i quit smartwatches.

After having used at least 15 different smartwatches and fitness trackers from the likes of Google, Samsung, Mobvoi, Huawei, CMF, Xiaomi and several others - I’m back to a dumb analog watch for the last 3 months. Was it a smart move or a dumb one?
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#DHRME #smartwatches #watches
00:00 Introduction
00:32 4 reasons why I stopped using a smartwatch
01:46 3 irreplaceable smartwatch features
03:23 7 things my smartphone can do as well
05:41 Conclusion

[@heldercomp]

Smartwatches for when I want to get out my house without my phone, G-shockes for regular days and mechanical watches for more formal occasions.

[@devils13]

Completely agree. Ditched smartwatches for "real" watch and Oura ring. Couldn't be happier. Perfect combo

[@wilsep]

Just got a f91-w and a g-shock 5610, can’t go wrong with classics. Smart watches just immerse you even more in screen time, notifications. We need to go back to the old days, there’s to much dependence on social media and tech these days.

[@Ostathis]

There are 3 things that make a smartwatch a must.. 1) Fitness. You can run - lift with only a smartwatch on hand, not needing to uncomfortably keep your phone with you to answer calls or listen to music etc.. 2) Notifications. You have the ability to interact and react to whatever information you want. Someone calling, you see the watch you either accept the call in your earphones or not. You can see a notification without giving the feedback to the sender that you saw it. 3) In some jobs you cant keep your phone cause its too uncomfortable/dangerous or you have a business phone. I was a big fan of watches always, i still have 6-7 good pieces lying around.. I still like an analogue watch more. But once you go smart you cant go back. There is no need. The only shortcoming is the battery but it will eventually come to pass.

[@ismaelrivera1999]

Agree with you on the fitness, health, sleeping and alarm feature of smartwatches. You should consider Garmin or Huawei in terms of battery life. Another feature that you forgot is the ability to change the watch face. It’s like having a different watch.

[@DHRME]

True!

[@imthegeorge]

3:14 also you can wake up with sound of your robot vacuum clear, or better, a cat. 😂

[@SuryaNarayananThangam]

After buying an apple watch ultra I came to the realization that there is no real use case for the all digital watch it is just another screen with same notifications and there is nothing unique! Actually I'm trying this no watch thing it helps me understand my routines well and find joy in what I do and helps me to be more productive less stress! I believe that humans construct of time is more stressful than useful

[@chetankhurana8]

I am just waiting for the day when an actual foolproof solar powered smartwatch is available! So yeah Garmin, am waiting for your "Samsung" touch!

[@itsacookie1]

Garmin Instinct 2x. Basically a GShock and a smart watch that you either never have to charge or once per month.

[@user-zn9ke8um8s]

I bought one of those solar powered g-shocks and now I never wear anything else 😂😂

[@DHRME]

Infinite battery 😁

[@roberthuffjr5540]

I actually got Apple Ultra but I don’t wear it a lot due to the battery life. I hate having to charge it every other day. I have one of those smart watches that actually gives me the time only when I press the button (turn off the sensitive tilt sensor) and saves a ton of unnecessary battery drain. It actually lasts me over a week using it like that and far more convenient to charge it only about every 10 days or so. And it’s not bad looking. Kinda G-Shockish in appearance. 😎

[@Deepanshkwatra]

I am the same, I have gone back to the vintage Casio watches and have been wearing them since a few months now. I use my Apple Watch when I go out for long walks to track my vo2max and other nifty features but when I come back home I switch back to a simple watch. Top video as always, I can relate to you and I am sure a lot of people are in the same boat.

[@ZotmundSzele]

I used to have one of the first Huawei watches running Wear OS. I'd thought I would be reaching out for my phone and watch for notification more often. It just became natural. But I became boring so I sold it and switched to TomTom, then Polar and now, since about 4 years now, to a Garmin Fenix. It's a sportwatch with smart features but I don't use the smart features a lot. I charge it about every 10 days, tracks my daily health, hikes, SUP rides, runs, literally anything I need. I have always been a watch wearing guy, I cannot leave the house without having a watch on my wrist.

[@Paddy984]

We managed without smartwatches for 100s of years without a bother. We can do it again.

[@Flash363]

I have done the same thing, I went back to G-shock metal casing 4 months ago. I don't need all that extra bullshit, I still have it for when I go running but rock my regular watch every day and couldn't be happier.

[@AndrewYouTubeUK]

Nice alternative view:) I use an apple watch with android for the past 3 years (charging after 2.5 days) and more recently with an iPhone. I use it for voice input, payments, navigation, audio storage (including audible books, podcasts, music) & play back and more. I also use an amazfit for when I'm away and can't charge for several days - haptic alarms and countdowns. Excellent. The Amazfit supports voice input (eg Siri which does better at recognising my voice). Using a smartwatch also means I get even longer battery life with my phone. I thought about a Samsung watch but with android, you really need a Samsung phone to get all the watch features.

[@JohnCamacho]

You didn't mention Garmin (although I think I saw one dangling in the start of the video). After using Samsung Galaxy watch for the last 5/6 years, I switched to the Garmin Forerunner 955 (15 DAYS of battery life! and solar powered!) and better health metrics like a Body Battery, better nap tracking etc.

[@DHRME]

True - the fitness oriented smartwatches do have great battery life. But they’re not smart-smart if you know what I mean 😉 they don’t run WearOS or WatchOS.

[@seefeel2043]

@@DHRME Fitness oriented smartwatche are not smart-smart, so let's switch to a dumb watch. Easy! 😄

[@JohnCamacho]

@@DHRME that's OK though. I don't miss wearOS but if there's one feature I wouldn't mind having, that would be a voice recorder

[@Mr2pint]

The thing is, with most smart watches, apart from apple Watch, is the sensors are not at all accurate - so why bother...

[@malcontent510]

Meh ... smartwatches seem redundant, since I _do not_ care about fitness tracking. I enjoy my Citizen Eco Drive [actual] watch.

[@6Ligma]

Classic watch + Smart Ring = winning combo

[@Kemenyan73]

I sold off all my smartwatches ,,, Samsung watch 2 , 3, 4, 5, now only one watch , the Suunto Vertical Ttanium - fits all my needs perfectly

[@richriley8031]

Yah I have plenty of both smartwatches and analog which I alternate wearing depending on the weather, working conditions and exercising.

[@ghostsofrazgriz5010]

if you live in or passing by an area where phone theft happens a lot, having a smart watch is essential. simply keep the phone secured in your pocket and check notifs or calls on the watch. its also quite convenient to use the smart watch instead of phone while driving or riding a bike

[@EricS-uf9mv]

I will never give up my Forerunner. It's an indispensable training tool.

[@patmanrick]

Fitness watxhes solve these problems. Garmin Venu 2 is what I wear and it looks decent, allows for fitness tracking, does payments and music etc for when youre out on a run or whatever, needs charging once a week or so (sometimes longer), I honestly barely even think about charging. I just dont have notifications from my phone so thats not a worry. I guess what im saying is, the bad aspects if a smart watch can just he disabled. But i do agree that classic watches look better!

[@VeitLehmann]

I used to wear a Pebble Steel for a long time some years ago, and was struggling to find a replacement. Charging every day was a no-go for me, same as touch-only operation. I eventually switched to a Garmin fenix 6S Pro. It runs 8-10 days without charging, is button-operated and does pretty much everything I want from a "smart" watch. But it's not reallt pretty. Before the Garmin, I tried something in the middle, a hybrid watch (Skagen Holst Hybrid). Minimal smart features, very weak vibration alarm, buggy app, and it killed batteries like crazy. So I abandoned it after a couple of months. I also tried a mechanical watch for a short time (a Sternglas Naos), and while I loved the look and the vibe, I missed all those smart features. Mostly timers, vibration alarm and notifications. So I returned the mechanical watch. But I'm still fascinated by them and might buy one again. Maybe one that's not too expensive. Your Seiko 5 is really nice, that's one I would enjoy wearing for sure!

[@andieluke1366]

Mannn, I miss the Pebble. Been using it since the first iteration, and upgraded to the Steel. Was gutted when FitBit bought them for the tech but stopped supporting the watches.

[@DHRME]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIbEfqt6pLeFo9ksi=T186chDCfzGHIWnK 🥲

[@scotttharler8503]

As a kid, watches were my gateway to getting into gadgets (and eventually writing about them). But for a long time as an adult, I didn't wear a watch. Until a couple of years ago when I found the original Withings ScanWatch. It's got some smart/health features, but it's a hybrid that looks like a classic mechanical timepiece. I get compliments about it all the time! What's funny about the timing of this opinion video is that I'm working on two watch-based buying guides right now, so I've actually been wearing a watch on each wrist for the past couple weeks. Looking forward to going back to (n)one sometime soon...

[@DHRME]

The Scanwatch seems like a great option. As do the rings everyone seems to be suggesting!

[@nskbhatia1]

I love and hate my Apple watch. It is a great tool for the work day and for exercise. To change up things now I wear a nice piece once a week to change up things.

[@thecooldude4564]

I had a Garmin Epix pro really good watch it lasted 6 to 7 days without a charge. But there is something about a mechanical watch that always makes me go back. Nowadays I use a chest strap during my workouts.

[@CaesiusX]

I was gifted a smartwatch years back. It was very convenient for a while. But eventually I just stopped using it (it wouldn't have been long before it couldn't have kept up technology wise). I love a good wristwatch. I like the classic look. _Only 12% are subscribed?!_ I feel special now.

[@DHRME]

You ARE special 🫶

[@aubinbaldonado]

1:18 na ah, not my Huawei GT 2 Pro 😂

[@outermarker5801]

Never got into smart watches to begin with. Always been happy with my G Shocks and other 'dumb' watches. Hate small screen anything and no use whatsoever for _another_ device to charge

[@bffmrk]

Im a watch guy and the only one that i can use for everyday and casual events is the galaxy watch6 classic 47mm in silver. It looks good for me and does enough to look good even in formal clothes. With this watch i dont have to bring multiple watches on vacation

[@corujariousa]

I am certainly one of the few who consciously never joined the hype. I am still waiting for a really good smart-ring though.

[@DHRME]

Ooh good one! I think that space is getting some interesting new products.

[@amolghodke]

That's why I love my fossil hybrid, old version, which doesn't have fancy sensors etc. But I do love notifications buzz to wrist. Battery lasts for ~6months. And it's shame they are fading away as well. I am not finding new anymore. And that's why not upgrading mine since last 2yrs.

[@DHRME]

Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke!

[@Paula-buds-pro]

Hve you checked out Whitings?

[@DHRME]

Not yet, but heard so many good things about it!

[@Paula-buds-pro]

@DHRME I had one before and it was really good and great battery life. No charging every day, i think I charged about once every 3rd week or so 😅

[@DHRME]

@@Paula-buds-pro Haha. Nice. You said 'had'. Did you stop using it and why?

[@kennethmonk7440]

garmin epix pro 51mm...AOD i charge maybe twice a week using GPS and spotify an hour a day

[@rawz05]

I ditched smartwatches years ago. My last one was the Apple Watch S4 I think. Got into “proper” watches afterwards and never looked back. Watches are timeless (most of them) and won’t go out of style or be obsolete like practically all smartwatches.

[@DHRME]

Ha! That’s the exact Apple Watch I had before moving to android. But watches are indeed timeless 😌

[@rawz05]

@@DHRMENice choice on the Seiko btw. Looks good on you.

[@DHRME]

Thank you 😌

[@rolfslickers4938]

I stopped wearing watches some years ago, then got an Apple Watch and was fascinated by it for two years. But the smartwatches got me interested in mechanical watches and that is now my fascination, but you’re right, no alarm beats an Apple Watch waking you up tender and silent in the morning 😊

[@unknownuser6809]

Do a withings watch review. They are a hybrid watch

[@DHRME]

Any specific one that comes to mind?

[@navinprem2654]

Me too, for a year now. One of the best decisions!

[@chatham117]

Smart ring is a good substitution

[@DHRME]

Any specific one that comes to mind?

[@chatham117]

@@DHRME Use RingConn myself. Oura is probably market leader at this point, but has a monthly subscription fee. Ultrahuman is another, but data seemed overly complicated.

[@chatham117]

@@DHRME I have a RingConn which has been great. Oura is probably the market leader, but has a monthly subscription fee. Ultrahuman is another option but the data from the seemed a bit complex for my own use case. Maybe an opportunity for a DHRME comparison video :)

[@imthegeorge]

5:37 well also you can look outside

[@KennyLarson]

Spot on! I did the same thing. I hated the fact that I had to throw my $300 watch away every few years, when I could use that money to get a good watch that I can pass on to my kids.

[@arnarn4112]

I use the Garmin Epix 2 pro and I find it a hard sell to go back to an analogue watch. This Watch has a two week battery life and up to a month with battery saving. Amoled display with nice watch faces with a titanium body. All the smart watch features you can ask for. And it's more accurate than any automatic watch on the planet 😏

[@oakland2425]

1:10 This is wrong. There are plenty of smartwatches that only need to be charged once every 2 weeks (i.e Huawei GT 4, Xiaomi Watch S3). I'm surprised these guys didn't know that.

[@DHRME]

Just a few examples that came to mind. But you’re absolutely right!

[@richardclements2134]

The only reason I wear a smart watch still is the clear visibility of the time and the only one which has a reasonable battery life is the Huawei ones (2-3 weeks), but you have to accept the ecosystem restrictions...

[@DHRME]

Nice one! Which ecosystem restrictions are you referring to?

[@SOLENOID4]

I never buy a smart watch. I never use a smart watch . I never make gift to anyone a smart watch. I will never use a smart watch even will be charged once in a year .

[@Sweetmochatube]

I received a GW3 recently as a gift, had to return it (Amazon gift receipt) nice looking watch TERRIBLE battery life. Namaste.

[@DD-ds7ui]

still rocking galaxy watch 3. I had Apple Watch 4 that shattered within 1 week. galaxy watch 3 is as good as traditional watch for me.

[@DHRME]

Woah! How did you manage to do that??

[@DD-ds7ui]

@@DHRME :D belt buckle struck on it while I was putting on jeans. I am embedded in apple ecosystem but prefer Samsung watches. they are more durable and watch like.

[@kofiekube]

I did the same thing

[@partapbika]

Still wearing my Casio watch I bought in 2006

[@rupbhatt]

I never started smartwatches

[@franzjosephaque2066]

You really miss the old fashioned watch. And smart watch makes a better plan. It can wake you up and check the weather. A smart watch was inspired by an IPod nano that has screen that can play music which was released in 2010. And before the term dumb watch came in the smart watch which was an Ipod Nano came which it can be converted into a watch. And the analog watch which they call a dumb watch today the ladies watch can fit kids wrist. Because ladies watch are actually smaller that kids watch and it can be adjusted.

[@oThDeth]

Welp, I didn't use watch since 2000, but last 2 years went for Xiomi smart band. Sleep track, Alarms (vibrating), and no ring tone on mobile no more. (missing calls no more) Also I do alot treatments in hospital, and having it in wrist helps alot in Playlist etc etc. Also, with my settings now 5 days with no recharging (easy) Also, with sleep detection, turn up the "do not disturb me" mode. So if sleep is detected no notification no calls no nothing. (it's realy does apply this on phone to) My life quality really improved, mainly cauz sleep and no more worries about missed calls when in silent. Was realy thinking about Nothing Phone cauz flash Leds lol Band solved it. Now, smart watch I don't think so. It's so big... They all so big lol But, every one have specific needs. No one in my family use even dumb watch ahaha They do phones.

[@DHRME]

Amazing to read how a fitness band has improved your quality of life! And all of them are exactly the reason a smartwatch/fitness band makes sense.

[@pham3]

seiko 5 fam!

[@DHRME]

👊

[@makuIa]

i’ve been a watch collector since my early 20s & i’ve always given this advice to my friends. have at least one classy, mature looking watch for dates. i’m not talking about a cheap looking big shiny g-shock. they’re for kids. when you are dressed nice, taking a woman out & you have a boring old smart watch or worse, an over the top goofy looking big diamond watch, it just kills your outfit. people are always impressed seeing a classic timepiece on your wrist

[@AustralianChristianFascists]

Wait, so when exactly are you supposed to charge your smart watch if you use it during the day to count your steps and calories and tell you the direction to walk and then you need it at night as an alarm and sleep tracker?? Smart watches seemed gimmicky to me and not really fixing any problems that needed solving.

[@DHRME]

Haha good question. I usually did it when getting ready in the morning or while at my desk working.

[@AustralianChristianFascists]

@@DHRME there's mechanical watches that charge (wind) themselves when walking. Funny that the smart watches didn't incorporate that 100 year old piece of technology 🙂

[@DHRME]

@ExtraEcclesiamNullaSalus The question is how intentional is that choice for planned obsolescence!

[@AustralianChristianFascists]

@@DHRME good one lol The 'SMART' in smart watches is for smart profit 🙂

[@Krishna-of1hv]

Why?

[@testname2635]

There's an 8.03 min video where he explains why he did that. I will post the link if I find it somewhere.

[@DHRME]

😂😂

[@Pornostar128bit]

I think the Withings ScanWatch 42mm could be interesting for you. I know I'm gonna buy it as my next watch :)