CES 2017 is on its last day today as a whole slew of consumer and concept products are being made available for hands-on testing by the public.
Among the coolest gadgets that will make you go "Whoa!" (yes, "whoa" is the CES 2017 tagline) are wearables — smartwatches in particular.
If you are interested in upgrading your current smartwatch or want to find the most awesome wearable ideal for your lifestyle, then take a look at our favorite smartwatches unveiled at CES 2017. Tech Times narrows down our selection to the five best smartwatches:
Casio WSD-F20
We won't even beat around the bush with this one. The Casio WSD-F20, also called the Pro Trek Smart Androidwear, is definitely at the top of our list for its improved functionality and amazing battery life, not to mention it has a really stylish design.
If the name "Pro Trek" is any indication, the WSD-F20 is the perfect smartwatch for those who have an active lifestyle and love going on outdoor adventures, especially since the device is waterproof for up to 50 meters and has a military certified ruggedness of 810 G.
What makes the F20 a must-have for trekkers and travelers is its built-in energy-efficient GPS and full-color maps that are accessible even offline. The F20 can accurately determine a wearer's location using data from three satellites: American GPS, Russian GLONASS and Japanese "MICHIBIKI" QZSS. Offline maps downloaded from Mapbox work in tandem with F20's built-in GPS, so wearers would still be able to receive accurate representation of their location even in areas without cellular service.
The Casio WSD-F20 will officially be released on April 21 for $500. Watch the promo video below.
Garmin Fenix 5
The Garmin Fenix 5 series offers three models that vary in size and style. There is the 47 mm Fenix 5 with an updated design; Fenix 5S designed with a feminine touch at 42 mm; and Fenix 5X with a robust design and 51 mm casing. In terms of functionality, however, all three smartwatches in the series have the same capabilities.
The Fenix 5 series is waterproof for up to 100 meters and can also accurately track the wearer's location using American GPS and GLONASS. It has a built-in 3-axis compass with a gyroscope and barometric altimeter to boot. Another plus is its interchangeable wristbands with a built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor, so you can wear the same watch for every occasion. The price for the Fenix 5 series starts at $500; it is available sometime in the first quarter of 2017.
Misfit Vapor
Fossil acquired wearables veteran Misfit in 2015, and now it has unveiled its first touchscreen smartwatch at CES 2017. The Misfit Vapor has a classy, stylish design with a 1.39-inch circular AMOLED display. It offers the usual fitness tracking functionality (including sleep tracking!), built-in GPS, and music player, and is waterproof for up to 50 meters.
Now, Vapor may not seem to offer as much when compared to the Fenix 5 series or Casio WSD-F20 smartwatches, but it has something the others don't: its own Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and operating system. Simply put: you don't need a phone to keep track of your activities using a variety of apps because Vapor, as a standalone, can do it for you.
There is no confirmed release date for Vapor, but it will definitely be released in 2017 starting at $199.
New Balance RunIQ
If you simply cannot wait for the Misfit Vapor, you may want to check out the New Balance RunIQ, which has a price tag of $299 and will be available in February.
The RunIQ also has a built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitor, which can run continuously and at the same time for up to 5 hours. When the two are not running continuously, however, the RunIQ has a 24-hour battery life.
It also has an interval and lap monitoring functionality and is up to 5 ATM waterproof. New Balance didn't forget about people who like listening to music while working out because it also has a built-in wireless music player that connects to Google Play Music.
AX Connected
Another Fossil brand made the cut. This time, it is Armani Exchange with its first hybrid smartwatch: the AX Connected. The AX Connected has the functionality of the usual fitness and sleep tracker, and the capability of a smartwatch. This allows the wearer to keep track of their smartphone and, yes, even play music and take selfies. It comes in four classic colors: black, white, blue, and orange.
The AX Connected will also hit the shelves in February, but the price tag has yet to be revealed.
