What are the Disadvantages of a Smartwatch?

In my last post, I talked about the 10 benefits of a smartwatch every gadget lover must know about. 

Today, I’d like to discuss the various disadvantages of a smartwatch.

The main disadvantages of a smartwatch include limited battery life, small screen size, inaccurate health tracking, and constant notifications to name a few.

But despite these disadvantages, smartwatch users are growing exponentially across the globe. 

According to the latest report, the global smartwatch market is forecasted to grow from $60.14 billion in 2022 to $64.41 billion in 2023 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%.

Because of this, more and more companies have now started manufacturing different types of smartwatches due to the increased demand.

This, in turn, has led consumers to ask questions like — 

• Do we really need a smartwatch?
• Are smartwatches worth it?
• Is a smartwatch an investment or just an expense? 

But out of all these questions, the most important one is, are smartwatches really helpful, or is it just another fancy gadget & fashion accessory?

In this post, I have shared the top 10 disadvantages of a smartwatch to help you decide if it’s really worth buying one for yourself.

Top 10 Disadvantages of a Smartwatch

Smartwatches are indeed one of the most popular types of wearable technology.

But despite the popularity & rapid evolution, there are still many disadvantages of smart watch. 

Let’s look at the main disadvantages of smartwatches to determine if they’re worth buying or not.

1 – They can be Expensive

One of the biggest disadvantages of smartwatches is that they can be extremely expensive. Some models of smartwatches cost more than an average smartphone.

Of course, you can always buy budget smartwatches that are affordable for most people. But let’s face it — they’re not equipped with all smartwatch features.

The point is, If you really want to enjoy using a smartwatch in all its glory, you’ll have to buy high-end smartwatches which tend to be on the costlier side.  

2 – Limited Battery Life

Just like any other gadget, a smartwatch requires a battery to function. Unfortunately, smartwatches have limited battery life and need to recharge every day or more frequently depending on your usage. 

Plus, if you forget to charge it at the end of the day, you’ll end up with a dead smartwatch the next morning. And if the battery dies at midnight, it won’t be able to perform its sleep-tracking function.

The point is, when you buy a smartwatch, you’ll have to keep track of your smartwatch battery along with your smartphone, which will simply add unnecessary hassle to your everyday life.

3 – Not Convenient for Calling

The demand for built-in call functionality is on a steep rise all over the world. But is it really a convenient way to call someone?

For starters, smartwatches don’t allow you to have calls privately since speakers are the only option to hear what the other person is saying on the call. 

Besides, you’re required to keep your wrist close to your ear all the time, which is not comfortable for long calls.

Plus, if you use the smartwatch calling feature in a crowded environment, you’re not going to be able to enjoy the experience. 

In a nutshell, smartwatches are not convenient for calling purposes. 

4 – Small Screen Size

Apart from being inconvenient for calling purposes, another major disadvantage of smart watch is the small screen size.

Because we get dozens of notifications throughout the day, managing them from the small smartwatch display can sometimes make us feel cluttered. 

So, despite smartwatches being full of features, what you can do with them is still very limited, which is a major disadvantage.

5 – Health Tracking is not Completely Reliable

Health tracking feature is one of the main reasons why smartwatches have gotten so popular in the first place. But not all smartwatches can track your health & workouts accurately.

For example, health & fitness tracking features in budget smartwatches are not completely reliable. So, if your primary purpose is to track your workouts or health metrics, you shouldn’t buy a budget smartwatch.

For accurate health & fitness tracking functionality, you’ll have to purchase high-end smartwatches like Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. 

6 – Constant Notifications can Distract You

Notifications in smartwatches are both a blessing and a curse. 

In simple words, the notifications feature in smartwatches can be really helpful in situations when you cannot use your smartphone. 

On the other hand, the constant stream of notifications can easily become a curse if you don’t learn to use this feature effectively. 

Additionally, the never-ending notification alerts can disrupt your productivity and is also harmful to your mental health.

7 – Your Smartphone Has to be Nearby (In Most Cases)

The majority of smartwatches still require your smartphone to be nearby in order to use all its features.

This is because most smartwatches (except for standalone smartwatches) function by synchronizing with your smartphone via Bluetooth technology. 

That means you will have to keep your smartwatch paired with your smartphone all the time to receive notifications and alerts about incoming calls among many other features.

8 – Can Compromise your Privacy

Another critical disadvantage of using a smartwatch is your privacy. 

You see, pairing a smartwatch with your smartphone requires granting access to your call history, messages, camera, and other private information. And all of these are subject to hacking and can directly compromise your privacy.

Furthermore, most smartwatches collect your personal data, track all your activities, and read incoming and outgoing messages, emails, and even social media alerts, which may be sent to third parties without your knowledge. 

9 – Not a Necessary Gadget

Though there are many uses of a smartwatch, it is certainly not a necessary gadget to own. 

Unlike your smartphone, it’s not something that you would go back for if you forgot to take it with you. The point is, you can most certainly live without wearing a smartwatch. 

10 – Cheaper Alternatives are Available

While this isn’t exactly a disadvantage but it’s definitely worth mentioning. If you’re considering to buy a smartwatch for fitness tracking, then there is no need for you to spend hundreds of dollars. 

Instead, you can just buy a fitness tracker/fitness band that can cover all your fitness tracking needs. 

The best part is, fitness trackers cost quite cheap compared to most types of smartwatches.

Plus, the battery life of fitness bands is much better than smartwatches. Unlike smartwatches, a fitness tracker can last from a week to an entire month on a single charge! 

Key Takeaway

If you’re planning to buy a smartwatch but are not sure if it’s worth the investment, you’re not alone. 

But, whether you should buy a smartwatch or not really depends on your budget and personal requirements. 

The decision purely depends on the reason(s) you’re buying a smartwatch and what you plan to do with it. 

That said, I hope that by reading this post on smartwatch disadvantages, you’ll be able to make a well-informed decision.