The Ultimate Smartwatch Buying Guide: 2024-2025 Models Explained
The smartwatch market has fundamentally split into two distinct philosophies in 2024-2025, and understanding this divide is crucial before you spend a dime. Gone are the days of one “best” smartwatch—now it’s all about choosing your priority: maximum integration or maximum battery life. The Great Divide: HLOS vs RTOS Here’s what nobody tells you upfront: smartwatches now fall into two camps that work on completely different operating systems. HLOS (High-Level Operating Systems) includes Apple’s watchOS and Google’s Wear OS. These are your “smartphone on your wrist” watches—rich app stores, smooth animations, deep phone integration, and AI assistants. The trade-off? You’re charging every 1-3 days. ...