Gone are the days when you would wear a watch simply to tell the time and – if you had the additional dough – the date. The modern timepiece is also your fitness tracker, pedometer, heart rate monitor, barometer, compass, and mini computer that handles phone calls and messages.

In short, you have a powerful communications tool wrapped around your wrist that so happens to let you know what time it is.

With so many different manufacturers in the smartwatch arena, how do you select the model that’s right for you? One of the best ways is to know your needs and work around your budget.

Here are some questions you should ask to help you make the best purchase decision.

1. Which mobile operating system?

Owing to their shared ecosystems, smartwatches cannot be separated from phones. Your smartwatch purchase will depend on whether you are jiving to Android or iOS as your preferred mobile operating system.

Naturally, the Apple Watch works best with the iPhone as it is incompatible with Android devices. That said, you will have a greater range to choose from if you are in the Android camp.

There is some segregation in the Android world where smartwatches are concerned – for example, Samsung’s smartwatches work best with its handsets, with the South Korean giant looking to emulate the Apple ecosystem.

2. Are you an outdoor person?

For those who like to spend their weekends jungle-trekking or going for long rides on their bikes, it is best to pick a smartwatch that has built-in GPS so you can leave your smartphone at home. After all, having an additional device to carry around is just one extra thing to worry about.

Note, however, that built-in GPS will drain your smartphone’s battery life more quickly than usual, which leads to the next question:

3. How much battery life do you need?

Today’s smartwatch contains myriad sensors that track many metrics: your heart rate, oxygen saturation reading, and physical activity, among others – not to mention live notifications and incoming messages.

All these can result in a rather short battery life. If having more juice is high on the priority list for you, consider solar-powered models that – theoretically speaking – should no longer require you to charge them via the conventional method.

Otherwise, look for a watch that supports fast charging to get up and running after being plugged in for a short time. Generally, most smartwatches with all connectivity options enabled are able to last for 24 hours before requiring a full recharge.

Once again, do take note of the difference between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker, where the latter is able to last for weeks on a single charge albeit at the expense of functionality.

4. Whither app compatibility?

If your smartwatch replaces basic smartphone functions whenever you head outdoors, it would be nice if it could also contain applications that you would normally use on your phone.

Headed out for a run and want your favourite Spotify playlist? Check. What about making contactless payments with a tap of your wrist? Check.

While these are not make-or-break features, they are highly practical and convenient in everyday life.

5. What about health-tracking features?

You are probably looking for a smartwatch that can keep track of your physical activities. For women, perhaps you would like to monitor your monthly periods. Keeping track of the number of calories burnt can also be achieved using the right smartwatch.

Another interesting aspect is your watch’s potential ability to evaluate sleep quality. It will normally be paired with an app that provides in-depth information on your health profile, so you can make the necessary lifestyle changes for the better.

6. Do you need swappable watch bands?

Certain brands offer a plethora of strap choices, letting you swap them out to match your outfit of the day. This gives you a feeling of wearing a new timepiece every single time without actually doing so.

There are also plenty of customisation options to choose from, ranging from the band material and hue to face colour, finish, and size that are agreeable to all genders.

7. How much can you afford to pay?

The price of the smartwatch may well be the most decisive factor to take into consideration. Budget smartwatches tend to offer very limited functionality with poor build quality, so it is highly recommended you aim for something midrange onwards.

Smartwatches that reside between the RM1,000 and RM2,500 bracket offer the best value for your money, with an ample number of accessories to pick from.

Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Check out his blog at manatau.com.