I can’t settle on a new smartwatch, so I’m asking for recommendations. I don’t want to pay more than 50 euros for it, but I just want it to tell the time and steps accurately without connecting to an app, and a long battery life. Everything else is extra, but nice to have.
If you use an Android phone, you can install Trail Sense from F-droid on it. It has a step counter. Then if you still want to wear a watch, use an ordinary dumb watch.
PineTime is probably the best choice privacy wise. It hits all your requirements but it is definitely not fancy. Pretty much everything will require an app, but the GadgetBridge app is FOSS with no trackers or uploading your data.
Might be best to avoid smart watches, they are truly little SPY devices…
Check out the watches supported by the gadget bridge APP and buy second Hand.
I would second this heh - buy second hand, and especially if you don’t want/need anything fancy.
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I recently was gifted a 2nd-hand garmin forerunner 235. Battery life could be better, but it does most things well (simple). I wasn’t sure I wanted a smart watch, but it’s growing on me.
I have the old CMF Watch Pro, which is compatible with Gadgetbridge, which is a FOSS app, and supports all features. The new ones are also compatible but may lack a feature or two. You can use it without connecting to the phone too, but I don’t mind, since Gadgetbridge is FOSS and privacy friendly.
For the battery, mine works for at least 3 days, when connected to the phone and using other features like always on display, lift to wake etc.