Watch and App recommendations

Hi all,

Tldr: Need new watch, also better app than the Fitbit free app. Decent screen and built in GPS I definitely want. Preferably android compatible. What app and watch would you recommend?

Last year I (35m) did my first sprint tri, it went ... Let's not talk about it! I broke the cardinal rule of nothing new on race day and it was my first proper sea swim basically ever, que panic attack in the water and a miserable event that i barely finished

After a subsequent unrelated back injury that laid me up for months i'm only now getting back into it all.

I've been using a fitbit charge 4 along with the free Fitbit app to track weight and nutrition, and Strava for tracking runs,cycles and swims.

The Fitbit app is, consistently getting worse IMO, or at least the changes they're making aren't suiting me. More ads, weekly averages gone etc. nothing too crazy but the app just not great but maybe that's just me and I should learn to love it?

My watch though, woof, the GPS does not function. Even when it connects using the built in GPS it will frequently lose connection, ruining the data for that run or just run out of battery/switch itself off.

So I'm in the market for a new watch and moving to a new app.

Budget and Location I'm based in the Republic of Ireland. Costwise I don't wanna gonna too crazy. My Fitbit was around €100 when I got it. I'd be comfortable spending as much as €300-400 but if there's a great cheaper option, cool. Or a really good reason to spend more, okie dokie 👍

Watch preferences - nothing too bulky, so it should comfortably fit inside a wetsuit (I like the Fitbit charge form factor but I'll probably have to ditch it which is ok) - GPS needs to work without smart phone, I like to go running with just my watch and house keys to disconnect from work/everything and carrying a phone isn't compatible with that. - Obviously some level of water resistance suitable for pool and sea swimming. - Step tracker - not allergic to apple products but I use android phones - nice bright screen, the Fitbit charge 4 is basically invisible in daylight - as good a battery life as can reasonably be achieved - something to last a few years at least

Training goals (if it helps) - hoping to do my 1st marathon this year, did a half last summer - sprint and Olympic distance triathlons this year - cycling no more than 100k in a weekend - in 2026/27 would love to do an iron distance if all goes well

App preferences - free/one off cost but its 2025 so more than likely proper functionality will be hidden behind a monthly subscription - track calories and macros - step counters - sleep and heart rate - training plans