Smartwatches have so many features that we use in our daily lives. But the most essential thing in any smartwatch is Bluetooth connectivity required for it to sync data with your phone. However, smartwatches on the market use different Bluetooth versions, including Bluetooth 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. Therefore, in this article, let’s check out the difference between the most common Bluetooth versions used on smartwatches.
Also, Read | Single Chip Vs Dual Chip Bluetooth Calling On Smartwatches
What is the Importance of Bluetooth in Smartwatches?
Bluetooth is the main component in any smartwatch to allow connectivity with a mobile phone. It allows one to send and receive data from one device to another. All the activity and health data are synced via Bluetooth in the smartwatch’s companion app on the smartphone.
With the help of Bluetooth, we receive our smartphone notifications data on the watch and all the data sharing like syncing the watch face, updating settings, etc. is possible via the same.
Common Bluetooth Versions in Smartwatches – Explained
There are some common Bluetooth versions that are found in smartwatches including old and new ones. Let’s see how these popular Bluetooth versions are different from each other:
1. Bluetooth 3
Bluetooth version 3 was launched in 2009 and was known as a high speed because of its faster transfer rate. It uses high power consumption that was not much suitable for IoT products like headphones and smartwatches.
Still, several manufacturers use Bluetooth version 3 for the calling purpose in dual-chip smartwatches. In these smartwatches, Bluetooth 3.0 or 3.1 is paired with a separate Bluetooth 4 or 5 chip for data synchronization. Here’s the complete difference between single-chip and dual-chip smartwatches.
2. Bluetooth 4
Bluetooth version 4 was launched in 2010 with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It was a power-saving variant of Bluetooth Personal Area Network (PAN) technology. It was used in smartwatches to make communication with smartphones and tablets. Smartwatches have health-tracking sensors embedded, and data syncing was made possible with Bluetooth 4.0.
3. Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth 4.2 was introduced in 2014 and was used commonly in many smartwatches. It had increased data transfer speeds and improved connectivity. This was a decent upgrade over Bluetooth version 4 but had some noticeable improvements.
4. Bluetooth 5
Bluetooth version 5 was launched in 2016 and is the most popular Bluetooth version in smartwatches. The most important feature of Bluetooth 5 is lossless and secure communication between gadgets. It has a very fast connection speed and almost doubles the transfer speed as compared to the previous generation. It was highly focused on a seamless experience with the Internet of Things (IoT).
You can find this Bluetooth version on a lot of capable smartwatches including the Apple Watch Series 7, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Apple Watch SE, Amazfit GTS 4 & GTR 4, Fitbit Versa 4, and so on.
5. Bluetooth 5.2
Bluetooth version 5.2 is currently used in new smartwatches and it was released in 2020. It introduces some new features including Low Energy Power Control (LEPC) and Enhanced Attribute Protocol (EATT).
It allows parallel data transfer between Bluetooth LE client and server. Bluetooth 5.2 also enabled single-chip Bluetooth calling on smartwatches as it supports dual action on a single chip. Faster pairing capabilities and longer battery life are also the key highlights of Bluetooth 5.2.
Smartwatches like the recently released Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, Realme TechLife Watch R100, and OnePlus Nord Watch (review) feature Bluetooth 5.2.
6. Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth version 5.3 is very new and the current Bluetooth version available in smartwatches. It was introduced last year i.e. 2021 with significant upgrades over Bluetooth version 5.2. It adds more stability in connection, enhanced security, and more efficiency.
Smartwatches with Bluetooth 5.3 has stronger connection and faster connectivity. Some examples include the latest Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, Noise ColorFit Pro 4, and the Realme Watch 3 Pro (review).
Which Bluetooth Version is Best for Smartwatches?
The simple answer to this question without any doubt is the latest Bluetooth version. Every Bluetooth version upgrade came with more features and better connectivity. Therefore, the latest Bluetooth version 5.3 is best for smartwatches as it provides the latest features support, faster pairing, stronger connectivity, and supports single-chip Bluetooth calling functionality.
You should always choose a smartwatch with the latest Bluetooth version. For now, you should choose a smartwatch running Bluetooth 5 and above for the best experience.
To give you a perspective, some of the best smartwatches from the last year like the Apple Watch Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 are using BT 5.0. In fact, the newly launched Pixel Watch, too, features the same version.
Popular Smartwatches with Bluetooth Version 5+
Here are some of the best smartwatches with Bluetooth version 5 and higher that you can buy right now. Check out the list below:
Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 Max
- Display: 1.85-inch TFT
- Water/Dust Rating: IP68
- Sports Modes: 100
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Days
Best Buy Link: Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 Max (Jet Black)
Realme Watch 3 Pro
- Display: 1.78-inch AMOLED
- Water/Dust Rating: IP68
- Sports Modes: 110+
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Days
Best Buy Link: Realme Watch 3 Pro (Grey Strap)
DIZO Watch R Talk
- Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED
- Water/Dust Rating: IP68
- Sports Modes: 110+
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Days
Best Buy Link: DIZO Watch R Talk (Black Strap)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Display: 1.4-inch AMOLED
- Water/Dust Rating: IP68 + 5ATM
- Sports Modes: 90+
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Battery Life: Up to 80 Hours
Best Buy Link: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Bluetooth
Amazfit GTS 4 Mini
- Display: 1.65-inch AMOLED
- Water/Dust Rating: 5ATM
- Sports Modes: 120+
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Battery Life: Up to 15 Days
Best Buy Link: Amazfit GTS 4 Mini (Midnight Black)
Wrapping Up
This was a quick overview of the most common Bluetooth versions in smartwatches. We can say that Bluetooth connectivity keeps improving with the newer generations and brings some new features as well. Do share your smartwatch’s Bluetooth version in the comments below, and stay tuned with WearablesToUse for more informative articles!
