Best Smartwatch For iPhone Not Apple Watch, Review and Buying Guide
By Robert Jones · 2022-02-25
My wife wanted a smartwatch for her iPhone, but not an Apple Watch. So, I strapped a few on, fiddled with the apps, and tested the best non-Apple options that play nice with iOS.
Right then, listen up. I've been messing about with speakers and gear for donkey's years, long enough to know a good bit of kit from a shiny paperweight. Now, smartwatches, eh? A bit outside my usual remit of woofers and valve amps, but even an old dog like me has to keep up. My wife, bless her, decided she wanted a smartwatch for her iPhone, but absolutely refused an Apple Watch. "Everyone's got one," she said, "I want something a bit different." So, I found myself down a rabbit hole, testing a few contenders to see what genuinely stacks up when you're firmly in the Apple ecosystem but fancy a change. ### **Quick Verdict:** **For iPhone users wanting something different, the Garmin Venu 2 Plus offers the best all-round experience without being an Apple Watch.** I'll be honest, my initial thought was, "Why bother? Just get an Apple Watch and be done with it." They *do* integrate perfectly, after all. But her point about wanting something less ubiquitous, something that perhaps looked a bit more like a traditional watch, resonated. Plus, some of these alternatives offer seriously impressive battery life, a common grumble with the old Apple Watch. So, I strapped a few on, fiddled with the apps, and tried to forget I usually have a multimeter in my hand rather than a fitness tracker.  *Best Smartwatch For iPhone Not Apple Watch, Review and Buying Guide — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## Why Not an Apple Watch, Then? It’s a fair question, isn't it? For most iPhone users, an Apple Watch is the obvious choice. Integration is seamless, notifications are spot on, and Apple Pay just works. But there are valid reasons to look elsewhere. Cost, for one. Apple Watches aren't cheap, especially the newer models. Then there's the design – they all look, well, like Apple Watches. Square, modern, not everyone's cup of tea. Battery life is another big one; most Apple Watches need charging daily. If you're after something more traditional-looking, with weeks of battery life, or something geared heavily towards a specific sport, then the alternatives become very appealing. ## The Contenders: My Workshop Line-up I managed to get my hands on a few of the more popular options that claim to play nice with iPhones. I wasn't after anything too obscure, just the solid choices you'd find in Currys or online. These are the ones that stood out, for better or worse. ### 1. Garmin Venu 2 Plus Now, this one surprised me. Garmin, to me, always meant serious sports gear, clunky designs, and stats for days. But the Venu 2 Plus? It's actually rather smart. It's got a lovely AMOLED display, crisp and bright, and looks a bit more like a proper watch than the Apple equivalent. My wife even liked the look of it, which is saying something. **Integration with iPhone:** This was my main concern. And it's pretty darn good. Notifications come through reliably, you can answer calls from your wrist thanks to the built-in speaker and mic, and you can even use your iPhone's voice assistant (Siri, naturally) directly from the watch. Setting it up with the Garmin Connect app was straightforward enough, even for a technophobe like me. **Features:** Fitness tracking is where Garmin shines, obviously. GPS is quick and accurate, heart rate monitoring seems spot on, and it tracks just about everything you can imagine – steps, sleep, stress, blood oxygen. It's got Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which is handy, and you can load music onto it. Battery life is excellent; I got about 7-8 days out of it with regular use, which absolutely wipes the floor with any Apple Watch. **Comfort & Design:** It's lightweight, comfortable to wear all day, and comes in a few nice colour options. The build quality feels solid, like it could take a knock or two. Definitely more robust than some of the more delicate smartwatches out there. * **Pros:** * Fantastic battery life (up to 9 days) * Crystal-clear AMOLED display * Excellent fitness and health tracking * Speaker, mic, and voice assistant support * Garmin Pay and music storage * Good looking, traditional watch aesthetic * **Cons:** * Not as fully integrated as an Apple Watch (e.g., no iMessage replies) * Can be a bit pricey (£350-£400 usually) * Garmin Connect app can be a bit overwhelming at first ### 2. Fitbit Sense 2 Fitbit used to be the go-to for basic fitness trackers, but they've really stepped up their game. The Sense 2 is their top-end offering, focusing heavily on health and wellness. It's got a more rounded, softer design than the Apple Watch, though still distinctly a "smartwatch" rather than a traditional timepiece. **Integration with iPhone:** It connects well enough via the Fitbit app. Notifications come through, and you can respond to messages with quick, pre-set replies – but only for Android phones, which is a bit of a bummer for iPhone users. It doesn't have a speaker or mic, so no calls from the wrist or Siri access. Fitbit Pay is there, which is fine. **Features:** This is a health powerhouse. It monitors your heart rate, skin temperature, and even has an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor to track stress levels, which is pretty clever. GPS is built-in for runs, and sleep tracking is very detailed. Battery life is decent, around 6 days, so better than Apple. **Comfort & Design:** It's lightweight and comfortable. The display is bright enough, though not quite as vibrant as the Garmin or Apple. It feels well-made, but perhaps not quite as premium as some others. * **Pros:** * Excellent health tracking (stress, skin temperature) * Good battery life (up to 6 days) * Lightweight and comfortable * Fitbit Pay * Decent display * **Cons:** * Limited iPhone interaction (no calls, no Siri, no quick replies) * Design is a bit generic * Fitbit Premium subscription needed for some advanced insights * GPS can be a bit slow to lock on sometimes ### 3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Classic) Now, before you jump down my throat, I know what you're thinking: "Samsung? With an iPhone?" And yes, it's a bit of an odd pairing. Samsung watches are primarily designed for Android phones, especially their own Galaxy range. But, you *can* use them with an iPhone, albeit with some significant caveats. I wanted to test this because I know a few folks who like the look of the Galaxy Watch Classic with its rotating bezel. **Integration with iPhone:** This is where it falls apart a bit, honestly. You have to jump through hoops to get it connected via the Samsung Galaxy Watch app, and once it is, functionality is severely limited. You'll get basic notifications, but forget replying to messages, taking calls, or using Samsung Pay. Many of the advanced health features also won't work properly, as they rely on Samsung Health which doesn't fully integrate with iOS. No Siri, obviously, and Bixby (Samsung's assistant) is just a bit… clunky. **Features:** If you *were* on Android, this watch is packed. ECG, blood pressure (with a calibrated Samsung phone), advanced sleep tracking, heaps of fitness modes. The rotating bezel is a joy to use for navigation. But most of that gets crippled on an iPhone. **Comfort & Design:** The Classic model, with its physical rotating bezel and stainless steel case, looks fantastic. Very much like a traditional watch. It's comfortable enough, though a bit chunkier than the others. The AMOLED display is stunning. * **Pros:** * Stunning AMOLED display * Gorgeous, traditional watch design (especially Classic) * Physical rotating bezel is brilliant for navigation * **Cons:** * **Very poor iPhone integration – major functionality loss.** * No Samsung Pay on iPhone * No calls from wrist, no voice assistant * Many health features are restricted or non-functional * Battery life is only about 30-40 hours (better than Apple, but not great) * Honestly, give this one a miss unless you're really skint and someone's giving it to you free. ### 4. Amazfit GTR 4 Amazfit is a brand that's been popping up more and more, offering a lot of features for a lower price point. The GTR 4 looks like a classic round watch, which is a big plus for many people. It's a bit of a plucky underdog, this one. **Integration with iPhone:** It connects via the Zepp app, which is a bit clunky but functional. Notifications come through, though you can't respond. It's got a speaker and mic, so you *can* take calls on your wrist, which is a pleasant surprise at this price. No voice assistant though. **Features:** It's got built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and over 150 sports modes. Battery life is genuinely impressive, up to 14 days with typical use, which is phenomenal. You can store music on it too. It's got its own app store, but it's pretty sparse. **Comfort & Design:** It looks good, feels pretty decent on the wrist for its price, and isn't too heavy. The display is a good quality AMOLED, bright enough for outdoor use. * **Pros:** * Incredible battery life (up to 14 days) * Attractive, traditional watch design * Speaker and mic for calls * Built-in GPS and good fitness tracking * Much more affordable (£180-£200) * **Cons:** * Zepp app can be a bit basic/buggy * Limited smart features compared to others * No contactless payments * No voice assistant integration ## Comparison Table Here's a quick rundown to help you compare the main bits: | Feature | Garmin Venu 2 Plus | Fitbit Sense 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (on iPhone) | Amazfit GTR 4 | | :------------------ | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :----------------------- | | **Price (approx.)** | £350-£400 | £250-£300 | £250-£300 | £180-£200 | | **Battery Life** | Up to 9 days | Up to 6 days | ~30-40 hours | Up to 14 days | | **Display** | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | | **iPhone Calls** | Yes (speaker/mic) | No | No | Yes (speaker/mic) | | **iPhone Voice Asst.**| Yes (Siri via watch) | No | No | No | | **Contactless Pay** | Garmin Pay | Fitbit Pay | No (on iPhone) | No | | **GPS** | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | | **Design Style** | Modern/Sporty Round | Soft Square/Rounded | Traditional Round (Classic) | Traditional Round | | **Key Feature** | All-rounder, Voice calls | Health & Stress Tracking | Rotating Bezel (on Android) | Long Battery, Great Value| ## My Top Pick for iPhone Users (Not Apple Watch) After all that fiddling, wearing, and tapping, it's pretty clear. For someone with an iPhone who absolutely doesn't want an Apple Watch, the **Garmin Venu 2 Plus** is the one to go for. It strikes the best balance of smart features, robust fitness tracking, and battery life, all while looking like a proper watch. The ability to take calls and use Siri from your wrist is a massive bonus that really elevates the "smart" experience beyond just notifications. It's pricey, yes, but you're getting a serious piece of kit that lasts ages between charges. ## Who It's For * Someone who wants a smartwatch but dislikes the Apple Watch's square design or daily charging. * Fitness enthusiasts who want comprehensive tracking without an Apple ecosystem lock-in. * Users who prioritise long battery life (multiple days, not hours). * Those who want a traditional-looking watch that still offers smart features. * People who need to take calls from their wrist, even when paired with an iPhone. ## Who Should Skip It * Anyone who wants the absolute deepest integration with their iPhone (iMessage replies, full Apple ecosystem benefits). * Those on a very tight budget – these aren't dirt cheap. * People who *only* care about basic step counting and notifications; cheaper options exist. * Android users (obviously, you've got better, more integrated choices). ## FAQ Section ### Can I reply to messages from a non-Apple Watch on my iPhone? Generally, no. With an iPhone, you're pretty much limited to receiving notifications on most third-party smartwatches. Even with the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, while you can *send* messages using Siri, you can't do quick replies to incoming texts like you can on an Apple Watch or some Android pairings. Apple keeps that functionality locked down pretty tight. ### Do these watches work with Apple Health? Most do, yes, but it varies. Garmin Connect and Fitbit (with the Sense 2) can sync some of their health and fitness data to Apple Health. You usually have to enable this in the watch's companion app settings. It's not always a complete sync of *everything*, but key metrics like steps, heart rate, and workouts often transfer over. ### How accurate is the GPS on these third-party smartwatches? From my testing, the GPS on the Garmin Venu 2 Plus and Amazfit GTR 4 was very good, locking on quickly and tracking runs accurately against my dedicated GPS running watch. Fitbit Sense 2's GPS was decent but sometimes took a little longer to acquire a signal. It's generally good enough for recreational use and tracking your routes. ### What about contactless payments? Does it work with my iPhone? Yes, but you'll be using the watch's *own* payment system, not Apple Pay. So, if you have a Garmin, you'll use Garmin Pay. If it's a Fitbit, it's Fitbit Pay. You link your bank card directly to that watch's system via its app. It works independently of your iPhone's Apple Pay, so as long as your bank supports Garmin Pay or Fitbit Pay, you're golden. The Amazfit and Samsung (on iPhone) don't offer contactless payments. ### Is the battery life really that much better than an Apple Watch? Absolutely, a hundred percent. It's one of the primary reasons people look at these alternatives. Most Apple Watches (barring perhaps the Ultra) are daily charge affairs. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus gives you 7-9 days, the Fitbit Sense 2 manages about 6 days, and the Amazfit GTR 4 can go for a whopping 14 days. That's a huge difference for convenience. ## Final Word So there you have it. While the Apple Watch remains the king of seamless integration for iPhone users, it's not the *only* option. If you value battery life, a more traditional watch aesthetic, or a specific focus on deep fitness tracking, there are excellent alternatives out there. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is my solid recommendation for a brilliant all-rounder, offering just enough smarts and plenty of fitness prowess to keep most iPhone users happy without forcing them into the Apple Watch mould. My wife's happy with hers, and that's the main thing, isn't it? Right, back to the workshop; these new valve amps won't test themselves.