Android Police

Alan Martin-Buyers guide writer

Alan Martin

Buyers guide writer

About Alan Martin

Alan is a buyers guide writer at Android Police. He's been writing about technology for over a decade, with bylines all over the internet and print in the UK, covering smartphones, smartwatches and smarthome gear. When not assessing gadgets, you'll find him feeding his Hunt: Showdown addiction, running, or catching up on the highlights of his beloved Derby County.

Readers like you help support Android Police. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
Galaxy Watch 5 being worn on a wrist in front of a rocky background with the app drawer screen on 1
Best smartwatches for fitness in 2023

If you’re trying to get fit in 2023, wearables can help - these are the best smartwatches for fitness

4
4
By  and

Whether you’re obsessed with the gym or just interested in getting a little healthier, smartwatches have become an invaluable accessory. Pretty much all of them now come with heart-rate monitors, and plenty include GPS trackers, which is a great start for runners and cyclists.

A picture of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Google Pixel Watch. 1
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Google Pixel Watch: Which is right for you?

Both run Wear OS 3, but which smartwatch deserves pride of place on your wrist?

4
By 

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and Google's Pixel Watch were the two top contenders for smartwatches in 2022, and while Samsung's wearable has been superseded on our list of the best smartwatches by this year's Galaxy Watch 6, the prior model is no slouch; it's still a great reliable pick, especially if you're looking to save a few bucks, or you're looking for a color that's not available in this year's model.

best-smartwatches-for-running 1
Best smartwatches for running in 2023

Runners have specific needs, meaning not all smartwatches are created equally

4
By 

The smartwatch is one of the most convenient devices ever created, especially if you're a runner. In contrast, the best smartwatches provide a lightweight way of keeping up with all your notifications and taking advantage of third-party apps and other things. As such, the best smartwatches for running blend the convenience of great features with hard-hitting exercise trackers to find the perfect fit between the two types of devices.

A smartwatch sitting on a pile of coins. 1
Best smartwatches that support Google Wallet in 2023

Want to use Google Wallet from your wrist? You’ll want one of these smartwatches

4
By 

Paying for something with your watch is incredibly convenient and, dare I say, kind of cool. However, there's not one main payment provider. So while Google Wallet is available on any Android phone with a Near-Field Communication (NFC) chip, not all of the best smartwatches have it. That could be because the makers are pushing their own payment platform or using their own tailor-made bespoke OS (we're looking at you, Garmin), or maybe because the wearables don't support contactless payments.

Galaxy-S22+-Poetic-Hero 1
Best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases in 2023

A rugged case is the perfect way to protect your high-end Samsung smartphone

4
4
By  and

Of the three Samsung Galaxy S22 models available, the Galaxy S22+ is the easiest to recommend. It has vastly superior battery life than its smaller sibling while being more manageable to hold than the Ultra. It might lack the fancy space zoom periscope lens, but the triple cameras are excellent.

A Garmin Venu 2 Plus smartwatch on the wrist. 1
Can Garmin smartwatches answer calls?

So far, only one Garmin smartwatch has that functionality. Hopefully, more will follow.

4
By 

Garmin is widely regarded as making some of the most accurate fitness trackers around, but in terms of general smarts, its wearables lag behind the less sports-focused competition. One feature shared by many of the best smartwatches is the ability to make and take phone calls through your wearable's speaker. This saves you the hassle of digging your phone out your pocket to talk, which is especially useful if you're on a run or just can't find your phone. Unfortunately, almost none of Garmin’s smartwatches offer this functionality with one recent exception: the Garmin Venu 2 Plus.

A picture of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Garmin Forerunner 955 1
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the better smartwatch?

Is Samsung’s rugged Pro smartwatch a match for the Garmin Forerunner 955?

4
By 

With the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Samsung has gone all in on making one of the best Android smartwatches for outdoorsy types. And while it’s undoubtedly a tough sell for those with small wrists, others will lap up the rugged design and longer battery life.