Comparison Smart Watch Smart V8 vs Smart Watch Q90

— Smartwatch. A wristwatch gadget designed to be used in conjunction with a smartphone, usually with a Bluetooth connection. Such a watch can be used to receive notifications of incoming calls or messages, to control various smartphone features; and the most advanced models even allow the installation of their own applications and differ from watch-phones only in the inability to make calls on their own. In turn, the difference from fitness trackers (see below) lies primarily in a more traditional design and broader specialization: smartwatches often have fitness sensors and support specialized data collecting, but their use is not limited to this.

— Watch-phone. Smartwatch with its own mobile communication module. Such devices are capable of making calls, sending messages, and in most cases even using the mobile Internet without connecting to a smartphone or other external device. However, a Bluetooth headset may be required for voice convenience, and smartphone connectivity is also available on many models. The specific features of such gadgets can be different, it should be specified separately.

— Fitness tracker. Specialized wearable gadgets designed mainly for sports. Typically, such a gadget has a long and narrow body, the width of which may not exceed the width of the strap; this arrangement is consi...dered the most convenient in view of the application. As for the features, fitness trackers mainly record various data about the state of the body and health of the user, ranging from heart rate to blood oxygen levels, sleep phases, and other specific parameters. In addition, traditional features such as call or SMS notifications can also be provided, but in this case they are of secondary importance. Displays in fitness trackers are usually the simplest, and in some models there is no screen at all — it is still more convenient to view detailed data on physical activity in the application on a smartphone.

— Beacon for children. Wearable devices to ensure the safety of children; most often — a specialized type of watch-phone (see above). The beacon performs primarily two main features: it allows parents to control where the child is, and provides communication between the child and the parent (including in emergency situations). Specific features may vary, for more details see "Parental Control". In addition, the design often provides for other features of smartwatches — from an alarm clock and time display to a pedometer, heart rate monitor and other special data collecting.

— For animals. Gadgets designed for pets — primarily dogs. Such a device is usually attached to a collar and can perform quite a variety of features: a beacon that transmits data about the location of the pet, a “calling card” with the owner’s contact information, and even a fitness tracker that tracks the activity of the animal and allows you to monitor its health.

— Smart glasses. Wearable smart gadgets made in the form of glasses. Usually, a camera is built into the frame of such a gadget, and the display is located opposite one of the user's eyes. Initially, smart glasses were considered quite a promising development, but in fact, for a number of reasons, they did not gain popularity, and nowadays they are almost never used.

The main way to connect a wearable gadget with external devices. For smartwatches and fitness bands (see "Type"), this refers to a connection to a smartphone or tablet, while in the case of watch-phones, it usually refers to headsets.

— Bluetooth. Wireless technology for direct communication of various devices with each other. This is the most popular interface in smartwatches and bracelets: Bluetooth modules can be made very tiny, the communication range even in the earliest versions reaches 10 m, and different generations of Bluetooth are mutually compatible in terms of basic functionality. Specifically, the versions nowadays are as follows:

• v2.0. The earliest standard used in modern wearable gadgets. The possibilities of such a connection are more modest than those of more advanced versions, but they are often quite enough.
• v3.0. A standard that combines classic Bluetooth v 2.0 and a high-speed “add-on” for transferring large amounts of data.
• v4.0. Further, after 3.0, improvement of Bluetooth: in addition to the classic and high-speed format, this version added Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Support of this technology is especially useful in fitness trackers, which usually transmit small amounts of data, but constantly.
• v4.1. Modification of the 4.0 standard described above with improved protection against interference while working with LTE mobile communication...s.
• v4.2. Another improvement of the 4.0 standard, which introduced, in particular, improved data protection and increased connection speed.
• — v 5. The fifth generation of Bluetooth was released in 2016. The key innovation in version 5.0 was the expansion of capabilities related to the Internet of Things. Thus, in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, it became possible to double the data transfer rate (up to 2 Mbit/s) at the cost of reducing the range, and also quadruple the range at the cost of reducing the speed; In addition, a number of improvements have been introduced regarding simultaneous work with a large number of connected devices.
• — v 5.1. Update of the version described above v 5.0. In addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, this update introduced such an interesting feature as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. This makes it possible to determine the location of connected devices with centimeter accuracy.
• —v 5.2. The next, after 5.1, is the fifth generation Bluetooth update. The main innovations in this version are a number of security improvements, additional optimization of power consumption in LE mode and a new audio signal format for synchronizing parallel playback on multiple devices.
• —v 5.3. The Bluetooth v 5.3 wireless communication protocol was introduced at the dawn of 2022. Among the innovations in it, they accelerated the process of negotiating a communication channel between the controller and the device, implemented the function of quickly switching between the operating state in a low duty cycle and a high-speed mode, and improved the throughput and stability of the connection by reducing susceptibility to interference. When unexpected interference occurs in Low Energy mode, the procedure for selecting a communication channel to switch from now on has been accelerated. There are no fundamental innovations in protocol 5.3, but a number of qualitative improvements are evident in it.
  
  Of course, to use all the capabilities of a particular version of Bluetooth, it must be supported not only by the gadget itself, but also by the smartphone/tablet to which it is connected.

Types of sports and medical data collected by the gadget (plus some features of a similar purpose, such as sleep tracking, smart alarms, stress levels and women's calendar). Note that the features from this list can be found not only in specialized fitness trackers (see "Type"), but also in more traditional devices like smartwatches. Here are the most popular options:

— Pulse rate. Heart rate is one of the most important physiological parameters of a person. So that sports training is as effective as possible, the heart rate must be in a certain range (the specific value depends on the purpose of the training and the personal data of the user). And for some illnesses and treatments, a faster or slower heart rate can be an important signal, including a warning of danger.

— Pressure (tonometer). A sensor that measures the user's blood pressure. Note that the accuracy of such a sensor is usually quite low, the measurement error can be 10% or even more; so it will not replace a full-fledged medical tonometer. On the other hand, a gadget with this feature is quite capable of detecting a critical increase or decrease in pressure, which will allow you to take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

— ECG. A sensor that allows you to get detailed data about the work of the user's heart. Note that such a sensor is not a full-fledged electrocardiograph — in fact, it is an advanced type of heart rate monitor that can track the features of the heart rhythm. However, even this is enough to detect some dangerous phenomena — for example, atrial fibrillation, which at first is imperceptible to a person — and take appropriate measures in time.

— The blood oxygen. A sensor (the so-called pulse oximeter) that determines the saturation of the blood with oxygen (saturation); at the same time, the measurement is carried out by a non-invasive method — without punctures and other damage to the skin. Like most medical sensors in wearable gadgets, it is not accurate and is not a full-fledged medical device, but it is quite capable of responding to a critical decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood. It is believed that the presence of a pulse oximeter is relevant primarily for certain diseases, when saturation may decrease due to the disease itself or the characteristics of the treatment being taken. However, this feature can also be useful for quite healthy users who often travel at high altitudes — primarily climbers and aeronauts.

— Body temperature. The presence of a sensor for measuring temperature allows you to take measurements without the use of thermometers. Naturally, errors can occur, so a slight deviation from the norm may not be determined, but the device will easily fix a significant increase in temperature.

— T° of the environment. Even though smartwatches are worn on the body, the built-in sensors in them are usually designed to measure the ambient temperature. This information can be useful both for a general assessment of the surrounding conditions, and for specific purposes — in particular, weather forecasting. It is not uncommon for watches with this feature to also have a barometer (see "Navigation").

— Number of steps. The traditional pedometer is a feature for counting the number of steps taken by the user. These measurements usually use data from the accelerometer, and the results are quite accurate: most modern accelerometers are well calibrated and are quite capable of distinguishing tremors during steps from hand waves and other extraneous movements. The exception is trips in land transport: many wearable gadgets perceive shaking as steps, which should be taken into account when evaluating the results.

— Distance travelled. Measurement of the total distance traveled by the user. For this, either data from a pedometer or a GPS module are usually used (see "Navigation"); each option has its own merits. So, the pedometer is cheaper, it can be used even in rooms without windows, where the signal from satellites does not reach, and on simulators like treadmills, where the user does not move relative to the ground. GPS, in turn, gives higher accuracy, especially over long distances, and is not prone to false positives in vehicles. In some advanced gadgets, these methods can be combined — this is not cheap, but it allows you to combine the advantages of both options and achieve maximum accuracy.

— Movement speed. Determining the speed of the user's movement. As with distance travelled, measurement can be done in a variety of ways; see above for more details. Also note here that many gadgets with this feature are able not only to determine the current speed, but also to constantly record its value and display various indicators: the maximum achieved speed, the average value for training, etc.

— Energy spent (calories). Measurement of the number of calories burned by the user in the process of movement. These data are rather approximate, as they are calculated by indirect parameters (speed and range of movement, personal specs of a person, etc.). However, even this accuracy is quite enough to determine the overall effectiveness of training.

— The amount of fat burned. Measuring the amount of fat burned per workout. As in the case of calories (see above), the result of such measurements is quite approximate. However, in fact, absolute accuracy is not required, and fat loss data can be a powerful motivator.

— Activity time. A measurement of the total time during which the user is actively moving. In many models, such metering may provide additional options, such as fixing several periods of activity with breaks between them and determining the ratio between the time of movement and the time of rest.

— Smart alarm. An alarm clock that monitors the user's sleep phases and gives a signal to wake up at the optimal time for this. Human sleep consists of alternating phases, and waking up in the unfortunate phase creates a feeling of lethargy and fatigue, even if there was enough time to sleep. A smart alarm clock avoids such situations; its work is based on tracking the pulse, breathing rate and other parameters that differ depending on the phase of sleep. Note that the deviation of the signal from the set time can be up to half an hour, but this is usually a deviation towards an earlier rise. As a result, the risk of being late with a smart alarm clock is close to zero, and the lack of sleep time is compensated by the optimal moment of awakening.

— Sleep tracking. Sleep quality assessment is based on data from on-board sensors of fitness trackers or smartwatches. In particular, the heart rate monitor controls the number of contractions of the heart muscle, the accelerometer controls the user's movements. A blood oxygen sensor, if available on the wearable, improves the accuracy of sleep quality data collection. According to the readings of the sensors, the moments of entering and exiting the deep sleep phase are recorded. It is during this period that the restoration of the nervous system and the accumulation of energy for the coming day take place. In deep sleep, a person can completely reboot and gain strength, while in REM sleep, brain activity practically does not differ from the state of wakefulness. The sleep quality analysis feature helps you determine the best time to go to sleep and provides personalized recommendations to improve your night's sleep.

— The level of stress. The level of stress of the body allows you to evaluate the metric that determines the variability of the heartbeat — the difference in time between successive contractions of the heart muscle. Respiration rate, maximum oxygen consumption and excess oxygen consumption after exercise are also taken into account. The stress level score gives a clear picture of the user's experience during the day, however, the value of this parameter is in determining the most optimal body regimen for training. A high heart rate variability usually indicates you are in good shape for playing sports, while a low one can indicate fatigue, dehydration, or feeling unwell. All this directly affects the ability to train effectively. There are no clear units for measuring the level of stress — in smartwatches, the parameter is usually shown as a scale from 0 to 100, often indicating the number of hours the body is under stress and the time it takes to recover to a normal state.

— Women's calendar. The tool for tracking the menstrual cycle keeps abreast of the events of the expected dates of the menstrual period, allows you to determine the most favorable days for conception, helps to notice alarming symptoms in time and prevent many diseases in case of cycle disorders. Based on your total cycle length, the device calculates a predicted date for your next period. The women's calendar records cycle dates, fertility windows, and the day of ovulation. By adding your own notes to it, you can track fluctuations in sleep, appetite, fitness, mood changes and predict well-being for a particular day.

In addition to those described above, more specific types of measurements can be found in modern wearable gadgets.

This block contains both various navigation systems ( GPS, Galileo) and auxiliary features for them ( aGPS, GPS tracking, maps, compass, altimeter , barometer). More about them:

— GPS module. GPS satellite navigation module built right into the watch/tracker. The initial purpose of such a module is to determine the current geographic coordinates; but how this information will be used depends on the specific type and model of the gadget. For example, in some devices GPS is used only for measuring the distance traveled and/or speed of movement, while more advanced models support full navigation and are equipped with built-in maps. In addition, this feature is almost mandatory in children's beacons (see "Type") — it is GPS that is responsible for determining the location of the child.

— aGPS. An auxiliary feature that allows you to speed up the start of the main GPS receiver. To work for its main purpose, such a receiver must update data on the location of navigation satellites; Obtaining this data in the classical way, directly from the satellites themselves, can take quite a long time (up to several minutes). This is especially true for the so-called "cold start" — when the receiver starts up after...a long break in operation, and the data stored in it has become completely outdated. aGPS (Assisted GPS) allows you to receive up-to-date service information from a mobile operator — from the nearest base station (this feature is supported by most operators nowadays). This can greatly speed up the startup process.

— GLONASS. This system is a Russian alternative to the American GPS. However it provides somewhat less accuracy, so GLONASS support is usually provided in addition to the GPS module. Simultaneous use of two systems, in turn, improves positioning accuracy.

— Galileo. European satellite navigation system, created as an alternative to the American GPS. Note that it is under the control of civilian departments, not the military. With a full fleet of 24 active satellites, the system gives an accuracy of up to 1 m in public mode and up to 20 cm with the GHA service. Working in conjunction with GPS, the Galileo system provides a more accurate position measurement, especially in densely populated areas.

— Maps. The feature of displaying topographic maps of the area with heights, relief and types of vegetation on the clock screen. Preinstalled maps are used for visual GPS navigation without being tied to a smartphone. Often, the ability to display maps is implemented in tactical smartwatches with a focus on tourism.

— GPS tracking. Many watches with the possibility of laying routes have the feature of guiding by the GPS track. At the same time, the wearable gadget acts as a navigator around the area, showing the route on the screen and suggesting where it is necessary to turn in one direction or another. Some smartwatches with a pronounced touristic bias also have a “Return Route” programme that allows you to go back along an already traveled route. In GPS tracker mode, trackpoints are usually recorded automatically based on the selected fixing interval. You can also mark a track point manually at any time.

— Compass. A classic compass is a device that indicates the direction to the cardinal points. Wearable gadgets usually use an electronic compass — a miniature magnetic sensor, the data from which, if necessary, are displayed on the display.

— Altimeter. A feature that allows you to determine the current altitude of the user's location. Note that the principle and format of the altimeter may be different. So, some models use barometer data for height measurements, others use information from a GPS sensor; the height itself can be determined relative to sea level, relative to some reference point, or in any of these ways, at the choice of the user. These details should be clarified separately.

— Barometer. A feature that allows you to determine the current atmospheric pressure. One of the applications of the barometer is weather forecasting: for example, a sharp drop in pressure usually signals the approach of bad weather. In addition, information from this sensor can be used to operate the altimeter (see above); and even if the gadget does not have an altimeter, the height difference between two points on the ground can be easily calculated from the pressure difference between them.

The type of remote tracking provided by the kids beacon (see "Type").

Remote tracking allows the parent to follow the map where the child is currently located. To do this, the beacon determines the current coordinates using the GPS satellite system and transmits them to the parent's smartphone or tablet. Actually, the presence of GPS is mandatory for all types of remote tracking, the difference between them is in how the data is transmitted to the parent. The options might be:

— GSM+GPS. Beacons that transmit data only through the mobile network. Note that the name "GSM" is conditional here, such models can fully work in more advanced 3G (UMTS) and 4G (LTE) networks. The main disadvantage of such a connection is the fact that it requires additional financial costs and control over the state of the account, so that the connection does not disappear at an unexpected moment. On the other hand, these costs are low, and mobile networks are available almost everywhere these days.

— GSM+GPS+Wi-Fi. Beacons capable of transmitting information both through mobile networks and through Wi-Fi access points. Due to additional equipment, they are somewhat more expensive than similar models of the GSM + GPS format, but the communication capabilities are more extensive. So, the mobile network in such devices is mainly used as a fallback in case of lack of Wi-Fi — this saves money and battery power. And Wi-Fi, in turn, ca...n be available even where there is no normal mobile network.

A sensor that signals an attempt to remove the device from the child's hand. Such an attempt can be made by both the attacker and the child himself — intending to outwit the parents. The removal sensor usually reacts to skin contact and is triggered if the contact is interrupted for more than 1-2 seconds; in such a situation, a notification is sent to the parent smartphone or tablet, and in some models, its own microphone is also automatically turned on so that the parent can hear what is happening around. Anyway, this feature provides additional security for the child and peace of mind for parents.

A feature that allows you to control the presence of a child in a certain area — for example, the territory of a school or a children's camp. The boundaries of this area are set in the settings of the children's beacon; if the device is outside the geozone, the parent receives a signal about this on a smartphone or tablet.

Note that the specific way this feature is implemented may vary. In many inexpensive gadgets, you can only set one key point on the map and a certain distance to it, when exceeded, a warning is triggered. More advanced models may provide advanced features, such as multiple key points that allow you to control the route, or the ability to manually set perimeter boundaries.

The ability to turn on the microphone on the children's tracker on command from the parent's smartphone or tablet; after that, the gadget will broadcast sound from the microphone to the parent device. In other words, the parent will be able to hear what is happening around the child without calling him and without "giving himself away." This can be useful in some suspicious situations — for example, if the beacon signal moved away from the school building during school hours: this is not necessarily an emergency, the teacher could simply take the class to a park or stadium, but it would be useful to clarify what is happening.

Separately, it is worth touching on the moral aspect of this feature. In fact, it gives the parent the ability to eavesdrop on the child at any time; this opportunity must be used responsibly and without abuse, so as not to undermine mutual trust.

The presence of the SOS button in the design of the children's beacon.

This feature is designed so that a child in a dangerous situation can quickly sound an alarm. Usually, the SOS button itself is large and located in such a way that it can be easily felt even blindly, without being confused with other buttons. And to protect against accidental operation, a special method of application is provided — for example, three quick presses in a row. In some models, the SOS button can even be combined with one of the standard buttons (for example, on/off).

It should also be said that the functionality of the "alarm" in different models of gadgets can be different. For example, some beacons, by pressing the SOS button, send the current coordinates to the parent with an emergency message, others dial the parent's number, but do not turn on the speaker, allowing the parent to listen to what is happening without giving himself away. Other, more specific features may be provided — all these nuances should be clarified before buying.