Do you prefer a smartwatch or a conventional regular watch? Which of the two watches would you invest in?
This is an interesting subject, and the one that merits a close discussion below.
Cost
The conventional watches are ‘bread and butter’ sort of watches. These are built to provide basic functionality and last longer. So, the cost of a good conventional watch would be higher than the cost of a regular conventional smartwatch.
You would find that the regular watches have a higher price barrier than the smartwatches.
Most smartwatches are manufactured in China or Taiwan. The entry or starting price barrier is quite low for a smartwatch. You could have multiple smartwatch options under $50.
If you are tight on a budget, a smartwatch may be more suited to your requirements.
Digital connectivity
Most smartwatches offer ability to connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi connectivity. The internet connectivity helps in pulling software updates and downloading smartwatch apps that can work on the paired smartphone.
Conventional watches, on the other hand, lack any sort of digital connectivity or support for Wi_Fi technology.
Bluetooth
A core feature of smartwatch is the inherent support for Bluetooth connectivity or wireless technology. A smartwatch uses the Bluetooth connection to pair with a smartphone. The paired connection helps in offered extended functionality, data storage and data analysis. The data is collected by the smartwatch. And, it is interpreted by the apps on paired smartphone.
Most conventional watches would have nothing to do with Bluetooth connectivity. So, these watches would lack any kind of wireless connectivity, including the Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
Firmware
Smartwatches work with mobile operating systems like iOS and Android. To work with the smartphone, and for offering basic and advanced functionality, smartwatches need to have custom software.
The software on the smartwatches is also called as the firmware. From time to time, smartwatch manufacturers like Google, Apple and Garmin release software updates or firmware update. So, your smartwatch would need to download these updates from the Internet and apply them on the software that drives the features and functions of the smartwatch.
No firmware or software is invovled in conventional watches. So, there is no need to download, apply or maintain software updates on a regular watch.
From the perspective of software, Smartwatches would require more maintenance. Conventional watches, however, are bereft of any additional maintenance in installing or maintaining software or firmware updates.
Fitness tracking
Smartwatches are designed to capture fitness data. This data is usually recorded on the smartwatch during the course of multiple activities such as running, swimming, weight lifting, The recorded data is processed through apps designed by smartwatch manufactures.
Most apps would reside on the paired smartphone. Some apps may also reside on a PC or computer system. These apps would process the recorded raw data on the smartwatch and offer analyzed results for larger goals of fitness tracking.
Conventional watches lack any sort of fitness tracking. These watches are simplistic and minimalistic in nature.
Health tracking
Smartwatches come with in-built sensors for various health tracking needs. You would see an optical heart rate sensor to measure heart rates in real time. Some smartwatches also come with sensors to take on-demand ECG or electrocardiograms.
On a similar note, smartwatches usually come with blood oxygenation sensors to track blood oxygen levels.
Depending on the smartwatch you buy, you could get basic health tracking feature or highly advanced health tracking features.
Health tracking is not available on conventional smartwatches.
Build materials
Smartwatches, typically, last for 2-4 years time. These watches are designed and developed to be upgraded to newer versions every 2 to 3 years. The need to continuously upgrade the watch arises because of newer advancements in the smartwatch software.
Users are looking to new features and willingly upgrade to newer variants after a few years time.
You would, therefore, find that most smartwatches have a build quality that is not commensurate with the build quality of a conventional smartwatch. Most smartwatches are made of materials like polymers.
Conventional watches would see more metal being used, such as stainless steel or titanium. Regular watches do have a longer life. The quality of build materials justifies the longer life of a conventional smartwatch.
Looks and aesthetics
In my personal opinion, conventional watches are classic possessions. The looks and aesthetics of regular watches are incomparable with the looks of a smartwatch. That is my personal opinion. But, most friends tend to share the same opinion.
I would invest on a regular conventional watch for its looks any day of the week. I can carry it with aplomb anytime I like at an occasion of my choice.
With smartwatch, it seems all the smartwatches tend to share the same screen size. And, unless you have the Always-on-display enabled, you would see a lot of black screens on smartwatch wrists.
Battery
Smartwatches are big users of battery. Any or all functionality of a smartwatch uses battery. It is a foregone conclusion, therefore, that smartwatches need continuous battery charging. And, you may also need to replace the battery in a few years time.
A conventional watch does have a very small battery. You would require a replacement. But, the battery of regular conventional watches are easier to find, buy and replace than the battery of a smartwatch.
There are no hassles about battery usage of a regular conventional watch.
Conclusion
A smartwatch is more like a gadget. Time keeping seems incidental to all the functionality on offer with the smartwatch.
A conventional watch is a core time keeping device. It is designed and made to look and feel good. I consider a conventional watch as an essential accessory.
I would not go to a party without a conventional watch. So, my personal bias is always more on the side of a conventional watch than a smartwatch.