Recently, concerns about data sensitivity in devices within this category have been growing. How do they affect measurement accuracy? Which data points—from sleep to activity tracking—can be considered reliable? What standards are developers adhering to in this regard?
How reliable are smartwatches?
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Most issues with data accuracy in smartwatches come from poor calibration and cheap sensors. I’ve been using the Xiaomi Band 7 for a while now, and it consistently underreports deep sleep stages—so it’s a bit optimistic in its estimates. Similarly, its heart rate monitor sometimes misses 10-15 beats during workouts.
For the most reliable data, you should at least rely on step count and heart rate. Models with medical-grade features like Apple Watch’s ECG or SpO2 readings have higher standards, but they also cost more. My advice: if you just need basic activity tracking, a cheap Chinese device is fine, but if health data matters to you, go for certified devices—manufacturers are held to stricter standards in those cases.