I feared smartwatches were doomed, but 2025 has proved me wrong

If you’re thinking about buying a smartwatch, you’re in luck, because at the end of 2025, it’s quite hard to pick a bad one.

For years, smartwatches were a mixed bag, and you really had only a couple to choose from if you were serious about wearing one.

Today? We’re spoiled, but for a moment I didn’t think it’d go that way.

Fossil’s exit

Bad news for wearables?

When Fossil left the world of smartwatches, I was a bit concerned about the future. It did a great job blending fashion-watch-cool with solid wearable tech, and made a wide range of memorable devices.

The Diesel Fadelite x Mad Dog Jones was really fun. Each Kate Spade smartwatch had well-judged elements that reflected the brand’s ethos, and its Skagen smartwatches got minimalism exactly right.

There was real variety, all built around a strong base model from Fossil.

No other smartwatch maker boasted the same level of watch knowledge or portfolio of watch-savvy fashion brands waiting to release their own models, leaving the world of wearables with a big hole to fill when it left the market.

Others stepped up

Top models available

I needn’t have worried. It’s coming up to two years since Fossil said it wasn’t going to make smartwatches anymore. Whether by design or not, other brands have stepped up and given us plenty of fantastic alternatives.

This year alone, you’re rather spoiled for choice.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 came out recently and is the best iteration of Google’s smartwatch yet. It takes Skagen’s benchmark minimalism and strips it back so much that the result practically disappears, but it doesn’t matter because the software is fantastic, as is the battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is Samsung’s go at a 70s-inspired smartwatch. The cushion case is so slim and sleek. It’s one of the most comfortable smartwatches you can get. The more you look at the shape, the more characterful and unique it gets.

I’m wearing the OnePlus Watch 3 at the moment, but the 43mm version, and it’s absolutely superb.

I believe the smaller case size is the one to choose with its understated style, offset crown, and wonderful weighting. I’m getting several days from the battery too, despite its small capacity, due to OnePlus’s clever dual-chip, dual-OS design.

The great thing is that the OnePlus Watch 3 and the Google Pixel Watch come in two case sizes, giving true choice.

If you’d prefer your smartwatch to look ungainly and quite ugly, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is out there too, hiding in the shadows where it belongs.

Apple Watch still reigns

You can safely buy the cheapest one this time

The Apple Watch Series 11 is refined, classy, perfectly wearable, and the software is so polished that I can see my face in it. It’s Apple’s best smartwatch yet, and the best smartwatch you can buy. Except, I’m not sure you should.

Instead, take a very good look at the Apple Watch SE 3, which has been upgraded this year with the introduction of an always-on screen.

This was the main reason most should have chosen the full Series model in the past, but now, the SE 3 makes a lot of sense for the average buyer.

There are two Ultra smartwatches to consider.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra are both tough tool watches, and the go-everywhere styles separate them from the standard models, with which they share most of the internal tech.

Wait, there are more

And they’re equally good

If you asked me whether you should buy the Pixel Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 8, OnePlus Watch 3, Apple Watch Series 11 or SE 3, or either of the Ultra smartwatches, I’d say yes.

I’ll screw my nose up a bit if you ask if you should buy the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but I’ll still say yes. I’d just judge your taste a bit.

It has been a while since I’ve been able to so readily recommend all top current smartwatches, and what’s more, I can add more to the list.

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 may be getting on a bit, and its Enduro and Atlas updates just more of the same, but it’s still a winner when it comes to battery life and can be found for very competitive prices.

I love the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, but mostly the outrageously expensive 51mm MicroLED version.

A smartwatch with a super-bright, viewable from all angles MicroLED screen is already very desirable, and the top model covers it in sapphire crystal and wraps it in a DLC-coated titanium case.

I’ve only spent a short time with the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5, but it impressed me with its new bands, new software, and beautifully designed watch faces.

Tag Heuer is just about the last luxury watch brand taking smartwatches seriously, and its dedication shines through when you wear and use one of them. I’d still recommend the Calibre E4 range.

Staying with watch brands that embrace connected technology, Casio continues to put both basic connected features and more in-depth fitness tech inside some G-Shock models.

Watchmaker Casio doesn’t let the tech suffer, and they’re the ideal choice for someone who wants a watch first, and a smartwatch second.

One more is headed our way

I hope it lives up to expectations

Putting all these smartwatches in a list like this illustrates how spoiled we, as smartwatch buyers, are at the end of 2025. But there’s one more coming, and I’m quite excited about it.

It’s the Pebble Time 2, and it’s shaping up to be another to add to my list of easy must-buys.

The care and attention given to the design and software appeals to me a great deal, and that alone makes me want to try it out. I’m expecting my pre-ordered Time 2 in early 2026, and have high hopes for it.

I do think the world of smartwatches is a little less varied without Fossil, but when every other smartwatch maker has released superb models with great, varied designs which I can heartily recommend, I don’t miss them quite as much as I thought I would.

If you’ve been thinking about buying a smartwatch, now is a brilliant time, and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the current, major models.