Smartwatches are gaining popularity because they not only replace traditional watches, but even the cheap smartwatches bring with them a lot of features designed to make life easier for you. For one, smartwatches also function as a fitness tracker, as well as a second screen for your smartphone where you can even watch series.
Most smartwatches notify you when somebody calls, or when you receive e-mails or SMS messages. And there are some that allow you to reply to these messages.
However, one of the limitations of smartwatches is its screen. It might prove to be too small for you to type out a text message. If you are one of those people who want to use their smartwatch to send out text messages, then you should know the best smartwatches that you can use for texting.
Bottom Line up Front: The 3 Best Smartwatches for Texting are:
- Asus Zenwatch 3
- Sony Smartwatch 3
- Samsung Gear S3 Classic
Comparison of the 3 Best Smartwatches for Texting
- Good for social media interaction when outside
- Good battery life and plenty of tools available
- Long lasting battery life
- Multiple Styles available for different occasions
- Sending messages without typing
- Water resistant & excellent battery life
- Regular Watch Design with many tracking features
- Available in different colors and materials
- Excellent battery life
#1 Asus ZenWatch 3
The first thing that you would notice about the Asus ZenWatch 3 is how beautiful it is. It sports a stainless steel case, a traditional Italian-tailored leather strap, and a sleek and elegant overall design making it very wearable.
This well-appointed smartwatch is a great accessory to your personal style and can go well with any outfit for any occasion. You can choose from three casing choices: silver, gunmetal, and rose gold. You can also choose between a beige band and a dark brown band.
On top of that, you also have a range of stunning smartwatch faces available for use. You can choose to smartwatch faces under six categories: sport, urban, simplicity, digital, youth, and luxury. And if you cannot find the perfect smartwatch face for your ZenWatch 3, you can always create your own.
You also have access to the ZenWatch Manager, which allows you to personalize your smartwatch faces easily. On top of allowing you to choose a smartwatch face, you can add widgets to it, allowing you to get the information you need at a glance.
The smartwatch is made for durability. The stainless steel used in its construction is 82% stronger than ordinary steel and can easily hold up its own even when you wear it daily. It has a thin bezel and three buttons that can help you interact with your smartwatch.
The top button gives you one-touch access to your favorite apps, the middle button opens a menu of functions, while the last button turns the Eco Mode on, helping you conserve battery juice.
On top of that, the two-finger touchscreen display is AMOLED 1.39″ and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glazz. It has 400 x 400 pixels of resolution at 287 pixels per inch. It is no secret that the ZenWatch 3 looks good, but is that all there is to it? Is it just eye candy?
Absolutely not. It uses Android Wear, so you pretty much get a whole range of smartwatch features. It can help you organize all the important stuff and have it easily accessible when you need it. You can use the ZenWatch 3 to catch up with friends, get weather forecasts, and access a range of other information that you will need during the day trough apps.
Moreover, you can send a text message with your Asus ZenWatch 3 using voice commands. You can access the Send a Text feature by saying, “OK Google” and then saying “Send a text message.” After that, you will be asked to say the name of the person you want to send a text message to, and then say your message. That’s it. You do not even have to furiously tap on your smartwatch!
The Asus ZenWatch3 can also help you get fit as an activity tracker. With the ZenFit app, you can count your steps and get reminders to move. It can also track your exercises such as running, doing the sit-ups, walking, and other activities accurately. And don’t worry about getting your Asus ZenWatch 3 wet because it has an IP67 water-resistance rating.
You can also add your own apps with a dedicated Google Play Store.
Some other things you should know about the Asus ZenWatch 3 is that it uses a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear 2100 processor, which uses 25% less energy than the old processor that was used by ZenWatch 2. It also has a 341 mAh battery.
But you would really need to recharge your ZenWatch 3 every other day. You can get around two days of operation on a single full charge. If you turn on the always-on screen mode, then battery life is shortened to less than a day.
The ZenWatch 3 does not have its own built-in GPS and does not have options for cashless payments. But that’s okay because of its low price. The Asus ZenWatch 3 has a retail price of $229, but you can get it for $212.
Further Reading:
#2 Sony SmartWatch 3
Admittedly, the Sony SmartWatch 3 is not one that would win design awards. With its rectangular form, there is nothing much about the smartwatch’s design that is truly remarkable. The good news is that you can change the looks of your smartwatch with different bands, including a leather band and a chain-link steel band.
The biggest selling point of the Sony SmartWatch 3 is that it allows you to leave your phone at home when you go exercising. It can store music for your walkouts, and function as an activity tracker, tracking everything! It has a built-in GPS, a compass, an accelerometer, and a gyro sensor to help it accurately track your activities.
What’s more, you can use the Sony SmartWatch 3 not just for his activity tracker but to get Facebook and message notifications, control your music on your smartphone, and even check on your favorite apps.
It has its own Wi-Fi receiver, which allows you to interact with Android apps on your smartwatch without having to rely on your smartphone. It works with Android Wear, too. You can even reply to e-mails, and update your social media account.
There are several ways to respond to or compose a text message using your Sony SmartWatch 3. The first is to use voice commands to dictate the text message that you want to type out and send.
You can also just send an emoji by drawing the emoji on the smartwatch face. Or you can send pre-composed text messages.
The Sony SmartWatch 3 is water protected with an IP68 water resistance rating. It also uses a 420 mAh battery that can give you up to two days with normal use. You can also download android apps on the smartwatch itself, extending the things that it can do.
There is no arguing that the Sony SmartWatch 3 performs really well, with its own built-in GPS and Wi-Fi network onboard.
It may benefit from an overhaul in the looks department, but that really is not a big deal especially when you consider that it sells for $275.
Further Reading:
#3 Samsung Gear S3 Classic
The Samsung Gear S3 is the South Korean electronics maker’s answer to the Apple Watch. Samsung has made sure to pack it with all the features that you would expect from a competent smartwatch: water resistance, heart rate monitor, NFC, activity and fitness tracking, altimeter, and GPS.
It comes with a built-in speaker allowing you to make phone calls from your wrist. If you are out on a run, and you left your wallet at home, you can still buy bottled water using Samsung Pay on your Gear S3. You can also store music files and download the apps you want or need.
What’s more, the Gear S3 Classic tracks your movements accurately. And with its onboard barometer, the smartwatch can detect weather changes. Another unique and potentially life-saving feature is its ability to send your location to trusted contacts by just pressing the home button thrice thanks to its built-in GPS.
The Samsung Gear S3 Classic allows you to leave your phone when it is inconvenient for you to bring it along, and a single charge would give you four days of battery life with normal use.
And because all of these features would be for naught if you find the smartwatch too ugly to be wearable, Samsung made sure that you would be proud to show the S3 Classic off. The Samsung Gear S3 feels very comfortable on your wrist and everything – the bezel, the crystal, the crown, and the bands – is made of high-quality material.
You get top-quality stainless steel for the casing, and silicone and leather bands in a variety of colors are available. Moreover, the Samsung Gear S3 Classic has a modern sleek look, as well as customizable smartwatch faces to suit your every mood.
Like the two other smartwatches here, the Samsung Gear S3 allows you to send a text message using your voice. You have to activate the smartwatch using the “Hi, S-Voice” command, then say “Send a text.” Say the name of the person you want to text and the message you want to send. When the Gear S3 prompts you with “Ready to send,” you can just say “Okay” or tap the OK button on the smartwatch.
The Samsung Gear S3 Classic sells for $320. It is not a cheap smartwatch, actually, It is the most expensive smartwatch for those who want to send a text message from their wrists, but because of its unique features, beautiful design, and functionality, it is definitely worth the extra dollars you shell out for it.
Further Reading:
- Samsung Gear S vs Moto 360
- Samsung Gear Sport vs Fitbit Ionic Comparison
- Samsung Gear Live vs LG G Watch Comparison
- Samsung Gear S3 vs Huawei Watch 2
- Samsung Gear 2 Neo Review
- Samsung Gear Fit Review
