9 Best Smartwatches for iPhone Besides Apple Watch (October 2026)
The best smartwatches for iPhone besides Apple Watch include the Garmin vivoactive 5 42mm for balanced daily health tracking, the Garmin Forerunner 165 for structured run training, and the Garmin Venu 4 41mm for a compact health-focused watch.
On this page (4 sections)
The Garmin vivoactive 5 is the best smartwatch for iPhone besides Apple Watch for most people, with broad activity tracking, health features and up to 11 days of battery life. Pick the Forerunner 165 for run training, the Instinct 3 AMOLED for rugged outdoor features, or Amazfit Bip 6 for a large screen and built-in GPS.
A non-Apple watch can pair with an iPhone, but the experience depends on the model and its companion app. Check the watch’s iOS support and the specific phone features you plan to use before choosing.
If you’re still deciding what matters most, start with our smartwatch buying guide. For a closer look at iPhone compatibility, read whether Garmin works with iPhone.
Our picks at a glance
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Which smartwatches for iPhone besides Apple Watch fit different needs?
The best choice depends on your main use: the vivoactive 5 balances daily health and activity tracking, while the Forerunner 165 favors running and the Instinct 3 AMOLED adds rugged outdoor tools. These nine options all list iOS support, though some require a specific iOS version.
Garmin vivoactive 5 42mm: Best for balanced daily health tracking
- AMOLED display
- Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- More than 30 sports apps
- Music storage
A balanced pick for iPhone owners who want health tracking, varied workouts and music storage. It pairs to an iPhone for notifications and supports iOS devices.
Pros
- More than 30 sports apps
- Sleep coaching and nap detection
- Music storage
Cons
- Some features require a paired phone
- Health metrics are estimates
The Garmin vivoactive 5 is the best all-around pick for iPhone owners who want a watch for daily movement, workouts and health trends. Its bright AMOLED display pairs with up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, or up to 5 days with the display always on.
More than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps cover activities such as walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming and golf. Sleep coaching, nap detection and Body Battery insights add context to activity and rest.
It can receive texts, emails and other smart notifications when paired with your smartphone. You can also download music from supported services to the watch and connect wireless headphones for phone-free listening.
Choose it if you want one watch for varied workouts and daily tracking. Metrics are estimates, and some features depend on pairing with your phone.
Garmin Forerunner 165: Best for structured run training
- Built-in GPS
- Up to 11 days smartwatch battery
- AMOLED touchscreen and buttons
- Garmin Coach plans
A running-first option with built-in GPS, adaptive training plans and recovery information. It also shows notifications from a paired Apple smartphone.
Pros
- Pace and distance from built-in GPS
- Touchscreen with button controls
- Adaptive training plans
Cons
- Running focus may be more than casual users need
- Safety features require a compatible phone and coverage
The Forerunner 165 is the running pick for iPhone users who want built-in GPS and training guidance. It tracks pace and distance, and its AMOLED touchscreen works alongside traditional button controls.
Garmin says battery life reaches up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode. Daily suggested workouts adapt to performance and recovery, while Garmin Coach and race-adaptive plans can guide training toward an event.
The morning report brings together sleep, recovery and training outlook, alongside weather and HRV status. When paired with a compatible Apple smartphone, the watch can show notifications.
Pick it for regular running and structured plans. Incident detection and Assistance require setup, a paired phone and network coverage.
Garmin Venu 4 41mm: Best for a compact health-focused watch
- 41mm size
- Up to 10 days battery
- Built-in flashlight
- More than 80 sports apps
This smaller Venu combines health features with a stainless steel design and built-in flashlight. It supports iOS devices and can make or take calls when paired to a smartphone.
Pros
- Compact 41mm size
- More than 80 sports apps
- Calls from the wrist when paired
Cons
- Some health features rely on estimates
- Pulse Ox is not available in all countries
The Venu 4 41mm suits buyers who want a smaller watch with broad health and activity tools. It has an AMOLED display, stainless steel design and built-in flashlight, with up to 10 days of stated battery life.
More than 80 sports apps and Garmin Coach plans cover activities including running, cycling, strength and fitness. Sleep coaching, Body Battery and health status add daily context, while the watch can make and take calls when paired with a smartphone.
This model supports iOS devices, so it can fit an iPhone setup. Its smaller 41mm size may appeal if larger watches feel cumbersome.
Choose it for a compact health-focused option with many activity modes. Health metrics are estimates, and Pulse Ox is not available in every country.
Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45mm: Best for rugged outdoor use
- Up to 18 days battery
- Multi-band GPS
- Built-in flashlight
- Compass and barometric altimeter
A rugged choice for outdoor routes, with a compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS. It also supports iOS devices for phone pairing and notifications.
Pros
- Up to 18 days of battery
- Built-in LED flashlight
- 10 ATM water rating
Cons
- 45mm case may feel large
- Outdoor features may be unnecessary for everyday basics
The Instinct 3 AMOLED is the outdoor-focused choice for iPhone users who want rugged construction and navigation tools. Its 45mm case, metal-reinforced bezel and 10 ATM water rating suit buyers who prefer a sturdier design.
The watch includes a three-axis compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology. A built-in LED flashlight offers variable intensities and strobe modes, and battery life reaches up to 18 days in smartwatch mode.
It supports iOS devices and includes notifications when connected to a phone. The size and outdoor feature set make it less suited to shoppers who want a small, simple everyday watch.
Choose it for outdoor use where compass and GPS features matter. Health information is an estimate, and Pulse Ox is not available in all countries.
Amazfit Balance 2: Best for multisport and long battery
- Up to 21 days typical-use battery
- 180+ sports
- Dual-band GPS
- Offline maps
Balance 2 suits iPhone owners who want broad sports coverage, offline maps and a long stated battery life. Its Zepp App ties training and recovery information together.
Pros
- 180+ sports
- Offline maps with turn-by-turn directions
- Sapphire glass
Cons
- Requires iOS 15.0 or later
- Some features may be more than casual users need
The Amazfit Balance 2 is a multisport option with a long stated battery life. It supports iOS 15.0 and above, offers more than 180 sports modes and has dual-band support from six satellite systems.
Its AMOLED screen uses sapphire crystal glass, and the watch supports downloadable maps with turn-by-turn directions. Up to 21 days of battery life is stated under typical use, giving it room for training and daily routines between charges.
The Zepp App connects training and recovery information, including heart rate, sleep, stress and HRV metrics. The watch also has buttons and a touchscreen for control.
Choose Balance 2 if sports variety and maps are priorities. Confirm your iPhone runs iOS 15.0 or later before choosing it.
Amazfit Active Max: Best for long battery and bright display
- Up to 25 days battery
- 1.5-inch AMOLED display
- Built-in GPS
- Offline maps
Active Max pairs a large AMOLED display with long claimed battery life, maps and GPS. It supports iOS, while hands-free message replies require an Android phone.
Pros
- Up to 25 days of battery
- Offline terrain and ski maps
- 170+ workout modes
Cons
- Hands-free message replies require Android
- Large display may not suit smaller wrists
The Amazfit Active Max is the battery-focused pick for buyers who want a large, bright display. Its 1.5-inch AMOLED screen is rated at 3,000 nits, and the watch is stated to last up to 25 days.
Built-in GPS, downloadable terrain and ski maps, and more than 170 workout modes make it useful beyond basic step tracking. It also has 4GB of storage for music and maps.
Active Max supports iOS and Android, but its hands-free instant-message replies require an Android phone. That distinction matters if you expect to reply to messages from your wrist using an iPhone.
Choose it for long battery life, maps and a large screen. Skip it if Android-only reply features are essential to your routine.
Amazfit Bip 6: Best for a large screen and GPS
- 1.97-inch AMOLED display
- Up to 14 days battery
- Built-in GPS
- 140+ workout modes
Bip 6 offers built-in GPS, downloadable maps and a large display for activity details. It supports iPhones running iOS 14.0 or later.
Pros
- Large 1.97-inch display
- Built-in GPS and turn-by-turn directions
- 140+ workout modes
Cons
- Large screen may feel bulky on some wrists
- Requires iOS 14.0 or later
The Amazfit Bip 6 is a good fit if you want a large screen and built-in GPS. It has a 1.97-inch AMOLED display, supports iOS 14.0 and above, and offers up to 14 days of battery life.
More than 140 workout modes cover a wide range of activities. GPS uses support from five satellite systems, and downloadable maps provide turn-by-turn directions.
The watch also tracks heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen and stress. Its large screen can make workout details easier to read, though it may feel oversized on a smaller wrist.
Choose Bip 6 for a feature-rich daily watch with a large display. Check the iOS requirement if your iPhone uses an older system version.
Garmin Lily 2 35mm: Best for a small, understated design
- 35mm case
- Up to 5 days battery
- Phone-connected GPS
- Health and sleep tracking
Lily 2 keeps the case small and uses a patterned lens that reveals its touchscreen. For outdoor GPS tracking, it connects to a compatible phone.
Pros
- Small 35mm case
- Sleep and women’s health tracking
- Smart notifications
Cons
- GPS requires a compatible phone
- Shortest stated battery life in this group
The Garmin Lily 2 is the small, understated option in this group. Its 35mm case has a patterned lens that reveals a touchscreen, and the watch offers up to 5 days of battery life.
Sleep score, respiration tracking, Body Battery, stress tracking and heart rate monitoring cover common daily health interests. Smart notifications can show calls, texts and calendar reminders when Lily 2 is paired with a compatible smartphone.
For outdoor walks and runs, it uses the connected phone’s GPS rather than built-in GPS. That means you’ll need to bring your phone for GPS tracking.
Choose Lily 2 if size and appearance matter more than long battery life or standalone GPS. It also tracks women’s health data and supports movement reminders.
Fitbit Versa 4: Best for everyday exercise variety
- Built-in GPS
- 40+ exercise modes
- Up to 6 days battery
- On-wrist calls and notifications
Versa 4 covers everyday activity, sleep and exercise tracking, with built-in GPS and phone notifications. It supports Apple phones running iOS 16.4 or higher.
Pros
- Built-in GPS
- 40+ exercise modes
- Small and large bands included
Cons
- Requires iOS 16.4 or later
- Some coaching and analytics require Premium
The Fitbit Versa 4 suits iPhone owners who want exercise variety and everyday tracking. It has built-in GPS, more than 40 exercise modes, sleep tools and up to 6 days of battery life.
When paired with a phone, it supports calls, texts and notifications on the wrist. Fitbit lists Apple iOS 16.4 or higher as a requirement, so check your phone version before choosing this model.
Some features need extra care: the Daily Readiness Score requires a Fitbit Premium membership, and feature availability varies by market. The watch includes small and large bands.
Choose Versa 4 if Fitbit’s exercise and sleep features fit your routine. Read our guide to smartwatch battery life if charging frequency is a key factor.
How should you choose an iPhone smartwatch besides Apple Watch?
Start with iOS compatibility, then match the watch to your main activity and preferred size. A watch can pair with an iPhone while still offering different apps and phone features than an Apple Watch.
Check the minimum iOS version for the exact model. Amazfit Balance 2 requires iOS 15.0 or later, Bip 6 requires iOS 14.0 or later, and Fitbit Versa 4 requires iOS 16.4 or higher.
Next, decide whether you need built-in GPS. The Garmin Lily 2 uses GPS from a compatible phone, while the vivoactive 5, Forerunner 165, Venu 4, Instinct 3 AMOLED, Balance 2, Active Max, Bip 6 and Versa 4 include GPS.
Battery estimates vary by mode and use. The stated figures range from up to 5 days for Lily 2 to up to 25 days for Active Max, but GPS, display settings and other features can change how often you charge.
If maps or outdoor tracking matter most, compare the choices in our smartwatches with built-in GPS guide. Garmin’s phone and app features also vary by watch, so our Garmin and iPhone compatibility guide can help with that decision.
What tradeoffs come with a non-Apple smartwatch?
A non-Apple watch can cover workouts, health trends and notifications, but phone features vary by brand and model. Check the companion app and the specific features you plan to use before choosing.
Garmin’s picks focus on activity, training and health information, with options ranging from running plans to outdoor navigation. Amazfit offers long stated battery life on several models, while Fitbit Versa 4 combines exercise modes with sleep tools and connected phone features.
GPS is another practical difference. Most picks here have built-in GPS, while Lily 2 uses a compatible phone for outdoor GPS tracking.
For more on the basic functions that watches share, see what a smartwatch does day to day. If you’re comparing a watch with a simpler tracker, our smartwatch vs smart band guide covers that choice.
Which smartwatch for iPhone besides Apple Watch should you choose?
Choose the Garmin vivoactive 5 if you want a balanced watch for daily health tracking, varied activities and music storage. Pick the Forerunner 165 for running plans, the Instinct 3 AMOLED for rugged outdoor tools, or the Amazfit Active Max for a long stated battery life and large display.
If size comes first, consider Garmin Lily 2 and remember that outdoor GPS tracking uses your phone. For a Fitbit option, choose Versa 4 if your iPhone meets its iOS requirement and its app features fit your routine.
| Product | Best for | Battery | Activities | Phone support | Our score |
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| Garmin vivoactive 5 42mm | balanced daily health tracking | Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode | More than 30 indoor and GPS sports apps | iOS and Android | 9.0 |
| Garmin Forerunner 165 | structured run training | Up to 11 days smartwatch mode | iPhone and Android | 8.9 | |
| Garmin Venu 4 41mm | a compact health-focused watch | Up to 10 days | iOS and Android | 8.5 | |
| Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45mm | rugged outdoor use | Up to 18 days in smartwatch mode | iOS and Android | 8.5 | |
| Amazfit Balance 2 | multisport and long battery | Up to 21 days under typical use | iOS 15.0 and above | 8.0 | |
| Amazfit Active Max | long battery and bright display | Up to 25 days | iOS and Android | 7.9 | |
| Amazfit Bip 6 | a large screen and GPS | Up to 14 days | iOS 14.0 and above | 7.8 | |
| Garmin Lily 2 35mm | a small, understated design | Up to 5 days | Compatible smartphone | 7.3 | |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | everyday exercise variety | 6+ days | Apple iOS 16.4 or higher | 7.0 |
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you’re shopping for. We compared the listed capabilities and iPhone support, with extra weight for the uses each watch handles well.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
Can you use a smartwatch with an iPhone besides an Apple Watch?
Yes. Garmin, Amazfit and Fitbit models in this guide support iPhone pairing, though each has its own app and minimum iOS requirement.
Check the specific watch’s compatibility before choosing, and consider whether its phone features meet your needs.
Which smartwatch works best with an iPhone for fitness?
The Garmin vivoactive 5 is a balanced fitness pick, with more than 30 sports apps, sleep coaching and up to 11 days of smartwatch battery life.
For run-focused training, the Forerunner 165 adds built-in GPS and adaptive plans.
Will these watches show iPhone notifications?
Several picks support smart notifications when paired to a compatible iPhone, including Garmin vivoactive 5, Forerunner 165 and Lily 2.
Phone features vary by model, so check the watch’s compatibility and app requirements before buying.
Do third-party smartwatches work with Apple Health?
The information here does not tell you which data each watch can share with Apple Health. Check the watch’s companion app and current iPhone compatibility details for the specific data you want to sync.
Pairing a watch with an iPhone does not guarantee every feature works the same way as Apple Watch.
Which iPhone smartwatch has the longest stated battery life?
The Amazfit Active Max has the longest stated battery life in this group, up to 25 days. The Balance 2 is rated for up to 21 days under typical use, while Garmin’s Instinct 3 AMOLED is rated for up to 18 days in smartwatch mode.
Actual battery life varies with settings and use.
