Watch out Rita Repulsa. While bending the time-space continuum may not be a remote possibility just yet, the latest smartwatch releases function optimally in communication and connection, bringing us one step to living out our Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers fantasies.
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Sometime in 1993, an early version of the smartwatch was invented. Sure, it was purely hypothetical, but Billy (aka the Blue Ranger) wasn’t kidding around with the narrow beam transmission module that allowed wave function over an extended interval. Decoded from science fair talk, this was the two-way communication device that connected them to Zordon and Alpha at the command center. Fashion as a watch that would fit right in the flying car future and robot-roving of The Jetsons, the object of technological make believe, which would eventually be known as the Legacy Communicator, responding to tactile pressure and auditory stimulus, also functioning as a teleportation unit for the newly minted Power Rangers.
As made for science fiction as it was then, it sure described the hot piece of watchmaking and innovation hybrid that has fast become a commodity of the wrist today. Coming a long way from the calculator watch of the 70s, the many colorful and chunky watches of the 90s, or even the early limitations of the smartwatch as mere fitness trackers and digital chronometers, we now have more access and convenience built in with the improvements that run the gamut from customizing bezel faces to taking and making calls with just a few taps on the smartwatch of your choice.
While a lot promise the best and the most, we rounded the substantial ones to watch out for, getting us one step closer to the possibility of living out our childhood dreams of fighting intergalactic goons of Rita Repulsa like the Power Rangers in some shape and form. Now, don’t get your hopes up too much, because while zipping from place to place in no time flat isn’t quite a remote possibility just yet, the updates made to the smartwatch of today will make you want to let out a full-bodied “it’s morphin’ time.”
OPPO
When you’re the new player in any context, it is imperative you make an impact from the initial contact. Barely fresh out of the gate in the smartwatch game, the Oppo Watch is already making serious waves in the wearable market, already proving to be a standout with the symbiosis of its hard-hitting hardware and seamless software. Deceptive in the simplicity of its straightforward design, the sleekness of the Oppo Watch comes with a 1.9-inch and 1.6-inch AMOLED dual-curved display in the 46mm and 41 mm iteration respectively, boasting of prime real estate that can accommodate everything from the gamut of apps that the smartwatch can host, as well as of the choice o faces that run the range of aesthetically pleasing and highly interactive and productive. It even features an AI imaging algorithm that will allow you to match your watch with the outfit you’re wearing.
A marriage of form and function, navigating the Oppo Watch is comprehensible, ultimately making the experience of owning the gadget a moment of pure joy in all its intimate possibilities. With a standalone LTE connectivity, you can easily go about your business and stay connected phone-free with just the smartwatch. With everything just a glance away, streaming music, replying to messages, and tracking fitness goals through the Wear OS, you get the most out of your time. In fact, working out with the Oppo Watch is an entire world of its own, especially in tandem with Google Fit, which brings close a hundred exercise tracking options, as well as 5 well-developed workout routines (fitness run, fat burn run, outdoor walk, outdoor cycling, and swimming), even tracking heart rate and sleep functionality.
A vital consideration is of course, battery life, which the Oppo Watch running on a dual-chip endurance system that keeps your watch going for up to 36 hours to 21 days, and with its VOOC Flash Charging, an alarming 15-minute charge is all the difference you need to juice it up to enough power for an average of 16 hours. With a whole lot of bang for your hard-earned buck, this new kid on the block has made it clear: it’s here to play with the big boys.
APPLE
Considered by many to be the king of smartwatches, the Apple Watch is widely regarded as the standard with its comprehensive, customizable, and considered functionality. As with all things great, the Apple Watch Series 5 doesn’t stray too far from its older brother, priding itself with trailblazing design and display, fitness and health-tracking features, and special features. However, if you’re in the lane for an upgrade, then this is the perfect choice for you.
With twice as much storage (always a good thing), a choice of 100% recycled aluminum body, stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic finishes, and enhanced fitness abilities (swim-proof and pre-built with workout plans), the Apple Watch Series 5 also features a new S5 processor that optimizes the performance GPS. But perhaps the most appealing add-on to the pursuit of perfection of this particular smartwatch range is the always-on display, which means no more tapping, swiping, and raising to well, check time and of course, updates.
FOSSIL
While it presumably hasn’t originally set itself out in the landscape of wearable technology in its inception, Fossil has gained considerable headway and expertise over the course of recent time with its development of their take on the smartwatch, which is perhaps more skewed to the fashionable set than most. Make no mistake about it, because with the creation of the Fossil Sport, this top-end watch stands to be the culmination of the brand’s best work yet.
Meant and made for active performance, the Fossil Sport smartwatch is premium yet lightweight in aluminum and silicone, designed with durability accommodate a comprehensive resume of features. Up on the list, a heart rate monitor, a 1.19-inch 390 x 390 OLED display, and a configuration with Google Pay and Google Fit. As it is standard with the smartwatch game, the Fossil Sport allows you to function independently with untethered GPS to track your running distance and play your stored music, even tracking app and connectivity notifications.
A smartwatch that is also stylish, the feature-loaded Fossil Sport is adept to power you through the day and well, your best life.
FITBIT
Tracing its origins as a dedicated fitness tracker (it is after all immortalized in part of its name), Fitbit has made great strides in the dedicated monitoring of physical activities, even getting a generation interested and invested in working out through the aid of technology. The movement didn’t stop there for the brand, because as it continued in its timeline, Fitbit has grown to integrate more smartwatch features into its product line, conscious in its core of being a top-of-the-line fitness watch. Expanding its capabilities, it has launched standouts, including the Fitbit Ionic, Fitbit Versa, and Fitbit Versa Lite. This time, it adds another one to the “squircle” family, the Fitbit Versa 2, the latest workout companion and smartwatch fusion that proves why it works, especially for the fitness-focused.
With its topnotch fitness tracker range, the Fitbit Versa 2 blurs the line between phone and wearable, offering message and calendar notifications, smart home controls, and music connectivity. Aside from the health and activity tracking specs, this upgrade boasts of a bright always-on display, integration with Alexa, and a more compact design that is protected the prime Gorilla Glass 3.
SAMSUNG
While it appears to look like a stickler from the school of tradition, appearing far from the robotic impression of its contemporaries, the sophisticated surface of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 reveals itself to be a powerful experience of robust refinement. Slimmer and lighter than its already impressive predecessors, the smartwatch guns for particular precision with its famed rotating bezel for easier app navigation, which outlines the intelligence of this release. Featuring its own operating system, the Galaxy Watch bursts with multiple functions such as a selection of over 40 face combinations, military-grade durability, and focused consideration on fundamentals such as health, sleep, and fitness tracking.
In this upgrade, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 works round the clock from monitoring the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream (linked directly to physical performance, especially for athletes), fall detection (which sends out an SOS message to up to 4 contacts), and an ECG feature. Meanwhile, it also operates close to a smartphone with streaming, calling, and messaging abilities—all of which you can do even when disconnected from the actual source.
Striking a balance on fluidity and responsiveness, all while anchored on finessed features, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 quickly dispels the notion that is nothing more than mere fluff and fancy. Instead, it proves that the counterpoint of innovation and style can exist as a harmonious realization of our time.
