The 3 hidden costs of buying a smart watch

Smart watches have evolved rapidly over the years. When initially released, some might have considered a smartwatch a niche or novelty item. However, it is now clear that these devices offer many practical advantages. In addition to helping users track their health, smartwatches can potentially reduce reliance on smartphones by allowing users to receive notifications without having to check their phone. That said, before investing in a smartwatch, it’s worth considering some of the overlooked potential costs that this purchase could entail in the long run.

In general, it is also wise to consider your options when purchasing this type of device. For example, if you’re not sure you can justify the cost of an Apple Watch, or you simply don’t use Apple devices, you might be interested in cheaper Android smartwatches. You can also check out the ranking of affordable smartwatch brands to find a budget-friendly option that will suit your needs. Just be sure to factor in any long-term costs (not all of which are monetary) associated with your purchase to prevent buyer’s remorse from setting in.

Some types of smartwatches (especially LTE or Long Term Evolution models) allow you to make calls and send texts or messages independent of a phone. While a smartwatch typically relies on your phone’s data plan to perform these functions, sometimes this isn’t the case. For example, a smartwatch typically needs to be within a certain distance from your phone to use its data plan. Even beyond LTE, your smartwatch may require its own separate data plan, depending on factors like your country and current provider.

Look for this factor when reviewing the smartwatches you are considering purchasing. While a separate data plan for a smartwatch isn’t typically particularly expensive, it still represents a potential additional cost that you should be aware of before spending your money. In many cases, a separate data plan isn’t necessary, but again, many factors (including how you plan to use your device) can determine whether this is an expense you should prepare for. It’s also worth noting that smartwatches that enable the type of features that would require a separate data plan tend to be more expensive than other models in the first place.

As mentioned earlier, not all hidden costs of a smartwatch are necessarily financial costs. Some of these may also involve privacy issues. For example, in a study published in the academic journal npj Digital Medicine, researchers found that many companies making and selling smartwatches and other such wearable technology don’t offer the kind of robust, transparent privacy policies that give consumers peace of mind.

The researchers specifically found that several companies involved in the study do not clearly report how they do or do not share user data with governments and third parties. When these companies share user data, they may not provide detailed reporting explaining why they are doing so. Additionally, research shows that these companies often lack clear and effective processes for notifying users of data and security breaches.

These issues could be significant enough to turn some consumers off the idea of ​​purchasing a smartwatch. If you have privacy concerns but are otherwise determined to get a wearable device, be sure to carefully review all relevant privacy policies before purchasing a device.

Again, you may be considering smartwatches for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’re looking for a device that can help you track your health and fitness. If so, be aware that to use a device’s full fitness tracking capabilities, you may need to subscribe to a service or app like Fitbit. Although you can access some features at no additional cost, a subscription is often necessary to take full advantage of what the device can do.

Consider the specific reasons you are considering purchasing a smartwatch before placing an order. Research how your intended use of the device may affect the amount you spend on additional services in the long run. While these extra expenses may be worth it to maximize your enjoyment of a smartwatch, you don’t want them to surprise you.

None of this is meant to discourage anyone from buying a smartwatch. As stated at the beginning, these devices can be very useful. You simply need to know what you are getting into when you invest in technology. This involves asking about potential hidden costs. In the meantime, if your next smartwatch isn’t your first, it might also be worth looking for ways to use or reuse an old smartwatch instead of letting it gather dust.