These days you can’t go anywhere without seeing someone wearing an Apple Watch. It’s become a symbol of modern technology, blending style, functionality, and innovation into a compact wearable device. But not everyone is sold on the Apple Watch. Whether due to its price, compatibility issues, or simply a desire for something different, many people are seeking alternatives.
Read on to explore the top Apple Watch substitutes on the market and discover how to decide which smartwatch is the best for your buyers in 2025.
Table of Contents
Market for smartwatches
Why are consumers looking for Apple Watch substitutes?
Features to consider when choosing an Apple Watch substitute
Top Apple Watch alternatives
What’s the best Apple Watch alternative for iPhone users?
Final thoughts
Market for smartwatches
Apple held a commanding lead in the smartwatch industry in 2022, with nearly 30% of the global market share. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only great smartwatch option out there. Overall, the smartwatch market has grown exponentially in recent years. According to a report by Statista, the global smartwatch market will reach USD 28.72 billion by the end of 2024, with projections indicating it could reach USD 40 billion by 2029.
This growth reflects the broader trend of wearable technology becoming an integral part of daily life for millions of people around the world.
Why are consumers looking for Apple Watch substitutes?
Despite its popularity, the Apple Watch isn’t for everyone. For some, the cost is prohibitive; others may find the watch’s battery life lacking, they may prefer a device that is compatible with non-Apple products or they may be looking to prioritize features that are done better by other smartwatch brands.
Features to consider when choosing an Apple Watch substitute
Just because the Apple Watch is leading the market, it doesn’t mean it’s the best watch for every consumer. When choosing the best smartwatch, it’s important to consider what features are most important based on different needs.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind that will help to choose the best Apple Watch substitute:
1. Compatibility: The Apple Watch is often a go-to for those with other Apple products like iPhone and Macbooks, but for Android users, it may make sense to go with a smartwatch specifically designed for Android phones.
2. Battery life: Depending on different lifestyles, battery life may be a crucial factor. While the Apple Watch battery only lasts for about 18 hours, some smartwatches offer multiple days of battery life. Longer battery life can be a significant advantage for users who don’t want to charge their device daily or those who have a very active lifestyle.
3. Health and fitness features: If health tracking is a priority, look for a smartwatch that offers comprehensive fitness tracking features, such as heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen, sleep tracking, GPS, and more. Some smartwatches also offer unique features, like advanced stress tracking or guided breathing exercises. Some safety features are important as well, like fall detection.
4. Design and durability: Consider the design of the watch and how it fits with different styles. For people active or working in harsh environments, they might want a watch with a more rugged design and better water resistance.
5. Notifications and connectivity: Make sure the smartwatch can handle the types of notifications and connectivity options, such as text messages, phone calls, social media alerts, and NFC for payments.
Of course, price is also an important factor. There are excellent alternatives available at various price points, from budget-friendly models to premium devices.
Top Apple Watch alternatives
Now it’s time to get into the specifics. Here are the best Apple Watch alternatives you may want to consider when stocking smartwatches.
Samsung: For Android users
The Samsung Galaxy watch is the top Apple Watch substitute for Android users.
The Samsung Galaxy 7 is the middle of the road option around USD550. It offers a sleek design, robust health and fitness tracking features, and seamless integration with Samsung and other Android smartphones. Notable features include a built-in ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and a longer battery life than the Apple Watch, lasting up to forty hours on a single charge.
The Samsung Galaxy Ultra is the premium smartwatch option which has LTE coverage, additional storage and battery life up to 80 hours. (Note: the Galaxy 7 can also have LTE)
The budget Samsung option is the FE model, which has a slightly less memory and battery capacity but is still an incredible option for under USD 500.
Garmin: For fitness enthusiasts
Many smartwatches that are built specifically with fitness in mind are quite bulkier and have so many more features that they are challenging to operate for many people.
While Garmin has a number of incredible watches for runners and other fitness enthusiasts, like the Garmin Forerunner, however, the Vivoactive is the most similar to an Apple Watch. It’s much more sleek than many of Garmins other watches but still has many great features for under USD 500. And Garmin says that with the always on display it’s battery can last approximately 5 days. So, you can take it camping for a long weekend and you don’t have to worry about charging.
Looking for something a little fancier? The Garmin Venu is another really great option.
Fitbit and Google
Now that Fitbit is owned by Google, we have seen a shift in what the Fitbit looks like so now it could be considered an Apple Watch substitute. Originally, Fitbit was more of a fitness tracker than a smartwatch, like the current Fitbit Charger 6. But now, the Fitbit Sense 2 and the Google Pixel 2 are both great smartwatch options.
While they both have great fitness features, the Google Pixel watch is only compatible with Android devices not iOS and only has a 24 hour battery life, while the Sense 2 has around a 6 day battery life.
If you’re an Android user and looking into one of these options, take an in-depth look at the specific features and determine which stand out as most important. Or, maybe battery life is the most important so the Fitbit Sense 2 is the easy choice.
CMF Watch Pro 2: Best cheap option
For those who are looking for a smartwatch on a tight budget, the CMF watch pro 2 may be the best option for you. CMF, a sub-brand by Nothing, has crafted a device that offers great value without sacrificing too much on features or design.
It’s one of the rare sub-USD100 smartwatches that delivers a pleasant experience both in terms of aesthetics and functionality.
What’s the best Apple Watch alternative for iPhone users?
Not every iPhone user is going to love the Apple Watch, but the best alternative depends on what you’re looking for. For the fitness enthusiasts, we’d recommend Garmin. For those looking for a more affordable Apple Watch alternative , either the Fitbit Sense or the CMF Watch pro 2.
Final thoughts
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, having a smartwatch that complements your life is essential. Whether you’re tracking your health, staying connected, or simply looking for a stylish accessory, the right smartwatch can make a significant difference. Explore the alternatives we provided here, and you might just find the perfect Apple Watch substitute.
If you’re a tech business not sure if you should start selling smartwatches, you may want to explore these compelling reasons why it’s time to add smart watches to your inventory in 2025!
