Everyone’s talking about the Apple Watch, but there are plenty of other smartwatch options out there for people who use an iPhone. In addition to the Pebble, there’s also the upcoming Alcatel OneTouch smartwatch. If you are an iPhone user in need of a smartwatch, here is a helpful comparison of the Apple Watch and the Alcatel OneTouch smartwatch. We’ll compare these phones across four main areas: price, specs/features, battery life, and device compatibility. If you’re planning to buy a smartwatch this spring, these two smartwatches are both worth serious consideration. The Apple Watch comes out April 24, while the Alcatel OneTouch watch is expected to debut in late March.
Want to know how the Apple Watch compares against watches like the Samsung Gear Live or Moto 360? Check out our post on the Apple Watch vs. Android Wear.
1. Apple Watch vs. Alcatel OneTouch Smartwatch: Price
Apple Watch bands will cost between $49 and $449 http://t.co/PP3bkJkD99 http://t.co/0GJtop4rg9
Alcatel’s definitely got the edge here. When this watch goes on sale later this month, it is expected to retail for $149. That’s less than half the price of Apple’s cheapest Apple Watch model. The Apple Watch Sport starts at $349, with some of the more premium Apple Watch variants costing $10,000.
To put those figures in perspective, here’s some info about how much other smartwatches on the market today will set you back. The Pebble smartwatch retails for a mere $99, with the more premium Pebble Steel on sale for around $199. An LG G Watch will set you back about $229, while a Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch will cost you around $299.
2. Apple Watch vs. Alcatel OneTouch Smartwatch: Specs & Features
Get a closer look at the Alcatel OneTouch watch in the video above.
Each Apple Watch variant comes in either a 38mm or 42mm face size. The coolest feature of the Apple Watch is arguably Apple Pay, which is accepted at thousands of stores in the US. You can see a list of some of Apple Pay’s retail partners on the Apple website. Beyond Apple Pay, the Apple Watch can be used as your room key at select hotel chains. The watch can also help you send texts, look up information, or just track your fitness. You can shower with the watch, but you should avoid submerging it in water. For additional details on some of the other unique features of this watch, check out our Apple Watch specs & features post.
The Alcatel watch has a 1.2-inch color display and a 10.5mm body. The screen resolution is 240 x 204, and the watch has a dust/waterproof rating of IP67. Some of the highlights of the Alcatel watch include remote control of your tablet or smartphone camera, as well as a cool “Run mode”, which tracks your heart rate, steps and other fitness info. While the number of apps is a bit limited compared to the Apple Watch, more apps are under development.
Both watches have vibration for alerts, a touchscreen display, multiple apps, heart rate monitors, and a variety of straps to choose from.
3. Apple Watch vs. Alcatel OneTouch Smartwatch: Battery Life
The gold Apple Watch Edition will start at $10,000 http://t.co/d9M6wPVBEZ http://t.co/Xx8gcloilB
The Apple Watch claims to have 18-hour battery life. In contrast, the Alcatel OneTouch watch claims to have at least five days of battery life. Both of these figures are manufacturer estimates, and your battery life may vary depending on how you use the watch. That being said, it seems fair to say that people who hate the idea of having to charge a watch every day might want to wait for the next generation Apple Watch (or at least invest in one of those cool on-wrist chargers for the Apple Watch). The edge definitely goes to Alcatel again.
4. Apple Watch vs. Alcatel OneTouch Smartwatch: Device Compatibility
(Alcatel)
The Apple Watch will only work with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, and iPhone 5S. This CNET report explains Alcatel’s smartwatch compatibility in more detail, but essentially what you need to know is that Alcatel’s watch won’t run either Android Wear or iOS apps, but it is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. You will need an iOS device running at least iOS 7.0 to get the most out of this smartwatch.
In short, the Apple Watch is probably the best choice for you if you own a relatively new iPhone, and don’t have any plans to switch to an Android smartphone in the future. If you currently use an Android device, or are thinking about transitioning from an iPhone to an Android phone at some point in the future, you should probably get an Alcatel watch (or a Pebble watch.) Both Pebble and Alcatel’s watches will work with iOS and Android phones.
5. Apple Watch vs. Alcatel OneTouch Smartwatch: Final Thoughts
Learn five important facts about the Apple Watch in the video above.
In a lot of ways, Alcatel’s smartwatch seems to come out on top. It’s likely to have better battery life and a lower price than the Apple Watch. That being said, the Apple Watch will have a wider range of apps and useful real-world applications. The Apple Watch is also available in more color/material options. There’s also a pretty decent stable of cool Apple Watch accessories you can buy to personalize your smartwatch experience. For a more in-depth exploration of the Apple Watch’s specs and features, check out our Apple Watch specs post.
If you are new to smartwatches, have a tight budget, or might want to buy an Android phone in the future, you might want to opt for the Alcatel watch. It’s a low-cost way to enter the smartwatch world. However, for die-hard Apple fans, those who want to access some of the Apple Watch’s unique features, or those who want a watch made from gold, the Apple Watch is the right choice. In both cases, it’s safe to guess that the second-gen versions of these watches will be even more feature-rich than this year’s models. The Apple Watch may have the edge when it comes to cool features and apps, but its steep price tag may put it outside the budget of the average shopper.
Buy the Apple Watch here.
Buy the Alcatel Watch here.