Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review: Is It The Best Android Smartwatch?

Apple Watch has lengthy been a golden normal for smartwatches, reeling customers with its health-tracking options and sturdy app library. The Android smartwatch ecosystem, alternatively, has been dwindling with lackluster choices and no consumers. Properly, Samsung has lastly stepped as much as the duty by becoming a member of palms with Google and marked the start of a brand new period with the launch of the Galaxy Watch 4.

The Galaxy Watch 4 packs a ton of recent options, constructing upon its legacy, nevertheless it leaves behind its proprietary Tizen OS in favor of Google Put on OS 3. Now, that’s a daring transfer and one that would probably pit the Galaxy Watch 4 towards the newly unveiled Apple Watch 7. So let’s learn how does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 really fare in actual life? Is Google’s Put on OS 3 higher than Samsung’s Tizen OS? And may this smartwatch outperform the Apple Watch 7? Properly, I’ve been utilizing the Galaxy Watch 4 for nearly three weeks now, and listed here are my ideas on Samsung’s newest smartwatch.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Overview (2021)

Over the previous few weeks, I’ve had ample alternative to check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s capabilities in numerous eventualities. My private utilization of this smartwatch was a mixture of common step monitoring paired with fixed notifications and well being information evaluation. I’ve been testing the Bluetooth-only 44mm variant of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, loaned by Samsung to Beebom, for the aim of this overview. And right here’s what I take into consideration this smartwatch:

Galaxy Watch 4 vs Watch 4 Traditional: Specs

Earlier than we dive into the overview, I wish to level out that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Traditional are similar in terms of the software program and {hardware} inside. From the Put on OS 3 expertise and Samsung UI to the processor, every little thing is identical. Then, how do they differ?

The Galaxy Watch 4 Traditional options some {hardware} additions akin to a chrome steel case, which is a little more sturdy, and a bodily rotating bezel to change between display and app tiles. It has been included to supply customers a extra premium expertise (with a satisfying click on each time you rotate the bezel). Nonetheless, because the insides are the identical, this overview applies to each variants. To get a greater thought, remember to take a look at the specs beneath.

Design and Construct High quality

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has been designed to be viable in many various eventualities. Each the fashions include their very own little intricacies.

The Galaxy Watch 4 incorporates a uniform display design coupled with a smooth body. It contains two buttons on the best aspect that perform because the Residence and Again. The buttons are tactile, and the Residence button has a purple define to make it distinguishable. The body of the watch has a black bezel made out of aluminum, which makes it look uber-premium.

On the underside of the watch is Samsung’s all-in-one sensor, which now helps an thrilling new characteristic that we’ll talk about beneath. The strap accompanying the Galaxy Watch 4 is made out of silicone and has ample room on the highest and backside. I like how the additional strap tucks properly contained in the watch clasp, thereby making issues look neat. It permits for a extra comfy match and simple motion whereas working.

Total, the Galaxy Watch 4 boasts a extra sporty appear and feel, making it higher fitted to health lovers or informal customers.

The Galaxy Watch 4 Traditional, alternatively, is barely bulkier with a bodily rotating bezel for app switching. The watch is made out of chrome steel and tailor-made to be extra conventional whereas providing the identical options. That’s additional mirrored by its bodily properties and extra conventional straps. Each the watches have 5ATM water resistance together with an IP68 ranking and MIL-STD-810G sturdiness.

Whereas the Galaxy Watch 4 itself is gorgeous to put on and take a look at, there are occasions when it seems an excessive amount of like a easy smartwatch. In case you are a consumer wanting precisely for that, the Galaxy Watch 4 is finest suited to your wants. Nonetheless, for watch lovers who need that additional present of expertise, the Galaxy Watch 4 Traditional is unquestionably the best way to go.

Stunning Round Show

Regardless of which variant of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 you go for, you’ll get a pointy Tremendous AMOLED show that appears wonderful. As talked about above, the smaller variant has a 1.2-inch show with 396 x 396 decision, whereas the larger mannequin has a 1.36-inch show with 450 x 450 decision. Nonetheless, each shows include Corning Gorilla Glass DX safety for enhanced sturdiness and scratch resistance.

The contact responsiveness of Galaxy Watch 4’s show is prompt and fluid, which is wonderful. The display right here will get a lot vibrant on the most setting whereas utilizing it open air, nevertheless it might have been a tad brighter. However, the Galaxy Watch 4’s show goes fairly low too, however a software program glitch seemingly amped up the brightness randomly whereas lifting my wrist to test the time at evening time. Nonetheless, regardless of which brightness setting you select, the textual content legibility is sweet, and the colours are sharp and crisp.

The smartwatch additionally has an All the time-on Show that serves properly in making it a timepiece. Like some watches and health bands out there, Galaxy Watch 4 didn’t have any delay in displaying the time when elevating my wrist. It was virtually instantaneous and one thing I anticipate from a high-end watch like this. Furthermore, in the event you ever end up in a darkish room, you need to use your display as a flashlight, turning the display all white.

The Galaxy Watch 4 I’ve been testing has a digital rotating bezel that you need to use by operating your finger across the black bezel of the display. Whereas it largely works with out hitches, there are occasions it will possibly get annoying (because of the lack of any bodily suggestions) and makes me want for a bodily counterpart. Customers who need to have a neater answer and that satisfying click on should purchase the Galaxy Watch 4 Traditional. So yeah, total, Samsung does have some stuff it must work out, however the show on the Galaxy Watch 4 does a very good job.

Software program and Efficiency

Ditching Tizen OS, Samsung has partnered with Google to combine Put on OS 3 in its newest smartwatch lineup. Put on OS 3 on the Galaxy Watch 4 brings a boatload of enhancements and new options. Nonetheless, it’s price declaring that the Galaxy Watch 4 comes with the One UI Watch expertise, which makes the software program expertise appear and feel very similar to its predecessors.

The Galaxy Watch 4 is powered by Samsung’s 5nm Exynos W920 chipset that’s designed for higher efficiency and energy effectivity. And I’m completely satisfied to report that it’s precisely what it does.

The efficiency of the Galaxy Watch 4 felt like a breeze, with each faucet, contact, and course of being quick and fluid throughout the board. From navigating the UI and swiping by way of menus to seamlessly utilizing a wide range of apps, I didn’t discover any lag whereas utilizing the smartwatch. A draw back, in the event you think about it, is that the Galaxy Watch 4 takes a very long time besides up when restarted or turned off. Whereas I do understand that you simply received’t actually restart your watch fairly often, it’s one thing that caught my consideration throughout my use.

App Expertise

With Samsung shifting away from Tizen to Put on OS 3, customers can now simply search and set up many apps by way of the Google Play Retailer. I might simply lookup apps on the watch itself and obtain them with out hitches. The carry-over from Tizen OS to Put on OS 3 has led to new functions and integrations. For example – Google Maps on the Galaxy Watch 4 gives turn-by-turn navigation proper in your wrist, and also you even have a full-fledged YouTube Music app on the watch now.

The third-party tiles assist has lent additional alternatives to the Galaxy Watch 4 with many new apps deploying their Tiles expertise for simpler entry. For example – The Galaxy Watch 4 has integration from apps like Calm that present fast meditation by way of tiles. Google Match additionally has its personal additions, together with exercises, coronary heart charges, and extra.

Google additionally has a curated part that lists many apps to be used. Whereas the choice is respectable at finest proper now, it’ll solely develop as app builders begin constructing for Put on OS 3 and perceive its intricacies. You even have 16GB of storage and 1.5 GB RAM contained in the Galaxy Watch 4. Whereas a number of the storage is taken up by Put on OS itself, there’s sufficient room to put in apps and obtain music for offline playback. Music streaming apps like Spotify allow you to retailer songs and take heed to Spotify offline on Put on OS 3 watches with out your cellphone.

Samsung’s One UI Watch pores and skin makes for a very good base for the Galaxy Watch 4 and is simple to know and navigate. Whereas it nonetheless seems like Samsung’s older model, customers have the twin benefit of getting a well-recognized UI however improved options with Google’s smarts. All through my testing interval, I had no issues whereas utilizing the smartwatch. The software program integration allowed simple and well timed notification arrival from my cellphone to the watch. I’m not the most important fan of Samsung’s keyboard on the Watch 4, however there are many different enter choices. And that features voice typing, textual content drawing, and pre-set replies that you simply customise and use based mostly in your desire.

There are a good variety of watch faces out there on the Galaxy Watch 4 proper now, with choices being divided within the Samsung Wearable app and Google Play Retailer. I solely anticipate the variety of out there ones to extend as time passes. Furthermore, Samsung has made altering watch faces extremely simple, therefore, I had no bother doing so. You possibly can take a look at this in-depth information on the way to change and customise the watch face on Galaxy Watch 4.

No Google Assistant Assist But

A significant draw back of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s software program is the shortage of a correct voice assistant. Whereas Samsung has switched to Put on OS 3 with this wearable, Bixby continues to be current as a default assistant. And I’m not a fan of the Bixby expertise on this smartwatch. As somebody who’s deeply built-in into the Google ecosystem, I’m eagerly ready for Google Assistant assist, which is additional down the road. As a result of this very purpose, the assistant automation is uneven for now.

Furthermore, a factor you need to be conscious of is that you’ll need Samsung’s personal Well being software program to completely make the most of its well being and health monitoring capabilities regardless of Put on OS 3. So, a full ecosystem swap received’t be potential for Android customers.

A Lot Is dependent upon the Future

Whereas I like Google’s Put on OS 3 with Samsung One UI Watch, there’s one thing to be stated concerning the future right here. Whereas this integration between the tech giants lastly opens up a marketplace for app builders, it’ll take time earlier than we learn the way assorted the expertise can be. Pure efficiency apart, the variability and performance of apps rely upon not solely Put on OS 3 and however Samsung’s personal UI.

Because the Galaxy Watch 4 is the latest smartwatch on the block, it will likely be fascinating to see simply what number of apps and assist it receives through the years and whether or not this joint partnership will stand in the best way. Additionally, as soon as the fruits of this notable partnership are made accessible to different Android smartwatch makers, we will see the ecosystem swell and tackle the Apple Watch.

Well being and Health Monitoring

Samsung has a well known historical past of together with a plethora of well being options in its wearables. Nonetheless, the South Korean large has gone a step additional and included a BioActive sensor aboard the Galaxy Watch 4. With out complicating it, the BioActive sensor is a mixture of assorted sensors primed to cowl virtually each facet of the physique.

Apart from registering your coronary heart charge, the Galaxy Watch 4’s BioActive sensor can file your blood stress, blood oxygen ranges, and even carry out an ECG to test your coronary heart’s well being. The watch even has a stress testing characteristic that screens and presents stress ranges in real-time, one thing that may be immensely useful throughout powerful instances just like the pandemic.

My testing of the watch’s well being sensors bears optimistic outcomes. To get a correct metric for the watch, I cross-compared it with a medical-grade blood oxygen monitor and my Mi Band 4 for distinction. Every part from my heartbeat to the blood oxygen share recorded by the Galaxy Watch 4 was fairly correct, with outcomes being displayed on the watch in real-time. Customers who need fixed monitoring may select to measure coronary heart charge and gather stress information constantly.

A revamped Samsung Well being app now pairs properly with the Galaxy Watch 4 and acts as an entire management middle. In case you are within the behavior of checking your cellphone for well being information, one can find all of it there, together with full graphs and historical past. Customers may even monitor their well being information as much as the final 12 months.

Value of the Samsung Ecosystem

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 gives an entire arsenal of well being options with fairly correct rankings. Nonetheless, there’s a caveat which you need to be conscious of. Whereas the watch will work with any Android smartphone, take into account that Samsung has determined to limit some well being options on non-Samsung telephones.

Options just like the ECG check, blood stress monitoring, and the digicam controller is not going to work with out a Samsung machine. It’s one thing you need to think about as a significant draw back. My OnePlus 8T couldn’t reap the benefits of the aforementioned options, thereby limiting the Galaxy Watch 4’s functionality. Whereas Samsung may need plans to unlock them in a while, Android customers ought to be conscious that being exterior the Samsung ecosystem will price them.

Physique Composition Evaluation

Out of all of the well being options included within the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, maybe essentially the most spectacular is the brand new BIA sensor that’s constructed for measuring physique composition. Passing a weak electrical present throughout two of your fingers, the Watch 4 can measure and analyze your physique fats share, muscle mass, bone mass, physique water share, and even your Basal Metabolic Price (BMR). All it required from me is to position my ring and center finger on the 2 buttons and stand nonetheless for round 15 seconds.

The BIA sensor is an unbelievable addition to the Watch 4 and reveals that Samsung is making significant additions to its wearables lineup. The physique composition characteristic will slowly come in useful for individuals attempting to collect factual details about their our bodies with out a variety of problem. Nonetheless, I ought to level out that in my testing, the Galaxy Watch 4’s BIA sensor confirmed a 5% physique fats discrepancy when in comparison with a BMI scale. There may be additionally the matter that individuals with a pacemaker inside them and pregnant ladies shouldn’t use the Watch 4 to measure their physique composition.

Whereas a consumer can and will go about utilizing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s physique composition characteristic, it ought to solely function a reference information and never as ironclad proof. We nonetheless recommend you seek the advice of a physician if one thing feels off. Furthermore, it’s price mentioning that Galaxy Watch 4 is model new and will deliver many enhancements with upcoming software program updates.

Wellness Suite

In my temporary expertise, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 proves to be a one-stop portal to get well being data for Android customers. As somebody who periodically screens his well being information, the smartwatch was helpful in giving me perception into my physique in real-time. It made me need to take motion and enhance the numbers. Customers seeking to maintain tabs on their well being will love the brand new BioActive sensor. Furthermore, if you’re a health fanatic attempting to drop a few pounds, the BIA evaluation will come in useful.

Whereas the Galaxy Watch 4 will get virtually the whole lot of well being options right, enhancements are wanted in physique composition. Furthermore, the shortage of some options on non-Samsung smartphones is a draw back and one which places customers at an obstacle. Whilst you can nonetheless go forward and purchase the Galaxy Watch 4 to trace your well being, there are some issues you’ll miss out on.

Exercise Monitoring

Step monitoring is paramount to me. Having picked up the behavior of standard strolling in 2020, I stroll a mean of round 14,000 steps a day. I primarily use Google Match to maintain a tab on my strolling, amongst different issues like calorie expenditure. Over the course of two weeks, I used the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to trace my each day strolling routine, together with some heart-intensive actions. Galaxy Watch 4 comes with loads of exercise choices that vary from easy strolling to area of interest ones like arm curls, bench press, lateral raises, and plenty of extra. You possibly can even add extra exercises if you want.

Throughout my testing, Watch 4 precisely recorded my exercises. As somebody who loses some steps due to Google Match hibernating within the background, step monitoring was particularly useful on the smartwatch. Apart from my step rely, I might see energy burned, distance traveled, and my real-time coronary heart charge. The outcomes display even displayed numerous fat-burning zones, and recognize the extra data. This was made potential by the BioActive sensor that proved helpful right here.

Nonetheless, a factor concerning the exercise monitoring I beloved was the watch’s auto-recording characteristic. As a result of there have been instances I forgot to decide on a exercise, the watch detected my motion and gave me a small buzz to suggest that it’s monitoring my exercise. Very like earlier than, I might see real-time information, which made issues all of the extra handy.

All of the exercise information was synced to the Samsung Well being app, which allows you to monitor each day targets with ease. Whereas the Galaxy Watch 4 has Google Match integration, if I’m being trustworthy, I’d very properly swap to Samsung’s app due to the easy cross sync capabilities.

Sleep Monitoring

Out of the various enhancements Samsung debuted on the Galaxy Watch 4, one in all them is sleep monitoring. As a stressed sleeper, I used to be excited to see if the smartwatch might precisely monitor my sleep. After sporting the Galaxy Watch 4 for every week, I’m in awe of how scarily correct the watch’s sleep monitoring was.

Not solely did the smartwatch handle to file my sleep session precisely nevertheless it additionally saved a monitor of how usually I awakened through the evening and the precise time I went again to sleep. The Galaxy Watch 4 additionally recorded my blood oxygen ranges as soon as each minute and will additionally maintain monitor of my loud night breathing habits if the setting was turned on.

All this information was compiled and proven to me within the Samsung Well being app, as you possibly can see within the screenshots above. The report works on the metric of a sleep rating and never solely reveals the timeline however totally different sleep levels and SpO2 ranking as properly. The info that Galaxy Watch 4’s sleep monitoring gathers is fairly complete.

Nonetheless, a giant draw back right here is the shortage of path. Apart from the report that gave me a rating out of 100, I didn’t see any ideas and methods to assist enhance my sleeping habits. Whereas I did get to be taught extra about how usually I get up and even dreamt, the shortage of any pop-ups or movies to advise me on what to do was disheartening. I perceive that Samsung is not going to administer any medical recommendation however a couple of easy ideas and methods ought to have been included within the app.

You do have some brief meditation movies from apps like Calm out there within the Samsung Well being app however that’s about it. The sleep monitoring characteristic on the Galaxy Watch 4 is correct however tends to fall a step brief, leaving the onus to enhance their habits on the consumer.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is one thing subjective in terms of smartwatches. Whereas there are customers who don’t thoughts charging their watch each evening, others desire a low-maintenance product that may final a couple of days. The battery lifetime of the Galaxy Watch 4’s 44mm Bluetooth mannequin that I’ve been testing has been respectable at finest. Whereas larger fashions just like the 44mm have extra battery capability, Samsung guarantees as much as 40 hours of smartwatch life on a single cost for all variants. That’s kind of the case.

Throughout my testing, I had the always-on show on, auto-brightness on, tilt, and contact to wake on, together with all the brand new sensors working often to trace my well being information on the Galaxy Watch 4. After my main use, the Galaxy Watch 4 managed to final round 25 hours earlier than turning on the power-saving mode. Whereas the watch dictated that will make the battery final one other 8 hours, I bought round 29-30 hours in complete earlier than it died.

Relying on what sort of consumer you’re, the outcomes above can both be spectacular or disappointing. My private opinion is that the Galaxy Watch 4 manages to final fairly some time, particularly contemplating the hoops I made it soar by way of. Nonetheless, do bear in mind that this spells bother for the smaller fashions as they’ll want a cost a lot faster. In case you are a consumer who likes their smartwatch to final extra, positively go for the larger variants.

Nonetheless, what breaks the deal altogether for me is the gradual charging time. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 takes round 2 hours to cost to full capability. Since I’m the form of consumer who prefers to have a 100% cost earlier than I go away the home, it was particularly painful to sit down and anticipate hours to look at the battery cost.

If the Galaxy Watch 4’s battery managed to final a couple of days, this might be excused. However seeing because the watch requires charging each 1.5 days, the gradual charging is unquestionably bothersome. Maybe Put on OS optimization might make the battery last more, however as issues stand now, the battery is a no-go for me. The apparent workaround to this nuisance is charging the watch at evening, however that additionally means you received’t be capable to monitor your sleep, which is a bummer.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Execs and Cons

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Nonetheless the Finest Smartwatch for Android Customers!

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the primary smartwatch to return out with Google’s new Put on OS 3 replace and packs many new options beneath the hood. From the model new BIA sensor to much-improved coronary heart and sleep monitoring, there’s lots to love right here. Galaxy Watch 4 additionally comes with some wanted enhancements like a fluid consumer expertise, extra suggestible sleep monitoring, and future dedication from Google. However, in the event you take a look at it objectively, Samsung must additional polish the software program expertise and open up all of the well being options to draw much more Android customers.

Nonetheless, with that stated, the Galaxy Watch 4 can also be extra inexpensive than the earlier iteration with the 40mm Bluetooth model starting at Rs. 23,999. You possibly can shell out extra and go for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Traditional that packs a bodily rotating bezel and starts at Rs. 31999. In case you are a Samsung purist and need to be a part of the primary wave of Put on OS 3 smartwatches, decide up the Galaxy Watch 4 proper now. Nonetheless, non-Samsung Android customers can go for rivals just like the Fossil Gen 6 (starts at Rs. 23,995) and different upcoming Put on OS 3 smartwatches for extra selection.