Connectivity & Smart Features: Calls, Notifications, and Music (2025 Guide)

Connectivity & Smart Features: Calls, Notifications, and Music (2025 Smartwatch Guide)

Smartwatches are more than fitness trackers—they are extensions of your smartphone. The right watch can let you stay connected without constantly pulling out your phone. From handling calls and texts to streaming music and controlling apps, connectivity is one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a smartwatch.

Why Connectivity Matters

  • Convenience – Quickly check messages, alerts, and calls from your wrist.
  • Independence – Some smartwatches with LTE can function without a phone nearby.
  • Productivity – Integration with calendars, reminders, and apps saves time.
  • Entertainment – Stream or store music/podcasts for workouts without your phone.

Key Connectivity Features to Look For

1. Calls and Texts

  • Apple Watch & Samsung Galaxy Watch: Leaders in making/receiving calls and texts directly from the watch.
  • LTE models (e.g., Garmin LTE, Apple Watch Cellular) allow true independence.
  • Many training watches (Polar, Coros) skip this in favor of battery and fitness features.

2. Notifications

  • Most smartwatches display notifications, but integration quality varies.
  • Apple Watch: Seamless with iOS.
  • Wear OS watches (Samsung, Pixel Watch, Fossil): Best with Android.
  • Garmin: Reliable but limited interaction (view/dismiss only).

3. Music Storage & Streaming

  • Apple Watch, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit allow offline storage of playlists.
  • Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music support varies by brand.
  • Garmin excels for runners—load playlists and leave the phone behind.
  • WHOOP and Polar usually skip music features to save battery.

4. App Ecosystem

  • Apple Watch: Richest app store by far.
  • Wear OS (Google): Growing quickly, integrates Google Maps, Assistant, Wallet.
  • Garmin Connect IQ: Niche but useful for training apps.
  • Fitbit: Shrinking app ecosystem, now focused more on health.

5. Contactless Payments

  • Apple Pay and Google Wallet: Widely supported.
  • Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay, Samsung Pay: More limited bank coverage.
  • Useful for workouts or travel without carrying a wallet.

Standalone vs. Companion Watches

Standalone (LTE/Cellular-enabled):

  • Use without a phone nearby.
  • More expensive + monthly carrier fees.
  • Great for runners, cyclists, or minimalists who want to leave the phone at home.

Companion Watches (Bluetooth-only):

  • Require your phone nearby for calls, notifications, and internet features.
  • Cheaper and longer battery life.
  • Perfect for most casual users.

Brand Comparisons

  • Apple Watch (Series 9, Ultra 2, SE) – Best all-around smart features, strongest app support, smoothest notifications.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch (6, 6 Classic) – Best for Android users, great call/text handling, strong Wear OS support.
  • Google Pixel Watch – Deep Google ecosystem integration, Android-first.
  • Garmin – Prioritizes fitness but supports notifications, music, payments.
  • Fitbit – Simple notifications and payments, weaker app ecosystem.
  • Polar, Coros, Suunto, WHOOP – Focus on athletes, minimal smart features.

Limitations of Smart Features

  • LTE models drain battery faster.
  • Not all apps are available on every platform.
  • Payment support varies by region and bank.
  • Cheaper models often skip advanced connectivity.

Who Benefits Most?

  • Busy professionals who need quick access to calls, texts, and notifications.
  • Runners and cyclists who want music and payments without carrying a phone.
  • Tech enthusiasts who value a robust app ecosystem.
  • Minimalists who prefer LTE-enabled watches over smartphones.

Bottom Line

Connectivity transforms a smartwatch from a fitness tool into a true lifestyle companion. Apple dominates iPhone users, Samsung and Google shine for Android, and Garmin offers a balanced approach for fitness-first buyers.

Next in this series → A guide on “Battery Life & Charging: Finding the Right Balance.”