Smartwatch vs. Mobile Medical Alert: What’s the Difference?

With Bay Alarm Medical’s expanding selection of medical alert systems, choosing the right device for your needs can be challenging. Let’s compare the SOS Mobile and the SOS Smartwatch to help you decide.

Feature Comparison

Both devices are designed for on-the-go use, featuring:

• Built-in GPS for location tracking.
• Optional fall detection for added safety.
• Integration with a home system for complete in-home and remote coverage.
• 24/7 monitoring by USA-based, UL-Listed, CSAA 5-Diamond Certified operators.
• Two-way voice communication with the response center.
• 4G LTE connectivity for fast response times.
• Caregiver app access, allowing real-time location tracking, battery status updates, and weather information.

Stand-Alone Functionality

Unlike smartwatches from Apple or Samsung, which require smartphone pairing, the SOS Smartwatch operates independently – just like the SOS Mobile. This bears repeating since many people get confused: the SOS Smartwatch is not based on a smartphone, and doesn’t need to be paired with a phone. You can use the SOS Smartwatch without even owning a cell phone.

Fall Detection

Both the SOS Mobile and the SOS Smartwatch can include automatic Fall Detection which can detect a fall and automatically alert the monitoring center without the user pressing a button. This technology has a strong track record of reliability, and now features a smart fall detection algorithm that will detect a possible fall and use an intelligent, cloud-based machine learning engine to verify the information.

Battery Life

• SOS Smartwatch: Requires daily charging.
• SOS Mobile: Lasts several days on a single charge.

Cost

• SOS Smartwatch: $39.95/month + $159 equipment purchase.
• SOS Mobile: $29.95/month + $99 equipment purchase.
• Fall detection: Available for an extra $10/month on each device.

Appearance & Wearability

Some seniors may resist wearing a pendant or clip-on alert device like the SOS Mobile. The SOS Smartwatch, with its sleek wristwatch design, may be more appealing and increase the likelihood of consistent use.

Which One is Right for You?

• Choose the SOS Smartwatch if the user prefers a discreet, stylish option that they’re more likely to wear.
• Choose the SOS Mobile if longer battery life is a priority and daily charging might be a challenge.

Both devices provide reliable, on-the-go protection—now it’s just a matter of finding the right fit for your lifestyle.

SOS Smartwatch vs. Apple Watch

As a note to clear up confusion, here are some key distinctions between the SOS Smartwatch and a smartphone watch such as Apple Watch. The SOS Smartwatch features built-in 4G connectivity, linking directly to Five Diamond-certified monitoring centers nationwide and instantly sharing GPS location during an emergency.

Unlike the Apple Watch, which contacts 911 directly – often as a standard cell call without precise location data being available to the dispatcher – the SOS Smartwatch connects to trained agents 24/7 and transmits the GPS location. Trained agents in the dedicated response center can access the user’s medical records and dispatch help even if the wearer is unresponsive.

Designed for simplicity, the SOS Smartwatch offers easy setup, large icons, and a dedicated emergency button. In contrast, the Apple Watch, while feature-rich, has a more complex setup and is not a dedicated medical alert system.

See a full comparison of the two systems here: SOS Smartwatch Compared With Apple Watch