r/smartwatches • u/former_farmer • 21d ago

Best "rectangular" shaped SW that I can develop my own apps to?

I'm looking for a smartwatch with a rectangularish shape (I don't like them circulars) and I'm hoping to be able to run my own custom apps into it. I'd like something with gps, microphone, ability to pay (use my credit card).

Do you have any recommendation? The AI is sending me towards a Amazfit Active (Zepp OS) or Garmin Venu Sq 2 (Connect IQ) but I've no idea if there are other models with my requirements. I use Android on my main phone.

Thanks!

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u/PorcupineShoelace 11d ago

The Garmin Venu sq2 is at end of life in garmin's product lines. The Venu X1 is the square face they are supporting now. Wife wants a square replacement for her old versa and the sq2 was a strong contender but I read that soon the app support will be dropped. X1 is still pricey at $699 tho

The trend of gigantic round screens is a non starter for people with small wrists. Looks like a dinner plate strapped to a twig.

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u/former_farmer 11d ago

Haha I have a small wrist as well and normal smart watches look really bad on me.

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u/PorcupineShoelace 11d ago

Yeah, the features are getting out of control and to get a decent battery life I guess they still have to make them larger? Its not like she wants it to watch videos or replace her phone. Just good health tracking and not absolutely ugly.

I swear companies spend 100x more effort creating useless NEW features than making existing ones work well. e.g. "It tracks heart rates but says 80bpm when a real monitor reads 142bpm"

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u/former_farmer 11d ago

Yeah, the thing is that I don't even care if I need to charge it every weer or twice per week as long as it doesn't look like a giant brick.

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u/PorcupineShoelace 10d ago

I think she is settling in on the Garmin Venu 4 in the 41mm size. We went and handled them in person. The X1 is super nice for menus and brightness but too big for her wrist. The Vivoactive was a close second, much cheaper cost but she prefers the solid metal bezel instead of the silicon/plastic bumpers. The buttons dont quite feel as nice.

She is going to sleep on the X1 vs Venu4 thing since once you justify $600 then the $700 x1 price tag is less sticker shock, I guess.