It will be convenient to review the assortment and independently find suitable fitness tracker in the corresponding section of our catalog. The choice of smart watches is richer today, and you can study the current offers of manufacturers here.

Form factor and name

Popular types of wearable gadgets, as rule, differ from each other in appearance. Trite, but true: the fitness tracker looks like bracelet, it is light and compact, has strap and an oblong (narrow) core. Once upon a time, they didn’t even have display, like in the first generation of Xiaomi Mi Band or Nike FuelBand SE. These gadgets could only boast of LED indicators. Models that are relevant today must have screen: it is small, most often oblong, in order to maintain the overall shape of the bracelet.

"Smart" watches repeat the shape of classic wrist accessory. Here, even in the very first generations, there was display. Dial is noticeably larger than in trackers, it can have both round and rectangular shape. First one emphasizes kinship with ordinary watches, the second one is considered little more informative and convenient in terms of displaying and reading data. Accordingly, this gadget is slightly larger, and in terms of weight, everything is very variable and depends primarily on the materials of manufacture.

Fitness bracelet is more compact, lighter, similar to regular bracelet.

Based primarily on the shape of the device, many manufacturers also give the corresponding names to their products. If the name contains the word “Band”, then this is bracelet, and if “Watch”, then it is quite logical that you have watch in front of you. But it is not always worth blindly trusting the positioning of brands, besides, for example, Garmin, one of the market leaders, does not have such “tips” in the names. Yes, and the difference, as a rule, lies not only in the form, but also in the “content”.

Differences that are due to the form factor - hardware and functional nuances

Since smart watches are larger, there is literally more space inside their case for various “stuffing”. Therefore, ceteris paribus, there is more powerful processor, more RAM, it is possible to add built-in memory, various auxiliary sensors and other hardware, including speakers, microphones, SIM card slot or card reader.

Of course, microchip production technologies are constantly evolving, so the finished parts are getting smaller and smaller. Yes, and some trackers are not so small. But in the “ward average”, the trend continues: watches can be more equipped and productive than fitness trackers. Due to differences in hardware, there is difference in functionality. For example, among trackers today there are no models with built-in memory, support for SIM cards or solar battery, and smart watches can boast of this.

Another point directly related to the form factor of wearable gadgets is the size of the display and differences in the aspect of interaction. It is not so convenient to read messages on the small screen of the bracelet, there may be restrictions on the number of displayed characters, it is not always clear which application received the notification, etc. Smartwatches have larger display that gives you little more detail, you can scroll through messages, find old notifications, send quick template responses, or even dictate text (if you have microphone).

Smart watches are similar to wrist watches, they have large and more informative display.

Not so long ago, trackers did not have the ability to change dials: the set of available designs was very small. Today, the design of even narrow displays can be very variable. Downloading different watch faces is available, and sometimes customization of the displayed information. Among smartwatches, this is long-established norm.

Smart watch

Operating system

In addition to the form factor, it is customary to single out another fundamental difference between smart watches and trackers. It's about the operating system. In modern smart watches, very autonomous OS is often installed, which, even without connection with smartphone, gives the user good opportunities. This, for example, Wear OS or WatchOS, which are steadily improving.

Often, the basic functionality of the watch can be expanded by installing additional applications. These can be programs of music streaming services, navigation software, mini-games, various widgets, etc. Also, more complex OS allows you to flexibly customize the wearable gadget for yourself, disable unnecessary functions, etc. Although in fairness it should be said that in compatible application on smartphone, it is always more convenient to make the appropriate settings. Just this "software" to greater extent determines the final usefulness of the gadget.

Smart watch OS allows you to download applications and expand the functionality of the device.

Fitness trackers have much simpler operating system - it is microcode, that is, an interface shell for basic interaction and connection to smartphone. And only in connection with mobile device, you can count on something more.

In general, the OS of smart watches is little closer to such platforms as Android or iOS, and the “OS” of the bracelet is rather just an interface for interaction.

Fitness trackers

GPS module and functionality

Another distinguishing feature is related to the GPS module. Most smartwatches have built-in satellite receiver. This is rarity for fitness trackers, although it is still found in current advanced solutions. But more often, tracker for determining the location and more accurate calculation of the distance during training “pulls up” data from the smartphone. That is, the latter will have to be taken for conditional run.

In addition to the actual presence of GPS module in smart watches, there are sometimes additional navigation capabilities. For example, various satellite geolocation systems may be available, including Galileo, map display directly on the watch face, track guidance. As a result, thanks to such wrist gadget, you will not get lost in foreign city, even if the smartphone is out of charge. And the athlete will be able to receive useful tips during the race or race, not missing the desired turn on the track.

One of the features of modern smart watches is advanced navigation.

These are not all functional differences. For example, both gadgets sometimes have music player, that is, they allow you to control the playback of songs from your mobile. Although the player may be absent altogether. But only smart watches sometimes provide built-in memory available for downloading songs. As a result, music lover does not have to take phone with him, because True wireles headphones can be connected to the gadget via Bluetooth.

Next example is contactless payments: for smart watches, this is popular and familiar feature, but for trackers, it is rarity.

Another rather important feature for demanding users is compatibility with additional sensors. It is possible to connect to good smart watch, for example, chest heart rate monitor, including via the ANT + protocol. For fitness trackers, this is not typical.

Well, it’s worth repeating about the previously mentioned slots for SIM cards or memory cards. Smart watch can become data store or be used to make phone calls without mobile. Wristbands, as rule, cannot even receive calls from smartphone via Bluetooth ( handsfree), since they are not equipped with microphone and speaker.

Smart watch with topographic maps

Autonomy

Above advantages of smart watches result in their significant disadvantage over trackers. Increased performance and functionality reduces battery life. In popular smart watches, autonomy is usually measured in days. An exception to the rule are individual "Chinese" and Garmin models. They can "stretch" at least 7 days. True, in practice, much depends on the mode of use. Most “gluttonous” component is traditionally the GPS module, so regular outdoor training is usually indispensable without frequent charging processes.

One of the advantages of trackers is long-term work without recharging.

Fitness trackers are usually more autonomous. Away from outlets, they can live up to several weeks.

By the way, now there is clear trend towards equalizing performance without recharging for all wearable gadgets. It's all about the increasing displays of trackers, increasing their brightness and color gamut, the presence of the Always On Display function. Plus, top trackers are equipped with their own GPS.

Smart watch and fitness bracelet with high autonomy

Price and measurement accuracy

In general, smartwatches are more expensive than fitness bands. At the same time, in the low-cost segment, you can find wearable gadgets that are quite comparable in terms of price tags. But if we talk about the middle, and especially the highest price segment, then the difference will become very noticeable. So, top-end fitness bracelet will cost the same as mid-low-cost smart watch, but flagship solution among the latter, like Garmin MARQ, will cost more than the new iPhone.

Often, potential buyers are also trying to understand in which gadgets the sensors provide more accurate information. Here it is impossible to say unequivocally that fitness trackers or smart watches are better. Quality of work of certain sensors depends on the manufacturer, not the type of device. Therefore, if we consider bracelet and watch of the same brand, then there should not be fundamental difference in performance.

Second point that affects accuracy is the price of the gadget. The cheapest no-name brand watches are likely to have much larger error than popular bracelet like Xiaomi Mi Band 7. In the higher price segment, there is no direct correlation between the operation of sensors. It cannot be said that the accelerometer or heart rate monitor of the MARQ watch works several times better than that of the Mi Band 7. In both cases, it will be true to say that this is not medical equipment that can give certain error.

In addition to the amount of data collected, the quality of their analysis also plays an important role.

But there is also third aspect that is often overlooked. Wrist device is primarily reader of activity and health data, but the quality of the analysis of the information received depends on the software application on mobile device. As result, relatively inexpensive smartwatches from sports-oriented brands such as Garmin, Polar or Suunto can provide very useful analytics in terms of interpreting the received data on steps, distance or heart rate, outperforming mass-market solutions from Apple, Samsung or Xiaomi.

We also provide summary table of differences:
Compare parameter smart watch Fitness trackers
Form factor and dimensions watch-like, larger look like bracelet, more compact
Screen shape round or rectangular narrow (oblong)
Display size pretty big relatively small
"Iron" Usually more powerful and more diverse more modest
Installing additional applications + -
GPS module eat more often happens rarely
NFC and contactless payment + - (more often)
Music offline listening capability (without smartphone) smartphone playback control
Connecting external sensors sometimes there is -
SIM card support meets -
Speakerphone + -
Autonomy (average) few days few weeks
Price (average) higher below

Line between trackers and watches is gradually blurring

It would seem, given all of the above, to distinguish fitness tracker from "smart" watch is not difficult. But it is not always the case. Firstly, these wearable gadgets really have lot in common. For example, in terms of the abundance of sensors and measurement indicators - saturation, tonometer, ECG, skin temperature and much more - there is parity between them. Secondly, some edges are gradually erased.

If 4 - 5 years ago everything was very easy and clear, take at least Honor Band 5 and Apple Watch 5 Aluminium. Different form, very different functionality, the lack of GPS in the first gadget and the presence of the second one. And you can list the obvious differences further.

It is difficult to say that Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Pro is still bracelet or already smart watch.

In the current lineup of wearable devices, there is no such impressive difference. For example, Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Pro. Manufacturer positions it as bracelet, but the shape and size of the display does not immediately tell. And it also has its own GPS and advanced navigation functions, lot of watch faces for download, an abundance of sports modes, even the ability to control smart home is announced. At the same time, some of the simplest smart watches, such as Amazfit Bip 3, are closer to trackers in terms of hardware and functionality.

It can be said that popular Chinese brands that are trying to fill the market with variety of wearable gadgets mix all of them in one pile. Therefore, the differences become less noticeable, and, perhaps, in few years they will completely disappear.

What to choose - smart watch or fitness bracelet?

Final choice, of course, depends on which functions and features are important to you.

Stopping on fitness bracelet is worth it if you:

  • you are not at all sure that wearable gadgets will “enter” you;
  • have low-cost restrictions, but want fairly functional solution;
  • on the contrary, you don’t need advanced functionality at all: counting steps and heart rate is enough;
  • do not want to frequently charge the device.
You can take fitness bracelet for the elderly, schoolchildren (more compact gadget, all other things being equal, is slightly less prone to accidental damage), undemanding users and those for whom this will be the first wearable device.

For the elderly or for the role of the first wearable gadget, the fitness tracker fits perfectly.

It is better to stop at smart watch if you:

  • use ordinary hours, but are “ripe” for change;
  • need specific features, such as SIM card support, the ability to receive calls, contactless payment;
  • are actively involved in sports and expect certain independence from the smartphone;
  • want wearable gadget with large and informative display;
  • love music (with the same desire for some independence from the smartphone);
  • demanding user, will expand the functionality of the device, plan to buy more sensors.

Smart watches can be recommended to amateur athletes, rather demanding users, and to all those who are not satisfied with the weaknesses of fitness trackers (small screen and lack of some functions).

But these are just general tips. In practice, everything is much more individual. Suppose, in most cases, it is advisable for the owner of an iPhone to create an “apple” tandem with an Apple Watch. But, if at the same time you just want to count steps and pulse, then you can save money and take the popular Mi Band. And if you prioritize active running training and long battery life, then you should consider, for example, Garmin Forerunner 965.