When you purchase a smartphone there are plenty of options for accessories that go along with it. You can buy protective cases, screen protectors, charms, extended batteries and much more. In fact, the smartphone accessory market is a lucrative one. Just do a search on Amazon or Ebay and you’ll find hundreds if not thousands of products.
What about smartwatches though? A lot of them are basically smaller, dumbed-down versions of a smartphone. Wouldn’t it make sense for them to have accessories too? While smartwatches haven’t caught on in popularity to the extent that smartphones have, there are still plenty of accessories available on the market.
Want to know exactly how you can accessorize that smartwatch you just bought, or the one you have your eyes on? We’re here to help. This “learn” article is going to dive into the many accessories that are already available, and we’ll also explore some things that may come in the near future.
Let’s get started.
Image by Skinomi
Apply a screen protector
Some people don’t like to use thin, plastic screen protectors on their devices and that’s okay. In fact, a lot of electronic devices include some version of Gorilla Glass or a comparable material that prevents scratches and scuffs. Regardless, there is nothing wrong with using a screen protector since it keeps the precious touchscreen safe, which happens to be one of the most important components of any device.
In that respect, you can pick up a plastic screen protector for your smartwatch just like you would with a smartphone. There are some packages that come with pre-sized screens for various models, but you can also buy larger size protectors and then trim them down yourself. After all, that’s what you have to do when applying the film to most smartphones anyway.
Screen protectors can range anywhere from a $1 to $12 or more depending on the brand and quality you purchase. A lot of protector packs come with multiple screens, meaning you can apply the plastic to more than one device or keep some to replace a dirty film.
Replace the wrist band
We have an entire “learn” article dedicated to this topic. With most smartwatch models you can actually replace the stock band with one of your own. This is also important for the longevity of a smartwatch, especially when there’s a possibility that the band may break at some point.
Devices like the Pebble and Neptune Pine are compatible with standard size wristbands. That means you can purchase a custom band from anywhere, provided it’s the right size. Keep in mind that not all smartwatches support custom bands. The Qualcomm Toq, for example has a proprietary stock band that you must measure and cut the first time you use it- and then you’re stuck with it for good.
Install a protective case
There aren’t very many protective cases available for existing devices, but we can expect to see a lot more options crop up in the future. It’s likely that many more smartwatch cases will appear when Google and Apple finally release their renditions of a modern smartwatch. In the meantime, you can find some custom tailored options on Amazon or Etsy.
Image by The Skin Dudes
Apply a custom skin
Speaking of Etsy, you can find a lot of custom skins for various device models there as well. The Pebble smartwatch has the most support with hundreds of custom skins that you can apply to the device. It works similar to a screen protector in that you apply it to the external casing on the watch.
Not only do skins help protect the watch case, they also add a bit of personal style to the device. Would you fancy a zebra pattern skin? Want something more masculine with skulls and flames? Both options are available, along with countless others. It’s also worth mentioning that the Pebble isn’t the only watch on the market that has custom skins available.
Attach charms to your smartwatch
Not everyone will want to attach charms to their device, after all they are pretty much just another form of jewelry. Believe it or not, you can actually use charms designed for smartphones with a watch. There are charm rings and holders available from Amazon that plug right into the 3.5mm audio jack on your device. With an adapter like that, most charms on the market would be compatible with your device. Want to add a little bling? Then be sure to take a look at the wide selection of charms that are available.
Don’t forget the stylus
Just like with the Galaxy Note series, Samsung also sells a stylus for the Galaxy Gear. You don’t necessarily need a stylus with smartwatch devices, but it also depends on your preferences. Sometimes the onscreen elements can be too small, especially if you have bigger fingers. A stylus generally includes a unique pointed tip which allows you to interact with various buttons and elements more accurately.
You don’t have to purchase Samsung’s branded stylus, there are actually tons available on the market. If using a stylus with your device appeals to you, don’t forget to look into them.
Attach a lanyard to the screen
For some, it may seem silly to attach a lanyard to a device that’s going to be secured to your wrist. In most cases, that is the case because a lanyard is just redundant. With a device like the Neptune Pine however, a lanyard would be very useful. You see the display component actually detaches from the wrist band, allowing you to take pictures, hold it up to your ear, or even type text with two thumbs. Sure, the screen component securely sits in the wristband frame but what if you knock it out by accident?
A lanyard would add a second layer of protection to the device, in the event that it does slip out of the frame. If that were to happen with a lanyard attached the device would just dangle below your wrist instead of plummeting to the ground.
Pick up some matching earbuds or a Bluetooth adapter
Many smartwatches include support for media playback or two-way phone calls. If you’re out and about you don’t want the audio content blaring for everyone to hear. Sure, you might have some earbuds lying around at home, but they probably don’t match your watch. Pick up a headset with a matching style if you really want one.
Image by Tylt
There are wireless charging kits available for compatible devices
Of course, this may not apply if the device only supports a proprietary charger (and it does happen). There are plenty of wireless charging kits available on the market for devices that support QI wireless charging. Qi basically stands for the inductive power standard that allows you to sit a compatible device on a charging pad or dock, to be charged through wireless signals.
The Agent Smartwatch is one such device that supports Qi wireless charging. There are other devices already on the market and some more on the way. To add to that a Qi wireless charger is also compatible with select smartphones so they can serve a dual purpose if you do decide to purchase one.
What do you have to say?
That’s it for available accessories, at least for now. We’ll update this list as soon as any more appear. Do you know of any accessories that weren’t mentioned here? Feel free to share in the comments!