Sales of smart rings have doubled, indicating a growing trend in wearable technology as these devices, alongside smartwatches, become essential for health monitoring.

In 2024, smartwatch sales reached 154.1 million units, significantly outpacing fitness band sales, which reflects a clear consumer preference for smartwatches over basic fitness bands.

Wear OS watches have seen substantial improvements, while Apple continues to lead the smartwatch market with innovative health features that enhance user experience.

Michael Hicks, the Wearables lead for Android Central, reviewed various smartwatches from brands like Apple, Garmin, and Samsung, and even experimented with a smart ring for the first time.

Among the smartwatches reviewed, there were no significant 'duds'; all brands demonstrated marked improvements in reliability and performance.

Hicks highlighted the trustworthiness of health and fitness data provided by the latest smartwatches, making them suitable for non-professional athletes.

Garmin has upgraded its fitness watches to AMOLED displays, moving away from older MIP technology to enhance visual clarity indoors.

The Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Ultra have prioritized fitness, introducing advanced features like running coaching and improved GPS accuracy.

The wearables market has diversified, shifting from uniform designs to more innovative and user-centric options, making it a vibrant and competitive category.

Looking ahead, Hicks expressed excitement for future developments in fitness smartwatches in 2025, although he noted that not all new features may prove practical or effective.

Smartwatches are increasingly marketed as essential health devices, capable of detecting serious health issues and providing life-saving alerts.

In January 2024, Garmin introduced indoor workout coaching, enhancing its offerings for strength training and cross-training guidance.