As tech companies strive to cram as many features into one device as possible, a standalone smartwatch was the logical next step. There are a variety of smartwatches you can buy right now that also include a sim card slot. Essentially, this makes the device a fully-functioning alternative to your smartphone by allowing you to make and receive calls right from your wrist. This is especially useful for joggers or people who routinely lose their phones.
As you can imagine, every electronic manufacturer is attempting to rush these devices to store shelves to claim their cut. Anyone who desires a smartwatch with a sim card has dozens of options to sift through already. To make your search easier, we compiled this list of the best standalone smartwatches you can buy in 2021.
How to choose the best smartwatch with SIM card
There are two main things you should do before walking into a store or browsing your favorite online retailer. You should research the features that are most appealing to you and decide which ones are mandatory for you to make the purchase. Then, you must also set a price point in your head that you don’t want to go over.
Know what features you desire most
Electronic manufacturers tend to copy each other as soon as a fresh idea emerges in the market. You can take full advantage of this by waiting for the inevitable competition that is sure to follow any hot new trends. Look for other brands that offer more value while still providing the features you crave most. With a proper shopping list already in your mind, you won’t be paralyzed by all the extraneous options.
Set a budget and stick to it
The final step before purchasing a smartwatch is to set a strict price limit on what you are willing to spend. Many smartwatch sellers will do their best to upsell and tempt you with the latest marketing buzzwords. These buzzwords are almost often attached to insanely high price tags that aren’t worth it in the long run. Knowing your price ceiling ahead of time will make it much easier to say no to all the pricey last-minute upgrades that will be offered to you.
The best standalone smartwatch with SIM card list for [year]
Without further ado, here is a brief overview of the best smartwatch models you can buy right now.
Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch
Fitbit has made a name for itself in the physical wellness tracking industry. While their initial offerings did little more than monitor your heart rate, the newest line of Fitbits has fully-fledged smartwatch functionality. The Blaze is one of the newest models to consider and comes with the smoothest sim card and phone functionality of any Fitbit product. You can also quickly respond to text messages right from the wrist-mounted interface.
In addition to sim card support, the Blaze also offers the wonderful suite of fitness features you’ve come to expect from Fitbit. The heart-rate tracking is greatly improved and you can monitor your body’s condition via their intuitive app. The battery lasts for five hours of constant use and has enough juice to monitor your fitness while in rest mode. If you do need to charge it, the included cable has you back up to speed in under an hour. Overall, the Fitbit Blaze provides an excellent value for a relatively low cost.
Pros
- Sleek and elegant design
- Intuitive controls and phone functionality
- Industry-leading physical fitness tracking
Cons
- Bluetooth connection will sometimes drop out around electronic interference
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple’s latest smartwatch is one that most people will take a look at first. The brand pioneered the smart industry and many customers still eagerly await each new release from them. The standard Apple features like Siri and iTunes are available right out of the box. You also get a whopping 18 hours of battery life that will easily last you all day. The build quality is also just as reliable as any of the latest iPhones and includes water-resistance of up to 50 meters.
The touch screen display is rather large so tapping to control calls and texts is a breeze. The 64-bit dual-core processor manages all of your apps quickly so you don’t have to wait around for anything to load. The result is one of the most enjoyable smartwatch experiences you can possibly have. However, the high price point and closed ecosystem of Apple will turn some people off no matter how nice the rest of the package is. If you aren’t bothered by Apple’s policies, then you will have a blast with this device.
Pros
- Incredible build quality and reliable performance
- Stylish design that will turn heads
- Incredibly long battery life
Cons
- Cost includes the “Apple Tax”
- Features limited by the closed Apple Ecosystem
Samsung Gear Fit2
If you aren’t a fan of Apple products, then you most likely turn to Samsung to create the next best alternative. The iconic brand has managed to do so yet again with the Gear Fit 2 smartwatch. While this watch is compatible with iOS devices, it is most beneficial to pair it with other Android products to get full freedom to do what you please. A great example of this is the ability to store music directly on the device. This is perfect if you frequently move through areas where cellular signal trails off.
The phone functionality is excellent and you’ll have zero issues with calls or texts. The battery lasts nine hours when under heavy GPS use. However, it can last up to five days if it stays in rest mode a majority of the time. Samsung also includes a convenient charging cradle that can be used on the road or when you get home at night. The user interface is very sleek and matches the look of Samsung’s flagship phones. The result is a premium experience that you won’t need to pay an arm and a leg for.
Pros
- Sturdy, water resistant exterior that looks great
- Solid fitness tracking and litany of other Android apps
- Flawless phone calls and communication features
Cons
- GPS calibration can be slightly off
Pebble Time Smartwatch
Pebble has a long history of creating industrial-grade electronics. They recently shifted to the commercial market with the release of their Time smartwatch. The cool thing about Pebble is that they understand that they have a lot of catching up to do in this market. This means they offer similar features and build quality of giants like Samsung without marking up the price due to brand recognition. If you haven’t heard of them before now, considering doing more research before writing them off.
The Time smartwatch offers up to seven days of battery life with moderate use. This is extremely useful for vacations and business trips. The voice control also makes responding to calls and texts very simple. The touchscreen utilizes reinforced glass and the unit can resist water for up to 30 meters. As you can see, Pebble’s latest offering is pretty close to what you would expect from leading brands like Apple. Of course, the main advantage is getting all of this functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- An ambitious manufacturer that wants to succeed
- Top of the line features for middle of the road prices
- Durable build quality and effortless phone communications
Cons
- Not as trendy as the leading brands
Conclusion
No matter which of the above smartwatches you choose, you guaranteed to have an enjoyable experience. Standalone smartwatches have come a long way over the years and companies have a good handle on what makes them tick. That being said, there is one model that stands above the rest.
The Samsung Gear Fit2 provides the best functionality and the freedom to get the most out of it. The open Android platform allows you to modify your experience however you see fit. While both Apple and Pebble offer terrific alternatives, you will ultimately be tied down by their proprietary app stores. Unless you are a diehard Apple fan, the Samsung Gear Fit 2 will provide the most bang for your buck in the long run.
