Best LTE Smartwatch of 2020
If you’ve been keeping your eye out for the hottest new technological trends, then the word LTE should have crossed your mind on at least one occasion. Today, LTE remains one of the fastest booming technological trends that promises some of the quickest data transfer speeds humanly possible.
It’s no coincidence that investors worldwide along with engineers, policemen, firefighters and the like are all clamouring to take advantage of LTE technology. Not only is it fast, it’s hugely secure, flexible to individual needs and affordable for everyone so there’s no reason why the average consumer can’t take advantage of this trend!
Accordingly, if you’re in the market for a good smartwatch to help you keep track of your life from navigating your way around the world to recording your daily fitness activities, then there is absolutely no reason as to why you shouldn’t look for an LTE-capable smartwatch.
With LTE connectivity, your smartwatch will be akin to a smartphone, allowing you to do a whole range of things independent of unreliable WIFI availability and without being tethered and bogged down to your smartphone. So, if you think this is applicable to you, check out our list down below for some of the best LTE smartwatches out there in the market right now!
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Best LTE Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 5
Kickstarting our list of with Apple’s latest entry to the LTE smartwatch market, the Apple Watch Series 5 model comes with everything we know and love about the brand.
It’s beautifully designed with a clean, sleek metal finish, has a totally user-friendly UI which makes it ideal for even the youngest and oldest of users and to boot, has huge resale value thanks to its durable and reliable construction. It may just very well be the best option out there right now – if you can afford the steep price point.
It doesn’t just stop there however, the Apple Watch’s display is by far the most beautiful out there with its OLED Retina Display that promotes the easiest of reading experiences from all angles and lighting conditions while you’ll find that it comes with several neat features from its ECG functionality allowing you to track your heart rate to its in-built compass and even its solid water resistance.
Though we had to nit-pick, its battery isn’t fantastic by any means – averaging out at just 18 hours of constant usage – but this shouldn’t be a surprise given its vast range of functionalities.
Of course, LTE connectivity is a given in this device through its two-way communication system, so you need not be tethered to your unwieldy smartphone if that’s what you’re looking for.
Apple Watch Series 3
Slightly lower down on the rung of price sits the Apple Watch Series 3 with a design that is nearly indistinguishable from its younger sibling product, the Series 5. You’ll find that the biggest pro of this device is in its hugely lower price point compared to the Series 5 while still providing the whole host of smartwatch functionalities you’d expect from any top-notch product.
You’ll still get a durable, high-quality build along with an in-built GPS, basic health monitoring and water resistance. Along with this, it also offers standalone LTE connectivity so you should be able to have a similar experience as you would with the Series 5.
However, where the Series 3 falls short is in both its iOS-only compatible restrictions and in its inferior battery life that tends to melt away with heavy usage coupled with LTE. Make no mistake though – you can get a fantastic and affordable product in this device though you’ll probably be running to a charging station more frequently!
Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you see the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch is: wait, that’s not a smartwatch! It’s absolutely fine. This device is clearly designed first and foremost as a sporty yet deceptively looking smartwatch with its circular SAMOLED display and rotating bezels. However, look a little deeper and you’ll find yourself gobsmacked at how much Samsung was able to cram into such a small, 2.88 ounce device.
Boasting a phenomenal battery life of 4 days on full charge, you’ll not only be able to use this smartwatch as you would any smartphone given its LTE connectivity (e.g. making calls and sending the occasional SMS) but you’ll be able to track up to 40 unique types of exercise, your daily caloric expenditure, sleep patterns, heart rate and even be able to go swimming with this.
The biggest attractive point however is in its durability. It’s certainly no stretch to say that this thing is built like a tank. With the Samsung Galaxy passing military-level durability specifications, it will able fully capable of breezing through the nastiest of drops, the dustiest of environments and the coldest of temperatures. So, if you want a smartwatch that can accompany you for a very long time to come, consider the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
If the Samsung product above makes you wince a little given its incredibly steep price point then you should consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. You won’t have all the fancy capabilities and the build quality of the Galaxy Smartwatch, but you’ll still be able to experience an all-encompassing product that’ll do the trick for any average user.
Optimised for Android devices (though still usable with iOS), this device comes with an optional LTE connectivity. And much like every other product on our list, the Active 2 is standalone so texts, calls, and the like will be possible even when you’re situated far away from your phone. Though we should stress that the target demographic for the Active 2 are fitness junkies.
Built-in GPS functionalities lets you track your jogging routes, sleep trackers lets you see how much deep sleep you get in a night while food tracking helps you keep tabs on your caloric expenditure. So, if you’re looking for an exercise companion that happens to be an LTE smartwatch, the Active 2 should be high on your list.
Ticwatch Pro
Innovation and uniqueness are a given when it comes to the Ticwatch Pro. Upon first glance, you’ll immediately notice its most distinguishing feature: it was two screens! With its dual-layered display, you’ll find yourself able to multitask with ease. The upper LCD display is designed to make note of your heart rate and the time while the bottom OLED display does everything you’d expect your standard smartwatch to do.
It’s battery also might just be one of the most respectable we’ve ever seen given its two unique energy modes. On its normal mode, you’ll be able to have a solid battery life of up to 2 days of constant usage. Once you toggle the low power mode however, you’ll find the Ticwatch Pro lasting for an entire month.
You’ll of course be able to access LTE-related features from texting to making calls while being able to keep track of your health (sleep patterns, exercise routines and so on). You’ll also find that this watch given it’s military-level durability, will be suited much like the Samsung Galaxy, for the most intense of activities like hiking or even long-haul flights.
The only caveat? Its LTE compatibility works only with Verizon which could either be a make or break for you. So, keep this in mind before making a plunge.
Huawei Watch 2
Coming in a variegated range of colors from your standard matte black to pebble brown and even sunset orange if you’re feeling particularly loud, you’ll find that Huawei Watch 2’s impressive track record of success puts it on a level playing field with even the biggest of contenders, namely Apple and Samsung.
Designed primarily as a sporty-looking watch with its lightweight composition and stylish overall aesthetic, if fitness is the name of your game, you’ve come to the right place. With full-on sleep tracking capabilities, water resistance, 15 unique sports modes and GPS functionality, the Huawei Watch 2 would make for the ideal fitness companion for just about anybody.
It even boasts a solid battery life of 2 weeks of usage upon full charge, so you don’t have to fumble around with wires and charging stations when you deal with this device!
And on the front of LTE connectivity, you guessed it. It has all the works – from texting to making calls without your phone, the Huawei Watch 2 is guaranteed to be your phone away from your actual phone.
Smart Touch ST66
Offering a fine blend between functionality, durability and affordability, the Smart Touch ST66 smartwatch will be ideal for anyone who’s not quite convinced nor prepared to make a substantial financial commitment on an LTE smartwatch.
It’s still just as every bit stylish, slick and functional as you would expect in any high-tier product given its AMOLED touch screen display, quad core processor and interchangeable wristbands. And not to mention, with its LTE connectivity, you’ll be able to do pretty much anything as you would on more expensive models!
It even comes with a few pleasant surprises: full GPS tracking, an altimeter to measure altitude shifts, 24/7 fitness activity monitoring, waterproof design and above all else, a 4-day battery life, all of which making the ST66 an absolute steal given its kinder price point.
Of course, the compromise is that it lacks fancier features such as ECG capabilities and the ability to differentiate between different types of exercise, but we truly believe that the ST66 would make the ideal gateway product for anyone looking to get their toes wet with an LTE smartwatch.
Zeblaze Thor 4 PRO
The last product on our list isn’t very well known but we strongly believe this is an up and coming contender in the market. The Zeblaze Thor 4 is an affordable entry that offers far more than what you pay for. It’s durable – composed of mainly metal -, it’s comfortable, it’s #beautiful to wear on the wrist, comes with a crystal clear AMOLED display along with your whole range of fitness tracking abilities. And last but not least, it operates independently from your smartphone!
Perhaps however, what sets it apart from the rest of devices on our list is how it comes with its own 5-megapixel camera (which is very respectable for Smartwatch standards).Now honestly, we’re not sure why anyone would use a watch to snap an image but if you think this is relevant for you, then it’s all the more reason for you to consider the Zeblaze Thor 4 Pro.
Three Things to Look for in an LTE Smartwatch
Functionality: You’ll notice from our list that a lot of these devices are much more than just LTE compatible smartwatches. From tracking your exercise routines to even your nightly sleep quality, these devices are often more than meets the eye. Likewise, not everyone may be interested in all these bonuses – some may just be looking for a device that can text and make calls. If you think this applies to you, you need not consider the more expensive options out there and would probably do just fine with any cheaper alternative like the ST66.
Battery life: While any device should have a solid battery life from your laptop to your mobile phone, this is all the truer when it comes to a good, smartwatch. Especially so if you add LTE connectivity to the mix. Let’s be honest for a second: LTE connectivity can be very demanding on any device and requires a huge amount of power to use so you should expect it to be particularly draining on your smartwatch. On this note, you should absolutely ensure that whatever product you has firstly, a good battery life and secondly, be prepared to take away 10% of that battery life from whatever estimate is provided to you online!
Standalone: A good smartwatch is a smartwatch that can operate independently without the need of a smartphone. It should work just like any smartphone with both its own SIM card and LTE connectivity. This means that if you don’t have your phone on you or that your phone has run out of battery, you’ll still be able to make calls and texts with your Smartwatch alone. Note that not all Smartwatches are standalone though you can rest assured that those reviewed on our list are most certainly standalone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Smartwatch?
Think of a smartwatch as a watch with added features. You’ll be able to firstly, tell the time but look deeper and you’ll find yourself able to do a ton of other smart activities almost akin to a phone. From texting to finding out how to get to your destination, a Smartwatch is essentially a wearable minicomputer that is designed to make your life easier!
What’s the difference between LTE and 4G?
Simply put, LTE is faster than 4G. Both are high-speed options though, but you’ll find a few added benefits in an LTE connection. Thus, if you’re looking for a device that can give you the fastest download speeds and seamless texting experiences with stable connectivity, LTE should be in your sights.
