Health sensors
What is GPS on a smartwatch?
GPS lets the watch know where you are using satellites, and with that record the route, distance and pace of a walk or a run. With built-in GPS the watch does it alone; with connected GPS it takes the location from your phone, which you must carry with you.
Built-in or connected
With built-in GPS the watch has its own antenna: you can go for a run without your phone and find the route on the map when you get back.
With connected GPS (sometimes called phone-assisted GPS) the watch has no antenna of its own and uses the phone's over Bluetooth. It works just as well while you carry the phone; without it, the watch estimates distance from your steps, which is less precise.
Battery and accuracy
GPS is one of the features that drains the battery most. A watch that lasts several days in normal use may last only a few hours while recording a route with GPS on.
At the start, the watch takes a few moments to find the satellites, and it does so better under open sky. Between tall buildings or under dense trees the signal bounces and the track can come out less exact. Some watches also use other satellite systems, such as GLONASS, Galileo or BeiDou, to improve accuracy.
What to check before you buy
- If you want to train without carrying your phone, look for built-in GPS.
- If you always go out with your phone, connected GPS does the job and the watch usually lasts longer.
- Check how many hours of battery the manufacturer states with GPS active.
Guides to help you choose
Frequently asked questions
No. The position comes from the satellites. Internet is only needed to show the background map or to sync the activity with the app.