The best…smartwatches

last updated 10 January 2015

Samsung Galaxy Gear

This newcomer is the first smartwatch that can “legitimately claim to be a 21st-century version of Dick Tracy’s two-way wrist radio”: It makes and receives calls, takes photos and video, and supports various useful apps. Due to ship in October, it hasn’t been thoroughly test-driven. Also, it works only in concert with a Galaxy Note phone or tablet.

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Sony’s update of its “extremely svelte” smartwatch corrects the original’s one major failing: The touch screen was “practically impossible to read” in sunlight. This edition can be used to monitor incoming texts and calls, but you still can’t conduct a conversation on it. Still, Sony’s entry might be the “sexiest-looking” choice, and it’s compatible with many Android phones.