Your first smartwatch: what to check before you buy
Short answer: Check five things in this order: that it works with your phone, that it needs no plan unless you want one, how long the battery lasts, which case size fits your wrist, and the water rating. 108 models in our catalog list no plan, support both iPhone and Android and list an exact water rating of 5ATM or higher.
Last verified September 26, 2026.
Step 1: your phone
The watch depends on a phone app, and not every watch works with every phone. Check the list for your exact phone model before anything else. See smartwatch phone compatibility.
Step 2: plan or no plan
A Bluetooth watch uses your phone for data and needs no plan. A watch with eSIM or LTE can work without the phone but needs a plan from a carrier. Decide if you want that. See do smartwatches need a data plan and subscriptions explained.
Step 3: battery
Battery listings are the maker's own figures and usually assume normal use. GPS tracking and an always-on screen use more. Choose by how often you are willing to charge. See battery life explained.
Step 4: size and screen
A case that is too big looks awkward and one that is too small is hard to read. Measure your wrist first. See how to measure your wrist, sizes by brand and display types.
Step 5: water rating
A 5ATM rating is usually described as suitable for a pool, but each maker sets its own limits. See water resistance ratings.
Models that fit all five checks
| Model | Brand | Battery, as listed | Water rating | Size | Release year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazfit Active 3 Premium | Amazfit | 12 days (approx.) | 5ATM | 45 mm | 2026 |
| Amazfit Active Max | Amazfit | - | 5ATM | - | 2026 (approx.) |
| Amazfit Balance 3 | Amazfit | - | 10ATM | 47 mm | 2026 (approx.) |
| Amazfit Bip Max | Amazfit | - | 5ATM | - | 2026 (approx.) |
| Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro | Amazfit | - | 5ATM | 47 mm | 2026 (approx.) |
| Amazfit T-Rex Dual Solar | Amazfit | - | 10ATM | 51.4 mm | 2026 |
| Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 | Amazfit | Up to 30 days · 50+ GPS hours | 10ATM | 48 mm | 2026 |
| Garmin Fenix 9 | Garmin | Up to 29 days (51 mm) | 10ATM | 43 / 47 / 51 mm | 2026 |
| Garmin Forerunner 170 | Garmin | Up to 10 days | 5ATM | 42 mm | 2026 |
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | Garmin | Up to 13 days | 5ATM | - | 2026 |
| Garmin tactix 8 Cerakote Edition | Garmin | Up to 29 days | 10ATM | 51 mm | 2026 |
| Huawei Watch 6 | Huawei | Up to 4.5 days · up to 11 days in battery saver mode | 5ATM | 42 / 46 mm | 2026 |
| Huawei Watch 6 Pro | Huawei | Up to 4.5 days · up to 11 days in battery saver mode | 5ATM | 43 / 46 mm | 2026 |
| Huawei Watch GT 7 | Huawei | Up to 12 days · 21 light-use | 5ATM | 41 / 46 mm | 2026 |
| Huawei Watch GT 7 Pro | Huawei | Up to 12 days · 21 light-use | 5ATM | 46 mm | 2026 |
Showing 15 of 108. Open the full list on the all-models page.
Mistakes first-time buyers make
They pick a watch before checking the phone. They assume every watch has eSIM. They buy the smallest case for the lowest weight and then cannot read it. They compare battery figures that use different test conditions. The table above avoids the first two and the fifth, and you still need to check the rest.
A simple way to decide
Write down three things before you open any list: your phone model, the most you want to charge the watch, and the one feature you would miss most. Cross out every watch that fails the first two. Among the rest, pick the one with the feature you named. If two remain, choose the one with the smaller case if you have a slim wrist, or the longer listed battery if you travel. This takes ten minutes and avoids most returns.
Before you buy
Confirm the exact model and size, the return window and the maker's current details. See our methodology and the gift guide.