Best 2023 Smartwatches for app ecosystem

#1 Garmin Approach S70
5.0

Garmin’s broader app ecosystem receives clear praise from one reviewer who liked how Garmin Golf and related apps tie product data together.

Pros: recovery insights, GPS accuracy

Cons: software smoothness, fitness tracking accuracy

#2 Garmin fēnix 7X Pro
5.0

The ecosystem was praised as impressive when judged around Garmin’s outdoor-focused UI, features and design.

Pros: GPS accuracy, app ecosystem

Cons: ECG functionality, calorie tracking usefulness

#3 Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.8

Withings' broader app and device ecosystem was praised for combining watch data with scales and other health products in a useful dashboard.

Pros: battery life, heart rate accuracy

Cons: third-party app support, GPS accuracy

#4 Withings ScanWatch Light
4.4

The Withings ecosystem is a plus for users with connected health devices, with reviewers noting that data can combine neatly in the app.

Pros: comfort, build quality

Cons: call handling, contactless payments

#5 Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
4.3

The Wear OS and Play Store ecosystem was seen as a major strength, with broad third-party app access, though one long-term reviewer still wanted faster app growth.

Pros: voice assistant quality, music controls

Cons: blood oxygen tracking, cross-platform compatibility

#6 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
4.3

The app ecosystem was one of the biggest strengths thanks to Wear OS and Play Store access, though a few reviewers felt Xiaomi’s implementation lacked polish.

Pros: pairing reliability, outdoor visibility

Cons: ECG functionality, running power support

#7 Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.2

The app ecosystem is a plus thanks to Garmin’s sizeable software marketplace for further personalization.

Pros: GPS accuracy, charging speed

Cons: ECG functionality, voice assistant quality

#8 Garmin Forerunner 965
4.0

Reviewers liked Garmin’s cloud sync, Strava/Apple Health integration, Connect IQ options, and lack of a required subscription, though it remains sports-first.

Pros: water resistance, workout tracking variety

Cons: LTE connectivity, ECG functionality

#9 Withings ScanWatch 2
4.0

The broader Withings ecosystem was a plus for reviewers who used scales, Health Connect, Google Fit, or multiple Withings devices in one health dashboard.

Pros: Bluetooth connectivity, pairing reliability

Cons: third-party app support, contactless payments

#10 Suunto Vertical
3.9

The app ecosystem was useful because of partner apps and SuuntoPlus options, but one-app-at-a-time limits reduced flexibility.

Pros: battery life, durability

Cons: resume later function, ECG functionality

#11 Garmin Forerunner 265
3.8

The Garmin ecosystem was powerful for data, apps, and customization, but some reviewers wanted stronger smartwatch-style apps or killer AMOLED use cases.

Pros: step counting accuracy, third-party app support

Cons: ECG functionality, LTE connectivity

#12 TicWatch Pro 5
3.6

The app ecosystem benefited from Wear OS and Play Store access, but Mobvoi's own app loadout and bloatware drew criticism.

Pros: contactless payments, battery life

Cons: voice assistant quality, LTE connectivity

#13 Garmin Venu 3
3.4

The app ecosystem is useful for Garmin data, watch faces, and some customization, but reviewers consistently note it is not as rich as Apple or Google ecosystems.

Pros: health tracking accuracy, software smoothness

Cons: LTE connectivity, mapping and navigation

#14 Amazfit Bip 5
3.1

The app ecosystem is a clear budget compromise, with one review saying it trails Apple and Google badly, while others still appreciated having downloadable mini apps.

Pros: comfort, touchscreen responsiveness

Cons: calorie tracking usefulness, onboard music storage

#15 Garmin vivomove Trend
3.0

The app ecosystem was limited by the absence of Garmin's Connect IQ app store and watch faces, which one reviewer did not see as a major dealbreaker.

Pros: activity auto-detection, build quality

Cons: blood oxygen tracking, Bluetooth connectivity

#16 Garmin Vivoactive 5
2.8

Reviewers liked Garmin’s broader tools but criticized the split/multiple-app experience and Connect IQ’s need to catch up.

Pros: fitness tracking accuracy, wellness insights

Cons: software smoothness, ECG functionality

#17 Amazfit GTR Mini
2.3

The app ecosystem was limited overall, with reviewers citing a minimal or sparse app store, although one rarely missed the missing apps.

Pros: pairing reliability, workout tracking variety

Cons: contactless payments, onboard music storage

#18 Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4
1.9

The app ecosystem is weak because reviewers repeatedly pointed to no app storefront or downloadable app support.

Pros: battery life, software smoothness

Cons: contactless payments, recovery insights

#19 Casio G-Shock DW-H5600
1.9

The app ecosystem is a recurring weakness, with limited gamification, weak trend visibility, data lock-in, and a subpar app experience.

Pros: durability, outdoor visibility

Cons: app ecosystem, third-party app support

#20 Casio G-Shock GBD-H2000
1.3

The app ecosystem is restrictive, with reviewers repeatedly objecting to trapped data and limited syncing with outside services.

Pros: brightness, charging convenience

Cons: ECG functionality, stress tracking