Top 10 best fitness band for runners

December 05, 2020

To regain control or improve our skills, more and more connected bracelets want to play health coaches. Here is the selection of the 10 best fitness band for runners.

Number of steps taken, calories expended, distance traveled… connected bracelets want to track our daily activity, to help us restore our health. And at the start of summer, the offer is increasingly important. To find your way around, we have prepared a selection of the best connected bracelets for sports. Depending on the budgets and the intensity of the sport, the expectations will not be the same. But the ten products listed below have some serious advantages over the competition.

Among the main qualities retained, their ability to generate reliable data, their design, their ergonomics, their smartphone application and of course their price. In order to be able to satisfy the greatest number, our selection includes very accessible products but also some bracelets intended for the most seasoned athletes.

With sometimes very different functions, it seemed difficult to classify them from first to tenth. So we decided to offer the best products equipped with a heart rate sensor, followed by the best trackers for everyday life. We have also chosen to mix genres, mixing classic bracelets and watches.

Unsurprisingly, there are brands with great experience in the field, such as Garmin, Fitbit, but also Samsung.

10 best fitness band for runners

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Honor band 5-Measures the blood oxygen level

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A well-equipped bracelet at a low price

The Honor Band 5 is a cheap connected bracelet (less than $50!) But rather complete for the price. Elegant, it is equipped with a color touchscreen and curved AMOLED of very good clarity (exceptional rendering and numerous dials), a heart rate monitor with 24/7 heart rate monitoring and a pulse oximeter (SpO2 ) to know its blood oxygen level (useful at high altitude or for monitoring covid19. It can monitor more than 10 sports activities (running, cycling, ballad, elliptical trainer, rowing machine, etc.) and transmits the data via Bluetooth (compatible with Google Fit, MyFitnessPal). It can therefore be used for health monitoring (detailed analysis of sleep, number of steps, distance, etc.) and for sports! Its sports coach will help you progress and motivate you. It does not have GPS but can interface with your Smartphone’s GPS. It can control music remotely as well as taking pictures, offers Smartphone notifications and a “find my phone” function. is excellent: 14 days! (6 days if you activate the heart rate and sleep monitoring).

An elegant bracelet, well supplied for a really affordable price. The functions are not numerous but for the price, we can not have it all!

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  • Track 10 activities

  • Measures heart rate continuously

  • Pulse oximeter

  • Detailed sleep tracking

  • AMOLED display

  • GPS via smartphone

  • Autonomy 14 days

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  • No GPS

  • Limited functions

  • No ambient light sensor

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Huawei Band 4 Pro -Sports monitoring and physiological measurements

New in 2020 – integrated GPS and sports coach

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Huawei is known for its phones and is making a small revolution with its reasonably priced, yet packed with features, connected bracelets. This smart bracelet offers a design and a metal finish that gives it a beautiful look. Its high definition AMOLED screen (240×120 pixels, 0.95 “) is comfortable. It has a GPS to record your route and a wrist-based cardio for activity tracking and detailed sleep analysis (light, deep, paradoxical). The optical heart rate monitor has infrared LEDs used at night so as not to disturb you in your sleep. The bracelet embeds the Firstbeat algorithms used in the best sports watches, offering advanced physiological data for sports: VO2max, training effect, recovery time. The on-board sports coach provides professional advice for athletes. The bracelet can follow several sports (running, cycling, swimming, etc.). It measures the heart rate underwater, displays the score WOLF, measures distance and more (waterproof to 50 m). The autonomy is 5 to 12 days depending on the use of the cardio and 7 hours in GPS mode (much better than the previous model Huawei Band 3 Pro).

A well-equipped bracelet for sport and everyday life. Too bad the screen lacks a bit of brightness.

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  • Integrated GPS

  • Optical heart rate monitor and infrared LEDs

  • Detailed sleep analysis

  • Sports coach

  • Underwater HR and SWOLF measurement

  • VO2max, Training Effect

  • Good autonomy

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  • Requires Huawei app

  • Dimly bright screen

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Fitbit Charge 4 – GPS, contactless payment, oximeter, 20 sports tracking

New in 2019 – Ultra-complete, packed with sensors and functions

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This elegant and robust bracelet with color touch screen and intuitive is loaded with sensors and offers ultra-comprehensive functions. Improved version of the Fitbit Charge 3, it comes with a GPS, a heart rate monitor on the wrist that also acts as a pulse oximeter (measurement of the level of blood oxygen, a useful element for tracking covid19), an altimeter and a contactless payment solution (NFC chip). It has a sports coach, analyzes your sleep in detail, monitors women’s health. It can follow more than 20 sports activities (cycling, swimming, walking, etc.). The bracelet displays an intensity map (route displayed in color according to the intensity of the effort) and indicates whether the effort has improved your endurance or made you lose fat. It encourages you to move and hydrate. It helps you relax with breathing sessions based on your pulse. The Fitbit Charge 4 lets you control music and browse playlists and podcasts right from the band. Its autonomy is 7 days (5 days in GPS mode).

The extras: GPS, oximeter, contactless payment, altimeter, detailed sleep monitoring, target heart rate zones, personalized breathing sessions, waterproof to 50 m, Smartphone notifications and SMS response, HR target zones, interchangeable silicone bracelets, fabric, etc.

An elegant and ultra-complete bracelet. Hard to beat. Our favorite.

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  • Integrated GPS

  • Continuous heart rate

  • Pulse oximeter

  • Altimeter

  • Payment system

  • Electronic Coach

  • 20 sports monitoring

  • Detailed sleep analysis

  • Female health

  • Autonomy 7 days

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  • An mp3 player would be welcome for this price

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Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro-Ultra-complete, cardio, GPS, mp3 player, vocal coach

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Here is one of the best connected bracelets today. It is multisport (about 15 sports), recognizes sports activity and offers personalized coaching to motivate you. Elegant and comfortable on the wrist, with a large touchscreen, color and very bright AMOLED display of 216 x 432 pixels, it is suitable for city and sport. It has many sensors (altimeter, barometer, cardio optics, GPS, etc.) and functions including activity monitoring (distance, steps, floors climbed). An mp3 player allows you to listen to your favorite music (up to 500 songs) with Bluetooth headsets. GPS and optical cardio on the wrist accurately measure distance traveled, calories burned and heart activity. Its connected functions make it possible to receive call and SMS notifications (requires a smartphone) and even to respond with predefined SMS. Android and iOS compatible.

The advantages: mp3 player, GPS, very bright color touch screen, cardio on the wrist, barometer, personalized coach, integrated speaker, design adapted to sport, interchangeable bracelets.

An ultra-complete connected bracelet rich in useful and easy-to-use functions. Too bad for its somewhat low autonomy (4 days) and the lack of sleep analysis. One of our favorite bracelets with the Fitbit Charge 4.

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  • Ultra-complete (GPS, music, altimeter, barometer, wrist cardio!)

  • Loud speaker

  • Superb AMOLED touchscreen

  • Vocal coach

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  • Slightly low autonomy

  • No sleep analysis

  • Bracelet and screen a little cheap

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Fitbit Alta HR-A reliable, slim and elegant tracker

Safe value, elegance

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Reference for connected bracelets, Fitbit offers here one of the most reliable bracelets on the market. Its mixed design is suitable for both sexes and is particularly well suited to women looking for a thin and elegant bracelet to match their outfit (interchangeable bracelet, also available in leather version). It is also probably the best bracelet for sleep analysis (it detects the phases of light, deep, REM sleep) thanks to an optical heart rate sensor. Fitbit Alta HR encourages you to move and automatically detects the type of sport you’re playing. It tracks your activity (steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate). The Fitbit interface, for monitoring and analyzing data, is also very user-friendly.

The advantages: elegance, optical heart rate sensor, interchangeable bracelets (many colors, leather), detailed sleep analysis

A bracelet that seduced us for its reliability, finesse, elegance and excellent sleep monitoring.

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  • Reliability

  • Elegance

  • Detailed sleep analysis

  • User-friendly interface

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  • We would expect a little more sensors and functions for this price

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Garmin Vivosmart 4-PulseOX function, altimeter, stress and VO2max measurement

Very complete for life and sport

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Garmin is a benchmark in the GPS watch market and offers innovative bracelets. The Garmin Vivosmart 4 is very complete and offers some interesting new features such as the oximeter (measurement of the blood oxygen level) to refine the analysis of your sleep. It has a wrist-based cardio (Garmin Elevate) for measuring calories burnt, analyzing sleep, measuring VO2max and measuring stress. A Body Battery function indicates your level of fitness and invites you to rest or offers a suitable activity. It is based on the variability of heart rate, sleep, stress level and your activity. This multisport bracelet offers a complete activity tracking function (steps, distance, sleep, floors climbed, calories burned) and connected functions (access to the weather forecast, control of smartphone music, call and SMS notifications and more. Vivosmart 4 knows how to count the number of reps in strength training, encourages you to move, gives you personalized goals and more.

Advantages: bright touch screen, barometric altimeter, OX pulse function, stress and fitness measurement, 7-day battery life, ambient light sensor, access to the weather forecast, waterproof (swimming and shower)

Elegant and discreet, this jewel of technology is rich in sensors and functions. We recommend it for precise sleep tracking and advanced features.

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  • Very full

  • Elegant

  • Autonomy

  • Oximeter

  • Measurement of stress and fitness level

  • VO2max

  • Detailed sleep tracking

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  • Waterproof (not suitable for diving)

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Fitbit Charge 3-Very complete, with oximeter and contactless payment

New in October 2018

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This thin, elegant and robust bracelet (ultra resistant Gorilla Glass and aluminum bracelet used in the aerospace industry) will seduce you with its very complete functions. Improved version of the Fitbit Charge 2, it now offers a touch screen and a replacement “haptic” button are mechanical buttons. Its autonomy is reduced to 7 days instead of 4. A special version (20 € more expensive) has an NFC chip for contactless payment Fitbit Pay. The Fitbit Charge 3 offers more than 15 sports and can detect the type of sport practiced. It tracks your activity (steps, number of floors climbed, sleep, calories burned) and has female health tracking. Equipped with an optical cardio and an SpO2 sensor or oximeter (measurement of oxygen saturation), it makes a detailed analysis of your sleep (light, deep, paradoxical, sleep disorders). It encourages you to move and hydrate. It helps you relax with breathing sessions based on your pulse.

Strong points: oximeter, contactless payment, power meter, detailed sleep monitoring, personalized breathing sessions, water resistant to 50 m, Smartphone notifications with quick responses (under Android), interchangeable bracelets.

An elegant, complete, good autonomy and interesting bracelet for the precise monitoring of sleep, health and shape. Also discover the new, more complete version, the Fitbit Charge 4 (above)

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  • Very full

  • Oximeter

  • Detailed sleep analysis

  • Altimeter

  • Autonomy

  • Payment system (more expensive dedicated model)

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  • No GPS

  • An mp3 player would be welcome for this price

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Fitbit Inspire HR-a sporty and elegant connected bracelet

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Some fitness bands have a design that proudly reflects the athletic destiny of the device. If this bias is easily understood, it can be a problem for those who wish to wear their connected bracelet outside the gym.

For the latter, the Fitbit Inspire HR is the option of choice with its design of great elegance sublimated by excellent finishes. In addition, the small, understated case is also discreet, perfect for wearing it in the office.

The other great strength of this model is its autonomy which can reach 6 days, a result which places it in the high average of the sector. Unfortunately, the touchscreen is monochromatic. However, the OLED panel allows you to see notifications clearly. However, we will have some difficulty reading the screen in the sun.

For fitness functions, you will have to depend on the GPS of your smartphone. But he has a heart rate monitor on board. However, it should be noted that this heart rate sensor is not always very accurate.

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  • Elegant design and exemplary finishes

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  • Lack of precision of the heart rate monitor

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Polar A370: The connected bracelet for athletes

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The Polar A370 is a stylish, waterproof wristband. It picks up your daily activity and even tracks your sleep. It will give you a personalized goal based on more than just a number of steps. The application is very intuitive with different color codes to indicate each activity of the day.

The connected bracelet motivates you by making a daily recap with penalties if you have been inactive for too long. The app also lets you set a mood for each day, which is a fun plus.

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  • Simple aesthetics

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  • Low number of features

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Misfit Shine 2: The connected bracelet dedicated to women

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The Shine 2 connected bracelet offers a good compromise between elegance and functionality. The data is precise, the battery life is high, and the connected bracelet stands out for its great versatility. The clip allows it to be attached to a t-shirt, shoe or pocket, which is very useful for people who don’t want to clutter.

In terms of functionality, there are steps count, sleep monitoring, and smartphone notifications. Its sleep analysis allows you to compare the phases of sleep and have a detailed graph. You can also compare your results with your Facebook friends.

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  • Excellent feature / price ratio

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  • Very “cheap” plastic appearance

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CONNECTED BANDS PURCHASING GUIDE

Definition of connected band

For a precise definition of connected bands in general, we direct you to our articles on the history of connected objects and the use of connected bracelets. On this page we will mainly address the topic of connected fitness bands.

By connected band, we designate all the objects capable of connecting to the Internet via a computer or a smartphone (generally in bluetooth) and generally worn around the wrist (although it is often possible to pin it to its belt or simply to wear it in your pocket) day or night. Under this unique name, however, there is an impressive number of devices with extremely different functions and capacities. Thus, there are bracelets that function as a sports coach, competent in the collection of physical data such as your heart rate, the number of calories burned or the quality of your sleep; or others acting as intermediaries for your smartphones by offering you access to your emails, SMS and even to answer calls. It is therefore important to understand that there is no such thing as an audience for connected bracelets. On the contrary: for each need, there is a specific connected bracelet. This is what makes it an interesting object that is likely to appeal to everyone.

As said before, everyone has their own criteria for choosing what they want to use their bracelet for. But above all, it is the pedometer function that is found everywhere. According to the standard recommended by the World Health Organization, the goal is 10,000 steps per day, but each user gives more or less weight to criteria they deem more important. Certain models then necessarily take an advantage over others.

What runners uses for connected bands?

No need to lie: in the world of connected bands, the vast majority is devoted to sports coaching. And on second thought, this is not surprising.

Now that technology is capable of producing discreet accessories crammed with sensors that give us precise data on how our bodies are functioning, it would be a shame to miss them. So, make no mistake: while they still occupy a marginal role at the moment, connected bracelets (and Quantified Self tools in general) are changing the way we do sport. We no longer jog based on the length of our run alone.

At a glance at our watch, we can directly check the precise number of calories we have burned, our progress since the day before or our blood oxygen level. Besides that, most bracelets will also give you the ability to directly control our music, without the burden of another device.

Given the large number of models on the market, many diverge in their approach to sports monitoring and this is reflected in the features offered. Concretely, no two connected sports bracelets are alike: some only embed the basic functions to make the price interesting (Bowflex Boost), others rather focus on making their product as complete as possible (Withings Pulse O2, Basis).

Some specialize in a specific practice (TomTom Runner for running), some are aimed at a wider audience (iBits, intended for the whole family) while other models differ by offering a virtual coach (Reign) or remarkable water resistance (Runtastic Orb).

Simple activity tracker or more complete bracelet?

From bracelet to bracelet, there is always a difference. But it is possible to draw two main classifications overall, namely simple activity sensors and more complete and, obviously, more complex bracelets.

The “basic” connected band

In principle, the first models are intended for all people who simply want to know their habits better. They provide them with information about their daily activity level. Without artifice and more affordable, these sensors fulfill their functions perfectly. In general, their design often adopts a “master key” style, devoid of screen and sometimes equipped with LEDs. They can only work with smartphone apps in order to track progress in daily goals.

The complete connected band

The second models are almost more efficient. They have a whole range of features that go far beyond the limit of simple sensors for measuring physical activity. Indeed, they can turn into “connected watches” by indicating the time while ensuring the display of certain smartphone notifications. They can also act on certain functions of the mobile device, such as triggering the camera, playing music etc. Often these bracelets have a display. This allows the user to check the development of their statistics on the fly.

Other connected bands

Apart from connected bracelets that measure physical activity, more original variants are also available on the market. For example, there are bracelets that measure exposure to the sun. Other models can track the whereabouts of one’s children, and some even serve as a one-touch meeting place.

Connected watch or connected bracelet?

Many people hesitate between buying a smartwatch or a smart bracelet. Nothing more normal, because the two accessories have certain similar functions. However, a few features differentiate the two objects.

Thus, watches make it possible to receive SMS and MMS notifications and to pick up calls. You can also manage music from the watch. The object really positions itself as a relay for your smartphone. You can even pass the baton to your watch, as some models allow the use of a 4G chip or Wi-Fi connection. If the screen size allows it, it is possible to view photos or videos. Activity tracking is also possible, but in a much more minimalist way than on connected bracelets.

The bracelet is all about the follow-up offered, extremely thorough. Whether it is your health, your sports performance or your well-being, these allow you a daily follow-up on many parameters.

Heart rate monitor, sleep monitoring, pedometer, the functions are numerous and ideal for athletes. The connected bracelet can also receive notifications from your phone, but you cannot manage your music or answer a call.

In terms of price, the bracelet is much more affordable than the watch. Some are available for less than 25 € for very good quality. The cheapest watches are sold for 50 €. You will have to spend a little more than 300 € for the more expensive models.

Regarding the autonomy, that of bracelets can go up to several months, while it rarely exceeds a week for watches. If the design is an important factor, know that the difference is noticeable between the two products. The bracelet really presents itself as a fashion accessory. It is clean and often in black with most manufacturers. If you want to stay in a more understated design, smartwatches don’t have a noticeable difference from traditional watches, but perhaps offer more varied designs.

There is therefore no better choice between the connected bracelet or the connected watch. There is only one choice which will be more suitable depending on what you expect from your device.

Connected bracelets designed for women

Ladies, some builders are thinking of you. Some connected bracelets are specially designed with features suitable for women. This is the case with Ava, a connected fertility sensor bracelet. This is designed to track and analyze women’s cycles to determine their fertile period. The bracelet works with a smartphone application that requires you to enter certain information. The object then does the rest of the work, at night, analyzing 9 physiological parameters.

Since last year, Fitbit watches have also offered a menstrual cycle tracker app. It allows you to predict the onset of periods, but also to know the best times of fertility. Accessories with such functions are not legion, but these models will make you happy.

Can we use a connected bracelet without a smartphone?

In 95% of cases, it is mandatory to have a smartphone to use a connected bracelet. However, some models of bracelets can be used independently. Most of the independent smartphone products are GPS bracelets. This is the case with the TomTom Spark, a great smartwatch model that can work on its own. Bracelets of this kind are still rare on the market.

Choose your connected bracelet according to your budget

The price of a connected bracelet can vary from a few euros to several thousand euros. Of course, several elements come to determine the price: the quality, the performance, the different functionalities available to the accessory, but also its design and the materials with which it is made. It is then possible to get it for less than 10 euros for a model like Fastfox. At the other end of the spectrum, the English jeweler Christophe & Co has chosen to release luxury goods adorned with gold and luxurious ceramics, including the Virtus sold at $ 75,000, the Orion at $ 93,000 and the Apollo at $ 149,000. . These are customizable and are only available for pre-order.

The ideal way to refine your choice is to clearly define your needs and desires beforehand, but above all your specific objectives. From this simple analysis, anyone can determine which accessory is right for them. It is possible to make a comparison of the different products available on the market on the various sites provided for this purpose. This allows you to have a precise idea of ​​the prices, the various technical characteristics and many other criteria relating to your future connected bracelet.

Choose your bracelet according to your expectations

In the jungle of connected bracelets and smartwatches, it is not easy to navigate. The offers have never been so varied despite the hegemony of certain high-tech giants like Apple. All of them offer to improve your well-being and your daily life via applications that can be viewed directly (or not) on your wrist. And all of them offer the same possibilities to make calls, or stream music with or without a smartphone. It is for this reason that there are questions to ask before settling on a choice.

A connected band for sport or everyday life?

As you will be constantly wearing your connected bracelet, it would make sense to know the uses you want to make of it. If you want a connected bracelet for health reasons, it is obvious that you will choose it with applications capable of tracking your physical activities. The choice of die-hard athletes should also be more a device with essential features such as reliable GPS and applications that allow them to improve their performance. And why not, to simply recover. If it is to receive emails or social networks, be aware that it is quite possible, as these are features that are more and more widespread. The closest example is the case of Apple Watch, which displays a message and allows you to reply to it. Although reading through the tiny screens that most of these gadgets are equipped with can be a bit tricky.

Connected bracelet and operating system

Most modern connected watches and bracelets no longer necessarily have to be paired with smartphones. The designer of sports watches Garmin was the instigator of just such models. Closely followed by Apple and Samsung who subsequently created 100% autonomous watches. However, the question of the operating system and the compatibility of the watch or the connected bracelet arises before a crush. For the sake of universalization, many manufacturers have chosen to equip their products with Google’s Wear Os operating system for smartwatches. This has the consequence of limiting the functionalities and possibilities of interaction.

Obviously, most of these devices can connect to iPhones or Android smartphones via bluetooth. At the same time, Samsung connected watches run on Tizen OS, which is both more intuitive and practical thanks to the rotating crown if we compare them to those running on Wear OS. But being a home operating system from this manufacturer, it is also more limited.

For all these reasons, you must take your mobile phone (iPhone, Windows Phone or Android) into account before purchasing a connected fitness band (connected bracelet).

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