Smartwatches aren't just gadgets; they're a step towards a more efficient and well-balanced lifestyle. Offering an ingenious blend of technology and fashion, they have become a game-changer in enhancing our daily lives. From fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring to instant notifications and music control, you have everything on your wrist.

Nonetheless, so many options might be confusing, especially if you are an Apple user concerned about getting the right smartwatch for an iPhone. While Apple watches are a straightforward answer, there are other third-party smartwatches as well, offering you better durability and functionality.

Our top picks for best smartwatches for the iPhone

Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest addition to the list of Apple Watches, released in September 2023. What’s new? Well, for starters, it has a 2x brighter display than the Series 8, with a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits, making it easier to read in full sun and better in low-light situations. The display size is 1.69 inches, which is neither too big nor too small. Plus, It also features a new Double Tap gesture, which allows users to launch apps and control the watch with a simple tap of their thumb and forefinger.

Compared to the Apple Watch Series 8, the Series 9 has a faster S9 chip. The S9 chip is the most powerful watch chip yet, with a dual-core CPU that has 5.6 billion transistors and a four-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the S8 chip. The Series 9 also has expanded Siri processing and the option of a fun pink case and band.

The Series 9 has a 64GB RAM capacity. Screen size variations include 45mm and 41mm, but with a marginally thin price difference, my recommendation would be the 45mm version. Best part? You get to choose your case type. Apple is offering users to select from stainless steel or aluminum cases. But, obviously, stainless steel is much more expensive, as compared to aluminum.

With several advanced features, such as ECG check, time spent in deep sleep, blood oxygen level monitoring, and several others, it is by-far one of the best smartwatches for iPhone in 2023.

With up to 18 hours of battery life (for GPS+Cellular variant), you’ll be able to use it for the entire day easily. In a nutshell, it really is the ideal choice for someone who cannot put in a big chunk of money for Apple Watch Ultra or Ultra 2, but still wants a decent Apple smartwatch.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a premium smartwatch offering from Apple, featuring a range of advanced capabilities. The Ultra 2 has a brighter display, with a maximum brightness of up to 3000 nits, compared to the original Ultra's 2000-nit display. It also features a 49mm corrosion-resistant titanium case which gives it points for durability. Also, multiple colors and sizes enable you precise customization.

GPS and Cellular connectivity are both provided, and it offers 40m water-resistance too, which makes it ideal for water sports enthusiasts. As for health management, this watch is packed with loads of metrics including ECG, blood sugar, and heart health monitor.

When compared to the previous Apple Watch Ultra, the Ultra 2 offers several improvements, including the new S9 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor, a customizable Action button, and Double Tap gesture as well. Another new thing we notice is Precision Finding for iPhone 15 models, which is not available in the original Ultra.

As far as the battery is concerned, Apple claims a 36-hour battery life on regular use, and 72-hour battery life in low-power mode. Realistically speaking, I would say it would be more like 30 hours and 60 hours, respectively. Nonetheless, it really depends on your usage. But one thing is for sure, the battery timing is ample to keep you running the entire day even with ample use, and even good enough when traveling long distances.

One thing to really consider is the high weight of 61.4g, which may be of inconvenience to a few users. Specifically, I would recommend this watch to someone looking for a really bright display, since no other Apple Watch comes at a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Plus, the battery timing is really great. The other features are also available in Apple Watch Series 9, such as the S9 Chip.

There’s always this sense of trust when it comes to official products, and for that reason, the top 2 of our picks are official Apple products. While it may not be the best, it surely is one of the finest budget picks since it offers 70% of the features offered on Apple Watch Ultra, and is quite identical to Apple Watch Series 8.

The second-generation Apple Watch SE maintains the 44mm and 40mm case options and retains the display size of its predecessors. Offering a resolution of 368x448 pixels, you won’t feel like making a compromise on the display. The Retina LTPO OLED display itself is indeed a cool aspect for many users.

However, it offers half the brightness of the Apple Watch Ultra at 1000 nits. It isn’t really bad unless you are really looking forward to using your watch in extreme lighting conditions.

The real improvement lies within the processor as Apple Watch SE 2 comes with S8 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor. This is followed by the W3 Apple Wireless Chip as well. A few tests have shown a 20% improvement in the performance and speed of the Apple Watch SE 2 compared to its predecessors.

The 36-hour battery life is a little less compared to other watches. However, considering all other aspects, including fitness tracking and emergency crash detection, the Apple Watch SE 2 is a reasonable bargain for someone wanting an Apple product on a budget.

The Garmin Venu 3 is the latest addition to Garmin's Venu series of GPS smartwatches and a pretty smart choice for runners. Why? Mainly because the Venu 3 introduces new health and fitness features, including Sleep Coaching, Recovery Time, and Wheelchair Mode, which are not available on the Venu 2.

The Venu 3 comes with a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing users to answer calls and interact with voice assistants directly from the watch. The Venu 3 has a diameter of 45.4 mm and a thickness of 12.2 mm. On top of that, the Venu 3 features a high display resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, providing sharper and more detailed images and text compared to the Venu 2, which had 416 x 416 pixels.

You have the option to choose from 45mm and 41mm. The Venu 3 features a vibrant and sharp 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen display which provides a brilliant interface for various activities, from checking notifications to tracking workouts. With up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, the Venu 3 offers impressive longevity, reducing the need for frequent recharging. However, real-time results will vary.

In addition to that, Venu 3 provides detailed health and wellness insights, including features like Body Battery and advanced sleep monitoring. Body Battery informs users about their energy levels, helping them determine the optimal time for training, while advanced sleep monitoring offers valuable data to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.

The Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the best fitness trackers on the market and is an ideal choice for someone looking to spend minimally on a smartwatch. However, that doesn’t mean you are compromising on any major element. A 7-day battery backup followed by several fitness tracking parameters makes it quite simple for any user to stay engaged in their wellness journey.

The fact that this watch has ECG supported is kind of unbelievable, noticing the fairly lower price point. It also tracks the trends in your wellness and health aspects by monitoring heart rate variation, breathing rate, pulse rate, and numerous other indicators.

You’ll also notice extra applications offered on this watch to enhance the user experience. Smart notifications, Find My Phone, Silent Alarms, and Smart Wakeup are just a few to name.

However, Charge 5 makes its way down the list because users aren't really impressed by the 14.7mm x 21.9mm screen size. Besides, the user interface itself isn’t neat. Only one of nine metrics is visible at one time, and to access the next metric, a tap is required. Imagine: While you are running, the small screen size makes the text illegible. It just eliminates the point of convenience.

Another downside to this watch is it does not have support for Spotify or music streaming, unlike other popular smartwatches in the market. Overall, it isn't really bad as a smartwatch, given the low price point. It does fulfill the basic purpose of health and fitness tracking.

It's 2023, and we are already seeing a massive rise of AI in modern gadgets and applications, even in smartwatches. The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch is a cutting-edge fitness and health tracker that comes with an AI Fitness Coach. It leverages large language models (LLMs) to provide personalized guidance and support to users. The AI Fitness Coach utilizes user data to generate detailed reports and can offer clear and straightforward answers to user queries.

In addition to the AI Fitness Coach, the Amazfit Balance Smart Watch also features an AI-powered chatbot known as the Zepp Aura AI Wellness Coach. This chatbot is designed to provide guidance on sleep and wellness, offering valuable insights to help users improve their sleep quality and overall well-being.

The Zepp Aura AI Wellness Coach can analyze user data and provide personalized recommendations to help users achieve better rest and recovery. Both the AI Fitness Coach and the Zepp Aura AI Wellness Coach are available through a subscription, with a three-month free trial offered to users who purchase the smartwatch.

As for technical specs, the watch comes with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with a metallic frame. Weighing just 35g, it won’t feel heavy on your hand. The peak brightness is 1,500 nits, which isn't as high as offered in Apple watches, but still decent enough for regular use. Since the glass is anti-glare, even 1,500 nits of peak brightness would be sufficient in most cases.

The Amazfit Balance Smart Watch also comes with a range of hardware upgrades, including a dual-LED BioTracker 5.0 biometric optical sensor that can track mental and physical recovery status with high precision.

On top of that, it features body composition measurement capabilities, allowing it to track skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, muscle mass, water mass, bone mass, BMI, protein levels, and basal metabolism. That being said, it’s one of the best smartwatches for iPhone in 2023, especially under the $250 bracket.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is the next-gen version of the Xiaomi Mi Band 7, and truly speaking, there's only a minor improvement. The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 features a larger and brighter 1.62-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 490 x 192 pixels, providing a more immersive and vibrant display compared to the Mi Band 7. The screen also supports an always-on display mode, allowing users to glance at their fitness and health data without having to wake up the device.

The Mi Band 8 has a sleek and modern design, with a pill-shaped tracker that measures 48 x 22.5 x 10.99mm, making it slightly longer and wider, but also thinner, than the Mi Band 7. The new model also features a 60Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 600 nits, compared to the Mi Band 7's 500 nits. If you are someone who wants a fitness tracker to be used in peak sunlight, this one is not for you.

The Mi Band 8 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 and is compatible with iOS 12.0 and later. It also features 5ATM water resistance and weighs just 27g, making it one of the most lightweight fitness trackers of all time.

Xiaomi proudly claims a longer battery life of 16 days under typical usage and 6 days with AOD mode activated for Band 8. Additionally, the Band 8 introduces a new two-pin charger, ensuring a full charge for its 190 mAh battery in just one hour. However, it depends on what your real-time usage is.

The device comes with a range of sensors, including an optical heart rate sensor, a SpO2 sensor, and a sleep tracking sensor. The Mi Band 8 also comes with a range of smart features, including notifications, music control, and weather updates. Overall, I’d say go for it if you really don't have the budget to spare for a better one, since it’s just a basic one that fulfills the fundamental purpose of a fitness tracker.

If you are someone who has a problem with eyesight, or just wants a fancy large screen for no particular reason, the Amazfit Bip 5 is your to-go choice. It features a large 1.91-inch LCD display which is not large - it's HUGE!

Coming to the design, the Bip 5 has a sleek and modern design, with a metal frame and a skin-friendly silicone strap. There are a total of 6 band options to choose from.

Some cool features about this smartwatch include 120+ sports modes that help users to track a wide range of activities and workouts. The Bip 5 can also automatically detect seven sports modes, making it easy to jump into action without needing to manually select a mode.

The device is equipped with a 300mAh battery which is claimed to run for up to 10 days on a single charge on regular usage(Realistically, just 6–7 days at max). But, here’s the great part: if you choose the power-saving mode, you can extend the life up to 26 days, as per manufacturer's claims.

As for the health aspects, it provides you with all the key metrics you are looking for in a fitness tracker, such as heart rate tracking, blood oxygen levels, and even menstrual cycles. Additionally, it can also be set to provide smart alerts for abnormal health readings, and can track sleep quality and stages in great detail. The Bip 5 also supports four satellite positioning systems to help users track their GPS movement.

For a smartwatch under $100, it really brings you value, especially with the large screen, long battery life, and multiple health detection metrics.

Choosing the right smartwatch

Picking the right smartwatch depends on factors like your lifestyle, desired features, and budget. Consider what you'll mainly use it for – fitness tracking, notifications, or even controlling music. A watch like the Apple Series 9 is truly an exceptional companion for all such needs, fulfilling every aspect while expanding on the concept of durability too.

However, some people might want a more premium watch, for example, the Apple Watch Ultra 2. It matches the exact definition of “Luxury Redefined.” Being an all-in-one package loaded with all essential features as well as extras, it's specially designed for high-end users like professional athletes. However, not everybody has a high budget to afford an expensive gadget.

Switching to budget-friendly alternatives isn't really a bad idea, especially when the difference in quality is minimal. For example, the Amazfit Balance is a much cheaper option that offers quite similar features. But as you can see from this round-up of smartwatches, you aren't locked into using only wearables from Apple as an iPhone user. While those smartwatches offer integrations third-party options can't, brands like Garmin, Amazfit, and others can provide unique features Apple doesn't.

All in all, it really comes down to your requirements, as well as the budget you have in hand.