Cable-less charging going mainstream:
Charging cutting-edge smartwatches and connected watches

Charging/Battery Replacement for Smartwatches and Connected Watches

In general, there are three types of smartwatches and connected watches based on their charging or battery replacement method.

1. 1Cable-charging

   This type is the most common. With the recent spread of smartphones and tablets, many people are used to charging with a cable.

2. 2Battery-powered

   This is the most standard type for people who use analog watches. This type came out after the cable-charging smartwatches and connected watches. The watch has a built-in battery that allows use without recharging until the battery dies.

3. 3Solar-powered

   This type allows charging via sunlight and indoor lighting. It doesn't require battery replacement or cable charging. As long as it has been charged, it can operate for extended periods even where there is no light.

   All three types have advantages and disadvantages. Let's have a look at them.

Cable-charging: Advantages and Disadvantages

1. Cable-charging type advantages

   The biggest advantage of cable-charging types is that they don't need battery replacement. As long as they have been properly recharged, there's no need to worry about the battery suddenly or unexpectedly dying. You also don't have to worry if the battery is running low as long as you have a power bank and cable with you.

2. Cable-charging type disadvantages

   One disadvantage of cable-charging types is that they require frequent recharging. Most of them need to be recharged daily or every other day, which requires you to be always aware of the remaining battery of your watch.

   Although you don't need to replace the battery, you will need to buy another charging cable if it gets broken. It is expected that the cable will eventually wear out and cause charging problems if you always bring it with you when you go out. If you run out of battery at such a time, then you can't use your watch anymore. This means that a spare cable is also needed.

   And since there are many different types of cables, it can be difficult to find one that is compatible with the model you're using.

Battery-powered: Advantages and disadvantages

1. Battery-powered type advantages

   The advantage of battery-powered types is you don't have to worry about remaining battery life; you just have to know when to replace the battery. Cable-charging types need to be recharged every day or every other day, but with battery-powered types, you don't have to bother with that.

2. Battery-powered type disadvantages

   Not needing to charge your watch is a huge advantage, but the necessity of replacing your battery at a later time (generally once every six months) might feel troublesome. You also have to be aware of the costs involved in replacing your battery each time.

Solar-powered: Advantages and disadvantages

1. Solar-powered type advantages

   Solar-powered types solve the disadvantages of the other two types, namely the inability to charge without a cable for cable-charging types, and the necessity to replace the battery for battery-powered types.

   Solar-powered types charge using light, which means they don't need a cable for charging or their battery replaced. They will continue to work as long as there is light. The fact that solar recharging is eco-friendly is also a plus point.

2. Solar-powered type disadvantages

   No matter how convenient they are, solar-powered types also have disadvantages.

   If light charges them, that means they cannot be charged at all in a place where there is no light. Charging speed also differs greatly depending on the light intensity.

   Most can be recharged with indoor lighting, but they take a long time to get fully charged. The level of convenience they provide varies depending on the environment.