always-on option. The Garmin Venu 2 is priced from $599.
6. Huawei Watch 3
Running on the new HarmonyOS 2, the Huawei Watch 3 has yet to achieve its full potential (kinda like being the first to move into your BTO in a new non-mature HDB estate with few amenities like the upcoming Tengah).
You’ll be able to track your step count, oxygen levels, sleep and workouts with the Huawei Watch 3, which boasts good battery life. There’s even a triathlon mode for those super siong fitness buffs around us. Though reviewers have noted that its heart rate monitoring can be a little off (weird peaks), GPS was accurate though. And if you like those motivating “Apple rings” — visual reminders of everyday activity objectives that you need to close daily — the Huawei Watch 3 has something similar as well.
In addition, by installing an eSim on your Huawei Watch 3, you can use it to play music, make and receive phone calls, view detailed app notifications and even download apps. Ugh, but due to the new OS, it might be difficult syncing to Spotify or Strava though there are workarounds.
The Huawei Watch 3 costs $548 for the active version and $598 for the classic version.
7. Fossil Smartwatch Gen 6
Fossil fans will love the Fossil Gen 6 for its signature timepiece look, but the 22mm-wide strap and protruding buttons might be too chonky for some. Nevertheless, it’s a powerful gizmo that will run the new Wear OS 3 that’s slated to be out this year, which might give it an edge over its dated competition.
However, battery life is a challenge as it doesn’t last beyond a day, though you’re able to fully charge the watch in less than an hour. The Fossil Gen 6 makes up for this with its speedy specs that include a Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus chipset and 1GB of RAM, allowing the user to switch from screens and apps without lag (and we know how precious time can be!).
It also works with both Android and iOS, tracking your exercise, heart rate, fitness goals, meditative breathing, sleep and blood oxygen levels. Do note that its magnetic charger might be a bit finicky to use. The Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch is priced from $509.
No matter your chosen smartwatch, what’s most important is that the fitness band suits your personal needs and can help you attain your fitness goals while bringing more convenience to your wrist.
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